Before founding Hypothesis in 2000, Maria served as Senior Vice President of Entertainment at Lieberman Research Worldwide in Los Angeles. Maria holds an undergraduate degree in Marketing from the Stern School of Business at New York University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Southern California.

Jeff has nearly 25 years experience in consumer insights with particular expertise in new product development, brand strategy, pricing/forecasting, and customer satisfaction. Before joining Hypothesis, Jeff held senior positions at firms including LRW and Harris. He was also an adjunct instructor at George Washington University and San Diego State University. As Managing Partner, Jeff oversees the day-to-day activities of Hypothesis.

Maria brings almost 20 years of experience to Hypothesis. She started her career in Australia as a qualitative and quantitative researcher, and most recently Maria was SVP in Millward Brown's Los Angeles office leading the client service team and managing a variety of research programs including Brand Equity research, global tracking studies, communications development research, and custom quantitative research. Maria has a BA (Hons) in Psychology from Monash University and Masters of Applied Psychology from the University of Melbourne.

A graduate of Harvard University, Mae's focus has been in the areas of entertainment, technology, and new media. Her repertoire includes qualitative, forecasting and large-scale multi-territory studies for the home video category. She also has a strong background in the consumer packaged goods and financial services industries. 

For more than a decade, Dawn has applied her skills and curiosity to the design, management, and analysis of research for a range of clients. She has extensive experience with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies – including discrete choice modeling, segmentation, in-home ethnographies, shop-alongs, and focus groups. She is particularly adept at managing large complex studies, especially global studies. 

Edahn's a multidisciplinary designer with a background in law, psychology, and psychotherapy. He leverages his talents for perspective-taking and argument to help craft persuasive, premium, beautiful deliverables that make a splash. He holds a BA in Psychology, a JD, and is a board-registered psychotherapist. In his free time he plays at the Venice Beach drum circle and is an avid Zen practitioner and teacher.

With over 15 years of experience in consumer-driven strategy, Jessica is a marketer and executive advisor. She brings experience from both agency and client sides, working with a range of companies from start-ups to Fortune 100s. Before joining Hypothesis, she held senior positions at Spark Networks and Westfield. She brings a global sensibility having lived in Japan, New Zealand, and Italy. Jessica has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Urban Planning from UC San Diego.

Greg has 25 years of marketing research experience, with an emphasis in quantitative techniques such as brand tracking, creative testing, shopper insights, and segmentation. He has led quantitative divisions at Hall & Partners and Kelton, working across many industries such as technology, retail, CPG, apparel, media and gaming. He had a brief stint as a comedy writer for NBC/Warner Bros and JWT Detroit. Greg has both an MSA (Advertising) and a BA (American Culture) from Northwestern University.

Jenny is an award-winning designer and art director and brings her expertise in typography, illustration, and visual communication to Hypothesis. She received her BA in Fine Art at Furman University, and a graduate degree in Graphic Design and Art Direction at Portfolio Center in Atlanta, GA. She has been featured on The DieLine, Cider Craft magazine, and Print Typography and Lettering annual.

Michael joins Hypothesis as a member of our Advanced Marketing Science Group. He majored in Mathematics at Vassar College with applied mathematics and statistics as specialties. Michael further applied and enriched his statistical knowledge and skills through collaborations with the college’s Office of Institutional Research and Vassar Student Association.

Maia is a passionate storyteller and strategic researcher. She is well-versed in both qualitative and quantitative techniques and has specific expertise in brand positioning, messaging, and product development. She has worked with top brands in entertainment, CPG, luxury and retail. Prior to joining Hypothesis, Maia was at Kelton. She received her BA from UC Berkeley where she studied cognitive linguistics and urban planning.

Mary Ann is a global industry leader with significant experience heading brand-building businesses, both corporate and entrepreneurial. She has a track record of success with start-ups, high-growth businesses, international expansion, and global business management. Before joining Hypothesis, Mary Ann held senior management positions at WPP, as CEO of Kantar Insights and CEO of Millward Brown, working with many of the world’s fastest-growing, highest-value brands. Today, she also serves as Chair of the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) Board of Directors and is a champion of global women's leadership initiatives.

