About Me
Hello! My name is Evan Velasco. I am a digital analytics professional currently working as a Data Solutions Manager at Instacart.
I began my career focused on programmatic data and understanding the complex landscape of ad tech. Since then, I have continued to
gain knowledge of digital advertising as a whole. I am an extremely driven individual with a natural curiosity who is always
eager to learn something new.
My Day Job
I am currently a Data Solutions Manager at Instacart, where I lead all off-platform and ad-tech initiatives for the
Data Solutions team. My responsibilities include overseeing Audience Enablement Operations, Audience Targeting
Research & Experimentation, Scaled/Syndicated Audiences, and Audience Refresh Management. By blending my analytical expertise
with the engineering capabilities of our Data Solutions developers, our team creates scalable,
top-tier solutions that fuel growth in a fast-changing business environment.
Education
I am a current student at Georgia Tech pursuing a Masters of Science in Analytics. My decision to go back to school
was a natural progression as I continued to seek knowledge. I chose the program at Georgia Tech due to its academic
rigor and wide array of course choices. I am most interested in learning about the mathematics behind
modeling algorithms. A few courses I am looking forward to include Optimization, Regression, and High Dimensional Data Analytics.
I am a proud graduate of UC San Diego where I received a B.S. in Joint Mathematics-Economics.
The Math-Econ major is very broad and allows for flexibility depending on an individual's
interests. I chose to focus my coursework on statistics which introduced me to the field of analytics and data science.
I had the pleasure of taking multiple computational statistics courses based in R and data science courses in Python. I paired my applied statistical courses with rigorous mathematical theory, including multiple courses in real analysis.
My degree formed a strong foundation which I continue to build upon through self studying and professional experience.
Interests
Currently Studying:
High Dimensional Data Analytics:
HDDA is one of my most anticipated courses to take in the OMSA program. This course covers how to extract insights from high-dimensional datasets
like images, profiles, and other structured information using advanced machine learning techniques. Topics include functional data analysis,
image processing, tensor analysis, optimization methods, and sophisticated regression methods for sparse and low-rank learning.
Industry Topics:
Within the ads industry I have a wide array of interests ranging from programmatic auction mechanisms to first party data solutions. In 2025 I am most excited to learn more about leveraging data cleanrooms for measurement and data collaboration in ad tech.
Hobbies:
Outside of my professional work, I love cooking (currently mastering the art of soup), baseball, and exploring Washington DC's countless historical sites. You will also catch me at the dog park with my small (but mighty) pup.