Experienced human resources leader to focus on culture and employee experience
Portico Benefit Services has named David Dardano as Head of People and Culture. In this role, Dardano will lead the organization’s human resources (HR) strategy, focusing on leadership development, fostering employee engagement, and driving strong organizational effectiveness in support of Portico’s mission.
Dardano brings more than 15 years of progressive human resources leadership experience across nonprofit, health care, retail, and high-growth organizations. His background includes building strategies and systems that strengthen culture and help organizations and people grow.
Most recently, Dardano led Human Resources (HR) at Episcopal Homes of Minnesota, where he oversaw strategic initiatives spanning talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, employee engagement, and HR technology. Previously, he served as Chief People Officer at BeBright, where he supported rapid organizational growth through multiple acquisitions. Earlier in his career, he was a Human Resources Partner at e-commerce company McMaster-Carr and also at Target.
“David brings a thoughtful, disciplined approach to building strong teams and supporting leaders,” said Paul Sterling, Chief Operating Officer at Portico. “He understands how strong people practices translate into stronger performance and a more resilient organization.”
Dardano holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification.
“Investing in our people and culture is essential to how we serve,” said Chris Johnson, President and CEO of Portico. “David’s leadership will help us continue strengthening our workplace and how we support our employees, which is critical to attracting top talent.”
Drawn to Portico’s mission of serving others, Dardano said, “What stands out to me about Portico is its clear sense of purpose and the opportunity to partner with a strong leadership team to support the people who carry that mission forward every day.”