Daniel Gandarilla

Chief Human Resources Officer

Dr. Daniel Gandarilla serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Gulf Coast Blood. Since joining the organization in January 2025, he has been instrumental in shaping HR strategy, workforce development, and organizational culture, ensuring alignment with Gulf Coast Blood’s mission and growth objectives.

Dr. Gandarilla is known for his ability to navigate complex organizational challenges, including merger and integration work, crisis management (Ebola & COVID-19), ERP implementation, corporate restructuring, and virtual/remote teaming. His strategic collaboration with business leaders has consistently delivered outstanding results, fostering high-performing teams and operational efficiency. His pragmatic, human-centered approach to HR has contributed to national recognition for organizations under his leadership, including being named among Forbes’ “Best Places to Work” and Newsweek’s “Most Loved Workplaces” within large healthcare systems.

In his role, Dr. Gandarilla oversees total rewards, talent acquisition, employee relations, and talent management, ensuring that Gulf Coast Blood continues to attract, develop, and retain top talent. Additionally, he plays a key role in the organization’s strategic vision.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Dr. Gandarilla is deeply committed to service. He currently serves on the national board of the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives and is a faculty member at Wake Forest University, where he teaches Human Resources and Organization Development in the Master of Healthcare Administration program. He has also contributed his time to various non-profit boards, including Arts+, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Carolinas, the American Heart Association of Western NC and South Carolina, the Tarrant Area Food Bank, and the Colleyville Soccer Association.

Dr. Gandarilla holds a doctorate in educational leadership and an MBA in management from Texas Christian University, as well as a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science from Stanford University. Through his leadership, Dr. Gandarilla continues to drive organizational excellence, foster employee engagement, and support the mission of saving lives through blood donation and research.