Digging In with Dana Jackson, Senior Consultant

Digging In is a regular series of blog posts profiling UDig employees.  We hope this series helps you get to know our team and understand why we dig what we do! Today, we are sitting down with Dana Jackson, a Senior Consultant on the software engineering team.  

UDig: Tell us a little bit about your background and your role at UDig.

DJ: I’ve been in the consulting world since right out of college, starting with a role in web design at IBM—despite it being very new territory for me! After gaining substantial experience in web development in the Arlington/DC area, I felt a pull back towards my hometown of Richmond, VA. That’s when UDig came into the picture. I joined the team when the company was quite small, about five years ago. Today, I balance my time between coding, managing teams, and leading projects as a senior front-end engineer. 

UDig: Why UDig? What made us the right decision for you?

DJ: Initially, I didn’t know much about UDig. I was looking for opportunities to stay in consulting within Richmond, and UDig stood out because of its non-hierarchical, flexible structure which seemed free of micromanagement and unnecessary overhead. The company culture felt personal, approachable, and genuinely committed to interesting and meaningful work. 

UDig: What does “accelerate your success” mean to you?

DJ: To me, it means having the autonomy to forge your own path. UDig supports this fully, which enabled me to start a women’s resource group here. This initiative not only allowed me to contribute to our company in a meaningful way but also helped accelerate my career and those of my colleagues. At UDig, everyone’s voice is valued, and that cultivates a truly supportive environment. 

UDig: Tell us a little bit about your current consulting project.

DJ: I have been working with a Fortune 500 retailer for the last several months. Our team was tasked with creating an AI-powered chatbot app for sales associates to leverage to better serve their customers. We’ve been building the front-end application using React Native, with a Java backend. This was a “first-of-its-kind” application for the organization and we were able to bring it to fruition in just four weeks. You can read the full client story for this project here.  

UDig: What is a recent work achievement you’re most proud of?

DJ: One of my proudest achievements has been spearheading the creation of WISE (Women Igniting Success and Empowerment), our women’s resource group at UDig. This initiative emerged from a gap I noticed while attending a women’s leadership conference focused on Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Recognizing the limited representation of women in tech and within our own small company, I collaborated with a colleague who shared my passion. Together, we launched WISE to foster an inclusive environment where women at UDig and in the broader Richmond community could thrive. We now host Q&A panel sessions, inviting women leaders from various organizations to share insights and experiences, primarily targeting women in leadership roles. This effort not only enhanced our company culture but also led to my nomination for the RVATech award, where I was honored with the People’s Choice Award. 

UDig: What is your favorite procrastination tool?

DJ: Online shopping, without a doubt! It’s my Achilles’ heel for both necessities and indulgences. 

UDig: What did you want to be when you grew up?

DJ: I originally wanted to go into marketing – I was really inspired by Nike’s branding. Although I started as a marketing major, I soon realized that my strengths lay elsewhere, leading me into the tech field instead. 

UDig: What’s the most played song in your library?

DJ: Definitely John Mayer (including Dead and Co). If he’s playing guitar in the song, I’ve heard it. 

UDig: What trivia category would you be best at?

DJ: I’d shine in 90s rom-coms and sitcoms, particularly Friends trivia. 

UDig: How would you spend your day if we told you to take the day off?

DJ: I’d head straight to Busch Gardens for a day of riding rollercoasters if the weather was nice. That would be my ideal day off!