Drew Anderson

About Drew Anderson

Econometric analysis can help leaders make better decisions! But it can just as easily be ignored because it is confusing or unconvincing. I\'ve been working on building the tools to deliver influential analysis. A good analysis uses the best data, which requires technical tools (I use SQL, Python, R, Stata). But getting data also requires the persuasion that this new analysis is important enough to warrant sharing valuable private information.An influential analysis is designed as simply as possible, with conclusions that come from clear trends in the data. I\'ve focused on finding natural experiments to get new insights. I\'ve implemented controlled experiments where random assignment was feasible, ethical, and likely to yield better insights. Results need to be communicated clearly, which requires knowing your audience, their context, and what answers they need. I\'ve deep-dived to learn about student loans, organ donation, grocery stores, LLMs, housing rentals, and more. And I\'ve rewritten countless drafts to pull the \"so what\" out of all the details. When it\'s successful, econometric analysis not only estimates the impact of a policy or business decision, it also helps us understand economic behavior. Check out my website for some of my publications, see below for some of the decisions I\'ve supported, and reach out if you want to talk data, tech, or economics.

Experience

1. Staff Policy Economist

   Airbnb

   Dec 2025 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   Analyze how Airbnb interacts with local economies. Estimate how taxes and regulations on short-term rentals affect Airbnb\'s guests, hosts, and their communities.

Education

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Master’s Degree

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

• Augustana University (SD)

  Bachelor’s Degree