Cayston Pickens
Open to new roles
Cayston Pickens
MBA · MS · BBA
Currently
Project Manager
📍 McKinney, TX
🎓
MS Sports Management
Liberty University · 2023
🎓
MBA · Marketing
Washington State · 2021
🎓
BBA · Business
Idaho State · 2017
Data · Product · Strategy · Sports · Healthcare
Data · Product · Strategy · Healthcare · Technology
I connect
the data
to the decision.
5×
ROAS — Fan Engagement
Audience scoring model · Learfield · 2024
Analytics
5×
ROI — Engagement Platform
Audience scoring model driving activation returns · 2024
Analytics
16%
Patient Acquisition Growth
Data-driven campaign shift · Bingham Healthcare · 2021
Marketing
#1
Season Ticket Renewal
Largest in Power 5 program history · Learfield · 2024
Sports Data
#1
Record Retention Rate
Customer lifecycle model driving top renewal performance · 2024
Data Product
40%
Media Cost Reduction
Data-driven agency restructure · Bingham Healthcare · 2021
Strategy

Project Manager for Learfield's Data, Strategy, and Analytics team. Independent data product builder. 9 years at the intersection of data, strategy, and the people who act on both.

Project Manager at an enterprise data platform. Independent data product builder. 9 years translating data into decisions — across healthcare, media, and technology.

Cayston Pickens
About

The non-linear path
is the point.

Most data professionals come from one direction. I came from two.

I spent the first six years of my career in healthcare marketing — running campaigns, building KPI frameworks that gave executives visibility across 140+ physicians, and learning something more valuable than any technical skill: how non-technical stakeholders actually make decisions. I drove a 16% increase in patient acquisition while cutting media costs by 40%.

The last four years shifted into sports data. I moved from analyzing campaigns to owning data infrastructure — audience engagement scoring, executive dashboards, and fan behavior analysis that contributed to the largest season ticket renewal in program history at a Power 5 institution. I also started building independently.

The last four years shifted into data products and platform engineering. I moved from analyzing campaigns to owning data infrastructure — audience engagement scoring, customer identity resolution, and behavioral analysis that contributed to record retention performance at a national platform. I also started building independently.

Today I'm a Project Manager at Learfield, working on Fanbase — a fan data platform serving 150+ collegiate properties. I define product roadmaps, translate stakeholder needs into engineering requirements, and work directly with identity infrastructure like LiveRamp.

Today I'm a Project Manager working on an enterprise data platform serving 150+ clients nationally. I define product roadmaps, translate stakeholder needs into engineering requirements, and work directly with identity infrastructure and first-party data strategy.

I'm not waiting for a title to do the work.

At a Glance
StatusOpen to Roles
CurrentProject Manager · Learfield
IndustriesSports · Healthcare · Media
Experience9+ years
BasedMcKinney, TX
TargetingTechnical Product Manager · Data Product Manager · Analytics Manager
Technical Range

What I work with

Real tools on real projects — each one tied to a specific outcome.

Data Engineering & Analytics
SQL / MySQL95%
Core language for every data warehouse and pipeline project
Python80%
Built ETL pipelines, engagement scoring models, and simulation data
AI / ML Tools88%
Applied AI tooling across data enrichment, scoring models, and insight generation
Databricks75%
BackNineIQ: full medallion pipeline + Streamlit app deployed on Databricks
Identity Resolution90%
Deterministic matching across CRM, tee sheet, and POS at BackNineIQ
Medallion Architecture82%
Bronze → Platinum across BackNineIQ, GamePulse, and Boise Bighorns CDP
Also using
SSMSBigQueryStreamlitUnity CatalogLiveRamp/RampIDs
Product, Strategy & Management
Stakeholder Communication95%
Translating data findings to executives across healthcare and sports for 9 years
Sprint / Agile90%
Running sprint cycles and backlog ownership for Fanbase at Learfield
KPI Framework Design92%
Built reporting governance that restored leadership confidence in platform data
Product Roadmapping88%
Defining fan data platform roadmap aligning engineering to revenue outcomes
Campaign Analytics / ROI93%
16% patient acquisition gain, 40% media cost cut — Bingham Healthcare
DevOps / Azure90%
DevOps requirements ownership for Fanbase DSA team at Learfield
Also using
Aha!Clean Room StrategyPRD WritingAudience Segmentation
Experience

Where I've done the work

Click any role to see the stat sheet.

