We are researchers, managers, strategists, storytellers, artists, technologists, writers, and designers. Finch Brands is a tight-knit group whose strengths and experiences fit neatly together, create great chemistry, and work incredibly well with client teams.
We've designed Finch Brands around a group of people with talent, tenacity, high standards, and a low tolerance for drama.
We want working with us to be thrilling and consequential to a client's business and career.
CEO
Daniel works to ensure we deliver on his founding vision for Finch Brands, while supporting our clients as an adviser and connector. A retailer, business builder, investor, and philanthropist, Daniel Erlbaum co-founded Finch Brands® after serving as an original investor and Vice President at David’s Bridal. Daniel touched every functional area of the company, and his contributions were pivotal to the company’s IPO and ultimate acquisition; much of the vision for Finch Brands’ holistic approach was borne through this success story. Throughout his career, he has invested in and advised operating companies at varying stages of the growth cycle and is a limited partner in numerous private equity groups. Active in the community, Daniel chairs the board of the Jewish Relief Agency and is deeply involved in other philanthropic organizations.
I am often found alone in my office playing with dolls.
President
Bill manages day-to-day operations at Finch Brands, charts the company’s growth path, and is deeply involved in client work across our disciplines. Bill is Finch Brands’ lead strategist and one of the premier brand developers in the marketplace. He has been the prime mover in the development of breakthrough strategies for our clients since he joined the company in 2001. A world-class speaker, writer, and facilitator, Bill’s point of view is highly sought after in the media and academic realms. Across his career, Bill’s work has influenced the business and brand direction of hundreds of organizations including American Express, AT&T, Burlington Coat Factory, Everlast, Fathead, General Mills, Herman Miller, IBM, Joseph Abboud, Kraft, Microsoft, Nutrisystem, the Philadelphia 76ers, Volkswagen, and World Wrestling Entertainment.
Bill is the second most famous product of Davidson College, just barely behind Steph Curry.
Chief Experience Officer
Lauren manages our overall work stream — from insights to strategy to activation, helping clients connect with their audiences and break through the clutter. A brand developer with particular experience leading entrepreneurial projects within larger companies, Lauren goes all the way from idea to shelf and back again. After earning her MBA from Drexel University, Lauren spent 10 years at Kimberly-Clark working on innovation for iconic brands like KLEENEX® and SCOTT®. Notably, she leveraged customer and consumer insights to develop a robust global innovation pipeline for KLEENEX. Most recently, Lauren led North American marketing for the drinks division of MARS Inc. where she worked to make brands matter in the B2B space. Lauren’s CPG experience, passion for brand innovation, and ability to connect dots in how consumers shop across categories provides a unique perspective to help our clients activate their full potential.
I once spent the weekend as a Judge for a Kansas City Barbecue Society competition eating barbecue for 48 hours.
Chief Insights Officer
John leads our insights practice, with a focus on creating new and innovative strategic frameworks and services that drive value for clients. Recent innovations include launching FinchSightTM Next Generation Insights Communities and Finch’s Voice of the Company® process for customer experience excellence. John also oversees Finch Brands' brand and marketing activities. Before joining Finch Brands in 2013, John, spent 11 years at Campbell Soup Company in roles spanning Brand Management, Consumer & Customer Insights, and New Product Commercialization. While there, John led brands such as Campbell’s Chunky Soup, Prego Italian Sauce, and Swanson Broth to new heights of consumer engagement and financial performance. He is a graduate of the Wharton Executive MBA program at the University of Pennsylvania and completed his Bachelors of Science degree at the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University.
I owned more than 50 NY Mets shirts as a kid and named my dog Shea
SVP, Creative Strategy
As a hybrid brand strategist, story designer, and innovation lead, Gary has worked with blue-chip companies such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard, P&G, Cadbury-Schweppes, Capital One, and Accenture to develop new-to-the-world products, services, and experiences. He helps brands of all shapes and sizes advance ideas that advance their business. At Finch Brands, Gary helps bridge strategy with design – ensuring that our end-to-end output is high energy and high impact.
I was a long snapper on my college football team, won a high school poetry contest and taught myself the banjo in two weeks, then quit.
VP, Insights Communities
Tim leads the FinchSightTM Research Communities offering and helps drive excellence across our qualitative and quantitative insights capabilities. He is an intrepid researcher who delights in pioneering methodologies to get at the heart of decision-making. Prior to joining Finch Brands, Tim spent five years leading insights communities at C-Space for prominent brands including Twitter, Sanofi Aventis, U.S. Bank, Hasbro, Heineken, and Dos Equis. Tim started his career at Forrester Research, where he managed custom and syndicated research programs aimed at helping executives make better decisions.
