Our Mission

We are a team committed to connecting clients with authentic consumer behavior through in-context research. We deliver excellence with each project through the use of innovative and effective research methodologies while enjoying the journey.

A highly collaborative environment, REAL Insight is committed to building and maintaining a team that brings diverse perspectives and talents to the mix while operating with the cohesiveness that can only come from a team of people who genuinely like each other.  Our clients get the best of all worlds as a result.


Meet Our Team

Luke Cahill
CEO, Nerd-in-Chief

With enthusiasm and a great deal of care, Luke stands steady at the helm of REAL Insight. Navigating the way to big picture thinking by strategically designing solutions to answer a variety of research needs, he ensures all outputs deliver the highest quality you expect from Real Insight. His passion for research is matched only by his love for hockey, especially watching his kids play.

Megan Nightingale
Executive Vice President, Trailblazing Mama Bear

Megan came to us with an impressive resume on the client-side with experience managing some of the largest CPG brands. She has always championed a consumer-first approach, making her a perfect fit to lead REAL Insight. Like a mama bear, she passionately protects the integrity of our research and the well-being of our fielding teams. Outside of work, you can find her bringing that same passion to her family whether they are at home, on the softball field, or traveling the world.  

Lisa Bue
Director of Finance & HR, Reliable Roadie

Nothing is impossible for Lisa, who brings a variety of experiences and a willingness to learn to her role. Whether she is keeping projects afloat or handling relationships, she deftly navigates her work with grace and resourcefulness. She is new to the industry but has lots of experience as a shopper! In another life, she wants to live at the lake and spend her days reading, with family, or searching for a diamond in the rough at a flea market. 

Molly Volker
Senior Project Director, Passionate Dreamer

Building empathy is a driving force behind Molly’s research philosophy. She is passionate about her projects and weaves integrity, empathy, and awareness together to create a strong ethical foundation that tirelessly brings more and more voices to the table. You will often find this compassionate heart on a walk in the woods—camera in hand—taking in the moss, mycelium, and lichens.

 

Sarah Morrison
Creative Director & Associate Project Director, Our Girl Friday

Have a problem? Sarah will fix it. Have something ugly? Sarah will make it beautiful. Getting old and suburban? Sarah will make you cool(er). Other magical powers include her knowledge and collection of herbal teas, remedies for any ailment and her knack for visual and textual representation of data.

Jennifer Krueger
Project Director, Detailed Daredevil

With the ability to quickly and accurately evaluate participant answers, Jenny helps to make analysis sweet and painless.  With a heart for the outdoors and always looking for the next thrill-seeking adventure, she brings a willingness to jump right in and get a little dirty, all while tracking the pieces as they fall.  That makes sense since in her free time you might find her skydiving while overlooking gorgeous Lake Superior, daring to hike Angels Landing, and visiting breweries in between.

Erin Bernaciak
Project Director, Secret Best-life Liver

Ready to project direct until her heart’s content, Erin made the leap from client-side to research-side. Practical and knowledgeable, she’s a natural fit as she seamlessly connects with respondents. A voracious reader, Erin is never short of a fun fact; she’s even more happy to collect them on her travels.

Tyler McGruder
Project Director, Model Millennial

Confident and compassionate, Tyler can’t help but leave a good impression. Often leaving respondents to think, “Wow, did her warm brown eyes just see into my soul?”, Tyler uses humor and empathy to bring out the best in respondents and gain valuable insight.  Always on the go, never here nor there, her free spirit is reliable, yet hard to pin down. Does she currently live in L.A.? One may never know.

Nigel Carleton
Research Support Manager, Baby-Stepping Explorer

Nigel comes to REAL Insight with a barista and baker background that makes him dedicated and disciplined. Able to pick up new skills on the fly, he’s both a research and creative asset. In between finishing his degree and being a dad, Nigel plays the drums and is exploring the exciting world of pitted fruits.

 
Kanyana Ntagungira
Research Assistant, Insights Artist

With a passion for psychology and art, Kanyana thrives at the intersection of research and design. She brings her detail-oriented, creative eye to every project, finding new ways to make our data more visually compelling and useful for our clients. Outside of work, you can find Kanyana either creating or taking in art of many forms.  

Josie Roers
Research Assistant, Resilient Swifty

No matter how frustrating a challenge seems, we can always count on Josie to Shake It Off and be Fearless in pursuit of the truth. She is a Mastermind assisting our research teams in uncovering insights Bejeweled with nuance then finding ways to present them with Style. From New Year’s Day, to August, and Back to December, Josie is always available to help a teammate. Outside of work, The Best Day for Josie is spent with family and friends and finding treasures at an estate sale.  

Sheila Dingels
Recruitment Coordinator, Generous Go-Getter

Being with REAL Insight for over 10 years, Sheila’s role is ever-evolving.  When in need of an incredible eagle eye, the impressive ability to sort and make sense of complex situations, and a positive, fun can-do attitude, we call upon Sheila “Tequila” Dingels. She has rarely met a specialty cocktail she didn’t like! With a passion for finding purpose in community involvement, you will often find Sheila volunteering her time and gifts in a variety of ways—whether it's social justice issues, hunting down long-lost gravestones for strangers, or helping homeless families pick out furnishings for their new homes.

Michelle DeVaughn
Senior Consultant, Your Best Friend

Michelle is a seasoned marketing pro who uses her curious inclination and stellar puzzle-solving skills to extract and translate what people perceive, feel, and experience. She is warm and fun right from the get-go, setting people at ease to openly share their thoughts. When she’s not setting people up for success, she’s setting her Pickle Ball partner up for a slam on the courts. When it comes to exercise, being social, and learning opportunities, this ever-moving extravert is all in.

Emily Winter
Recruitment Coordinator, Flexible Friend

Emily is an ever-supportive, ever-driven part of our team. Her eagerness to make sure all projects go smoothly is an imperative piece of the REAL Insight puzzle. Whether she’s in the aisle with us, or working the phones, she is for sure being helpful and making everyone feel at ease. Emily’s natural curiosity is also at play when she’s exploring the side streets in new cities or tracking down long lost ancestors

 

 

Sarah Steinke
Moderator, Sincere Supporter

Utilizing a background in teaching and analytical thinking, Sarah is an adept listener and an expert at asking the right questions. Naturally inquisitive and excitedly sociable, she navigates communication with ease. A friend to all, Sarah supports the team with flexibility and grace. When she’s not supporting RI, you will find Sarah immersed in the breathtaking beauty of her community, teaching, and singing.

Joan Hanson
Senior Consultant, Experienced Confidant

Joan comes to us with a depth of retail experience and research knowledge which she utilizes to build consumer-based strategies to help businesses grow.  Believing an effective strategy starts with developing a deep understanding of consumer needs, her genuine and warm presence has you willingly leaving your heart in her hand. Her heart however resides in warm summer days out on the lake of her family cabin, enjoying time with family and her grand baby. 

 

Stacey Schmitt
CFO/COO, Nimble Navigator

With a calm but confident demeanor, Stacey provides business and financial guidance. Acting as an independent advisor, she helps navigate through the inevitable challenges and certain changes that come with growth. Knowledgeable in all things business, she adds value by aligning desired growth with profitability. A terrible baker and wonderful cook don’t ask to borrow a measuring cup, she does it all by feel!

Sara Fromm
Moderator