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I’m a social scientist with an eye for design, an ear for strategy and a heart for humans. I thrive on enabling meaningful conversations, lifting people’s confidence and cultivating global empathy.
I’ve spent two decades as a qualitative researcher and coach with a focus on ethnography, communication skills and moderation mastery.
I began my career in healthcare marketing research, opening my consultancy in 2004. Along the way I’ve spent time as a UX Researcher, Chief Innovation Officer, Master Facilitator, Coach, and now back to my consultancy.
I hold a BA in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin, a Masters in Mass Communication from the University of New Mexico, an ABD PhD in Communication from the University of Arizona, and Human-Centered Design Practitioner certification from the LUMA Institute.
I live in the Netherlands with my Foxhound, Fenna.
As a Midwesterner, I have a strong love for beer, cheese and genuine people. My curiosity led me to communication and social psychology, where I stumbled into the field of qualitative research. Once bitten by the ethnography bug, I never looked back.
I believe the human experience is rooted in emotion, and that people are far more similar than they are different. My colorful career enables me to talk with people of all walks of life, virtually and in their own environments.
I think of research and coaching as my contribution to keeping it real in the business world.
Why did I choose to live in the Netherlands?
On a whirlwind tour of 13 European countries, I fell instantly in love with Holland and vowed to live here one day.
32 years later I made it happen.
Here are some things one can do daily in the Netherlands: walk on pristine sandy beaches, borrel with your friendly neighbors (Google it), bring your dog everywhere, and drink a stellar cappuccino out of a handcrafted mug in the local library cafe.
It’s like the Midwest on steroids.
If you’re ever in the area, I’d love to show you Haarlem, a Golden Age town nestled between Amsterdam and the North Sea.
The only thing I liked about my doctor’s kit playset - the nerd glasses
The specs stuck
This wonderfully small firm taught me the ropes of big pharma marketing research. I learned to quickly educate myself in complex therapeutic subjects, talk with healthcare professionals, write clear reports and deliver insights
Early in my career I noticed that pharmaceutical clients often avoided talking with patients [the actual clients!]. To address this I developed Forward Iteration™, a method of conducting consumer research before design or message development phases. I nurtured a niche in patient studies, then expanded into tech, social impact, and CPG
I came on board at Exit to provide an evidence-based approach to experience design. Working with hospitals, museums and public spaces, my research helped designers and architects understand the humans using these environments. One highlight was a participatory research study with residents and merchants to brand the borough I lived in - Northern Liberties
What began as a team of 5 ended with a fantastic UX research force of 50. I conducted ethnographic research, led offsites and coached 40 UXRs to uplevel their craft. I also ran an inclusive leadership program to enhance our empathic way of working. Both programs are still rippling out, helping other teams in the division strengthen their skills as confident, compassionate communicators
The long laid plan to move to the Netherlands arrived, and I transferred my consultancy to the Netherlands under the new LUR name. Now I research and coach on either side of the Atlantic. We couldn’t be happier in our new home.
Go Oranje!
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