Alumni Profiles Series: Jeffrey Hasan

Jeffrey Hasan completed his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, before pursuing a master’s degree in earth sciences at Duke University, where he focused on using computer modeling to analyze groundwater responses to earthquakes. Since then, his career has taken him from environmental engineering to founding a software consulting company, and now to his current role as Vice President of Engineering at HealthEquity, a financial technology company that helps people manage their healthcare spend.

How did you transition from earth sciences to software engineering, especially in the healthcare industry?

Some people look at my journey and wonder what the connection is between Earth Sciences and Healthcare technology. But to me, it wasn’t a jump—it was a natural progression. My passion has always been solving applied problems using technology. At Duke, I worked on an environmental issue—trying to understand why groundwater levels changed after earthquakes, and what impact this has on water supplies. It was an applied problem, and technology was my tool.

After graduating, I stayed in the environmental engineering field for a few years, but I found myself increasingly drawn to the software and computing side of things. Eventually, I decided to shift my focus entirely. I founded a small healthcare technology consulting company with 14 people, where we built software for healthcare networks in Southern California. The work ranged from appointment scheduling tools to systems for managing medical health records. It was exciting to see how technology could directly impact people’s health.

How would you describe your career path since leaving Duke?

Career paths are rarely straightforward. We often think we know what we want to do when we're in school, but once you're out in the world, things change. For me, Duke helped lay the foundation for my career in combining technology with environmental science, but I eventually found my passion in the healthcare technology field. My career has been about bringing my technical skills and my ability to work with people together.

After spending some time in environmental engineering, I started a consulting company focused on healthcare technology. Later, I took on roles at Amazon Web Services, where I helped launch cloud modernization products, and at Accenture, where I led digital innovation initiatives. My current position at HealthEquity allows me to apply my engineering skills to help people manage their healthcare expenses more effectively.

What do you enjoy most about your current role?

At HealthEquity, we help people save for healthcare expenses through health savings accounts (HSAs). I lead the engineering team that builds technology for both our members and the broader healthcare ecosystem. My favorite thing about this job is the direct impact it has on people’s lives. The slogan of HealthEquity is “Where Health meets Wealth,” and I love that our work helps people save for healthcare in a meaningful way. There's a mission behind what we do, and that’s incredibly motivating.

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How do you find balance between your professional and personal life?

I'll be honest—I didn’t have balance for much of my career. I used to think that adding value required pushing yourself constantly—long hours, all-nighters. But over time, I realized that big problems are often solved best when you’re well-rested and balanced. I've learned that leading effectively and making an impact doesn’t require you to burn out. It’s about leveraging your team, maintaining perspective, and recognizing that rest can actually make you a better leader.

What is the best career advice you’ve received?

The best career advice I've ever received is to pay it forward. Someone once told me, “You are where someone else wants to be, so take the time to help them.” I think that advice has had a profound impact on me, because it reminds me that even if I feel far from my own goals, I might be at someone else’s ideal point. We all have people who helped us along the way, and I try to do the same for others. When someone reaches out for advice, my goal is to help them think from a different perspective rather than give them a three-step plan. The advice that made the most impact on me is about showing gratitude and helping others on their journey.

What are some of your favorite memories from Duke?

One of my favorite things about Duke was simply the campus. I've been fortunate to travel a lot, but there's nowhere quite as beautiful as North Carolina in springtime. I spent a lot of time in the Old Chemistry building, near the medical center, and I loved walking around the main quad. There was something really special about being surrounded by that beautiful setting while working on challenging problems. I also have fond memories of how Duke allowed me to combine my passion for environmental science with technology.

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AUTHOR

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Xiuqi Chen

Master's student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Xiuqi Chen is a second-year master’s of electrical and computer engineering student. Xiuqi’s research area is machine learning and data science, and she has a passion for fraud detection in the insurance field.