Founder

Nancy Clift brings a strong breadth and depth of knowledge and insight to her work with clients. As a qualitative research specialist and focus group moderator, she has designed and moderated qualitative research for more than 25 years. Nancy loves working with clients and respondents, and her personal warmth enables her to quickly establish rapport.

Experience and Education

Nancy began her marketing research career with General Mills, Inc., where she spent six years designing, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative consumer research.

Her education includes completion of all coursework for two Ph.D. degrees, in Clinical Psychology at Indiana University, and in Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota. She has taught graduate level statistics, as an adjunct assistant professor at St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis. She left academia to pursue her strong interest in applied research.

Nancy earned her MBA at Indiana University, where she concentrated in marketing. She also holds an MA in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota, and a BS in Psychology, magna cum laude, from the University of Iowa.

Nancy completed moderator training at the RIVA Institute in Washington, D.C.  She has also received leadership training at the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) in Buffalo, New York. Nancy has facilitated numerous idea generation and concept development sessions with Ideas to Go, Inc.

Nancy is a highly valued, active leader in multiple community organizations, where she applies her knowledge and know-how to help maximize their effectiveness and contributions. She regularly does pro bono work and participates in leadership training. 

Karen Wiersum, Nancy's assistant, has more than 25 years of experience in marketing research.  In her work with Nancy Clift, Karen coordinates screening and other project needs with facilities.

Karen began her marketing research career at General Mills, Inc, where she held the positions of Marketing Research Assistant, Assistant Marketing Research Manager, and Marketing Research Manager.  She received her BA at the University of Wisconsin and MBA at the University of Minnesota.

Karen has worked with many large clients on a wide range of qualitative projects: adult consumers, children, professionals, food and beverage products, financial institutions, and many others.