About Heather Gay

I'm a senior experience research leader with more than two decades of hands-on work across healthcare, government, financial services, and digital platforms. I've spent my career helping organizations understand people in moments that matter: when trust is fragile, decisions are high-stakes, and systems are complex.

I'm deeply involved in the work itself: designing studies, moderating interviews, synthesizing insights, and working directly with decision-makers to ensure research leads to action. Clients often bring me in when clarity is elusive, timelines are tight, or findings carry real organizational risk.

My approach is practical, rigorous, and human-centered. I don't overcomplicate research, but I do take it seriously.

Highlights

Built and scaled 3 in-house research teams

Executive-level storyteller and advisor

Experienced in regulated and sensitive environments

Education & Professional Training

I bring both formal business training and specialized research education to my work. My background includes an Executive Certificate in Leadership & Management from MIT Sloan School of Management, an MBA in Marketing and Consumer Behavior from the University of San Francisco, and a BA in International Affairs with a minor in Psychology from The George Washington University.

I also completed professional moderator training through the RIVA Training Institute, strengthening my foundation in qualitative research design, moderation, and analysis.