About Daniel H. Sohn

The Honorable Daniel H. Sohn is an award-winning business advocate, human rights + DEI consultant & civics champion, who has held key leadership roles in chamber of commerce/business association management, economic & workforce development, and destination marketing.

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Positions have included:

• Interim CEO of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau

• CEO of the Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce

• President & CEO of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce

• President & CEO of the Antioch Convention & Visitors Bureau

• President & CEO of the Orlando Pride Chamber

• Executive Director of the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce

 

In 2018, Daniel made history when he was elected as a City Councilmember for the Town of Haverhill, Florida, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected in the city’s history and the first out bisexual person elected to hold public office in the state of Florida.

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After narrowly losing re-election by a single vote, Daniel established The Florida Center for Civic Engagement. Driven by his vision, Daniel and his campaign team aimed to create a statewide platform empowering Florida's citizens with enhanced hands-on experiences to deepen their understanding and involvement in the civic arena. As part of its initiatives, the center founded #FloridaCivicsWeek, an annual statewide celebration of the civic process. Learn More: Florida Civics Week

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In February 2020, Daniel and his husband Kai were married in a historic wedding ceremony officiated in Tallahassee by Former Central FL State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, becoming the first LGBT couple to be married in the Florida State Capitol Building. See Coverage here: Tallahassee Democrat

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Having relocated to California, Daniel was nominated by California Governor Gavin Newsom and appointed by the Director of The Selective Service, in the name of U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, as a Board Member, representing California on the Nation’s Selective Service System. See Coverage here: Imperial Valley Press

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In November 2021, Daniel was named an Honorary Member of the Los Vigilantes, a revered civic organization with a storied history of service in California's Imperial Valley. Honorary Members are rare, with a list that includes U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, former California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, several local dignitaries, and Naval Air Facility Commanders. Daniel remains grateful for the family of brothers he gained that day.

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In 2022, Daniel accepted the Pride Business Leadership Award from the North Bay Business Journal for his noteworthy contributions as an out-and-proud executive. See Coverage here: North Bay Business Journal

 

In March 2023, Daniel was named an “Orlando Magic Diversity Game Changer” by the NBA & the Orlando Magic for his work as a local leader dedicated to advancing social justice and equality.

See Coverage here: Watermark Online

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Most recently, Daniel became a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award from U.S. President Joseph R. Biden in recognition of his significant contributions to volunteerism, community service, and civic engagement. The award was presented to him by Antioch, California Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe at a special ceremony held on October 17, 2024. See Coverage here: Antioch Herald

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Daniel is the current President of the Sonoma/Napa County United Nations Association Chapter, where he leads initiatives promoting the United Nations’ mission of human rights, sustainability, and social justice. He leverages his expertise as a Certified Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Facilitator and Certified Human Rights Consultant to guide organizations and communities toward equity and understanding.

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In December 2024, Daniel was appointed as a Commissioner to the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights. This appointment reflects his lifelong dedication to promoting justice, inclusion, and human dignity. His swearing-in took place on January 28, 2025, on a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
See Coverage here: KTLA / EIN Presswire

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Daniel is also the author of Lemonade for Sale!: A Guide to Nurturing the Spirit of Entrepreneurship! and

Sit. Stay. Lead.: Unleashing the Power of Canine-Inspired Leadership.

 

Both books inspire readers to turn ideas into action and embrace innovative leadership. They are available in hardcover, softcover, and ebook formats at Lulu.com, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Walmart.com, Books-A-Million, and DanielSpeaks.org. See Book Listing: Barnes & Noble

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Daniel lives in Sonoma County, CA with his husband and their five dogs: Sammy, GG, Lukas, Gillian, and Gracie. He is an avid collector of dog figurines and a huge hockey fan.

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