I am a novice drone racer.
AVP, Accounting and Operations
Danielle leads our Finance and HR teams. With 15 years of experience working with service-based industries, she brings a strong background in global finance and forensic accounting to Finch Brands. Danielle’s work includes overseeing accounts payable and accounts receivable, managing revenue recognition, and reconciling the firm’s transactions. An avid counter of beans, her work is instrumental in ensuring we’re on sound financial footing and that key operational processes flow smoothly. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Drexel University.
I was a drummer in an original blues rock band that was named one of Philadelphia Magazine’s Best Unsigned Bands.
AVP, Consumer Insights
Christina focuses on managing quantitative and qualitative research studies in FinchSight™ Research Communities. She is committed to promoting teamwork, collaboration, and continuing education. Prior to joining Finch Brands, Christina spent five years managing custom research projects and the client service team at Turnkey Intelligence, working with leagues, teams, and sponsors in the sports business world. Christina started her career at the Keller Fay Group analyzing word of mouth marketing research for advertisers, agencies, and networks.
I’ve attended three NFL games, two of which were Super Bowls.
AVP, Growth & Development
Kristina brings a background in qualitative research and consulting, specifically in designing progressive research approaches that lead to actionable, strategic insights. She has a track record of elevating the role of insights across companies and brands. For 8 years, she led both B2B and B2C insights communities at C Space with a focus on food and beverage, retail, and tech/electronics brands, though her experience also spans financial services, logistics, and personal care. She’s had the pleasure of supporting a slew of well-known brands, including Sysco, UPS, Inspire Brands, Citibank, Best Buy, LG, L’Oreal, and Sam’s Club.
I’ve seen the movie Mrs. Doubtfire upwards of 100 times
AVP, Consumer Insights
Kate brings a dynamic mix of brand building and industry-leading research experience to the team here at Finch. She joined us from Nielsen’s BASES business, where she spent the better part of 7 years leading innovation development and renovation for brands like L’Oreal, Pepsi, CVS, and Bayer. Prior to BASES she was a member of the brand management team at Subway restaurants, driving all US marketing activities in an out of stores for their 27,000+ locations. Her ‘both sides’ background gives her a unique and balanced lens to truly understand the internal challenges faced by insights teams and the expertise to deliver the learnings they need to succeed. Kate is a proud UConn alum (Go Huskies!) who is now based in Fairfield, Connecticut.
I have surfed in the Artic Circle & snowboarded on a volcano in Japan.
AVP, Brand Strategy
Leading our brand strategy practice, Ariel has experience working in a variety of industries across B2B and B2C categories. She is driven to seek breakthrough solutions and bring clients on the journey through applying key insights, proactive communication, dynamic storytelling, and engaging workshops. With a passion for solving even the gnarliest of business problems, she has worked with clients such as Kraft-Heinz, Gillette, Smuckers, Energizer, iRobot, Nespresso, Mars-Wrigley, and Anheuser-Busch to understand their business challenges and identify opportunities to accelerate profitable growth. Prior, she held client-side roles at Syracuse University, Birds Eye Foods, and Oneida. Ariel earned her MBA from the University of Rochester and undergraduate degree from the Johnson School of Business at Cornell University.
My brother’s name is Eric but we were both born before the movie “The Little Mermaid” came out.
AVP, Design
As an influential member of the Finch Brands creative team, Devon finds the right balance between creative inspiration and practical brand communication. While always focused on her passion for brand design, Devon’s career is proof that broad-based marketing experience makes a designer more instinctive and effective. She chose the Advertising major at Temple University, which provided learning beyond the design realm. As a result, Devon is an incredibly strong designer – across conceptual assignments as well as more functional business communications. This is why she delights in bridging strategy and design across traditional and digital realms. Temple-made as an undergrad, Devon enjoys teaching at her alma mater and nurturing young designers.
I traveled by bus to seven European countries in three weeks.
Director, Client Development
Annalise builds solutions to help Finch Brands meet client needs – in that role, she is often our ‘front door’ for new acquaintances. With experience in market research, corporate development, and international relations, Annalise brings an adaptable growth mindset to her work. Most recently, she was on the business development team at Maru where she worked across sectors including tech, retail, consumer goods & services, media & entertainment, nonprofit, and financial services.