2025–Now
Project Manager
Learfield
2024–2025
Data Analyst
Learfield
2019–2023
Asst. Director Mktg
Bingham Healthcare
2017–2019
Mktg Specialist → Sr.
Bingham Healthcare
Project Manager
Learfield · Dallas, TXCurrent
  • Defined product roadmaps for a fan engagement reporting platform, aligning engineering delivery with revenue-driving use cases across ticketing and sponsorship.
  • Translated stakeholder needs into product requirements, user stories, and KPI success metrics — bridging business goals and engineering execution.
  • Established reporting governance standards that eliminated conflicting performance narratives, restoring leadership confidence in platform data.
  • Partnered with engineering in sprint planning and backlog prioritization to improve burndown efficiency and reduce sprint churn.
  • Owned technical requirements and DevOps coordination for the DSA team, translating complex data infrastructure needs into actionable engineering tickets and sprint-ready specifications.
Product RoadmappingSprint ManagementDevOpsAha!LiveRamp
Stat SheetLearfield · 2025
150+
Properties
Fan data platform scope across collegiate sports
Sprint Velocity
Governance standards reduced data conflicts across teams
DSA
Technical PM Ownership
DevOps requirements and engineering spec ownership for data solutions team
4
Cross-func Teams
Engineering, data, sales, and partner stakeholders aligned
Data Analyst
Learfield · Dallas, TX · 2024–2025
  • Built an audience engagement scoring model that surfaced high-value fan segments, shifting activation toward the most responsive audiences.
  • Developed executive dashboards consolidating CRM, ticketing, and campaign data into a single source of truth.
  • Contributed to a season-ticket renewal strategy grounded in fan behavior analysis.
  • Translated analytical findings into strategic recommendations operationalized into engagement and retention initiatives.
PythonSQLPower BICRM AnalyticsFan Engagement
Stat SheetLearfield · 2024–2025
ROAS
Audience scoring model drove 5× return on fan activation spend
#1
Season Ticket Renewal
Largest in Power 5 program history — fan behavior driven
3
Sources Unified
CRM + ticketing + campaign data → single source of truth
Assistant Director of Marketing
Bingham Healthcare · Blackfoot, ID · 2019–2023
  • Led cross-channel campaigns that increased patient acquisition by 16% while cutting media costs by 40%.
  • Built campaign dashboards and KPI frameworks giving executives real-time visibility across 140+ physicians.
  • Negotiated and restructured agency partnerships based on cost analysis and projected performance.
  • Revitalized service line marketing through market share and audience reach analysis.
Campaign AnalyticsKPI FrameworksMulti-ChannelAgency Management
Stat SheetBingham Healthcare · 2019–2023
16%
Patient Acquisition
YoY increase via data-driven targeting shift
40%
Media Cost Cut
Restructured agency partnerships + precision targeting
140+
Physicians Covered
KPI framework gave execs real-time performance visibility
Marketing Specialist → Senior Manager
Bingham Healthcare · 2017–2019
  • Promoted to Senior Marketing Manager within the same organization in under two years.
  • Supported brand visibility and community engagement campaigns across Idaho.
  • Built foundational analytics skills — translating campaign data into actionable recommendations for leadership.
  • Developed cross-departmental communication skills in a complex healthcare environment.
Brand MarketingCampaign AnalyticsHealthcarePromotion
Stat SheetBingham Healthcare · 2017–2019
2yr
Specialist → Sr. Manager
Promoted internally — built stakeholder and analytics foundation
ID
Regional Brand Reach
Community campaigns strengthened presence across Idaho
Portfolio

Self-directed builds.
Real problems. End to end.