Shaina has extensive experience in both quantitative and qualitative projects across a variety of market sectors. She brings strong tracking fundamentals, retail knowledge, and analytic expertise to the Hypothesis roster. In addition to running projects, Shaina is proud to manage the Hypothesis Seattle office – returning to her hometown after several years in Los Angeles. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and holds a Masters in Communication Management from the University of Southern California.

Nina joins Hypothesis with over 9 years of research experience by the way of Hall & Partners, db5, and Fandango.  An expert in quantitative research, she’s worked across multiple industries and project types including brand and ad tracking, copy-testing, segmentations, attitudes & usage studies, and more.

Leah has an extensive background in market research. Since 2000, she has had various roles including but not limited to Project Manager and Operations Director for a Qualitative Research facility. Leah’s expertise includes consumer segmentation, medical, B2B, product testing, and entertainment research.

Misha brings nearly two decades of experience in research and consulting– embracing clients’ most difficult challenges to deliver inspiration and ignite change. Misha’s expertise lies across methodologies with a focus in Brand, Cx, Thought Leadership, and Segmentation. Her client roster spans industries from Automotive, Luxury, Beauty, to Healthcare. Prior to joining Hypothesis, Misha spent over a decade at Kantar/Added Value, most recently as SVP of Client Leadership. Her work was awarded the 2014 Ogilvy for Fashion and Style.

Michelle has spent the last decade bringing the consumer to life at customer-centric brands like Taco Bell, Starbucks and Nordstrom. She has extensive experience spanning qualitative and quantitative methodologies to uncover actionable insights that drive business decisions and strategy. Michelle is thrilled to return the Northwest working as part of the Hypothesis Seattle team.

Josh has almost a decade of deep supply-side market research experience working with many of the world's biggest brands. He's well-versed in custom quantitative brand tracking, A&U, DCM, TURF, and segmentation while his qualitative chops include focus groups, in-home ethnographies, and online boards. From tech and automotive to mud runs and music festivals, Josh applies his love for learning to numerous industries. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Occidental College.

Samantha Carey joins Hypothesis as the foundation to our in-house video team. She is passionate about every aspect of video production. Her previous experience as a freelance videographer and photographer has prepared her to adapt to the unique needs of each client and each project. She is excited to merge her passions for both storytelling and human behavior with market research. Samantha grew up in New Jersey and graduated with a BFA in Photography with minors in psychology and creative writing from The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University.

Jennifer is a senior qualitative researcher with over 10 years of experience in moderating and conducting research in international markets. She enjoys connecting with consumers and unraveling the consumer perspective, emotional and cultural elements that impact values, behaviors, brand and product consumption. She has a passion for multicultural research and has a close familiarity and deep understanding of the demographic. Jennifer is bilingual and moderates in both English and Spanish and across Hispanic acculturation levels.   

Ashley joins Hypothesis group with 10+ years of market research experience. In prior positions at Chadwick Martin Bailey (CMB) and Plan-it Marketing, Ashley worked across multiple industries and methodologies, with expertise in qual-quant hybrid studies, brand positioning, and tracking work. Ashley is inspired by visual storytelling and answering clients’ complex questions. She has a M.S. in Advertising from Boston University and a B.A. from Amherst College.

Emily’s interest and expertise lies in developing complex quantitative research that requires innovative thinking, strong attention to detail, and close project management. In 2018, she became the first team member of Hypothesis’ quantitative research operations team, Base Camp, where she ensures research is agile, high-quality, and consumer-centric. Prior to Hypothesis, Emily worked at LRW for four years after graduating from USC with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Marketing.   

Angiee Gabaya is a designer passionate about making illustrations and playing with type. Her design approach is fueled by conceptual thinking and making a positive difference. Prior to joining Hypothesis, she worked at Buchanan, a San Diego-based agency, strategizing, designing, and executing branding and design projects for multidisciplinary clients. Although a Los Angeles native, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Anthropology at San Diego State University.

