Our People
Our People
Our People
Here is a peek at our faces and the place we work!
Executive Team
Executive Team
Kim Harrison
Founder
Kim founded Focus Forward in 2003 out of her desire to support the market research industry from the ground up. Her passion for client experience and her exceptionally high quality standards have helped Kim grow the firm from a start up to one of the largest independent recruitment and transcription firms supporting market research clients.
With this growth, Kim and her team are pleased to offer clients new products while maintaining the highest standards. She strongly emphasizes client communication, so that all clients know their project is in safe hands.
Prior to founding Focus Forward, Kim traded interest rate & currency derivatives for Deutsche Bank in NYC & London. A native of Wilkes-Barre, PA, Kim holds a B.S. in Accounting from King’s College and an MBA with an emphasis in finance from Georgetown University.
When Kim is not working, she loves running outdoors, trying new wines, travel planning and is the mom of two energetic boys who keep her always moving!
Dave Pataki
Chief Operating Officer
Dave leads operations for Focus Forward and helps set the strategic direction of the firm. Though his steadfast leadership, Dave has built an outstanding team of research professionals dedicated to developing processes and programs that continue to provide the best possible results and experience to our clients.
Prior to Focus Forward, Dave founded a consulting company in the Philadelphia area. Before that, he spent much of his career with AmeriGas and Campbell Soup Company. Dave holds a BA from Temple University.
Jean Taylor
Executive Vice President
Jean has been a vital part of Focus Forward since it was founded in 2003. She has worn many hats as the firm grew from a few people to its current size. Her expertise has been invaluable in project management, accounting, training and many other areas. For the past 7 years, Jean’s role has emphasized building and maintaining client relationships.
Before joining Focus Forward, Jean spent the better part of her career in publishing. Her magazine, Moneytalk, helped its readers to make the most of their budgets. Jean ran all the magazine’s operations, gaining a wealth of experience with which she has served Focus Forward well in various roles. She brings broad experience from a range of marketing research areas.
Rachael Lynn
Qualitative Director
Rachael joined Focus Forward in 2014 as a Project Manager. She now runs the day-to-day operations of the qualitative team. Rachael has a special flair for knowing just the right approach to get the best recruits for each project. She project-consults, trains her team and ensures the exceptional results which our clients expect. When not overseeing Focus Forward’s thousands of recruitment projects, she enjoys exploring local wineries and restaurants with her husband, Jeremy, and spending time with their Shorkie, Toby.
Kerri Hagan
Client Service Manager
Kerri joined Focus Forward after rocking the retail industry, bringing her passion for customer service to the market research world. She is an expert on the research services offered by the Focus Forward basecamp, especially in project consultation and best methodologies. As a “people person,” Kerri enjoys anticipating and exceeding client needs. Kerri believes transparency is the key to successful client relations. She livens up the team with her energy, interpersonal skills, and a proven ability to establish lasting client relationships. When she’s not serving her clients, you can find this Philadelphia Phanatic cheering on Philly sports teams, attending concerts and music festivals, or hiking the Wissahickon trail with her Boxer puppies, Simba and Cali.
Matt Devine
Senior Project Manager- Transcription Services
Matt is our all knowledgeable guru of project management for both transcription and coding services. Beginning his career as a Transcription Support Specialist, he quickly climbed the ranks and is now a Senior Project Manager. Whether Matt is helping create innovative solutions for a client’s custom research needs or fitting their project into an existing service, he has an unwavering dedication to exceeding expectations in both quality and timelines. Outside of the office, Matt is an avid Philadelphia sports fan – Go Eagles! He enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Brittany, at sporting events and making their dog, Lucky, a true Philly fan too.
Chris Goering
Application Development Director
Chris joined Focus Forward in 2009 as a Database Manager and now oversees all technology initiatives across the firm. With his broad knowledge of operations, Chris can analyze user needs and suggest systems and processes that leverage technology to make operations run smoothly. Chris is a detail-oriented web developer and an experienced service integrator. He manages relationships with the technology providers leveraged within the Focus Forward environment.
When not at work, Chris enjoys exploring the Philadelphia region with his family and playing baseball by the rules of the 1860s.
Stacey Millan
Office Manager
Since joining Focus Forward in 2016, Stacey brings over 20 years of administrative experience to her role as Office Manager. While managing schedules and resources, Stacey enjoys the variety of tasks her position offers. Her background in event planning, her education in marketing, and her strong organizational skills all allow Stacey to provide top-notch office support. Plus, she innovates fun and memorable team activities and outings. Outside of work, she can be found wrangling her menagerie of special needs rescue animals and practicing her passion for gourmet cooking.
Leslie Yoder
Human Resources Manager
Leslie brings over two decades of amazing experience in HR to the team at Focus Forward. With several leadership roles in a variety of industries, Leslie’s wealth of expertise helps support and grow our team. Leslie does it all! With an extensive background in HR including recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, training & development, benefits administration, payroll, workers compensation and safety, we are in great hands with her leadership. A Villanova graduate, Leslie is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, SHRM. When not at work, Leslie enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter and spending time with her three rescue pups Rufus, Ruby and Bubbles.
Qualitative Recruiting
Transcription Services
