Daniel C. Berkowitz: March 24, 1959 — July 30, 2025

Daniel C. Berkowitz: March 24, 1959 — July 30, 2025

Daniel C. Berkowitz
March 24, 1959 — July 30, 2025

Daniel C. Berkowitz, a respected and beloved communications executive whose career spanned some of Silicon Valley’s most transformational decades, passed away on July 30, 2025. He died peacefully from a brain aneurysm secondary to a battle with sepsis at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon surrounded by loving family and friends. He was 66 years old.

Dan was born in New York City on March 24, 1959 and grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey. He graduated from Willingboro High School in 1977.  

A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in English Literature, Dan brought a storyteller’s instinct into every newsroom conversation, product launch, and PR war room. His ability to craft a compelling narrative was matched only by his talent for nurturing young professionals and giving them a chance—often their first—in a competitive industry.

Dan’s career in corporate communications and analyst relations saw him lead global strategies for some of the most dynamic companies in enterprise software and technology. Dan’s first big break was as Senior PR Manager at Gupta Technologies — later renamed Centura — (1989-1994). Following that, he served as Director of Corporate Communications at Oracle Corp. (1995–1999), Senior Director of Corporate Communications at Keynote Systems (1999–2014), and held leadership roles at AppDynamics, Instart Logic, and Mendix. At Mendix, Dan helped shape the company’s global narrative through its acquisition by Siemens and beyond.

Whether working with massive global corporations or nimble startups, Dan approached every project with passion and pragmatism. He believed in elevating understanding and appreciation for a company’s disruptive and transformative technology among stakeholders, the media, and the analyst community. His hands-on leadership, sharp wit, and unwavering integrity left a lasting impact on countless colleagues and friends.

Dan moved to San Francisco in September 1984, driving across country with his partner Danilo Eduardo Andrade. In the Bay Area, Dan quickly established himself as a media professional and a respected and proudly out member of the LGBT community. On April 20, 1994 Dan lost Danilo to AIDS. Living with HIV for many years himself, Dan became an outspoken advocate and contributed to numerous charities supporting the cause, including in 2012 biking from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the AIDS LifeCycle benefit ride: a commemoration in memory of Danilo’s passing 18 years previous, the number 18 — חי in Hebrew meaning “life” — of special significance in Judaism. Dan moved to Ashland, Oregon in 2018.

Dan was the son of the late Lawrence Berkowitz and the late Shirley Berkowitz.  He is survived by brother David, sister-in-law Laura, niece Abigail and nephew Benjamin, a host of beloved cousins and friends plus dozens of colleagues on both coasts and abroad.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the AIDS / HIV charity of one’s choice.

A celebration of Dan’s life will be held at Havurah Synagogue in Ashland, Oregon at 4pm (Pacific Time) August 6. 

Havurah Classes and Services Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83221820599?pwd=MzVSRU5YYjZTWlJaYSt4dVJIVnNUUT09

Meeting info
Meeting ID: 832 2182 0599
Passcode: 413836