Marketing Roundtables, Inc. In-store Research and Shopper Insights| Our Team

Luke Cahill, Managing Principal

A down-to-earth strategic thinker and RIVA-trained moderator, Luke has found his passion in in-context research. His even-keeled and encouraging approach puts respondents at ease during interviews, while his strategic business viewpoint ensures objectives are addressed with the optimal research design. His guiding mantra, “Delivering actionable insights while making our clients’ lives easier”, provides the foundation for all of MRT’s work. When our fearless leader is not courageously guiding MRT forward, he enjoys wrangling his two sons, nerding out over new products, and watching 30 Rock.

Luke has an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a BA in Financial Management from the University of Minnesota.

Michelle DeVaughn, Senior Project Director

Michelle has twenty-five years of marketing and marketing research experience. Her comprehensive understanding of the field comes from working on both the client side and the supplier side. As the Research Director at United Way of Southeastern New England and later at American Girl, Michelle led all the consumer and product research – including attitude and usage, concept evaluation, brand perceptions and product design tests. Later as an independent consultant, Michelle designed and conducted research and marketing initiatives for a variety of companies and organizations such as Manhattan Toy, Mattel, MacPhail Center for Music, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. When she’s not unearthing sublime truths about consumer products, she spends a lot of time in the stands or sidelines cheering on her children, but she is still able to find some time to work on her tennis game and yoga poses.

Michelle has an MBA from Indiana University and a Psychology degree from Yale University.

Quinten McGruder, Project Director

Quinten brings value to MRT with his curious, flexible nature and his passion for in-context learning. Since joining Marketing Roundtables, he has worked with clients such as General Mills and Land O’Lakes. Quinten’s previous education and work experience have come together perfectly in his role at MRT. Quinten has 9 years of Retail experience interacting with shoppers at GNC. Eventually reaching the position of a senior store manager, he honed his team management skills and his results-oriented attitude. His expertise in building rapport, showing empathy, and interviewing was fostered while he also worked at Harvest Preparatory school and BEST Academy as a school counselor, where he managed pre-referral interventions. His MBA provided him with the final piece to the puzzle, helping develop his strategic understanding of business issues that facilitates his compulsion to ensure findings are actionable. When he’s not uncovering brilliant insights in the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, and weight training.

Quinten has an MBA, an MA in Counseling Psychology, and a BA in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas.

Anne Hacker, Research Associate

Anne has ten years of experience working with people and with the public as a student mentor and church fundraiser. Her event planning experience and interpersonal skills have allowed her to improve her community and work with the public with ease. While fifteen years of working in mortgage banking have given her project and office management skills which she has continued utilizing at MRT. Anne’s impeccable attention to detail has made her an invaluable asset and ensures exceptional office and field support. Outside of work, she enjoys biking trips with her family and watching her kids play hockey and soccer.

Anne has a BA in Business Management from St. Catherine University.

Megan Lowry, Research Assistant

Megan’s natural curiosity and attention to detail make her adept in both research and project management. Her conscientiousness ensures that every contingency is taken care of before fielding even begins. After fieldwork, her insightful and analytical nature aid in uncovering insights and findings. Her background in psychology has proved to be a valuable addition to the team. When she is not making MRT a lean, mean, research machine, she enjoys dance music and drawing with pastels.

Megan has a BS in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.

Michael Cahill, Research Assistant

Michael has been immersed in the world of qualitative research since his dad started the company over 20 years ago. He is the “Jack-of-all-trades” here, assuming responsibility for a wide variety of areas, including screening, statistical analyses, and IT. Michael’s curiosity and quick thinking have enabled him to tackle challenging projects in qualitative research with ease. Michael brings both humor and skill to our team. Off the clock, he is a self-described cinephile and bourbon connoisseur.

Michael has a BS in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.

Molly Volker, Moderator

Molly’s intuitive and curious nature makes her a natural fit for qualitative research. Molly’s ability to immediately connect with people and make them feel comfortable made her an excellent junior high school teacher while she served in that capacity for 4 years. Molly says, “Getting teenagers to participate in intellectual conversations has been the ‘trial by fire’ experience that has made me the moderator I am today.” Molly has served MRT in various roles for almost a decade. Her deep understanding of the company’s mission and extensive experience with the marketing research process are invaluable to MRT. When she’s not busy putting shoppers at ease in the field, she loves spending time with her daughter and baby boy, researching and practicing sustainable agriculture, and studying history.

Molly has a BA in Secondary Education from the University of MN at Morris.

Sheila Dingels, Moderator

Sheila has an extensive history of interviewing skills enabling a smooth transition to being a qualitative moderator. Her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work and years of counseling experience provided the foundation for an accomplished base of skills and knowledge. She built on that foundation in her work as a consultant with non-profit boards, and as the owner of a professional organizing business. Sheila’s expertise in quickly establishing trust and rapport is what drew her to the field of qualitative research. Her ability to create a comfortable environment where respondents feel relaxed has proven to be a successful formula that uncovers deep insights.When she's not plumbing the depth of consumer's minds, she loves being outdoors, particularly walking around Lake Harriet, planting a vegetable garden every summer, and cooking with the fruits of her green thumb.

Sheila has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Minnesota, and a BS in social work from Minnesota State University.

About Us

Our Team