For the past 12 years Jake has worked in qualitative & quantitative research around the world, helping brands to link consumer insights with strategy. His experience spans all consumer categories, using qualitative, quantitative, and cultural insights methodologies, across 5 continents. Jake is based in New York, and was previously based in Shanghai where he led the global qualitative research business within a multinational research & data insights company, helping foreign companies go to market in China, and Chinese companies go to market abroad.

Suzanne has over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting across a variety of industries. She has a passion for creating business processes and systems, as well as a strong background in managing the day-to-day operations of the accounting team.  Before joining Hypothesis, Suzanne was Senior Vice President at Contessa Premium Foods and Chief Financial Officer at US Trust Company. Suzanne is a CPA and began her public accounting career at Kenneth Leventhal and Company.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from San Diego State University

Lizbeth joins Hypothesis with a background in statistics and a passion for all things research. She received her B.S. in Statistics from UCLA where she gained valuable quantitative experience. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for numbers, she enjoys analyzing data and gathering insights from the world around her. Outside of work, you can find her reading a book or walking her puppy.

Sharis’ passion for research has led her to various operational and project management roles in both qualitative and quantitative research. She comes to Hypothesis with over 5 years of experience in qualitative facility recruitment. Her expertise includes medical, B2B, entertainment, consumer products, online sampling, and survey programming. Sharis has her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from California State University, Northridge.

Sandhya is always looking to better understand why people think and act in the ways they do. Prior to Hypothesis, Sandhya’s work spanned brand strategy and trends analysis across various industries including CPG, healthcare, tech, and wellness. She believes that at the intersection of data and storytelling there is a wealth of opportunity to connect consumers and enact change. Sandhya earned her B.A. in International Relations/Global Business and NGO’s and Social Change from USC.

Chelsea first joined the Hypothesis team through their esteemed internship program and is thrilled to continue “helping amazing brands do important things.” With a range of both quantitative and qualitative experience, she loves to marry meaningful data with consumer attitudes and behaviors. Chelsea graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in Economics and Digital Humanities. 

Matt is in constant pursuit of growth. Combining almost 15 years of research and strategy experience in guiding the world’s biggest and best brands, he deeply engages with clients’ businesses to help identify high opportunity areas and strategies for growth. Matt was previously with Kantar Consulting and LRW, as well as having founded startups of his own. Matt holds a BA from Denison University where he studied Economics and Psychology.

Adriana is an experienced accounting professional who has 10+ years working in a broad spectrum of industries. In addition to her accounting experience, Adriana also has a tax and financial background.  Adriana manages the Company’s accounts payable, account reconciliations, and banking needs. She brings a level of calm, insightful thinking and attention to detail, as well as, real life work experience to Hypothesis.

Faith first joined Hypothesis as an intern with experience in market research and advertising. As an Analyst, Faith works with a variety of clients ranging from the entertainment to automotive industry doing both quantitative and qualitative studies. Faith received her Masters at the University of Southern California in Applied Psychology with an emphasis in consumer psychology.

Joan joined Hypothesis as a Project Coordinator and she has over 5 years of experience in qualitative recruitment. She is a diligent and enthusiastic researcher with expertise in recruitment for medical, entertainment, and consumer products. Joan received her Bachelor's at West Chester University in Communications with an emphasis in consumer Content Marketing, which has lead her to market research field.

Savannah brings rich client-side perspective and entertainment experience from Disney where she specialized in consumer satisfaction for Parks and Resorts, as well as large scale brand tracking. She has gained experience in different quantitative and qualitative research methods from various entertainment companies. Savannah received her M.S. in Applied Psychology from the University of Southern California where she specialized in Consumer and Organizational Psychology.

George joins the Hypothesis team with a broad administrative and client services background. He has worked within the United States House of Representatives in several capacities, for nonprofits, and major financial institutions. He brings with him key organizational practices and operational strategies. George attended the University of Alabama and received a B.A in both Public Relations and Political Science. While in attendance his concentration was in International Affairs conducting research on international relief response.

