Investing in The Next Generation of Leaders

DraftKings is building more than outstanding products. We’re building leaders who drive impact. 

This past spring, we launched Ignite, a transformative leadership development program built to equip senior leaders with the skills, confidence, and cross-functional alignment needed to take their teams to the next level.

With rapid growth and a constantly evolving market, DraftKings needs leaders who don’t just react but rather anticipate and ignite momentum.

We sat down with three teammates—Diana, Brad, and Hayden—who recently attended the inaugural Ignite Conference at our Boston HQ. 

Cross-Functional Connection with Purpose

Diana, Vice President of Talent Acquisition, described the Ignite experience as “an invaluable opportunity to connect with other senior leaders across the company to learn from each other and build stronger relationships.”

What made the conference stand out? For Diana, it was the blend of hands-on business simulation in small teams and engaging sessions led by executive leaders on key topics shaping our business.

She left with more than just a framework—she left with a deeper understanding of the company’s ecosystem and new cross-functional allies to navigate it with.

“It was refreshing to take a step back and focus on leadership in a broader, more strategic context,” Diana said. 

Real Business Problems. Real Decisions.

Brad, Vice President of Risk Operations, says a big highlight for him was a competition.  

Teammates participated in a business simulation modeled closely after DraftKings’ own operations. His team, diverse in function and background, had to make tough calls, manage tradeoffs, and stay aligned under pressure. Brad’s team ended up coming up with the winning plan!

“This exercise reinforced for me how important it is to stay grounded in our strategy and long-term vision when making tough calls,” Brad said. 

As a remote teammate, Brad enjoyed collaborating with many people from across the business. It’s not every day that you get to focus on growth with other successful leaders. 

“At the senior level, the hardest part isn’t coming up with good ideas—it’s choosing between them. That’s something I’ll keep emphasizing with my team,” Brad said. 

Strategic Thinking, Practiced Daily

For Hayden, Vice President of Loyalty & VIP Growth, Ignite pushed him to think beyond his immediate role by allowing him to work in small teams to tackle macro-level business challenges. 

As a leader, Hayden prioritizes the human connection with his team. “Throughout my time at DraftKings I’ve learned an incredible amount, much of it from the people around me. I’ve been lucky to work with some of the smartest, most thoughtful teammates, and I try to soak up lessons from all of them. Whether it's a great manager or a peer doing something impressive, I’m always picking up little things and incorporating them into my own personal style,” Hayden said. 

What stood out most about the Ignite Conference was its relevance. The simulation felt real, the feedback was tailored, and the learnings were immediately actionable. One specific takeaway Hayden says he’s brought back to his team is the importance of asking the right questions and doing it at the right time.

“It was a powerful reminder that asking thoughtful questions and truly listening can shift the dynamic and lead to better outcomes,” Hayden said. 

Growth at the Speed of DraftKings

Each leader’s journey mirrors our own evolution as a company. Diana joined when we were 1,000 employees strong—today, we’re over 5,000. Brad came in to build out our Risk Operations department. Hayden’s trajectory spans Analytics, VIP, and Loyalty, with continuous learning at every stage.

What unites them? The belief that DraftKings is focused on growth at all levels. 

“The Ignite Conference is a prime example of how much the company values building strong, capable business leaders,” Diana said. 

“Since I joined, I’ve seen consistent investment in individual and manager development,” Brad said. 

“One of the biggest drivers of growth at DraftKings is the pace at which we move. We’re constantly evolving, and that naturally pushes people to take on new challenges,” Hayden said.  

Across roles and experiences, each leader shared a similar philosophy: Empowerment isn’t about control—it’s about trust. Leadership is personal, practical, and grounded in real outcomes. 

Ready to reach your full potential? Check out our open roles.