RAVEL - Key Persons
Aaisha has over 10 years of experience working in the market research industry. She was most recently a Market Research Recruitment Director for Assistance in Marketing where she hired, trained & supervised a team of 15 consumer recruiters. In her role she was responsible for recruiting respondents to participate in focus groups and even moderated focus groups for clients.
Merging her love of data and design, Abigail ensures that the presentation of Ravel's complex qualitative, and quantitative, research data is presented in a clear and engaging manner. Her attention to the big picture, as well as the fine details, allow her to effectively communicate well-rounded visuals of the data. Abigail holds a B.F.A in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Job Titles:
- Qualitative Research Manager
Alanna is a Qualitative Research Manager with a passion for assisting clients to achieve their objectives and connecting brands with consumers to understand their emotional needs and purchase drivers. Alanna's research experience has spanned across shopper journey, packaging design, omnichannel path-to-purchase, new product development, and more… Alanna has a BA from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Communication. Prior to joining Ravel, Alanna's diverse background has allowed her to work with top CPG/FMCG brands to deliver actionable qualitative insights
Job Titles:
- Qualitative Research Manager
- Quantitative Research Manager
Amanda has more than 15 years of market research experience spanning industries including healthcare, travel, hospitality, CPG food and drink, foodservice and flavors and ingredients. Prior to joining Ravel, Amanda held various market research roles on the client, agency, and supplier side, working on full lifecycle market research projects. She's executed a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies including surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, ideation sessions, ethnographies and online communities for clients.
Amanda is also a passionate food writer for national publications and manages a personal restaurant review blog and Instagram account.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Business from Indiana University, as well as a Certificate in Principles of Marketing Research from the University of Georgia.
Amanda has been a project coordinator at Ravel since 2021 and is always seeking new skills and tools to learn that can be applied to improving quality, efficiency, and communication. She has a background in creative writing, with a BFA and MFA from Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Amanda also has an MBA from Hamline University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Quantitative Research
Andy brings 15 years of experience in quantitative methods and analysis, helping his clients arrive at powerful solutions through collaborative thinking and flexible problem solving. He specializes in research on satisfaction, design, usage and behavior, and segmentation. He also offers strong expertise in product development. He has also helped shape Ravel's concept testing methodologies, focusing on efficiency and developing scoreboards that are easy to understand. Andy has a B.A. in Mathematics and Business Management from Hope College.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director, Qualitative Researcher, Interviewer / Group Facilitator
For more than 15 years, Angela has injected creative approaches into methodology design and discussion facilitation. She has a reputation for inventive solutions that gather insights respondents can't or won't provide via simple questioning. Angela has conducted research across industries and around the world, including the U.S., China, Turkey, France, Germany, the UK, Italy and Canada. Having conducted over 1,000 focus groups, interviews and online bulletin boards throughout her career, Angela offers extensive experience in product design, channel strategy, brand positioning and communications. Angela graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.
Carrington comes with 5+ years' of UX Research and design experience. Most recently she worked at Regal Finishing leading exploratory research, overhauling the company's SOPs, and designing training protocols for Regal. Carrington attended the University of Michigan and holds a BS in Information with a Design concentration. Carrington loves to cook, is an outdoor enthusiast, art geek, and a voracious reader of historical fiction novels. One of her favorite experiences was living and studying Italian in Milan for 3 months.
Job Titles:
- Quantitative Research Manager
A fascination for studying human behavior and interaction has been the core driver for Chrissy's career. Upon completing her Ph.D. in communication and technology, she has worked as a consultant and researcher for the past several years, specializing in strategy and insights using primary research methods. At Ravel, Chrissy employs various quantitative methodologies to generate actionable and inspiring insights for clients.
Dan is an experienced graphic designer, video editor, and motion graphics artist. His experience includes branding packages, videography, drone photography, interviewing, staff development, tracking campaign metrics, and annual reviews. Dan is working remotely and is supporting the Ravel team with data visualization and other design deliverables
Job Titles:
- Qualitative Research Recruiter
Deborah has more than 10 years of experience in recruiting. Her "think outside the box" approach allows her to discover individuals who bring true insight to a study. Gaining knowledge and understanding about anything and everything is her passion. Deborah is fond of saying, "If I don't know it today, I will by tomorrow!" Her belief that everyone matters, and that our thoughts and opinions are important, guides both her professional and personal life.
