Danielle Ruggiero

Background

About Danielle Ruggiero

As a senior business leader with a unique cross-sector background in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, I specialize in driving strategic growth, building high-impact programs, and developing strong, mission-aligned teams. Currently serving as Senior Director of Programs at the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), I lead statewide entrepreneurial education and advising services that empower businesses across Connecticut. I am responsible for delivering relevant content through educational classes and providing targeted business advising services to help entrepreneurs start, sustain, and scale their businesses. My work focuses on program strategy, team leadership, and building inclusive economic opportunity. Previously, I held senior executive roles in product development, merchandising, and procurement, most notably at Really Good Stuff and Excelligence Learning Corporation, where I scaled product lines, led cross-functional teams, and helped grow a privately held brand to a successful acquisition. During the COVID and post-COVID era, I led the launch of a proprietary supplemental curriculum product line that generated $7M in sales within three years, addressing critical market needs in the education space. I bring a people-first leadership style, a commitment to mission-driven work, and a proven track record of turning strategy into scalable results—whether in retail, education, or nonprofit sectors. I’m passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, building inclusive economic ecosystems, and leading teams that thrive on collaboration, innovation, and purpose.