Annalise’s name is etched into Lombard Street in San Francisco.
Sales Enablement Manager
Anne Putnam is a Sales Enablement Manager, and she helps turn prospective client interest into smart work scopes that fully address client needs. With a creative background that spans writing, design and digital marketing, Anne’s marketing generalist skillset enables her to support the team across a range of sales and marketing roles. A native Philadelphian, Anne spends her free time volunteering and advocating for a better and safer Philadelphia, fawning over her angelic son, reading about sociopaths, and watching and dissecting lots of arguably “bad” television..
I performed stand-up comedy for a year after college.
Junior Designer
Anthony is our Junior Designer here at Finch Brands. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from the Pennsylvania College of Technology, Anthony brings the experience needed to be a successful designer. Anthony is a hardworking and passionate designer who loves bringing his ideas to life. He has always seen himself as a creative and ambitious person ready to take on anything in front of him. He loves standing out when it comes to designs and believe that it shows through his work immensely.
Insights Manager
Allison is an Insights Manager at Finch Brands with a background in quantitative and qualitative research methods and a newfound love of data visualization. At heart, Allison is a passionate storyteller. Whether it be through the performing arts or compelling, data-driven reports, she believes the art of storytelling plays a critical role in effecting change and making information accessible to audiences across all walks of life. Prior to joining Finch, Allison coordinated research and evaluation projects relating to tobacco prevention and control, child welfare, and sexual health at PHMC. She earned her BA from Bryn Mawr College, majoring in Psychology with a focus in child and family studies.
During an overseas program, I hiked Mount Tai overnight to see the sunrise and (semi) conquered my fear of stairs. Well, I'm still afraid of stairs.
Director of Insights
Annette is the quintessential brand strategist, connecting dots through research and cultural literacy to enable client brands to build strong connections with consumers. Like the most effective strategists, Annette’s experience is diverse yet relevant and includes ‘client side’ exposure, passion projects, and a zest for learning. In the real world, Annette served in marketing roles with Urban Outfitters and The Khaya Cookie Company. She has also taken on pro bono assignments with The Pennsylvania Innocence Project and the Penn Treaty Museum. In the agency realm, she has a distinguished track record in brand planning and strategy for high profile clients including Coca-Cola, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and Saladworks. Along the way, Annette earned her MBA in Marketing & Entrepreneurship from Drexel University and an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University.
I’m related to the inventor of the cheesesteak.
Senior Brand Strategist
Brett is a senior brand strategist who focuses on delivering the ultimate experience for our clients through all aspects of work from strategy through creative and everything else in between. Brett is enthusiastic about delivering results to advance our client’s brands and businesses. Prior to his time with Finch Brands, Brett received a degree in Communications from Ursinus College and a Master’s degree in Marketing from Temple University.
Insights Design Manager
Known for her overall versatility and strength in typographic layouts, Brindy is adept at both high concept and more functional brand design. A winner of multiple design awards as an undergrad, Brindy earned her B.F.A in Graphic and Interactive Design from West Chester University in 2017 and joined Finch Brands® shortly thereafter. While deployed across our design practice, Brindy particularly enjoys the before/after impact of rebranding processes. Away from the office, Brindy is active in community service as both a pro bono designer and overall volunteer.
I've been to Africa twice.
Insights Manager
Catherine is a data-obsessed analyst equipped with a Marketing BSBA from Drexel University and the drive to understand what makes people tick. Never settling for the status quo, she is always looking for new tools and methods to push the dynamics of research. Her prior experience includes national and global pharmaceutical market research with clients such as Eli Lilly, Novartis, and Sanofi.
I have a collection of over 200 four-leaf clovers.
Insights Strategist
Chloe is a Insights Strategist with a naturally analytical mind. She has a passion for understanding people and their collective thoughts, behaviors, and choices which is why she graduated with a BA in Sociology from Davidson College. Chloe likes to use both methods of qualitative and quantitative data to tell a holistic experience of the data. Much of her previous research background was under qualitative research within issues of racial equity and social equity. San Francisco is one of her favorite cities in the country, and where she learned the majority of her quantitative skills that make her eager to learn more.
My eyes are heterochromatic. One is a shade of green, the other blue.