Job Titles:
- Quantitative Research Manager
Drew joined Ravel in 2021 and brings 7+ years of consumer research expertise with corporate and agency marketing leaders. He specializes in global, multi-language quantitative research on consumer attitudes, behaviors, and values in the retail, CPG, financial services, media, and technology industries. Drew is especially adept at synthesizing quantitative and qualitative insights to help marketing leaders understand how emerging cultural trends and demographic shifts impact their marketing strategy. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and Business Management from the University of St. Thomas and an M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Ginny comes with 7+ years' of diverse experience spending time as a veterinary technician, extraction chemist, and adjunct professor in biology. During the course of her studies she focused on behavior, bioethics, and pharmaceuticals for mental health. She worked at Mondelēz International as a food scientist specializing in cutting edge ingredient research and then as an associate sensory scientist leading sensory panel recruitment and training as well as managing consumer research needs for brands like Nutter Butter and Nilla Wafers.
Ginny is a lover of animals and has a big fluffy dog named Chipotle. She loves to play complicated (but still fun) board games like Terraforming Mars, Viticulture, and Clank. Ginny is extremely passionate about mental health and is a member of LGBTQIA+ community.
Job Titles:
- Qualitative Research Manager
Hillary has been working in market research for more than 10 years. Her experience spans a range of categories including CPG, entertainment, durables, food & drink and consumer services and encompasses all points throughout the consumer journey and product lifecycle. She has led qualitative research across various methodologies including focus groups, in-depth interviews, ethnographies and online communities. Hillary excels at translating business objectives into creative exercises that engage participants to deliver impactful insights and strategic recommendations for her clients. Hillary has an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and brings a keen business sense to all of her project work.
Hudson comes with many years of qualitative research experience. Most recently, he worked for Maru/Matchbox as a Senior Research Manager where he lead a variety of research methods and specialized in the in-home ethnographic research area. His infatuation with qualitative research began while he was working in New Zealand for a boutique qualitative firm. His genuine love for storytelling drives his projects to produce rich and impactful content. Hudson loves to be on the move, spending his free time on flights, skiing, in Lake Michigan, or on his bike. He has been to 48 states, 15 countries and has the Alaska Airlines company record for most standby flights taken by an Intern (44!).
Jasmin has been working in the Market Research field since 2015. She was most recently a Field Recruiter for Focus Room-where she was tasked with selecting, interviewing and screening candidates to participate in studies or focus groups for clients who conduct market research. Jasmin will be a key contributor to Ravel's consumer recruiting efforts.
Job Titles:
- Qualitative Research Manager
Jessica has a passion for helping clients make consumer-driven business decisions. She enjoys creating meaningful stories based on consumers insights to allow clients to understand their customers better. With over 5 years of experience on the supplier side, Jessica has worked in a variety of industries and comes from a strong market research background with a Bachelor's in Marketing and a M.S.M.R. from Michigan State University. At Ravel, Jessica helps clients make informed decisions based on consumer insights gathered through a variety of different quantitative research methodologies.
Jillian has over 10 years of experience working as a project manager. She was most recently a Production Project Manager for ROXBOX Containers-where she led complex, large-scale projects with an organized, resourceful approach and tackled challenges with creativity and commitment. Jillian will truly will be an asset for Ravel.
Job Titles:
- Quantitative Research Manager
Bridging her deep consumer empathy and passion for data insights, Kayla aims to tell compelling stories that drive action, inspire discussion, and leave her clients feeling confident. While she has helped answer a variety of tough business questions, some of her favorites include projects that support product development and enrich the human-centered design process. Kayla holds a B.S.B. in Marketing with a concentration on Management Information Systems from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management. Kayla joined Ravel in December 2021, with her previous market research experience being in the complex healthcare industry.
Job Titles:
- Quantitative Research Director
- Senior Director, Quantitative Research
Since joining Ravel in 2011, Kristy's passion for making meaningful connections with consumers has been at the core of her research philosophy. She uses quantitative methodologies to help clients answer their immediate marketing questions, while also promoting big picture thinking that will inform a brand's long-term strategy. Kristy specializes in visual analytics that stimulate critical thinking and weave a clear and compelling story that makes it easier for clients to share results and inspire change. Kristy holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Marketing from the University of Michigan.
