Daran Gaus

About Daran Gaus

Mission-driven, fast-paced, strategic thinker, integration expert, and servant leader with a history of exceptional performance in a variety of industries. Deep experience in both Finance ($60M in P&L responsibility), and Operations (led 200-employee organization). Thrives at leadership, building networks, collaboration, and cohesive culture creation in order to provide evidence-based solutions within operational, budgetary, and time constraints. Systemic thinker who excels at asking the right questions, identifying process-limiting factors, streamlining operations, financial and economic assessment, building high performing teams, and thriving in high-pressure environments. Top-tier United States Military officer, economics and cost accounting enthusiast, and operationally-minded finance executive.Daran brings a unique blend of military discipline, operational acumen, financial rigor, and entrepreneurial agility to every endeavor he leads.

Experience

1. Vice President of Finance & Operations

   The Leapfrog Group

   Jul 2025 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   A national nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and transparency of health care in the United States.

Education

• Rice Business

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

• UTHealth Houston

  Doctoral Studies, Health Informatics

• United States Air Force Academy

  Bachelor's Degree, Business Administration and Management, General

• United States Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training

  Air Force Pilot Wings, Aviation (fixed and rotary-wing)

• Harvard Business School

  Executive Education, Value Measurement for Health Care

• Capella University

  Master's Degree in Psychology, Specialization in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

• United States Air Force Weapons School

  PhD-level graduate degree in battle-space dominance across land, air, space, and cyber domains, HH-60 Weapons Instructor Specialization

Skills

• Leadership
• Operational Planning
• Team Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Program Development
• Program Management
• Air Force
• Military
• High Pressure Environment
• Organizational Leadership
• Operations Management
• Leadership Development
• Tactics
• Process Improvement
• Military Operations
• Presentations
• Project Management
• Combat
• Department Reorganization
• Standards Development
• Data Analysis
• Contingency Planning
• Teaching
• Program Coordination
• Active Top Secret Security Clearance
• Creative Problem Solving
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Leading Change
• Integration
• Program Evaluation
• Interagency Coordination
• Helicopters
• Logistics Management
• Command
• Personnel Supervision
• Strategic Communications
• Strategic Planning
• Logistics
• Strategic Leadership
• Standardization