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.
Ali Schragger
Hometown
Titusville, NJ
Education
Wake Forest University (BS Mathematical Business)
Favorite quote
“The only time I set the bar low is for limbo”
Favorite book
The Silent Patient
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Watch the Northern Lights in Norway
What is your party trick?
Singing the alphabet backwards!
Ali Schragger
Associate Project Manager
Allie Davenport
Hometown
Greenville, NC
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BA in Psychology, Minor in Business Administration)
What makes you a good researcher (or good at your job)
I believe every person’s thoughts deserve to be heard
Has been known to
Update my goodreads account as soon as I finish a book
Guilty pleasure
Overpriced coffee
Favorite thing about TLG
The people absolutely make this organization what it is – a fun, collaborative environment with friends at every corner
Allie Davenport
Research Director
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
Austin Nissen
Hometown
Cumming, GA
Education
Wake Forest University (BS in Business Management, Concentration in Business Analytics, Minor in Philosophy)
Thinks
Paying attention and being positive is 90% of the battle
What makes you a good researcher
A drive to answer questions in a way that lead to decisions
Has been known to
Jam in the car – I play air drums on the steering wheel like a young Neil Peart
Guilty pleasure
T Swift, no guilt about it though
Austin Nissen
Research Director
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
Elizabeth Breece
Hometown
High Point, NC
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA)
Wake Forest University (MS in Business Analytics)
What makes you a good researcher
I’m passionate about data and details
Has been known to
Waterski without using my hands
Favorite quote
“When you stop getting better, you stop being good.”
Favorite movie
The Parent Trap
Elizabeth Breece
Senior Research Manager
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
Jennifer Christianson
Hometown
Johnstown, PA
Education
Carnegie Mellon University (BA)
Thinks
Be kind whenever possible (it is always possible)
What you do
Keep company finances in order
Passionate about
Making our society a better place for all
Guilty pleasure
There’s nothing like a good bowl of queso
Jennifer Christianson
Director of Client Finances
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
Juli Camrud
Hometown
Mobile, AL
Education
University of South Alabama
Has been known to
Jump out of an airplane…several times!
Guilty pleasure
Taco Bell’s Nachos BellGrande
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
New Zealand trip. It was postponed a year ago…so I am ready!
Favorite thing about TLG
The happy, intelligent, funny people I work with!
Juli Camrud
A/P Manager
Marisa Edwards
Hometown
Princeton Junction, NJ
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA, BA in Music)
Passionate about
All animals, traveling, and music
Has been known to
Sign up for morning workout classes that I can never get up for
Guilty pleasure
Ferrero Rocher chocolates
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Cage dive with great white sharks
Marisa Edwards
Senior Project Manager
Michelle Hayes
Hometown
Raleigh, NC
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BSBA)
Passionate about
Yoga, outside, live music, thrifting, We’re Not Really Strangers
Has been known to
Guess your sign
Guilty pleasure
Oat milk latte & a scone
Favorite thing about TLG
My incredible colleagues who challenge me and focus on the development of each other to bolster the collaborative environment that makes TLG so fun to be a part of
Michelle Hayes
Research Director
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
Niki Goncalves
Hometown
Washington, D.C.
Education
University of Virginia (BA in Foreign Affairs; Urban Planning Minor)
Passionate about
Composting
Favorite quote
“Let everything happen to you. Beauty and terror, no feeling is final.”
Favorite movie
Cinema Paradiso
Most interesting research topic
Optimizing a workplace personality test and tool to incorporate people’s different cultural experiences.
Niki Goncalves
Research Director
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
Paul Robinson
Hometown
Rockport, MA
Education
Elon University (BSBA)
Thinks
Even a bad day on the golf course beats a good day anywhere else
What makes you a good researcher
Always wanting to understand the big picture. It’s not all about the what, but also the why.
Guilty pleasure
Making multiple Dunkin’ runs a day
Favorite quote
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Paul Robinson
Senior Project Director
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
Vivian Lu
Hometown
Bradenton, FL
Education
University of South Florida (BA Psychology)
What is your go-to TV show
New Girl
What’s at the top of your bucket list
Swim in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Passionate about
Thrifting, music, and exploring nature
Has been known to
Say oddly specific yet very useless facts
Vivian Lu
Associate Project Manager
Will Chestnutt
Hometown
Durham, NC
Education
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (BA in Adversting & Political Science)
Thinks
You always need to remind yourself of the bigger picture!
Has been known to
Challenge anyone to a rock, paper, scissors competition
Favorite movie
Talladega Nights
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Complete Iceland’s Ring Road
Will Chestnutt
Research Manager
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.