People Profile

Meet the Women in Data Science: Haejin Hwang

About the Women in Data Science Series

A data scientist knows that some of the richest and most intriguing stories can be found in a data set.

To highlight the stories behind the women in data science at Booz Allen, we created an editorial series on the individuals who are solving today’s big challenges and redefining, in their own unique ways, what it means to be a data scientist.

Explore the profiles and get personal with women from a variety of backgrounds, skill sets, and experience who are part of our growing team of data scientists.

Solving challenges with passion and curiosity

A statewide math test during Haejin’s freshman year of high school was her biggest challenge—and ultimately, her biggest reward.

Haejin was a bit apprehensive about math growing up, but as a young high school student, she decided to put all her effort into studying for an algebra proficiency test that would rank her against her peers across New York state.

After countless hours of studying and innumerable self-driven practice tests, Haejin earned a perfect score on the exam.

“The result showed me that if I put my mind to it, I could do anything,” said Haejin. “This experience helped me gain confidence in my abilities.”

One of Haejin's favorite songs

Whether she’s building her own skills, helping organizations glean new insights from their data, or empowering others to enhance their data science abilities, Haejin knows that both knowledge and effort can unlock opportunities.

“It starts with curiosity,” said Haejin, “If you’re curious about something, just go for it.”

As part of our Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) team, Haejin applies analytical rigor when developing data-driven strategies for each business, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. Before joining the D&I team, Haejin strategically improved business tools and processes and provided integration services as part of our civil government team. Due to her work at Booz Allen and active volunteer engagement in the community, Haejin received the 2019 Women of Color in STEM Technology Rising Star award, which recognizes women who demonstrate excellence in the workplace and communities and help shape technology for the future.

Haejin’s interest in creating impactful and equitable data-driven solutions is coupled with her passion to make the world a better place. This philanthropic nature started early—inspired by her parents. They moved from South Korea to pursue college degrees and start a family, juggling their own education with raising three kids. Haejin never took that for granted and developed a passion for giving back to others on a global scale. Pursuing her interest in social impact and the social enterprise space, she completed several college internships in the nonprofit sector.

Baby posing for a portrait wearing traditional, colorful Korean clothing and hat.

Haejin as a baby in a traditional Korean hanbok

Throughout her professional experiences, Haejin realized a consistent theme: While the organizations she worked with had an abundance of data, they lacked the capacity to distill insights from it. A lot of opportunities remained untapped.

After starting at Booz Allen, Haejin first encountered the Women in Data Science (WiDS) group when she volunteered for a 2017 gender equality "design-o-thon." She wanted to learn more about data science and ended up joining WiDS in a more formal capacity. While building her own technical skills, Haejin felt the educational component of WiDS was particularly important for helping shape and grow data scientists’ skill sets and knowledge base. Now a lead for the education committee, she furthers the technical knowledge of Booz Allen employees of all skill sets by developing inclusive programs like brown bag lunches. These lunches give data scientists a platform to share their knowledge and expertise with peers—sparking collaborative learning and mutual growth.

Group of seven people standing together in front of a chalkboard and smiling.

Haejin with her first place team at a Development Solutions Organization case competition in 2018.

Coming full circle from her college intern days, Haejin currently applies her data science and strategy consulting expertise in working with mission-based organizations and socially driven nonprofits. She volunteers with Development Solutions Organization, addressing data intake challenges for a nonprofit that focuses on accurately representing underserved populations through data. She also manages a team of university students and consulting professionals to develop solutions for nonprofit partners. With Compass Pro Bono, Haejin is a member of one of the first strategic technology volunteer consulting teams, helping deliver a technology strategy to assist a nonprofit.

Haejin’s outlook is global, and her inspiration is multifaceted. Reflecting on her experience studying abroad in Oxford, England during college, Haejin said, “I was able to pursue my interests and passions, meet new people, and affect change every day.”

Photo of female rowers moving down a body of water

Haejin on the rowing team at Lady Margaret Hall, her college while studying abroad at Oxford University.

Haejin’s wanderlust continues to grow, as does her fearless curiosity about the world. With a few trips in the pipeline, she stays inspired by visiting new destinations, watching films by Hayao Miyazaki (such as Spirited Away), and listening to electronic dance music by Illenium or the TED Radio Hour podcast.

Haejin's favorite TED Radio Hour episode? “Don’t Fear Math.”

Whether it’s a math problem or another intimidating challenge, Haejin powers ahead. “If you feel like you’ll fail, give it a shot anyway,” she said. “Either way, you’ll learn something meaningful."