ABOUT ME

Cultural Anthropologist & Independent Consultant

I’m a cultural anthropologist (PhD Princeton) and independent consultant with 20 years of experience conducting original inquiry across technology, media, and philanthropy.

I specialize in leveraging ethnographic research – interviews, surveys, and observation – to inform strategy pivots and thought leadership. At present, my projects explore (1) the alternative and at times novel corporate structures AI companies adopt in pursuit of private and public aims; (2) beliefs about the promises of emerging technologies for creativity and free time; and (3) the ins-and-outs of philanthropic and political giving.

Current and past organizations I’ve worked with include Intel, Adobe x Sundance Institute, Doris Duke Foundation, Americans for the Arts, WONDROS, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project x Gabo Foundation, and Inside Philanthropy.

I am the author of In Chocolate We Trust: The Hershey Company Town Unwrapped (University of Pennsylvania Press), which looks at an iconic American example of the mission-driven corporation. I’m also an indie rock songwriter.

SERVICES

My consulting approach leverages ethnographic methods - the same tools anthropologists use to understand culture and behavior - to inform and improve strategic decisions.

• Original Research & Analysis: Combining in-depth interviews, surveys, user research, and real-world observation to surface what standard research misses: the deeper motivations, relationships, and tensions shaping communities and organizations.

• Thought Leadership & Partnerships: Helping leaders and organizations to hone a distinctive point of view, develop content strategy, and craft signature partnerships or products (reports, case studies, videos, op-eds, long-form narratives) to engage stakeholders.

• Community Advisory & Facilitation: Partnering with your team to design multi-stakeholder engagement and strategic convenings.

CASE STUDIES

Available upon request.

CONTACT

Let’s talk about what you’re working on.