Having served as a strategic partner and consultant to many of the world’s leading brands for nearly 20 years, Ashlyn brings deep expertise across a wide array of industries and methods. She prides herself on designing unique and smart approaches to address complex business problems and relishes the opportunity to help clients make an impact. In her free time, you can often find Ashlyn taking a hip hop or tap dance class, reading historical fiction, or listening to as many random Spotify stations as possible in the constant pursuit of new and interesting music.

With over 20 years of experience as a marketer, Sarah’s led both client and agency teams and worked with nascent start-ups and some of the world’s biggest brands. Whether she’s working on a rebrand or B2B sales strategy, high tech or entertainment, Sarah always finds something new to learn or a great puzzle to be solved. Prior to Hypothesis, Sarah held senior positions at Disney, Kelton, Hulu and Westfield. She has a Masters in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University and a Bachelors in Communications from UCLA.

Ani is a strategist who has always been passionate about understanding how human relationships, cultures, and institutions can profoundly shape both our lives and history. She leverages her passion at Hypothesis to build insights-driven strategy that forge connections between brands and consumers. Ani was born and raised in Los Angeles and has a B.A. in Sociology from UCLA .

Caroline joins Hypothesis with a range of experience in both quantitative and qualitative research. She is a curious researcher passionate about understanding the consumer, and believes that great consumer research is grounded in empathy. Caroline is excited to apply her lifelong love for writing towards crafting compelling narratives that bring consumers to life. Hailing from the Midwest, she holds a B.A. in Cognitive Science and a Minor in Applied Statistics from the University of Michigan

Crystal joins Hypothesis with quant and qual experience across a wide range of clientele including tech, CPG (particularly in food & beverage), and lifestyle brands. Prior to the team, she worked at LRW/Material after graduating from the University of California, Irvine with a B.A. in Business Economics, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Her experience with segmentations, brand trackers, concept testing, and A&U methodologies are deliberately driven by the balance between the art of storytelling and the validation of data.

Travis is passionate about bringing research to life and helping solve tough questions. He has particular expertise in leading quantitative engagements, including brand positioning & messaging, customer experience, segmentation, and more. Prior to joining Hypothesis Travis was a Senior Director at Kantar, and he holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Washington.

Amy joins Hypothesis with both quantitative and qualitative research experience in a variety of industries, including health, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, automotive and social media. She has worked across a range of methodologies including brand tracking, DCMs and online qual both domestically and internationally, and enjoys unearthing what drives consumers to act in the way they do. Prior to Hypothesis, Amy has worked with Murphy Research, Kantar and C Space after graduating from the University of Surry with a BSc. in Biomedical Science.

Ashley is a graphic designer specializing in layout and human- centered design. Prior to joining Hypothesis, Ashley worked as a designer in both the nonprofit sector and music industry. She received her BFA in graphic design from Long Beach State. During her schooling, she partnered with design institutions in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Hong Kong on multiple projects.

Prior to joining Hypothesis, Alina managed HR operations for the West Coast division of a business-to-business managed service provider. Alina earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Southern California. Outside of work, she loves watching sports and playing with her cat, Nora

Irah is proficient in both quantitative and qualitative research having had over 15 years of experience. While her primary focus is qualitative operations, she started out as client facing focusing efforts in understanding the relationship of consumers and brands. Irah has worked with several types of industries including pharma, entertainment, consumer packaged goods, among others. She holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Loyola Marymount University.

Taylor is a collaborative and passionate researcher who enjoys bringing the numbers to life through dynamic story-telling. She joins Hypothesis with quantitative research experience across various industries, such as automotive, telecom, tech, entertainment and casual dining. Taylor attended the University of Oregon, receiving a B.A in Political Science and Media Studies. Outside of research, she enjoys music, cooking and all things beauty related.

Jye joins Hypothesis with a deep desire to provide clients with impactful and actionable insights. Her expertise lies in leveraging psychological principles to help businesses better understand and foster trust with their consumers. Jye received her Masters at USC in Applied Psychology with a concentration in consumer behavior. When not doing research, Jye can be found relaxing to an old record on her turntable or playing boardgames with friends.

