Danielle Biggs ‘15 embodies the spirit of servant leadership through her diverse career paths and unwavering commitment to community service. Her story shows how an Elon education can shape one’s desire to give back and influence change in the world.
Danielle Biggs ‘15 exemplifies servant leadership, demonstrating how an Elon education can inspire a lifelong commitment to community service and meaningful change. Biggs came to Elon on scholarships that significantly impacted her journey.
“Those financial investments in my college education helped me complete my academic programs and allowed for some of the most life-changing international and domestic study abroad opportunities I participated in,” said Biggs.
Among these opportunities was a transformative Winter Term in Ghana. This opportunity connected her to her African heritage, igniting her passion for service and her desire to uplift communities through her work.
“A family scholarship made it possible for me to have a signature ‘Elon study abroad experience’ by spending the entire 2014 Winter Term in Ghana as part of a 14-student performing arts and history tour of the West African nation led by former Elon dance professor Jason Aryeh,” explained Biggs.
Elon’s commitment to community engagement resonated deeply with Biggs, especially through the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows Program. The program instilled in her the importance of using one’s unique skills and networks to bring about meaningful change.
“The mantra of ‘think globally and act locally’ has framed much of my life’s work,” said Biggs. “When we all act locally, the ripple effect can be felt on a global scale. Every generation can advance our local and global society if we each play our unique parts.”
The ideas she took out of the Leadership Fellows program inspired her life of service to others. Biggs’ career began with her early passion for the arts. Initially aspiring to join a professional dance company, but her time at Elon shifted her focus toward arts administration.
“It was at Elon that I started to become fascinated with the business aspect of the arts, the behind-the-scenes foundation that makes all of our access to the arts possible,” says Biggs.
By double-majoring in arts administration and dance choreography, Biggs laid the groundwork for a career that combined her love for the arts with her commitment to community service.
After graduating, she entered the nonprofit sector, working at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, New Jersey, where she developed her fundraising and development skills. This role solidified her belief in the power of the arts to bring people together. Biggs acknowledges that some of her skill set is largely thanks to the classes and experiences she had during her time at Elon.
“I credit a lot of my confidence with public speaking and taking command of a meeting room, giving presentations and overall aspects of leadership in the workspace to countless hours spent in the bright lights of McCrary Stage at Elon,” she explained.
Biggs continued to expand her expertise through positions in notable arts organizations, including The Public Theater in New York City. Throughout her transitions, her dedication to servant leadership remained evident. Biggs had several different careers, but throughout them, she noticed the strength of Elon and the success of the alumni.
“When I encounter fellow Elon alumni in a professional or personal setting, the environment is elevated and shifts – we know to expect the best and we naturally strive for greatness,” she said.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Biggs seized the opportunity to pivot her career toward the corporate sector. Seeking to reconceptualize her relationship with the arts, positioning it as a cherished aspect of her life rather than her sole profession.
“I knew it was time for a career shift because I wanted to reach back and support the nonprofit sector that laid the foundation for my career,” she said.
This decision led her to earn a master’s degree in education policy and leadership at American University in Washington, D.C. Now, she is a proud member of the Aon business community, a global corporation dedicated to social responsibility. The company provides insurance, risk management and other financial services to companies and communities around the world. This switch to corporate America was a new but exciting challenge to undertake, but Biggs knew that she wouldn’t be leaving her past of social service behind.
“I love that Aon has values and a mission rooted in the betterment of society through the strengthening and protection of communities,” says Biggs.
Her previous nonprofit experience allows her to contribute meaningfully to corporate social responsibility initiatives, blending her professional responsibilities with her commitment to community enhancement.
“Though I am now part of corporate America, I contribute much of my life’s success to the performing arts and to the training I received in the dance and arts administration programs at Elon,” she explained.
She remains committed to her role as a servant leader in her community, even after relocating to New York City: “The opportunities to contribute as a servant leader are endless in there,” she said.
Biggs has taught Zumba and dance fitness classes in East Harlem, promoting health and wellness in her new community. Her involvement continues through her work with the Sullivan Foundation, which was created to support and honor service-oriented college students and faculty. Biggs received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 2015.
“To be recognized not just for academic achievements, but for service and leadership—it felt like the perfect end to my time at Elon,” Biggs reflected.
The award is given out to students with exemplary acts in leadership, service, and a commitment to others. Biggs continues to serve as a leader for the organization, including as a masterclass coach, a member of the alumni advisory council and a local alumni community organizer.
“My time at Elon instilled in me the importance of community engagement and effective leadership,” said Biggs. “Regardless of where my career has taken me, the focal point has and will always be community development and the strengthening of society.”
Her journey reflects the profound impact of Elon University on her commitment to
servant leadership, while her multifaceted roles—spanning the arts, nonprofit, and corporate sectors—demonstrate her dedication to fostering positive change in her community. As she continues to inspire others through her various endeavors, she remains a shining example of how education can fuel a lifelong desire to give back and create a lasting impact.