Senior Insights Manager
Claudia has been interested in the “why” behind consumers’ decisions for years, leading her to pursue a dual major in Marketing and Business Intelligence and Analytics from Saint Joseph’s University. While she focuses primarily on quantitative research, she also enjoys opportunities to gain insights from qualitative and hybrid methodologies. Her prior experience includes sensory testing ice cream flavors with Turkey Hill and pharmaceutical market research with clients such as Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, and Takeda.
I met Guy Fieri when I was 14 - he and I were my first profile picture on Facebook!
Senior Insights Manager
Darby is a Senior Insights Manager and self-described ‘shameless survey design nerd.’ Grounded in their sociology education at Bryn Mawr College, Darby is passionate about using creative research methods to reach beyond common assumptions and get to the root of people’s behavior and perceptions. Prior to joining the Finch Brands team, Darby worked as a public health program researcher on projects covering LGBTQ health and tobacco use prevention.
I once was on the set of an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie (but he wasn’t there).
Senior Insights Manager
Emily is a Senior Insights Manager with a passion for understanding what drives behavior. This passion led her to a career in research, where she helps brands to uncover insights that translate into actionable brand strategies. Prior to joining Finch Brands, Emily worked at a global consulting firm helping to lead strategic research studies for top pharmaceutical clients. She is a proud alumna of Fairfield University, where she earned a degree in Psychology and Spanish.
When I was 4, I begged my parents to buy an accordion for me. I ended up taking lessons for 15 years!
Senior Insights Strategist
Emma is Senior Insights Strategist with a background in quantitative and qualitative research methods and has a passion for connecting data to actionable recommendations. She started her career in academic research which led her into consumer market research work where she ran complex projects for home improvement and financial services clients, focused helping these clients understand their Emma earned her BA from Virginia Tech, majoring in Applied Economic Management and a went on to get her MPS from Penn State in Management and Organizational Leadership.
Senior Designer
George is a versatile designer and leader who effortlessly balances the practical with the inspired — he is a central driver of our creative output in both digital and traditional formats. George brings to Finch Brands® 10+ years of broad-based design experience, a professional and personal journey that has included home bases in Brooklyn, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. His brand development and creative skills have been applied in the service of artists, non-profits, and companies across categories and sizes — such as EP Henry, DrayNow, WIT, PetCoach, International Data Group, Sigma Co, and singer/songwriter Devendra Banhart. George holds degrees from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, and an MFA from CUNY Hunter College in New York.
I once drove straight from Philadelphia to Southern Georgia in one shot. I only stopped to fuel up. I made it in 13.5 hours.
Senior Insights Strategist
Kayla digs data. What she digs most is uncovering the voice of the consumer behind the data to drive change that matters. Kayla earned her BS in Communications from Pennsylvania State University. Before joining Finch Brands, Kayla worked as a Marketing Coordinator at Aramark and then as an entrepreneur expanding her mom’s brand, Nex Level Fitness in Doylestown, PA. In her experience, shifting from corporate to startup to agency, she has confirmed her belief that the most important aspect of any business is its people.
I learned how to drive shift on a winding road in Ireland.
Insights Manager
Kendall is a Insights Manager who loves finding patterns in data that help explain why people act the way they do. She started her career managing complex market research projects for a range of clients, with an emphasis on telecommunications, digital media, and multicultural audiences, and has experience with both quantitative and qualitative research. Most recently, she used her research skills to help inform marketing communications decisions at Saint Joseph’s University. Her interest in research and data analysis was first sparked through her undergraduate work in sociology at Bucknell University.
I was an all-league racewalker in high school (for one season)
Senior Insights Coordinator
As a Senior Insights Coordinator at Finch Brands, Laura focuses on enhancing the community member experience and providing support to execute research studies. Born in Panama and having Brazilian roots, Laura speaks Spanish, English, and Portuguese. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Psychology from Saint Joseph’s University. Her passion for research and understanding human behavior led her to getting a Master’s degree in Neuromarketing from the University of Barcelona.
I’ve lived in three different countries during my life: Panama, United States, and Italy!
Senior Insights Director
Lauren conducts both quantitative and qualitative research studies within FinchSight research communities. She is passionate about bringing insights to the fore using advanced data visualization and storytelling techniques. Before joining Finch Brands, Lauren managed complex custom research engagements at AMC Global, working across CPG, retail, and tech. Lauren started her career at industry legend GfK with the Brand and Consumer Experience team managing brand trackers and copy tests. She is a proud St. Joe’s Hawk, a species scientists confirm will never die.
On my first snorkeling trip, I swam with a manta ray.
