Dr. Monica García-Pérez joins Keen Independent as an economist with experience in labor economics, immigration and health economics. Monica brings her expertise to the firm’s disparity and equity studies performing quantitative analyses.

Monica has taught economics at the School of Public Affairs St. Cloud State University and is a Research Fellow at the Roy Wilkins Center in the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. She has published her research in economics and interdisciplinary journals such as Demography, American Economic Review, International Education Planning, Review of Black Political Economy, and Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy among others. Monica is fluent in Spanish. 

Keen Independent is a national research firm with expertise in equity research. For information about Keen Independent Research visit www.keenindependent.com or email Janine Kyritsis, Chief Listening Officer at janine.kyritsis@keenindependent.com  

Dr. Nicole Yates joins Keen Independent with expertise in equity, diversity and inclusion. Her experience includes quantitative and qualitative analyses supporting people of color in STEM careers. She has conducted extensive research focused on the motivation, belonging and identity of racially minoritized students taking a critical approach to established theoretical frameworks in psychology. Her employment research has expanded opportunities for historically marginalized groups.

As a former senior research analyst and applications specialist at the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Nicole conducted research that informed organizational priorities. She also served as the director of membership and registration where she collected and leveraged recruitment data to increase the membership pool for NSBE.

In addition to supporting the firm’s equity research, Nicole is active in our arts and venues practice areas.
She also serves on the Executive Board of the Conundrum Theatre Company in Burbank, CA.

Keen Independent is a national research firm with expertise in equity research. For information about Keen Independent Research visit www.keenindependent.com or email Janine Kyritsis, Chief Listening Officer at janine.kyritsis@keenindependent.com 

Haley Adams, formerly Research Assistant at Keen Independent, has rejoined the firm as a Consultant. Over the last two years, she earned her Master’s degree in GIS from Arizona State University and worked independently on GIS projects for firms in the southwest.

As a Consultant, Haley participates in disparity, DEIB, and other equity studies as well as leading GIS, mapping and survey tasks for many studies. Haley is assisting in the management of qualitative research on many of Keen Independent’s projects.

Keen Independent is a national research firm with expertise in equity research and arts and culture studies. For information about Keen Independent Research visit www.keenindependent.com or email Janine Kyritsis, Chief Listening Officer at janine.kyritsis@keenindependent.com

News on the Keen Independent Disparity Studies for Caddo Parish, City of Shreveport and the Port Commission.

Sarah Cichomski has joined Keen Independent as Research Assistant. Sarah came to Keen Independent after graduating from Arizona State University with a BA in Political Science and minoring in East Asian Languages. Developing her passion for Asian languages, Sarah attended the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan and the East China Normal University in Shanghai, China.

As Research Assistant, Sarah performs qualitative research and analysis for the many practice areas at
Keen Independent. She provides qualitative expertise that enriches our research studies.

Keen Independent is a national research firm with expertise in equity research and arts and culture studies. For information about Keen Independent Research visit www.keenindependent.com or email Janine Kyritsis, Chief Listening Officer at janine.kyritsis@keenindependent.com

Amy Basset has joined Keen Independent Research as a Consultant. Amy came to Keen Independent from the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts where she provided educational services for persons with disabilities. While in Massachusetts, Amy earned a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard University. She also holds a BA from the University of South Carolina.

As Consultant, Amy Barrett performs qualitative research and analysis. Amy is a key member of the
Keen Independent team. She has experience with facilitating change and will assist with innovations at
Keen Independent. She provides qualitative expertise that enriches our research studies.

Keen Independent is a national research firm with expertise in equity research and arts and culture studies. For information about Keen Independent Research visit www.keenindependent.com or email Janine Kyritsis, Chief Listening Officer at janine.kyritsis@keenindependent.com

Keen Independent seeks subconsultants and vendors owned by diverse individuals, including people of color, women, service-disabled veterans, persons with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We frequently have opportunities for subconsultants related to performing qualitative research, surveys, community engagement and program evaluation. Keen Independent uses directories and other resources to reach out to diverse companies when we have those opportunities.

In addition, Keen Independent seeks diverse vendors for office operations, including office supplies, janitorial services, building repair and landscaping services. The firm has a goal of 75 percent of our annual subconsultant and vendor spending dollars going toward diverse businesses. Keen Independent has consistently met that goal. Keen Independent also participates in informal mentoring with emerging diverse businesses.

For further information, please contact Janine Kyritsis, Chief Listening Officer at
janine.kyritsis@keenindependent.com

This month we welcome Heather Calvin to the Keen Independent Research Team. Heather is a long-time trusted colleague whose commitment to using data-informed strategies to solve complex challenges and strengthen the work of nonprofits and public agencies is a perfect fit for Keen Independent and our clients. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, audience experience, philanthropy, earned revenue and operations and equity and inclusion. Most recently she was Vice President of Visitor Experience at the Museum of Science, Boston. In addition, Heather has more than a decade of service as a Trustee for Robbins Library in Arlington, Massachusetts.

Keen Independent is committed to reducing the firm’s environmental impact. To do so, we regularly review opportunities to make our activities more environmentally friendly. We also commit to supporting social equity and economic vitality. Keen Independent Principals and staff welcome responsibility for compliance with the aims and objectives of this policy. This policy includes the following practices.

Remote work. Keen Independent is committed to providing a flexible work environment and opportunities for remote professionals across the United States, when feasible. This remote work policy is also a key component of our environmental policy. Telecommuting reduces environmental impact by reducing cars on the road and minimizing office energy use and allows flexibility for work/life balance.

Responsible travel. We support responsible travel by encouraging travel alternatives such as video/phone conferencing, when possible; mindful travel (e.g., nonstop flights, public transit and ride-share); and environmentally responsible lodging within a short commute of clients, when required. For many Keen Independent studies, the firm utilizes local subconsultant to invest in neighborhoods and economies nationwide to reduce the need for long-distance travel.

Waste reduction, conservation and environmentally friendly buying. Keen Independent practices reuse of office furniture; responsible heating and cooling; weekly comingled recycling through a licensed vendor; xeriscape landscape principles; transfer of reusable non-recyclables to reuse and donation stations; purchase of ENERGY STAR certified equipment and lightbulbs, recycled paper, green cleaning products, and other recyclable products when available; and movement toward a paperless work environment.

Local commitment. Keen Independent supports the sustainment of livable and viable communities. We actively contribute to local economies through local buying, when possible. We encourage staff to eat at locally-owned restaurants and visit community-based arts/cultural/recreational venues and events, when traveling for Keen Independent. Our Principals often invest in local arts/cultural memberships in the cities where they conduct work. The firm’s two Principals are civically engaged and lead by example. Dave Keen recently co-chaired an economic development commission in Wickenburg, Arizona. He is a trustee of a nonprofit museum board. Annette Humm Keen recently served as president of two nonprofit boards, both serving local communities.

Keen Independent examines access and equity for Dane County Parks and Zoo.