About
Griffin Salyer
I'm a Lead Data Scientist who builds organizational capability — the systems, culture, and infrastructure that make data-driven decision-making sustainable and scalable. My career spans pharmaceuticals, insurance, and finance, and the pattern is consistent: the hardest problems in data are not technical. They are organizational.
I started as a Mathematical Economics and Applied Mathematics double major at Hampden-Sydney College, then earned my MSBA at William & Mary. Today I lead data science at Donegal Insurance Group while pursuing an Executive MBA at William & Mary — sharpening the strategic and organizational thinking that bridges technical work with enterprise leadership.
Philosophy
The hardest problems in data are not technical — they are organizational.
Organizations invest in data talent and tooling, yet insights rarely stick. Models sit unused. Dashboards go stale. The problem isn't the math — it's the absence of systems that connect analytical work to decisions.
I approach data science as a systems design problem: defining information flows, building feedback loops, and embedding analytical thinking into the way teams operate. The goal is never just a better model — it's a more capable organization.
Education
Academic Background
2024 – Expected 2027
In ProgressExecutive MBA
The College of William & Mary
Business Administration
Pursuing an Executive MBA to sharpen strategic leadership and organizational management skills, bridging technical data science expertise with enterprise-level decision-making.
2019 – 2020
Master of Science
The College of William & Mary
Business Analytics (MSBA) — Data Science Track
Graduate program focused on applied data science, machine learning, statistical modeling, and business analytics. Developed expertise in translating complex data into actionable business insights.
2015 – 2019
Bachelor of Science
Hampden-Sydney College
Mathematical Economics & Applied Mathematics
Double major combining quantitative rigor with economic theory. Built a strong foundation in mathematical reasoning, statistical analysis, and analytical problem-solving. Includes study at Oxford University, St. Anne's College through the Virginia Program at Oxford.
Perspective
Cross-Industry Pattern Recognition
From pharmaceutical commercial operations to Fortune 500 specialty insurance to regional P&C — every organization faces the same structural challenges in becoming data-driven. Working across industries has sharpened my ability to recognize what transfers, what doesn't, and where the real leverage points are.