Intelligence, Personality, & Talent.
You’ll be glad you’re working with a Linker.
Get to Know Us
Linkers are some of the brightest people you’ll ever meet.
They’re a group of smart, collaborative people who love a challenge and have the independence to meet client needs in ways big and small. After all, empowering people is the only means to smarter research and better service.
Amanda Johnson
Hometown
Boca Raton, FL
Education
University of Georgia (MMR)
University of Central Florida (BS in Psychology, Minor in Marketing)
Thinks
Gratitude is the best attitude
What you do
Distill insights, know the data
What makes you a good researcher
Incessant need to have Plan A, B, and C
Has been known to
Say “just kidding” before a joke can land
Amanda Johnson
Vice President
Andrew Borum
Hometown
Greensboro, NC
Education
Wake Forest University (BSBA)
Thinks
You must be yourself. It’s the only job no one else can do.
What you do
Uncover what people mean by what they say
Guilty pleasure
Disney World… as an adult
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
“Andrew’s Bucket List” (*underlined*)
Andrew Borum
Senior Vice President
Ashley Daisley
Hometown
New York, NY and Washington, D.C.
Education
Worcester Polytechnic University (BS in Biomedical Engineering)
University of Cincinnati – Carl H. Linder College of Business (Master’s in Business Administration with concentration in Human Factors/International Business)
Thinks
It’s unfortunate that ~75% of humans never venture more than 90 miles from where they were born.
What you do (in 5 words or less)
Bring human experiences to life.
Favorite quote
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Favorite book?
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Ashley Daisley
Vice President
Bethany Black
Hometown
Buffalo, NY
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA)
Johns Hopkins University (MA)
Thinks
Staying awake past 10 is overrated
Passionate about
The Buffalo Bills
Top of your bucket list
Staying in a castle in Scotland
Guilty pleasure
Anything HGTV is showing, I’m watching
Bethany Black
Senior Vice President
Brandon Richard
Hometown
Elon, NC
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA, BA in Econonmics)
What you do
Dig beneath the surface
Passionate about
Credit card points & loyalty programs
Has been known to
Eat fast food for an entire weekend in Japan
Most unique research topic
Heavy duty motor oil purchase drivers amongst large scale farmers…research conducted in an actual cornfield
Brandon Richard
Vice President
Denise Minor Abatzis
Hometown
Watertown, NY
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA)
What you do
Talk a little, listen more.
Favorite book
The Time Traveler’s Wife
Most unique research topic
Taste test research of different flavors of candy corn
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Go on a safari
Denise Minor Abatzis
Partner
Erin Sattenfield
Hometown
Winston-Salem, NC
Education
Bard College (BA in English & Creative Writing)
The New School University (MA in Media Studies)
Thinks
Empathy unlocks everything
Has been known to
Plan entire vacations around a single restaurant
Guilty pleasure
I hate the term guilty pleasure – own your loves, even if it’s the Bachelor/ette
Favorite thing about TLG
I genuinely love the people I work with at TLG – accross the board we are kind, curious and committed to doing our best.
Erin Sattenfield
Partner
Jase Bumgardner
Hometown
Laurinburg, NC
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BS in Journalism & Mass Communication)
Thinks
Be Kind, Be Brave, Be Yourself
What makes you a good researcher
Working backwards to create a decision advantage
Most interesting research topic
Anything involving the obesity epidemic – why it’s happening, how to drug it, how to beat it
Favorite thing about TLG
Everything
Jase Bumgardner
Partner
Jeff Whiteside
Hometown
Raleigh, NC
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA, Minor in Spanish)
What you do
Listen with all five senses
Guilty pleasure
Reading cookbooks like novels
Favorite quote
“Whatever you do, take care of your shoes.” – Phish
Favorite thing about TLG
The ability to solve challenging business problems while wearing flip flops and a trucker hat
Jeff Whiteside
Senior Vice President
Jessica Caffrey
Hometown
I’ve moved a lot, but I now claim Raleigh, NC!
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA)
Thinks
Life is about balance
Has been known to
Accidentally snort when I laugh too hard
Favorite quote
“I’d rather live with a good question than a bad answer.” —Aryeh Frimer
Most interesting research topic
Anything onsite in people’s homes – it’s always fascinating what they’ll reveal
Jessica Caffrey
Senior Vice President
Jessica Metcalf
Hometown
Atlanta, GA
Education
Georgia State University (BS in Mathmatics, Minor in Theater)
Kennesaw State University (MBA)
Thinks
You should never be too proud to laugh at yourself; life’s too short to be so serious all the time
What you do
Simplify complex analyses / numerical insights
Has been known to
Take vacation when a video game I’ve been waiting to drop is first released
What’s your favorite Link Group memory?