Senior Designer
As a versatile designer, Luke brings skill in graphic design and illustration to our team—where he balances both creative and production work. He has worked professionally in Chicago and Philadelphia on brands such as Ziploc, Scrubbing Bubbles, Glade, Windex, Mr Muscle and Lavazza. Luke received his B.F.A. in Graphic and Interactive Design from Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University, and received multiple honors in the Graphis New Talent Annual.
I learned how to paint from watching Bob Ross.
Associate Insights Director
Former engineer turned market research expert, Luke has supported a variety of industries by leveraging a broad range of consulting, qualitative, and quantitative methodologies including social listening, segmentation and statistical modeling. He enjoys applying his passion for data to solve problems and understand consumer behavior. Prior to joining Finch, Luke has spent the last 6+ years leading complex strategic projects to develop actionable insights that help brand partners like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Starkist and UPMC succeed. He holds a BS in Materials Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.
Senior Director
Mara conducts quantitative and qualitative research and is particularly passionate about data visualization and its utility in clearly communicating complex findings. Prior to Finch Brands, Mara led public health research and evaluation projects at Public Health Management Corporation, particularly focused on behavioral health, LGBTQ+ health, adolescent health, and health equity. Mara holds an MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she received the Bloomberg Fellowship and a certificate in Health Communications. She received a BA in Sociology from Macalester College, where she also worked as a graphic designer.
I’ve written a letter to my future self every three years since I was three years old.
Associate Insights Director
Marisa loves rolling around in data to identify the insights that progress brands and businesses. With a Master’s Degree in Consumer Insights from Pitt, Marisa makes sure we derive every bit of learning from the data we collect. A quant specialist (who can do so much more), ‘Spags’ delights in finding those hidden nuggets that make all the difference. After graduating from Hamilton College, she spent 3 years in media planning in NYC while cultivating a love of data and the stories it tells. This passion led her to grad school and then back to her hometown for this role at Finch Brands.
I ran both the New York City half and full marathon.
Operations Coordinator
Nora manages a range of operations tasks at Finch Brands and is a versatile, go-to team member. Graduating from Saint Joseph's University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Nora facilitates communication both internally and externally. She collaborates with teammates across all departments, with key roles in onboarding, internships, hospitality, and other things that keep Finch Brands moving. She also works with our vendors daily to ensure the best possible workplace experience.
I’ve been to live tapings of SNL, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Insights Coordinator
As an Insights Coordinator, Gina assists with research, manages community members' experience in Finch Brands insights communities, and executes logistic tasks. Gina has a passion for research and understanding the why that's behind the data. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Bloomsburg University and started her career as a substance abuse counselor before shifting to research.
I have driven through 48 of the 50 states in the US.
Senior Accounting Coordinator
Shandra’s 20 plus years of finance experience has prepared her for a leadership role on the accounting team at Finch Brands. She brings detail orientation, process expertise, and a natural ‘can do’ spirit to our core financial functions. Always smiling when ‘counting beans,’ Shandra integrates accounting with other Finch teams to ensure administrative excellence across the enterprise.
I can’t eat anything without smelling it first, weird I know 😊
Senior Insight Strategist
Tollie is a Senior Insight Strategist with Finch Brands who has a passion for connecting the theoretical to the applied. With a history rooted in Social (M.A.) and Quant Psychology (M.S.), she adopts an innovative and holistic approach to both strategy and analytics. Tollie believes research is more than just reporting— it is a powerful opportunity to uncover important consumer stories that help clients build thriving brands and better lives for their customers. Prior to Finch, Tollie’s experience has been dynamic across multiple domains, ranging from B2B, B2C, academic, and charity-based work.
I once fell directly into Lake Michigan while jogging on Chicago's lakeshore trail.
Associate Insights Director
Trevor is one of our Associate Insights Directors—straddling both the insights and strategy teams. Born in Switzerland, it’s not too surprising that he is a Swiss-army knife in all kinds of research spanning both quantitative and qualitative. Trevor comes to Finch having collected experiences from across the globe—like helping produce think tank events with leaders in Washington D.C., designing communication strategies for an award-winning startup in Paris or even teaching English in francophone West Africa. Trevor also earned his bachelor’s degrees in French Studies and Public Relations from Brigham Young University. But no matter where Trevor is or what he is doing, his passion always remains in finding data that brings out those sweet “aha!” moments.
I once handed out free Popeyes fried chicken on the streets of New York City at 6 a.m. on live national television.
