He served the country for 24 years and developed exceptional leadership skills, picking up numerous awards and achievements along the way.
In early 2024, after serving in executive positions, including at the Port of Anacortes,
Dan Worra assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at Camp Korey. Nestled in the scenic Mount Vernon, Washington, Camp Korey is a beacon of hope for children facing life-altering medical conditions and their families, offering transformative experiences free of charge.
Expressing his anticipation for the year ahead, Worra remarked, "We have an amazing staff, and our best days are ahead of us. I am eagerly looking forward to serving our campers and their families."
His enthusiasm sets a promising tone for Camp Korey's future.
Having heard of Camp Korey's remarkable work, Worra was drawn to be a part of it. When the opportunity arose to lead the organization, he embraced it wholeheartedly, drawing on his extensive background. With his seasoned leadership, Worra is poised to guide Camp Korey through a new phase of growth and development.
Dan Worra's role at Camp Korey is more than a job; it's a calling with the potential to profoundly impact lives and inspire countless children and families. His commitment to making a positive difference aligns seamlessly with Camp Korey's mission of bringing joy, adventure, and healing to those they serve, promising an exciting journey under his leadership.
Dan Worra's Path to Camp Korey
Worra's journey to Camp Korey was not a linear one, but a collection of diverse experiences that have shaped his values and honed his executive skills.
Reflecting on his time in the Navy, he shares, "The military taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, decision-making, and adaptability. The high-stakes, rapidly evolving situations we faced required clear, strategic thinking. I learned to observe, orient, decide, and act quickly, all while keeping a cool head and my team focused on the mission."
This emphasis on adaptability, decisiveness, and mission-driven leadership has been a cornerstone of Worra's approach. But even more importantly, his time in the Navy instilled in him a deep appreciation for collaborative, culturally sensitive leadership through active listening.
Worra explains, "I try to understand people and come to them where they are. I don't force people to come to me and understand where I am at. It builds an amazing amount of trust when you listen and hear what people say. I try to actively listen and understand their point of view, as well as the message they are trying to convey."
The Power of Active Listening: The Story of Patang
In 2011, Worra was ordered to deploy to Afghanistan for a year, just as he and his family built their dream retirement home. One of his key responsibilities was advising General Patang, a three-star Afghan general responsible for the country's national police training.
"I worked hard to gain his trust,” Worra shares. “I started to learn the language (Dari) and could carry on a very basic conversation. We grew to trust each other."
In a critical moment, Worra found himself entrusted with conveying information to Patang regarding a specific project for the Afghan National Police Training General Command.
According to Worra, Patang was presented with three options, with Worra tasked to advocate for option A. However, Patang expressed disagreement, asserting that while option A might be suitable for American contexts, option C would be more effective in Afghanistan.
"I completely understood and shared his perspective," Worra asserts. "Upon returning to my camp, I conveyed to my chain of command that option C was the optimal choice. Despite their initial insistence on option A, I stood firm and outlined the reasons why option C was most advantageous for the Afghans. Eventually, they relented."
Patang was astounded. "In the 10 years he has been working with advisors, he told me no one has ever listened to his ideas, let alone defend them and get them approved," Worra recalls.
This instance of active listening and trust-building proved to be a turning point in their relationship, leading to Patang's subsequent promotions and his insistence on having Worra as his advisor.
The trust and mutual understanding they had built paid off, as Patang went on to be promoted to Deputy Minister of the Interior and then Minister of the Interior, each time insisting that Worra serve as his advisor.
Embracing the Strength of Diversity
This experience reinforced Worra's belief in fostering a culture of open communication, shared purpose, and empowerment.
"I'm a big believer in the idea of 'strength through diversity,’” he states. "Whether in the workplace, in the community, or on a national scale, I think we all have different strengths and perspectives to offer. The key is creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute."
One strategy Worra believes in is to "push decision-making to the correct level. Allow the person responsible to make the decisions. Don't second guess their decisions, even if they differ from what you would have done. Give them advice, tell them why you think it would have been better to do it differently, but do not reverse their decision. Learn from it! Perhaps they were right, and your way wasn't the best?"
Dan Worra's Mission to Bring Collaborative Leadership to Camp Korey
Worra is poised to bring this collaborative approach to Camp Korey's mission. "At the end of the day, our job is to serve the children and families who come through our doors," Worra says. "It's not about me or my personal ambitions; it's about creating an environment where these kids can thrive, explore their passions, and just be kids, free from the burdens of their medical conditions."
He plans to empower his team to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and work together toward a shared vision.
"At the end of the day, we're all in this together," he says. "My job as the CEO is to provide the strategic direction and the resources, but the real magic happens when everyone feels invested in the mission and empowered to contribute."
That mission-driven focus is reflected in Worra's personal mantra: "Mission, family, work hard, have fun."
Dan Worra's New Course
"When I first learned about Camp Korey, I was immediately drawn to their purpose, values, and commitment to making a real difference in the lives of children and families," Worra says. "It's the kind of work that really resonates with me personally. I'm honored to have the opportunity to lead this incredible organization and help take it to new heights."
As Worra settles into his new role, he's already hard at work charting a course for Camp Korey's continued growth and impact.
"I could not be more excited to be Camp Korey's new CEO,” he enthusiastically shares. “I work hard to promote a positive workplace. Quite simply, we all have different strengths and through communication and understanding, we can accomplish great things."
Above all,
Dan Worra says, he's focused on fostering a culture of active listening, empowerment, collaboration, and fun.
By Chris Bates