Danny is an inquisitive researcher who is loves understanding the "why" behind human behavior and decision making. He is passionate about delivering data driven insights that help inform business strategy. Danny received his B.S. in Psychology from Portland State University with a concentration in cognition and research methods.

Whether she's researching plasma dynamics at Stanford's National Accelerator or gathering consumer insights for top companies, Maddie loves answering the big questions with detailed, data driven answers. Here at Hypothesis she has been able to apply her strong analytic background from her UCLA Physics B.S. degree to solve consumer centered problems, with a special interest towards entertainment and tech industries.

Lee comes to Hypothesis after 7 years in strategy roles at award-winning advertising and design agencies in Dallas, Salt Lake City, and Chicago. In his agency career, he helped guide projects across the financial services, technology, tourism and hospitality, automotive, airline, CPG, and non-profit categories. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in sociology.

Jocelyn joins Hypothesis with over 10 years of experience in qualitative and mixed methods research. They specialize in understanding how history and culture shape our identities, motivations, and choices, especially in connection to the arts and entertainment industries. Jocelyn has conducted in-depth ethnographies on music scenes in Southern Africa and North America and enjoys thinking about cultural trends on a global scale. Jocelyn is a Fulbright scholar and earned their M.A. and Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology (Anthropology of Music) from the University of Washington.

Mara is a designer and communicator interested in the way design impacts perspective and user experience. She brings experience working with clients across a variety of industries to formulate and implement brand strategy. Her BA in Neuroscience from the University of Southern California lends a unique perspective to designing for comprehension. Raised in Los Angeles, she enjoys traveling and participating in her local book club.

Coming by way of the esteemed intern training program, Celeste joins Hypothesis with a deep fascination with consumer psychology and behavior. She received her B.A. in Business Economics and Media Studies from the University of California, Irvine. Prior to joining Hypothesis, Celeste gained valuable experience in both qualitative research and recruiting. When not at work, you can find Celeste watching the latest Marvel film or series.

Lily has over 13 years of experience in finance and accounting in various industries. She excels at financial analysis and enjoys helping high growth companies streamline accounting processes. Lily is a CPA and received her Bachelor of Economics and Accounting Minor from UCLA. She also holds a JD from Loyola Law School.

Emily is a visual and interactive designer specializing in typography, packaging, and layout design. Emily is passionate about problem solving and connecting with the world through meaningful and purposeful designs. She joins Hypothesis with her experience in branding and advertising from fashion and entertainment industries in Los Angeles. Emily received her BFA in Graphic Design and minor in Business Marketing from Cal State Long Beach.

Krista joins Hypothesis with a background in psychology and brings a unique, humanizing perspective to business problems. As the second team member on Base Camp, Krista utilizes her knowledge of quantitative research to provide best practices and ensure that quality and consistency are maintained throughout quantitative projects at Hypothesis. Krista earned a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from the University of Southern California, where she specialized in Organizational and Consumer Psychology.

Celina is a researcher with a passion for consumer behavior and using psychology as a basis to create compelling and actionable insights across both qualitative and quantitative studies. She joins Hypothesis with experience in a variety of industries, but has specific interest in tech and social media. Outside of research, she can be found at the climbing gym, roller skating on the Venice boardwalk, or in a yoga class. Celina received her B.A. in Psychology from USC.

Carley is a passionate storyteller who loves to bring a story to life through data. She joins Hypothesis with experience in quantitative research. Prior to Hypothesis, Carley had the pleasure of working with clients in the media and entertainment industry. When she is not working, she can be found on an airplane seeking out her next Micheline star meal in a foreign country. Carley received her M.A. in Economics from California State University, Long Beach and her B.A. in Economics from Lake Forest College.

