ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Mr. Donald Doan '97 serves as graduation guest speaker for BC Class of 2025
Donald Doan was born in Savannah on May 2, 1978, to Trong and Kim Doan. He began his education at St. James Catholic School, where he enjoyed playing varsity basketball for the Chargers. He then attended Benedictine Military School alongside his three brothers, excelling both academically and athletically.
A leader among his peers, Mr. Doan served as BC's National Honor Society President and was awarded the prestigious Senior Army Instructor (SAI) Leadership Award by LTC John Manson Owens III '61. On the football field, Mr. Doan co-captained the celebrated 1997 team under the esteemed coach Mr. Tommy Brackett. Under the guidance of his position coach, Mr. Tommy Cannon, he earned First-Team All-Region and All-City honors, and twice was named Player of the Game.
Throughout high school, Mr. Doan was influenced by key mentors, including Fr. Jeffrey and the late coach Mr. Ken Yeckley, whose recommendation inspired Mr. Doan to attend the University of Notre Dame on an academic scholarship. At Notre Dame, Mr. Doan became known for his determination and passion for sports. As a sophomore, he won the student body bench press contest and competed in Bengal Bouts, the university's renowned men's boxing program, where he ranked third in his weight class. Mr. Doan graduated in 2001 with honors, earning a bachelor of arts degree in management information systems.
After college, Mr. Doan launched his career in technology and strategy consulting, working with Accenture, Bay Street Solutions, and Perficient in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London. After seven years in consulting, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, co-founding a hospitality company that manages franchised restaurants. Today, Mr. Doan is the Chief Executive Officer of Gellert Hospitality Group, which owns and operates 107 Five Guys hamburger locations, and one Cinnabon, across 12 states, employing more than 2,000 people.
In addition to his role at Gellert Hospitality Group, Mr. Doan is the co-founder and CEO of Interviewy, Inc., a recruiting automation platform designed to help high-turnover businesses, such as restaurants, streamline hiring processes for maximum efficiency and revenue growth.
Mr. Doan is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization and serves on the boards of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois and Halo Impact. He currently resides in Glenview, Ill., with his wife, Andrea, their three children, Ellie, Camden, and Cuyler, and their beloved dog, Darla.
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A leader among his peers, Mr. Doan served as BC's National Honor Society President and was awarded the prestigious Senior Army Instructor (SAI) Leadership Award by LTC John Manson Owens III '61. On the football field, Mr. Doan co-captained the celebrated 1997 team under the esteemed coach Mr. Tommy Brackett. Under the guidance of his position coach, Mr. Tommy Cannon, he earned First-Team All-Region and All-City honors, and twice was named Player of the Game.
Throughout high school, Mr. Doan was influenced by key mentors, including Fr. Jeffrey and the late coach Mr. Ken Yeckley, whose recommendation inspired Mr. Doan to attend the University of Notre Dame on an academic scholarship. At Notre Dame, Mr. Doan became known for his determination and passion for sports. As a sophomore, he won the student body bench press contest and competed in Bengal Bouts, the university's renowned men's boxing program, where he ranked third in his weight class. Mr. Doan graduated in 2001 with honors, earning a bachelor of arts degree in management information systems.
After college, Mr. Doan launched his career in technology and strategy consulting, working with Accenture, Bay Street Solutions, and Perficient in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London. After seven years in consulting, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, co-founding a hospitality company that manages franchised restaurants. Today, Mr. Doan is the Chief Executive Officer of Gellert Hospitality Group, which owns and operates 107 Five Guys hamburger locations, and one Cinnabon, across 12 states, employing more than 2,000 people.
In addition to his role at Gellert Hospitality Group, Mr. Doan is the co-founder and CEO of Interviewy, Inc., a recruiting automation platform designed to help high-turnover businesses, such as restaurants, streamline hiring processes for maximum efficiency and revenue growth.
Mr. Doan is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization and serves on the boards of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois and Halo Impact. He currently resides in Glenview, Ill., with his wife, Andrea, their three children, Ellie, Camden, and Cuyler, and their beloved dog, Darla.