Independent projects built to demonstrate full-stack data product thinking. Each one shows the role I played, not just what was built.

◆ Independent or simulated portfolio work. Everything else is professional.
◆ Featured · Analytics Engineering + Product Design
BackNineIQ — Golf Club Visit Analytics
🏗 Architect + Product Owner + Builder
A Databricks medallion pipeline and live Streamlit app answering one question: when a member plays golf, what else do they do and spend? Built with deterministic identity resolution, documented tradeoffs, and a three-page stakeholder app designed around distinct user personas — as a complete product case study.
DatabricksPythonIdentity ResolutionStreamlitMedallion ArchitectureProduct Design
View Case Study
BackNineIQ
GamePulse◆ Independent🏗 Architect
Data Engineering
GamePulse Data Warehouse
Full-stack medallion data warehouse — Bronze → Silver → Gold using SQL Server and Python ETL pipelines.
SQL ServerPython
TicketPush◆ Independent🔬 Analyst
Marketing Analytics
TicketPush Attribution
End-to-end marketing analytics simulation — first/last touch attribution, CAC, funnel analysis, and LTV segmentation.
MySQLSQL Server
Email Engagement ScoringProfessional🔬 Analyst
Marketing Analytics · Professional
Email Engagement Scoring
Behavioral scoring model segmenting email audiences by engagement depth — driving higher open rates, reduced churn, and personalized campaign targeting.
SQLPython
Audience Segmentation InsightsProfessional📋 Product Owner
Audience Analytics · Professional
Audience Segmentation Insights
Multi-dimensional audience segmentation framework identifying high-value cohorts across behavioral, demographic, and engagement dimensions to power targeted activation strategies.
SQLPower BI
PinSeeker Analytics◆ Independent · New🏗 Architect
Sports Analytics · Data Engineering
PinSeeker Analytics Pipeline & App
A personal golf analytics operating system — built for my own weekly tournament analysis and blog. DataGolf API feeds a MySQL medallion warehouse, a custom player identity model with 5 branded archetypes, a versioned prediction stack, a 60/40 blended DFS intelligence layer, and an 8-page Streamlit app. Personal use · non-commercial.
PythonMySQLStreamlit
Bariatric Program RevampProfessional📋 Product Owner
Healthcare Marketing · Professional
Bariatric Program Revamp
Full-funnel marketing revamp for a bariatric surgery program — new patient journey mapping, campaign restructuring, and KPI framework that measurably increased qualified leads and program enrollment.
Campaign StrategyAnalytics
Orthopedic Branding CampaignProfessional📋 Product Owner
Healthcare Branding · Professional
Orthopedic Branding Campaign
End-to-end brand identity and campaign execution for a regional orthopedic program — positioning, creative direction, channel strategy, and performance tracking across paid and organic channels.
Brand StrategyCampaign Mgmt
Professional📋 Product Owner
TPM · Data Strategy
Data Readiness Scoping, Roadmap & Execution
End-to-end technical PM case study — assessing organizational data readiness, defining a phased infrastructure roadmap, scoping engineering requirements, and executing sprint delivery from discovery to first production milestone.
TPMRoadmappingExecution
WEHF Analytics Case Study◆ Independent🔬 Analyst
Analytics · Power BI · Independent
WEHF Analytics Case Study
Full-funnel analytics ecosystem built from scratch for a fictional professional women's hockey league — SQL warehouse, 7-page Power BI dashboard, DAX modeling, and six complete analyses spanning ticketing, fan segmentation, email, web behavior, merchandise, and market expansion.
Power BISQLDAX
After Hours

What I build
from 5 to 9.

The portfolio projects tell one story. This section tells another. Outside of work I've co-founded a nonprofit, coached high school sports, built a web design studio, and launched analytics ventures — all driven by the same instinct: find the problem, build the solution, see it through.

None of these were required. That's the point.

