Championing Continuous Learning and Innovation in Tax Leadership

Husband and father; soccer nut; accidental tax nerd

In brief

• Trailblazers in tax leadership embrace unconventional paths to find success.
• Dan Feld, Associate Vice President of Tax at Humana shares the significance of continuous learning.
• He feels he positions himself as a champion to “foster an environment where continuous learning is encouraged.”

Dan Feld, Humana's Associate Vice President of Tax, embarked on his 25-year career following an unexpected revelation during high school, where he learned the principles that have helped drive his successful leadership journey. During a recent discussion with Dan, he shared key aspects of his leadership journey, which include the significance of continuous learning, the necessity of accepting uncontrollable factors and the importance of embracing change.

Continuous learning: From perception to reality

Early in Dan’s career, he believed that accountants gained knowledge exclusively from textbooks and code regulations. However, he quickly discovered that informal, impromptu conversations were a goldmine of valuable insights and practical wisdom. In today’s post-pandemic world of remote and hybrid work, these spontaneous interactions are increasingly at risk. “As a leader” Dan says, “I feel like it is my duty to foster an environment where continuous learning is encouraged, and to create opportunities for my team to connect and have the impromptu exchange of ideas to support their growth and also expand their network.”

Hardest lesson: Accepting the uncontrollable

At the beginning of his career, Dan found himself handling a challenging IRS tax controversy case. While he anticipated a lengthy legal battle, the IRS surprised him by proposing a settlement that resolved the matter in just 90 days. This pivotal experience instilled in him the importance of accepting the unpredictable nature of situations, understanding that not every factor can be anticipated or controlled, and that unforeseen results can yield positive outcomes. The lessons of resilience and adaptability he learned during this time are principles Dan applies in his daily work, especially as the landscape of tax regulations becomes increasingly complex, technology continues to evolve and the pressure to reduce costs while delivering value intensifies.