Brendan Daly, 2012 ESTEEM graduate
Alumni Spotlight: Brendan Daly, ESTEEM Class of 2012
Brendan Daly, a 2012 graduate of the ESTEEM Program, has always been passionate about tackling tough challenges. Originally from Mallow, Ireland, he earned a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University College Cork and an advanced certificate in machine learning from Stanford University. His entrepreneurial drive and desire to solve complex problems led him to the ESTEEM Graduate Program, as a Naughton Fellow.
After graduating, Brendan became one of the founding members of the enFocus Fellowship Program in South Bend, Indiana. This experience set the stage for his move to Washington, D.C., where he helped establish DayBlink Consulting—a management consultancy firm he helped build from the ground up. Continuing his ambitious trajectory, he moved to New York City to join National General Insurance, where he established their Automation and Artificial Intelligence practice prior to the company’s acquisition by Allstate for $4 billion.
One of Brendan’s proudest achievements at National General Insurance was leading an AI initiative that transformed the company’s operations. Initially, the business case focused on reducing call handling times using a live AI support tool, but the team soon discovered an unexpected and more impactful outcome.
“Our initial hypothesis was that the big win would be reducing the average handle time for calls by automating the provision of relevant content to the agent in real time,” Brendan recalls. “We thought the value would be in saving time. However, it turned out that the real value in AI was to assist the sales team. We identified an increase in sales by over $100 million. It enabled the sales team to identify new opportunities in ways we hadn’t anticipated, resulting in improved performance, higher close rates, and lower churn.”
While his career advanced, Brendan’s entrepreneurial spirit remained strong.
“I enjoyed working with senior executives to solve their toughest problems,” he says. “But I was also drawn to the idea of entrepreneurship and building and supporting ventures.”
This drive led to the founding of Daly Ventures, his own advisory firm and venture studio established in 2015. Initially created for an international engagement with a Canadian cable company, Daly Ventures became a platform for Brendan to advise corporate clients across the manufacturing, hospitality, financial, and healthcare industries in both Ireland and the U.S. Through this firm, he delivered some of his most impactful work in automation and artificial intelligence, while also supporting early-stage startups.
Brendan’s career has taken him around the world, including a notable project in Brunei. There, he helped launch a billion-step health challenge for the nation, integrating digital healthcare with fitness goals. “The King had set a goal of 30 days to achieve the 1 billion steps, and we were able to accomplish it in 8,” he says. He describes this project as “fun and empowering” and a testament to the power of technology to drive tangible impact on population health.
Now residing in Niles, Michigan, with his wife and newborn son, Brendan balances life as a new father with his entrepreneurial ventures. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and staying adaptable in a constantly changing world. His advice to current ESTEEM students? Don’t rush.
“Life is long. Your career is long,” he says. “You don’t have to find the perfect job right out of ESTEEM. Take calculated risks and keep the faith. As long as you’re continuously learning, working with great people, and having a positive impact, the rest will follow.”
Brendan’s journey highlights the diverse opportunities available to ESTEEM graduates. While his path has been anything but linear, one thing has remained constant: his passion for solving tough problems and making a difference, one project at a time.