I’m Dana Hagist, a Product Operations Manager at LinkedIn, U.S. Army veteran, and economist by training. I live in Scotts Valley, CA with my wife and two daughters.
My career has taken me across a few different worlds. I started in the Army as an infantryman, moved into financial advising at Fidelity Investments, earned a Master’s in Economics from CU Denver, and eventually landed in tech. At LinkedIn, I’ve worked as a Senior Insights Analyst and Data Scientist before moving into my current role leading data and AI foundations for Marketing Solutions. In between, I spent two years as an Economist at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The common thread has always been data. Finding signal in noise, building tools that make people’s work easier, and using evidence to drive better decisions. These days I’m especially focused on AI and automation, building products that have cut analysis time by over 80%.
Outside of work, I train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, compete in endurance events like marathons and triathlons, and spend as much time outdoors as I can. I’m also a big reader. You’ll find book reviews scattered throughout this blog alongside reflections on goal-setting, personal growth, and the discipline it takes to keep showing up.
Originally from Santa Cruz, CA.