Our Team of Market Research Experts

Executive Team

Touchstone Research’s Executive Leadership team guides the firm’s research strategy, innovation, and operational standards across all core services. Led by Aaron Burch, Steve Burch, and Travis Santa, this team brings decades of experience spanning qualitative research, quantitative research, UX research, recruitment and fieldwork, and advanced research technologies. Under their leadership, Touchstone has pioneered insight communities and online panels, built one of the industry’s most established youth and family research practices, and maintained a strong focus on data quality, security, and global research execution. The executive team ensures every engagement reflects Touchstone’s commitment to trusted methodologies, thoughtful innovation, and long-term client partnership.

Qualitative Research Team

Touchstone Research’s Qualitative and UX Research team specializes in uncovering the motivations, behaviors, and experiences that shape decision-making. With deep expertise across qualitative research and UX research, this team designs and moderates in-depth interviews, focus groups, usability testing, diary and ethnography studies, and journey-mapping initiatives that deliver rich, human-centered insight.

The team also leads Touchstone’s insight communities and pop-up communities, enabling ongoing and rapid feedback directly from target audiences. In addition, our researchers bring specialized experience conducting UX research for emerging technologies, including generative AI tools and VR/AR platforms, as well as extensive experience running studies with youth and family audiences. From evaluating AI-driven interfaces and immersive environments to designing age-appropriate methodologies for kids, teens, and young adults, the Qualitative and UX team ensures research approaches are engaging, ethical, and developmentally appropriate. Working across digital, in-person, and immersive environments, our researchers partner closely with clients to explore early-stage ideas, optimize experiences, and inform confident strategic decisions.

Quantitative Research Team

Touchstone Research’s Quantitative Research team specializes in delivering reliable, data-driven insights at scale to support confident decision-making. With deep expertise in quantitative research design, this team develops and executes surveys, tracking studies, brand and ad testing, concept and content testing, and advanced analytics programs grounded in rigorous sampling and quality standards.

The Quantitative team works across custom surveys, online panels and communities, and proprietary tools to support complex research objectives, including longitudinal tracking and segmentation. They also bring experience integrating advanced methodologies such as MaxDiff, conjoint analysis, TURF, and key driver analysis, as well as innovative solutions like augmented sampling and dial testing when appropriate. Operating across U.S. and global markets, the Quantitative Research team partners closely with clients to transform high-quality data into clear, actionable insights that drive strategy and performance.

Qualitative & UX Recruitment & Fieldwork Team

Touchstone Research’s Recruitment and Fieldwork team specializes in supporting qualitative and UX research with high-quality, carefully vetted research participants. This team focuses on sourcing, screening, and managing audiences for in-depth interviews, focus groups, usability testing, diary and ethnography studies, and other qualitative methodologies where participant quality and engagement are critical.

With extensive experience recruiting for insight communities, pop-up communities, and youth and family research, the team applies rigorous, multi-layered screening and hands-on participant management to ensure studies run smoothly and deliver meaningful insight. They work closely with qualitative and UX researchers to support complex study designs, emerging technology testing, and sensitive research environments—providing the operational foundation that enables deep, human-centered understanding.

Customer Service & Admin

Our support team keeps every project running smoothly, ensuring clients and participants receive the highest level of service.