Tyler Gustafson
USER-CENTERED LEADER FOCUSED ON AI & BUSINESS STRATEGY
In the evenings I'm currently getting my Master's in Data Science and Machine Learning at UC Berkeley. Before this, I honed my skills in large-scale project leadership and complex data analytics through roles at EY-Parthenon, startups, and Amazon.
I’m deeply passionate about leveraging machine learning to transform tech and health sectors by using complex data to create innovative user-focused solutions.
My Story
Ever since I was a kid, I've loved sketching Disney characters, and in high school, my creativity shifted gears into tech. One of my first projects was a Rock 🪨 Paper 📃 Scissors ✂️ game in Visual Basic that played "You Had a Bad Day" whenever you lost.
In high school, I also took an introduction to Electrical Engineering, where I built projects like a high-frequency strobe light that I turned on almost every night. To my family's relief, my electrical engineering skills weren't top-notch, and the strobe light broke just a week later.
I had all this passion for technology, but when I got to The Ohio State University, my academic path took a turn. A couple of dormmates and a curiosity about the challenge pulled me into the world of finance. Even with this shift, I never strayed too far from tech.
After graduating, I joined Amazon and found myself managing a team of over 150 people at just 21, all in a high-tech environment full of Kiva robots. This experience, along with my work advising startups, deepened my love for tech and highlighted areas in business leadership where I wanted to grow, which led me to pursue an MBA at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.
During my MBA, I continued to grow as a business leader and sharpen my problem-solving skills. I also consulted for a variety of small businesses, working with innovative entrepreneurs across different industries—including an 'Uber for tractors' startup in Ghana—helping them adopt data-driven approaches. This passion, combined with my desire to gain deep insights into how different industries operate, led me to join a large strategy consulting firm after graduation (EY-Parthenon).
In my consulting career, I thrived in strategy and analytics, leading due diligence for major acquisitions and managing several large M&A transactions including a $1.4 billion global deal. During my time as a consultant, I never lost my passion for tech, which was reignited during a product rotation. This prompted me to dive deeper into data science and machine learning at UC Berkeley, focusing on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software engineering, and UX skills.
Throughout my life, I have consistently put myself in challenging situations—whether learning to ski, play guitar, or code later in life —embracing the discomfort that comes with mastering new skills. This drive is one of the reasons that excites me about the technology sector: the rapid rate of change and innovation. At the end of the day, I am driven by a passion for creating products that inspire —much like the magic of Disney.
That's the journey that has led me to where I am today - please reach out, I'd love to connect!
Tyler "Goose" 👋