Mollymawk Designs
Full-service web development studio bringing client strategies to life through SEO-ready digital builds.
WordPressElementor Pro
🌐
PinSeeker Analytics
Golf analytics blog blending passion with data — strokes-gained models and DataGolf API insights.
Golf AnalyticsPython
High School Coach
Head JV basketball at Highland HS, assistant golf at Pocatello HS — mentorship with performance development.
LeadershipMentorship
🏀
Sponsorship Scout — Sponsor United
Brand-property partnership analysis and data collection at the intersection of sports business intelligence and commercial strategy.
Sports BusinessPartnership AnalysisBrand Strategy
🤝
More Coming
Always building something new — golf data tools, analytics automation, client web projects. The 5-to-9 work never stops.
In ProgressAlways Building
🔧
Capabilities

How I work

Not a services menu. A record of how I move from problem to shipped product — and what I can own at every step.

Step 01 · Build
01
Data Infrastructure
From raw source ingestion to a queryable, trusted dataset — I design the architecture before writing the first query.
  • Medallion pipeline design (Bronze → Platinum)
  • Identity resolution across imperfect sources
  • Dimensional modeling and fact table design
  • Databricks, MySQL, Python ETL automation
  • Audience scoring and engagement models
Step 02 · Define
02
Product & Roadmap
I translate what stakeholders need into what engineering builds — and keep both sides accountable to the same outcome.
  • PRD and user story writing from stakeholder interviews
  • Sprint planning and backlog ownership
  • Roadmap definition aligned to revenue outcomes
  • Reporting governance and KPI framework design
  • Feature adoption measurement and iteration
Step 03 · Surface
03
Analytics & Decisions
The output isn't a dashboard — it's a decision. I design the stakeholder surface to answer the question that matters.
  • Executive dashboards (Power BI, Streamlit)
  • Campaign attribution and ROI analysis
  • Audience segmentation and lifecycle modeling
  • First-party data and clean room strategy
  • Plain-language insight communication to leadership
Get in Touch
Let's talk about
data, products,
or both.

I'm open to Technical Product Manager, Senior Product Manager, Data Product Manager, and Analytics Engineering Manager roles — in sports, media, or adjacent industries. If you're building something at the intersection of data infrastructure and product thinking, I'd like to hear about it.

I'm open to Technical Product Manager, Senior Product Manager, Data Product Manager, and Analytics Engineering Manager roles — in technology, healthcare, media, or any data-driven industry. If you're building something at the intersection of data infrastructure and product thinking, I'd like to hear about it.

At a Glance
LocationMcKinney, TX
CurrentProject Manager · Learfield
EducationMBA · MS Sports Mgmt · BBA
Experience9+ years · Sports & Healthcare
Open toTPMData PMAnalytics Mgr
© 2026 Cayston Pickens · McKinney, TX
Built with intention, not a template. Hook 'em. 🤘
Cayston Pickens
● Open to Opportunities
Cayston Pickens
Cayston Pickens
MBA · MS · Technical PM · Data Analytics
I connect the data
to the decision.
Where data meets
product strategy.
Project Manager for Learfield's Data, Strategy & Analytics team. Independent data product builder. 9 years at the intersection of data, strategy, and the people who act on both.
Project Manager at an enterprise data platform. Independent data product builder. 9 years translating data into decisions — across healthcare, media, and technology.
ROAS Fan Engagement
ROI Engagement Platform
16%
Patient Acquisition Increase
#1
Season Ticket Renewal Rate
#1
Record Retention Rate
40%
Media Cost Reduction
About

9 years.
Two industries.
One throughline.

Started in healthcare — building campaigns, managing programs, and learning that the best decisions happen when data and people are in the same room. Moved into sports tech, where the same problems exist at a faster pace and bigger scale. Now at Learfield, owning the technical PM function for a platform serving 150+ collegiate properties.

Started in healthcare — building campaigns, managing programs, and learning that the best decisions happen when data and people are in the same room. Moved into enterprise data, where the same problems exist at a faster pace and bigger scale. Now leading technical PM and data product work at the intersection of identity infrastructure, analytics, and product delivery.

