Douglas Hegley moved into the world of museum technology in 1997, following earlier stints in higher education and pediatrics research. During 14 years at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, he focused on implementing technology that served the mission of the institution, and on creating a collaborative and open technology operation. Later, his focus turned to the production and management of digital content, and sharing it across audiences. In 2011, he joined the staff of the Minneapolis Institute of Art as its first senior executive responsible for technology and digital media, and was responsible for setting the vision and strategy for those initiatives at the museum.

In 2020, he returned to The Met in the role of Chief Digital Officer, leading all digital media production and strategy. With a formal background in Psychology, he has always put people first, focused on the capacity for technology to augment and enhance the ways that people accomplish their goals and find moments of delight.