Dan Lang, a Beloved Champion of Impact Sourcing Near and Far, Dies at 60

Dan Lang, a longtime employee at Sutherland Global Services and widely admired for his work in impact sourcing, passed away suddenly last week. He was 60 years old and based in Williamson, New York.

Through his 35+ years of service at Sutherland, Dan Lang rose to Senior Vice President before taking on a “Practitioner” role at Sutherland Labs earlier this year.

He also served as an advisor for The Champion Academy, an organization dedicated to mentoring teens in the Rochester area.

Dan Lang’s legacy goes well beyond business. Dan was beloved for his transparent and friendly character, and also for his determination to put sustainability and impact sourcing on the forefront of everything he did. In sum, he was dedicated to improving lives near and far.

Idania Quintanilla, Assistant Vicepresident of Global Employee Experience at Sutherland Global Services

“When I met Dan 18 years ago, I was struck by a personality I didn’t know could exist in a corporate environment. A free soul, tell-it-like-it-is, fascinating mix of business savviness and rock ‘n roll that made me think how being authentic was a true people magnet and a superpower. In any room or circumstance, Dan never went unnoticed.

Fast-forward some years, and I reached out to him to be part of the Corporate Citizens project he created, inspired by the actions of his “Do Well by Doing Good” team. He took my word for it, became an advocate to lift my career and gave me opportunities I did not know existed. His big heart held true passion for our social impact eccentric thinker that was crazy different and unconventional, wearing his heart always in the right place. Knowing that the right thing to do was the ONLY thing to do.

As a strong advocate of female empowerment, I know he spoke my name in rooms I wasn’t in, and I will forever be thankful for his mentorship and human insights beyond the bottom line.

Dan, good friend, they broke the mold when you were born. Godspeed!”

Ramesh Lekshmynarayanan, Managing Partner at Green Catapult Inc.

“Dan Lang’s passing is a devastating loss to the BPO world and all who were fortunate enough to know him. He was a visionary leader at Sutherland Global Services, rising to the position of Senior Vice President. However, it was his unwavering dedication to positive change that truly made him extraordinary.

Our paths crossed through our shared passion for ESG/CSR, and often our discussions centered on enacting strategies for a more impactful corporate approach. Dan was a remarkable individual who embodied both the roles of a student and a teacher. His insatiable curiosity, profound wisdom, and generous spirit allowed him to see potential and opportunities where others hesitated. Dan’s commitment to mentorship, empowering individuals of all ages, was profoundly inspiring. For over two years, he was a trusted confidant and mentor, tirelessly advocating for corporate responsibility and impact sourcing with clients and building communities united by a shared purpose for collective good.

Dan held an unwavering belief that businesses could be a powerful force for good. He challenged us to critically examine the impact our work has on the world, urging us to embrace genuine corporate social responsibility. He championed ‘measurable’ results over empty gestures, demonstrating a commitment to tangible progress and real-world change. His fervent passion for ethical and sustainable practices left an indelible mark on my approach to business and my understanding of our collective responsibility in shaping a more just and equitable society.

Dan will be profoundly missed, but his legacy of compassion and positive change will forever serve as an inspiration. His memory will live on in the countless lives he touched, motivating us to strive for a better world, just as he did.”

Mauricio A. Velásquez Muñoz, Managing Director at Velásquez & Company

“I met Dan Lang years ago at an event where the Rockefeller Foundation invited him and me. A great human being with an incomparable sense of humor, always with a sympathetic and very appropriate point of view. Over time, we followed the same path — helping to generate quality and dignified employment for people who needed it. We were left with a pending conversation, which would take place on a date we agreed upon, something we did very often to catch up on what we were up to and to laugh at ourselves for a while.

A great human being, always willing to help many people. He also loved to teach and be a reference for many people — without expecting anything in return.”

Jon Yarlett, COO at Intelligent Sourcing and Founder of The Impact Sourcing Alliance

“I met Dan through the IAOP. We were both regular attendees at their events and quickly formed a friendship.

You would always know when Dan was in the room. His energy was massive, and people would always want to talk to him and hear his thoughts on the industry. Dan always had a story to tell. It didn’t matter if it was industry related or personal, he always had a great tale that he would take great pleasure in telling everyone, often getting a laugh in return.

He was generous with his knowledge and experience, taking time to offer help and advice where needed. He offered me any help I needed when we spoke a few days before his passing.

Where Dan and I really came together was around Impact Sourcing. I had launched the Impact Sourcing Alliance, and he was a passionate advocate of all things that were helping to provide meaningful employment to those from marginalized communities. Dan wanted to give back and shine a light on the good our industry could do. He would dive deep into his network spreading the message of inclusive hiring, which he even adopted in his own business at home.

When Dan spoke, people listened.

He loved to help people and always wanted to be part of things.

Dan passing is a massive loss to our industry, and I will miss him dearly.”