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The 360° view

I get asked a lot: So, what is it you actually do?

 

Here’s the 360° view.

 

For more than a decade, my work at Haynes & Company, a market research and retail consulting firm, centered on helping clients understand what was happening in the market, why it mattered, and how to act on it. I led end-to-end research and insights engagements across consumer, retail, brand, and investment-focused questions, translating complex field data into clear recommendations for corporate clients, hedge funds, private equity groups, and executive teams.

 

My role lived at the intersection of research, operations, strategy, and people leadership. I managed large-scale, cross-functional programs; partnered with Research, BI, Operations, Finance, Product, and Client Services teams; and helped build the systems, dashboards, workflows, and quality checks that made complex work easier to execute and easier for clients to use. I also led and coached large global teams, with a focus on clarity, accountability, collaboration, and calm execution under pressure.

 

Today, that work continues through SpeakForward Communication Consulting, where I help individuals, corporate teams, and nonprofit organizations communicate with more confidence, clarity, and purpose. My work includes customized communication coaching, keynote speaking, leadership and conflict training, change management workshops, executive presence development, and communication strategy support for organizations navigating growth, transition, or complexity.

 

Across all of my work, the throughline is communication. Whether I am translating market data into strategy, helping a leader prepare for a high-stakes conversation, training a team through change, or supporting a nonprofit in telling its story more clearly, my goal is the same: to make complex ideas easier to understand, easier to act on, and easier to sustain.

 

You can find my full resume below.

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What I Bring to the Table

  • Market Research & Retail Consulting (10+ years)

    • Demonstrated ability to design and execute comprehensive research strategies, leveraging deep knowledge of consumer behavior and retail industry dynamics.

  • Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen

    • Proven track record of translating market and consumer insights into strategic roadmaps that drive revenue growth, operational efficiency, and long-term business success.

  • Advanced Data Analytics & KPI Tracking

    • Skilled in analyzing large, diverse datasets to uncover actionable insights, establishing relevant KPIs, and providing data-driven recommendations.

  • Consumer Insights & Retail Trends

    • Expertise in identifying emerging trends, understanding consumer behavior, and applying these insights to guide business strategies and product positioning.

  • End-to-End Project Execution

    • Strong project management capabilities from concept through delivery, ensuring initiatives meet strategic objectives, stay on budget, and deliver measurable results.

  • Cross-Functional Team Leadership

    • Adept at managing and motivating diverse teams (including external vendors), fostering collaboration, and driving innovation across multiple departments.

  • Stakeholder Engagement & Communication​

    • Proven ability to build trusted relationships with clients and internal stakeholders, effectively tailoring communication to influence decision-making at all levels.​

  • Data Visualization & Reporting (Tableau)​

    • ​Proficient in creating clear, compelling visual reports and dashboards to communicate complex data findings in an actionable way.

  • Market Analysis & Growth​

    • Skilled in conducting thorough market assessments, identifying growth opportunities, and guiding clients toward strategic expansion plans.​

  • Adaptability & Goal-Driven Execution​

    • Track record of thriving in fast-paced environments, quickly adapting to change, and consistently meeting ambitious targets through focused, results-driven efforts.

Retailers, Brands, &
Big Shiny Ideas

Over the past 10 years, I have spearheaded innovative research initiatives and developed KPIs and insights for roughly 70 retailers and more than 80 brands. This work has included directing hundreds of in-depth interviews with industry experts across commodities, consumer goods, and technology.

 

My projects have spanned every tier of the retail landscape, from mass-market to luxury, and I’ve become adept at uncovering nuanced brand differentiators and performing deep-dive analyses of global industries.

​Click here to see the list of retailers and brands I have worked on and to see a cool Proof of Concept from my work on Leslie's Pool Supply. ​

Author, Public Speaker,
and TedX Talk!

With a background spanning both Public and Mass Communication, I have extensive experience in writing, public speaking, and presentations. During my career as a college professor, I designed and taught courses in Public Speaking, Group & Team Communication, Strategic Communication, Communication Technology, and Audience Analysis.

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During that time, I also discovered my passion for research—learning to pinpoint crucial data, tackle complex questions, and refine my skills in managing and analyzing large datasets. I have published multiple articles and book chapters and am the author of a full-length book.

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For more than 10 years, my daily routine involved public presentations in front of classrooms, guiding students through various communication topics. To date, I have delivered over 30 presentations at conferences nationwide, served as a keynote speaker on multiple occasions, and even presented a TEDx talk inside a Texas prison.

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This link will take you to my list of publications and a couple of presentations.

Education

2005-2008

Ph.D. in Communication @ University of Kansas

2003-2005

M.A. in Communication @ Wichita State University

1999-2003

B.A. in Communication @ Friends University

B.B.A in Marketing @ Friends University

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