Location Dallas / McKinney, TX
Education MBA + MS Data Analytics
Experience 9+ Years
Current Role Project Manager · Learfield
Industries Sports · Healthcare · Media
Targeting
Technical Product Manager · Data Product Manager · Analytics Manager
Technical Product Manager · Data Product Manager · Analytics Manager
Skills

Technical chops.
Product instincts.

Data Engineering & Analytics
SQL / MySQL95%
Python80%
AI / ML Tools88%
Databricks75%
Identity Resolution90%
Medallion Architecture82%
Also: SSMS · BigQuery · Streamlit · Unity Catalog · LiveRamp / RampIDs
Product, Strategy & PM
Stakeholder Communication95%
Sprint / Agile90%
KPI Framework Design92%
Product Roadmapping88%
Campaign Analytics93%
DevOps / Azure90%
Also: Aha! · Clean Room Strategy · PRD Writing · Audience Segmentation
Experience

Where I've built.

Project Manager
Learfield · Data, Strategy & Analytics
2025 — Present
  • Technical PM ownership for the DSA team — sprint planning, DevOps coordination, and delivery of data infrastructure workstreams serving 150+ collegiate properties
  • Led the Data Readiness initiative — facilitated engineering audits, built V1/V2 roadmap, and executed 5 sprints to deliver a LiveRamp clean room-ready dataset
  • Owned DevOps requirements for Fanbase platform data pipelines — identity resolution, RampID backfill, audience matching
  • Cross-functional coordination across 4 teams: engineering, product, data science, and external vendors
150+
Properties served
90%
Avg sprint burndown
5
Sprints delivered
4
Cross-func teams
Data Analyst
Learfield · Data, Strategy & Analytics
2024 — 2025
  • Built audience scoring models driving 5× ROAS on fan activation campaigns across collegiate properties
  • Developed Fanbase analytics layer — segmentation, engagement scoring, and campaign attribution dashboards
  • Supported Trade Desk REDS integration analysis — documented data flows, capabilities, and stakeholder follow-up framework
  • Delivered data readiness assessments across customer match, identity resolution, and data append workstreams
Asst. Director of Marketing
Bingham Memorial Hospital
2019 — 2023
  • Led award-winning orthopedic campaign — 12% clinic volume growth, 50% increase in 5-star reviews
  • Drove bariatric program revamp — 40% reduction in acquisition cost, 16% increase in qualified leads
  • Managed full marketing stack — digital, print, broadcast, and OOH across multiple service lines
  • Built audience segmentation framework — informed campaign strategy delivering 5× ROAS
Marketing Specialist → Sr. Specialist
Bingham Memorial Hospital
2017 — 2019
  • Campaign execution across digital, print, and broadcast channels
  • SEO content strategy, social media management, and email marketing
  • Vendor coordination and campaign budget tracking
Projects

Work that ships.

