From Private Equity to Wildfire Response: Isenberg Alum Brett L’Esperance Shares His Career Journey with Dauntless Air

After two decades working in private equity, 1995 OIM graduate Brett L’Esperance joined a company called Dauntless Air, which operates the largest fleet of specialized amphibious aerial firefighting airplanes in North America. During a recent visit to campus, he had an engaging discussion about his unusual career path with students in Professor Anna Nagurney’s Humanitarian Logistics & Healthcare class, focusing on the importance of his work in firefighting.

“Why are we not considering wildfires a national security threat, given that one out of three homes in the U.S. are built in ‘Wildland Urban Interface’ areas that are high risk spots for wildfires?”

After graduating from Isenberg,  he worked at Bain Capital, Woodside Capital Management, and The Watermill Group, and also finished an MBA at the Harvard Business School. In 2017, he pivoted to a new challenge—leading Dauntless Air.

Now serving as the company’s CEO, L’Esperance is committed to improving wildfire response efforts across North America. Dauntless Air’samphibious aircraft are designed to combat wildfires rapidly and efficiently. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its fleet from nine to twenty “Fireboss” aircraft, helping state and federal agencies tackle the increasing threat of wildfires exacerbated by climate change, land management challenges, and growing residential development in fire-prone areas.

During his visit, L’Esperance spoke about the importance of proactive wildfire management and the need for a more strategic approach to firefighting. He explained how Dauntless Air’s innovative rapid-response model ensures that fires are addressed before they escalate, ultimately reducing devastation and financial losses. “A little water early on in a fire is worth a lot more than thousands of gallons later.” His passion for problem-solving and operational efficiency was evident as he discussed the intersection of business strategy and environmental impact.

L’Esperance also shared insights into his career trajectory, highlighting key lessons learned from his time at Isenberg and beyond. He spoke about his early career, emphasizing the importance of finding work that is both fulfilling and impactful. He credited his education at Isenberg, where he studied under esteemed professors, for equipping him with critical problem-solving skills that have guided him throughout his career.

L’Esperance’s visit resonated deeply with students, many of whom were inspired by his unconventional career path and the impact-driven nature of his work. He encouraged students to remain adaptable, build strong professional networks, and always seek deeper understanding—lessons that apply to any industry. He also shared his personal hiring model: “Attitude first, aptitude second.”