Jennifer Karsh founded Axen with the goal of infusing more creativity into qualitative research. Her comprehensive understanding of the field comes from more than 10 years’ experience working on both the client side and the supplier side.

As the Senior Research Manager for Wild Planet Toys, Jennifer directed all consumer and product research – including exploratory research, concept evaluation, design tests, advertising evaluations and packaging validations.

Later, as an independent consultant, Jennifer led research initiatives for companies such as Disney, McDonald’s, Nestle, Scholastic, Hasbro and Procter & Gamble.

For these prestigious clients, Jen carried out both general market research and research focused on kids.

Jennifer has written and spoken widely on the subject of ethnographic research. Her innovative research methodologies have been profiled in several publications including The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Giovanni Riggioni understands the importance of partnerships. As a veteran in the field of research, Giovanni has spent more than a dozen years managing both quantitative and qualitative research studies, often assembling cross-functional teams in order to get the best from all players.

Prior to Axen, Giovanni served as the Executive Director of Global Research at Warner Home Entertainment where he led entertainment research across platforms for the domestic and international markets. While there, Giovanni also led the charge of all consumer research surrounding new and emerging technologies. Prior to that, Giovanni managed Operations Research for the Disney Store.

Giovanni’s extensive experience in entertainment, consumer behavior and emerging technologies makes him an ideal Managing Director for Axen. In addition to his professional experience, Giovanni holds an MBA from William and Mary. He is a native speaker of both English and Spanish.

Born in Paraguay, Pablo Flores grew up with an insatiable curiosity for the world around him. Through study and international travel, Pablo discovered a passion for both global business and multiculturalism. He has an intuitive ability to make meaningful connections between people, data and culture.

Pablo’s interest in international business led him to the United States where he obtained his MBA from the Carlson School of Management. Talking to Pablo, it’s clear that he loves to analyze and interpret the latest trends in marketing and business, following numerous daily blogs and newspapers. Talk to him a little more and you’ll uncover a love of movies, TV shows and everything related to the business of Hollywood.

Fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, Pablo’s expertise in the Hispanic Market, as well as his strategic thinking, allow him to bridge the cultural divide between the consumer and our clients.

Allison is seasoned moderator, strategic thinker and brand builder with two decades of general market and youth research experience. She has worked on both the client and agency sides of the market research world and approaches projects with both of these perspectives in mind.

Allison began her career at Kodak where she gained extensive new product and communications research experience. As an independent consultant, she has worked for industry leaders including AT&T, American Eagle, Birds Eye, Coca Cola, Goody Products and Kids II. When she’s not busy helping companies direct their marketing plans, she’s busy communicating with her most powerful clients — her two teenage kids!

Allison holds a B.S. in management from Rochester Institute of Technology. She received professional research training/certification through the AC Nielsen/Burke Institute.

Cheryl Caddick serves as liaison for the field team, field house and Axen headquarters to execute a strategic workflow throughout each project’s duration. She draws on her education background and extensive business travel experience to coordinate schedules, filter reports and anticipate field-team needs. Organizing details is one of Cheryl’s strengths, and through them she uncovers the creative heartbeat in research.

Cheryl earned a Master of Education degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Socio-Cultural Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Every deliverable at Axen is infused with Lindsey Walker’s astute design sensibility and journalistic pursuit of truth. Her artistic packaging of reports lends a crisp, clear filter through which clients can easily digest and interpret findings.

From her documentary-style photos to her creation of spreadsheets and charts, Lindsey is a mastery of presentation. She earned a degree in journalism from Boston University, a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, and has studied photography extensively.

Jenny Brandt, who oversees billing and various production logistics, ensures her interaction with clients is seamless, straightforward and minimal. She works behind the scenes, crosschecking accuracy at every level by paying meticulous attention to detail. She also evaluates and implements workflow and billing systems to meet Axen’s creative and expansive needs.

Jenny has successfully administered her approach in a variety of fields. She has previously worked as a digital media producer, production operations manager, a writer, and educator. She holds a M.A. in Education from the Claremont Graduate School, and a degree in Psychology from Pomona College.

Amber Nelson knows how to ask the right questions. Since graduating from Boston University’s prestigious journalism program, Amber has served as a communications consultant for a wide range of companies including Kaiser Permanente and Transamerica. Her experience interviewing both companies and consumers, matched with her training in focus group moderation, has allowed Amber to perfect the art and science of interviewing. At Axen, Amber conducts a wide range of qualitative research services including PeopleQ, in-store intercepts, ethnographies, focus groups, and online communities.

Lanie is a veteran research executive with extensive experience in identifying strategic opportunities for clients in the areas of entertainment, youth research and consumer packaged goods. As Vice President of Research for Turner Broadcasting Inc., she directed research projects for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang. Prior to that, Lanie served as Vice President of Strategic, Trend and Audience Research for Sesame Workshop — the home of Sesame Street and other well-loved children’s brands. With a keen eye toward research goals, Lanie produces meaningful insights for clients. A masterful report writer, she delivers information with both depth and clarity. Lanie holds a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Florida.

David Lubensky is at home in the world. His experience leading innovation sessions and ethnographies has lead him from prisons in Northern California to Schools in Lima, Peru. David has led thousands of observation teams in homes, bathrooms, operating rooms and focus group facilities across the world. He stays fresh by working with clients in Fortune 500 companies, startups, community efforts, and academic research. David’s well-won experience and expertise has helped form the foundation for much of Axen’s innovation work. David holds a M.S. from the University of Texas at Austin.

Lauren supports Creative Services and Social Media at Axen with her artistic talents. As a resident expert in social media platforms as well as design technology, Lauren knows how to spot an emerging trend for clients and help bring a visual punch to deliverables. In her spare time, Lauren flies around the country playing keyboards and singing in her band.