BackNineIQ
◆ Featured · Analytics Engineering + Product Design
🏗 Architect + Product Owner + Builder
BackNineIQ — Golf Club Visit Analytics
A Databricks medallion pipeline and live Streamlit app answering one question: when a member plays golf, what else do they do and spend? Built with deterministic identity resolution, documented tradeoffs, and a three-page stakeholder app designed around distinct user personas.
DatabricksPythonIdentity ResolutionStreamlit
View Case Study →
GamePulse◆ Independent🏗 Architect
Data Engineering
GamePulse Data Warehouse
Full-stack medallion data warehouse — Bronze → Silver → Gold using SQL Server and T-SQL stored procedures.
SQL ServerPython
TicketPush◆ Independent🔬 Analyst
Marketing Analytics
TicketPush Attribution
End-to-end marketing analytics simulation — first/last touch attribution, CAC, funnel analysis, and LTV segmentation in MySQL and Power BI.
MySQLPower BI
Email Engagement ScoringProfessional🔬 Analyst
Marketing Analytics · Professional
Email Engagement Scoring
Behavioral scoring model segmenting email audiences by engagement depth — driving higher open rates and personalized campaign targeting.
SQLPython
Audience SegmentationProfessional📋 Product Owner
Audience Analytics · Professional
Audience Segmentation Insights
10-segment audience taxonomy across ticket sales, revenue share, and geographic concentration — informed campaign strategy delivering 5× ROAS.
SQLPower BI
PinSeeker Analytics◆ Independent · New🏗 Architect
Sports Analytics · Data Engineering
PinSeeker Analytics Pipeline & App
Personal golf analytics OS — DataGolf API feeds a MySQL medallion warehouse, 5 branded archetypes, versioned prediction stack, and 8-page Streamlit app. Non-commercial.
PythonMySQLStreamlit
Bariatric Program RevampProfessional📋 Product Owner
Healthcare Marketing · Professional
Bariatric Program Revamp
Full-funnel revamp — website redesign, intake rebuild, and empathy-driven multimedia campaign. 40% reduction in acquisition cost, 16% increase in qualified leads. Award-winning.
Campaign StrategyAnalytics
Orthopedic Branding CampaignProfessional📋 Product Owner
Healthcare Branding · Professional
Orthopedic Branding Campaign
Year-long seasonal campaign across digital, print, billboard, and broadcast. 12% clinic volume growth, 50% increase in 5-star reviews. Award-winning.
Brand StrategyCampaign Mgmt
Professional📋 TPM Lead
TPM · Data Strategy
Data Readiness Scoping, Roadmap & Execution
Led audit facilitation, V1/V2 scoping, roadmap build, and 5-sprint execution delivering a LiveRamp clean room-ready dataset. 90% avg burndown. All V1 on time.
TPMRoadmapping
WEHF Analytics Case Study◆ Independent🔬 Analyst
Analytics · Power BI · Independent
WEHF Analytics Case Study
Full-funnel analytics ecosystem for a fictional women's hockey league — SQL warehouse, 7-page Power BI dashboard, DAX modeling, and six complete analyses.
Power BISQLDAX
After Hours

Beyond the day job.

$2M+
Raised
🎖️
PTSD Veteran Athletes — Co-Founder
Co-founded a nonprofit supporting veterans through outdoor and extreme sports — sponsorship outreach, partnership development, and fundraising from the ground up.
Nonprofit LeadershipFundraising
🌐
Mollymawk Designs
Full-service web development studio bringing client strategies to life through SEO-ready digital builds.
Visit Site →
PinSeeker Analytics
Golf analytics blog blending passion with data — strokes-gained models and tournament analysis content.
🏀
High School Basketball Coach
Volunteer coach investing in student-athletes on and off the court.
How I Work

Three phases.
One approach.

Data Infrastructure
Data Infrastructure First
  • Medallion pipeline design (Bronze → Platinum)
  • Identity resolution across imperfect sources
  • Dimensional modeling and fact table design
  • Databricks, MySQL, Python ETL automation
  • Audience scoring and engagement models
Product & Roadmap
Product & Roadmap
  • Technical requirements and DevOps ownership
  • Sprint planning and backlog management
  • V1/V2 scoping and prioritization frameworks
  • Stakeholder alignment across engineering and business
  • Clean room and identity infrastructure strategy
Analytics & Decisions
Analytics & Decisions
  • Executive dashboards (Power BI, Streamlit)
  • Campaign attribution and ROI analysis
  • Audience segmentation and lifecycle modeling
  • First-party data and clean room strategy
  • Plain-language insight communication to leadership
Contact

Let's build
something together.

Open to Technical Product Manager, Senior Product Manager, Data Product Manager, and Analytics Engineering Manager roles — in sports, media, or adjacent industries.

Open to Technical Product Manager, Senior Product Manager, Data Product Manager, and Analytics Engineering Manager roles — in technology, healthcare, media, or any data-driven industry.

Email
connect@caystonpickens.com
Resume
Download Resume / CV
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/caystonpickens
GitHub
github.com/Clutchlytics