Innovation Design Leader

Everett Hagan

( ev – rett Hey-gan ) 

Hi, I’m Everett — a digital innovation and product design leader with 20+ years experience helping brands transform how they connect with customers.  

Seeking leadership opportunities to drive creativity, ignite market innovation, and build high-performing teams that deliver breakthrough solutions.

Career Highlights

  • Launched a global innovation program, expanding across four continents and engaging over 3,000+ participants.
  • Led research, strategy and design for industry leading Black Diamond Wealth Solutions.
  • Spearheaded the redesign of the Bloomberg Government digital platform, elevating user engagement and increasing sales.
  • Positioned design as a strategic business function, securing UX leadership representation at the executive level.
  • Directed the Experience Design practice at ISOBAR (Boston), leading high-impact digital innovation for top-tier clients such as Fidelity Investments, Boston Celtics, TD Bank and adidas.
  • Co-founded New Venture Accelerator, a corporate innovation accelerator that has driven the development of new products and services across SS&C Advent.
  • Directed the award-winning adidas homepage redesign, securing two Webby Awards.
  • Designed the digital experience for the 1st multi-sport wearable by Motorola.

Curiosity, Clarity and Contagious Creative Energy is what I bring to every opportunity.

Leadership Insights

I develop high-performing  teams that deliver transformative, customer-centered experiences whether in a corporate, agency, or startup.  Over the last decade I’ve learned a thing or two about leadership.  

  • Lead by navigating context, not controlling people. Empower your team through mentorship and coaching—not micromanagement.

  • Hiring is leadership’s highest-leverage move. Get it right, and the team thrives. Get it wrong, and everyone feels it.

  • If your only connection to your team is through scheduled 1:1s, you’re already disconnected. Leadership happens in the moments between the meetings.

  • 1:1s aren’t for you to vent—they’re for your team to feel heard. Listen with intent. Talk less. Coach when invited.

      • Creative teams aren’t built on templates. Get to know each person—how they think, what they need, and where they want to go.

      • My job is to advocate for your growth at the leadership table. Your job? Make that case undeniable through your craft and your impact.

      • As a mentor, I’m here to get you ready for what’s next—whether that’s a bigger role here or your next big thing elsewhere.

      • Lead with respect and humility. Today’s direct report could be tomorrow’s hiring manager. The tables always turn.

        Personal Achievements
        • Married my BEST FRIEND
        • 15 years and she’s still speaking to me
        • We met in Junior High School.  It took me 25yrs and Facebook to ask her out.

         

        FUN FACT:  Our Junior High School is where they filmed the school scenes for the show Stranger Things.

        Sadly it was recently demolished after the show ended.

             
            • Explored 5 of 7 continents (S. America & Antartica are on my bucket list)
            • Dove the great barrier reef of the coast of Cannes, Australia.
            • Had dinner under the stars in the Australia outback.
            • Zipped line through a rainforest in Costa Rico.
            • Crewed an America’s Cup boat (not during a race).
            • Dog sledding in Iceland.

             

            Creative skills

            Creativity isn’t just a skill—it’s the throughline in everything I do. Whether I’m leading a research sprint, building a prototype, or designing the company holiday card, I bring a maker’s mindset and a love for the craft of design. From strategy to execution, I approach every challenge with curiosity, intention, and a drive to make it meaningful.

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            UX Research

            • Qualitative Research
            • Usability Studies
            • Workshop Facilitator

            Web Design

            • Web Strategy
            • Visual Design
            • No code developer

            Photography

            • Headshots
            • Events
            • Compositing

            Work Experience

            Director, Product Strategy & Design

            Drives innovation across SS&C Advent’s global portfolio, leading Discovery & Design initiatives.

            Led UX and Visual Design for Black Diamond Wealth Solutions, shaping its award-winning experience.

            Co-founded ALPHALAB, a structured innovation accelerator, transforming bold ideas into market-ready solutions.

            Championed a culture of innovation by launching an internal innovation program engaging over 3,000 employees worldwide.

            Coach and mentors’ employees across the organization

            Director, Product Strategy & Design

            Spearheaded the strategic redesign of the Bloomberg Government digital platform, elevating user engagement.

            Led cross-functional teams across two business units and four Agile teams, integrating Lean UX principles.

            Defined the UX standards for the platform and led the creation of a component library.

            Positioned design as a strategic business function, securing UX leadership representation at the executive level.

            Director, Product Strategy & Design

            Led the Experience Design practice, delivering high-impact digital solutions for top-tier clients.

            Spearheaded engagements with Fidelity Investments, Boston Celtics, TD Bank, and adidas.

            Directed the award-winning adidas homepage redesign, securing two Webby Awards.

            Strategist, User Experience

            Led user-centered design initiatives, conducting research and usability testing for major clients.

            Designed seamless user experiences for Nationwide Insurance, Diebold, and CheckFree.

            Senior Manager, Creative Services

            Established a User Experience practice within the Advanced Applications organization.

            Built and scaled a multi-disciplinary team, driving UX excellence and strategic business alignment.

            “I’ve worked with Everett on a number of projects and learned that he never takes a ‘cookie cutter’ approach in terms of planning or creative execution. He truly immerses himself in a client’s business before recommending a solution. And in terms of creative brainstorming and ideation, there is quite simply no one else I want in the room more than Everett. There is no limit to his creativity and no account beyond his aptitude.

            Everett’s managerial style also helps to set him apart. He is open, inviting, and extraordinarily willing to invest the time to listen to and accommodate the needs of his direct reports.”

            – Tony Gould (Vice President, Creative Director)