Dan Ratner

Distinguished Engineer @ Isomer

About

Entrepreneur, AI guy, writer, humanist, tech leader, and life tourist. I’ve been working in AI since before the hype, contributing to peer-reviewed research and building real-world applications alongside leading the team at Public Good. Over the years, I’ve co-founded companies across IT consulting, telecom, media, and e-commerce—including Sittercity, the first and largest platform for finding quality childcare online, which I launched with my extraordinary wife, Genevieve. I helped lead tech at Obama for America in 2012 and most recently served as CEO and head of R&D at Public Good, an AI-based digital purpose marketing firm (acquired by AdMedia in 2025). I’m passionate about using technology to support democracy, reduce violence, and build a sustainable future. On the side, I play piano badly, wrestle with French and Italian, write thriller novels, and have an abiding weakness for Spanish Rioja. I love explaining tech to non-tech folks, writing, and traveling with my wife and our hilarious twin sons. Now exploring what’s next—always open to meaningful conversations and mission-driven collaborations.

Country

United States

City

Chicago

Industry

Internet

Skill

Social Media, Software Development, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Leadership Development, Public Policy, Start-ups, Strategy, Research, Databases, Nanotechnology, Entrepreneurship, SEO, Business Planning, Marketing, Strategic Planning, Project Management, E-commerce, Management, Leadership

Experience

Distinguished Engineer

Isomer

2026-3 - Present · 7 mos

At Large

Advising on and developing AI-based software development tools, approaches and pipelines

Managing Partner for AI

Snapdragon Partners

2025-8 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

Chicago, IL

I manage research and development for Snapdragon’s AI software development framework, Maestro.

Director

Cure Violence Global

2018-7 - Present · 8 yrs 3 mos

Greater Chicago Area

Proud to be a director of Cure Violence Global, which champions healthcare methods as the most effective way for reducing violence worldwide.

Director

Impact Engine

2015-3 - Present · 11 yrs 7 mos

Impact Engine invests in for-profit businesses addressing the world's greatest social and environmental challenges.

Chief Technology Officer

Entertainmint, Inc.

2022-8 - 2025-6 · 2 yrs 11 mos

The web3 marketplace for entertainment IP, helping creators fund, build, and monetize content utilizing the good things about the blockchain.

CEO & Head of AI

Public Good

2013-5 - 2025-6 · 12 yrs 2 mos

Greater Chicago Area

Public Good empowers people to make a difference on the most important issues of the day through partnerships with leading news media and cause-focused brands.

Director

Open Books

2006-6 - 2022-8 · 16 yrs 3 mos

Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that provides literacy experiences for thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and creative capitalization of books.

Director

Fulcrum Point New Music Project

2010-3 - 2016-2 · 6 yrs

Fulcrum Point New Music Project champions new classical music and highlights contemporary composers who are inspired and influenced by popular culture, including literature, film, dance, folk, rock, jazz, blues, Latin and world music.