Office-wide wine tastings in the Camrud wine cellar
Jessica Metcalf
Senior Vice President
Jim Pullen
Hometown
Warrensburg, MO
Education
Washington University (BSEE)
Vanderbilt University (MBA)
Thinks
Understand first, then seek to be understood
Passionate about
My family, the outdoors, and lifetime learning
What makes you a good researcher
I channel the voice of the customer, even when they may be speaking an uncomfortable truth.
Guilty pleasure
Baking
Jim Pullen
Partner
John Minnick
Hometown
Indianapolis, IN
Education
Ball State University (BA in Journalism & Political Science)
What you do
Connect dots
Has been known to
Co-opt TikTok jargon that is 3 years out of date
Most interesting research topic
Impact of aging on the male psyche
Thinks
The truth is out there
John Minnick
Senior Vice President
Laura Bayzle
Hometown
O’Fallon, IL
Education
Wake Forest University (BA)
Duke University (MBA)
What you do
Gather, distill, inspire
Passionate about
Learning about the world around me
Has been known to
Sing karaoke to Madonna and Eminem
Most unique research topic
Observing hotel housekeeping cleaning behaviors
Laura Bayzle
Partner
Lauren Yankes
Hometown
Durham, NC
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA)
Passionate about
Skincare and tacos
What makes you a good researcher
I stay focused on the big picture, tailoring every question, framework, and team discussion to advance the overarching strategy
Favorite quote
First consider how something can work before considering how it can’t
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Scuba dive between the tectonic plates near Iceland
Lauren Yankes
Vice President
Melia Whiteside
Hometown
Charlotte (The Queen City), NC
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA)
Has been known to
Surprise people with my big personality
Most unique research topic
Observing pacemakers being implanted in the operating room
Favorite thing about TLG
I call the people I work with “my friends” before “my co-workers”
Melia Whiteside
Senior Vice President
Michelle Lester
Hometown
Chattanooga, TN
Education
UGA (BBA, MMR)
Thinks
The only constant in life is change
Passionate about
Food, neuroscience, and fantasy football
Has been known to
Say what everyone else is thinking
What is your “at bat” song?
Short Skirt, Long Jacket by Cake
Michelle Lester
Partner
Mike Morse
Hometown
Greensboro, NC
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BA in Economics)
Passionate about
Trying to live in the moment
What makes you a good researcher
I listen more than I speak
Has been known to
Hit MLB games after research whenever the home team is in town
Favorite quote
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller
Mike Morse
Vice President
Morgan Sigler
Hometown
Hickory, NC
Education
Elon University (BA)
Thinks
A positive attitude and hard work are the ingredients for success
What you do
Understand the how and the why
Guilty pleasure
Belting along to Broadway soundtracks in my car
Favorite quote
“A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussion, decisions and outcomes for everyone.” – Sundar Pichai
Morgan Sigler
Vice President
Patrick Ross
Hometown
Pittsburgh, PA
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BA)
What you do
Make it all make sense
Guilty pleasure
Too much Star Wars
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Sleeping under the Aurora Borealis
Favorite thing about TLG
Every project is like a new career. I’m always getting to embed myself in clients’ new business problems, and no two are ever the same.
Patrick Ross
Vice President
Raja Gupta
Hometown
Birmingham, AL
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA)
Duke University (MBA)
Thinks
Do what you love and success will follow
What you do
Support clients and colleagues in their growth
Has been known to
Be a little extra when it comes to making cocktails
What’s your superpower?
Ordering just the right amount of food at big a group dinner
Raja Gupta
Partner
Sophie Hruza
Hometown
Denver, CO
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA)
Passionate about
Austin, TX, my puppy, and patio weather
What makes you a good researcher
A genuine desire to understand people and what makes them tick
Guilty pleasure
True crime documentaries
Favorite quote
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
Sophie Hruza
Senior Vice President
Steve Barnard
Hometown
Deland, FL
Education
University of Florida (BS)
University of Tennessee (PhD)
Thinks
Life is your oyster!
What you do
Help build and implement best practices
Passionate about
Not getting too out of shape, building/fixing things, my family
Guilty pleasure
Candy Crush
Steve Barnard
Partner
Tommy Galloway
Hometown
Durham, NC
Education
Appalachian State University (Majors in Mathematics and Statistics)
University of Georgia (MMR)
What you do
Solve problems for clients
Has been known to
Find a trail in just about every city I go to
Guilty pleasure
Reality TV
Favorite quote
“It’s not your aptitude, but your attitude, that determines your altitude.” – Zig Ziglar
Tommy Galloway
Partner
Contact Us
Ready to talk to the right researcher?
We typically work directly with end-clients! Tell us more about you and the work you’re looking to do, and we’ll have the Linker with the right expertise reach out directly. There’s no sales team at The Link Group, so you’ll get direct & personal attention from a researcher right away, and you can see for yourself what smarter research and better service feels like.