Lydia received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Master of Science in Management Studies from Boston University. Most recently, Lydia worked for Material+ in Los Angeles as a Senior Research Associate, Qualitative Insights and was responsible for conducting qualitative research studies including scoping work, analysis and reporting, and presenting findings to companies in financial services, entertainment, and tech industries
Job Titles:
- Quantitative Research Manager
Melissa has an unquenchable curiosity for consumer insights with 8+ years of experience working with businesses on both the client and supplier side of research. While her background is founded on the client side within the building products and healthcare industries, she has immensely enjoyed her years on the supplier side working with a variety of industries and the challenges each face. Melissa enjoys working with clients to turn their research objectives into insights that will drive business decisions. She holds a B.S. in Marketing and Accounting.
Nitasha is an accomplished qualitative researcher with a passion for unraveling the intricate layers of human behavior and perception. She approaches each project with an open mind, eager to explore different ideas and viewpoints. Her genuine curiosity enables her to unearth unique insights and perspectives, resulting in a more comprehensive understanding of the people she serves. This approach not only enriches her research but also fosters meaningful connections between businesses and their audiences. During her time as a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Manitoba, Nitasha conducted cross-national comparative research, focusing on immigrant and BIPOC young women. Her utilization of core anthropological research methods, including ethnographic fieldwork, participant observations, interviews, and focus groups, demonstrates her commitment to rigorous research and her ability to forge connections with diverse communities. Nitasha's passion for research extends beyond the academic realm. She has presented her findings at conferences and contributed to publications, showcasing her ability to communicate and report the impact of content efforts effectively.
Rachel most recently was Associate Insight Manager at Mindsight, a boutique consumer and brand research firm, where she led and executed qualitative research projects using a range of methodologies from online boards, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and shop-alongs.
Rachel received her MBA from the University of Colorado Boulder and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Jewish Studies from Emory University.
In her spare time, Rachel is happiest with hiking boots and a book! She loves exploring the outdoors, reading, and volunteering for organizations serving communities & individuals with disabilities.
Rebecca has been coordinating qualitative and quantitative projects at Ravel for more than a decade. In that time, she has developed a strong reputation as a "go-to" project coordinator for projects that are big on detail and complexity. Her never-settle attitude, attention to detail and ability to anticipate needs makes Rebecca a valuable asset on complicated research projects. Rebecca has coordinated hundreds of qualitative and quantitative research projects for Ravel. She specializes in quantitative projects, online qualitative research and embedment of video in reporting.
Job Titles:
- Quantitative Research Manager
Ryan combines her interest in psychology and her passion for research to bring clients an insight into their consumers' behavior and decision-making processes. Ryan has a B.S. in psychology from the University of Georgia and a M.S. in market research from Michigan State University. Prior to joining Ravel, Ryan's research experience was focused on residential and commercial building supplies.
Job Titles:
- Qualitative Research Manager
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Master of Science in Food Science with an emphasis in Sensory Analysis from Kansas State. Sarah comes to us from Nike, Inc. where she was a Perception Researcher. Prior to her time with Nike, Inc. Sarah worked at Estee Lauder and Nestle Health Sciences.
Sarah and her husband enjoy frequent trips to Ireland to visit his family. The family is now settled back in the Midwest, where Sarah is from, and spend most of their time chasing around their 16-month-old daughter, Saoirse. In Sarah's, less frequent, free time she enjoys working on a quilt, listening to podcasts, or trying out new bread recipes!
Shakira joined Ravel in July 2021, as a project coordinator. Shakira previously worked in local government creating outreach campaigns for the 2020 United States Census. She has an innate knack for project organization and moving the needle forward on project initiatives. She thrives in researching community development efforts and cultivating partnerships between organizations and major stakeholders. Shakira has a B.A. degree in Political Science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Job Titles:
- Quantitative Research Manager
Stephanie has nine years of experience in the field of assessment and research. Most recently, she served as the Director of Assessment and Institutional Research for Northcentral University. In this role, she worked to advance the strategic use of data throughout the institution to improve practices that impact student success.
Stephanie holds a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of North Dakota, an MA in experimental psychology from Cleveland State University, and a BA with a major in Psychology and a minor in Spanish from Cleveland State University.
After living in four states for the last eight years, she finally returned to her home state of Ohio with her partner Matthew and rescue dog Dakota. When she does not have her nose in a book or feet on a trail, Stephanie loves learning about and experiencing local culture.
Tracy has more than 10 years of experience providing client and researcher support at Ravel, which has helped her develop a knack for anticipating needs. Tracy brings her creative eye to the final deliverable, transforming research results into inviting and easier to read reports and presentations. Her dependability and attention to the details help clients and researchers feel more prepared.