Lynne brings nearly 15 years of experience in talent management. Prior to Hypothesis, she held senior positions at Team One, Conill, GT's Living Foods, and Quest Nutrition. Her passion for helping people goes beyond developing and coaching employees. In her spare time she volunteers to set our youth up for success by working with high school students in areas of self development and preparing students for successful job interviews. She is completing her Masters in Human Resources at Pepperdine with plans to graduate in August 2022.

Nehaa joins Hypothesis with quantitative research experience in a variety of industries including food and beverage, tech, beauty and sports/athletic wear. She has worked across a range of methodologies including attitude and usage studies, concept tests, IHUTs and brand tracking. Her curiosity in understanding the ‘why’ behind human behavior helps her ask insightful questions to answer research questions. Nehaa holds a Masters of Arts in Social Sciences from University of Chicago with a specific focus in the field of Psychology.

Sarah joins the Hypothesis team with a range of quantitative and qualitative experience in advertising tracking, DCMs, product development, brand positioning, mobile missions, and discussion boards. She enjoys taking complex questions and problems and creating simple solutions and stories. Prior to Hypothesis, Sarah worked with a variety of companies in the CPG, automotive, and aviation space.

Lizbeth joins Hypothesis with a background in statistics and a passion for all things research. She received her B.S. in Statistics from UCLA where she gained valuable quantitative experience. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for numbers, she enjoys analyzing data and gathering insights from the world around her. Outside of work, you can find her reading a book or walking her puppy.

Toby has 15+ years of tenure in analytics, with expertise in many advanced techniques, including customer analytics, and experience in 60+ segmentation projects. He began his career in retail analytics at dunnhumby (now 84.51) before serving in various roles, including marketing science, consulting, advanced analytics and product development/R&D, at Kantar and Burke. He has a Master’s Degree in Marketing Research (applied stat) from the University of Georgia and a B.S. (Finance) from the University of Virginia.

After completing her studies at UC San Diego with a BA in Economics, Stephanie began her career in accounting with a family-owned sign manufacturing company. She gained an immense exposure to all things accounting and finance here, since the company was very small with less than 20 employees across two branches - ATL and LA. Being born and raised in LA, Stephanie enjoy the beach and being outdoors during her free time.

Emma joins Hypothesis from their intern program with a passion for storytelling with data. With a background in psychology, she aims to bring insights to life with a deep understanding of behavior, attitudes, and habits. Emma has experience in both qualitative and quantitative research across industries, with an interest in entertainment and media. Emma received her Masters in Applied Psychology from USC, with an emphasis on consumer psychology.

Qinni joins Hypothesis through the intern program with a strong interest in telling data-driven story. Prior to the team, Qinni gained experience in marketing, branding and user research where she found her passion in understanding customers and building insights to inform business strategy. When not working, she enjoys hiking and dancing. Qinni received her B.A in Economics from University of Michigan and M.S in Digital Social Media from USC Annenberg.

Amanda joins Hypothesis with a range of strategy experience, inclusive of creative, brand, and business strategy, as well as qualitative & quantitative research. She strives daily to solve business problems with empathy and creative thinking. Amanda is an alumna of the Multicultural Advertising Industry Program (MAIP), the Most Promising Multicultural Student program (MPMS), and Google's Rare Leadership Academy. She continues to be an active member within multicultural communities in Chicago through volunteer and mentorship opportunities.

Andrea is a researcher with a passion for uncovering insights and delivering data driven solutions. With a deep understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, she is eager to apply her skills to help businesses gain a better understanding of their consumers. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan and M.S. in Business Research from the University of Southern California.

Josh, a graduate from the University of California, Irvine, brings his experience of academic research in psychology to the field of market research. He enjoys delving into the reasons behind consumer behavior that drive important business strategy, especially in the industries of gaming, computers, and automobiles. When he's not working, Josh can be found at your local skatepark, driving range, or at home, tinkering with his newly built computer.

With over four years of experience, Squid brings her passion for pets, companionship, and her keen eye for crumbs on the floor to Hypothesis. She enjoys connecting with staff and visitors and is an expert in communication. She holds her associates degree from Cesar Millan’s the Dog Whisperer School.