At Ventana Research, we believe the right people make the difference. At its core, the Ventana eXperience is built and fulfilled by our dedicated team members. From Client Success and Sales to our Analysts and support teams, every person at Ventana Research strives to help our clients succeed.
CLIENT SUCCESS TEAM PRODUCTS TEAM MARKETING TEAM FINANCE & REVENUE TEAM
Providing the direction and the vision
Marisela leads the firm’s overall client experience to optimize every interaction to realize value from the Ventana eXperience. Mari manages the client success team that is focused to ensure every engagement of the firm’s products is optimized to meet and exceed the value expected. She has contributed to the firm’s success for over a dozen years. Mari is an expert in applying technology like HubSpot, Microsoft Teams and salesforce.com for best-in-class client experience processes. Before Ventana Research, Mari worked in design, customer service and operations along with volunteer work for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. She is passionate about being creative and works passionately at everything she does. She has a degree in Visual Communications from F.I.D.M., San Francisco.
Mark is responsible for the overall business and technology direction of Ventana Research and defined the blueprint and methodology for continuous modernization across people, processes, information, and technology. Mark is an expert in enterprise software and digital innovation across business. Mark leads the industry in the expertise of digital business covering business continuity, digital communications, digital payments, digital security, experience management, governance and risk, performance management, sustainability & ESG and work management. Mark has held CMO and product roles at research and software companies. Mark started Ventana Research two decades ago and has worked in the technology sector for over 30 years leading innovations in research and technology. Mark is an Eagle Scout and volunteers in Scouting supporting youth to reach their full potential.
Over three decades of experience and expertise in the technology industry, leads the vision and overall direction of Ventana Research.
CEO and Chief Research Officer
Jeff leads the firm’s overall product experience to optimize the value and those using the insights from them. He leads the product team focused on the portfolio of products across advisory, consultative, education, and research. Jeff is an accomplished strategic and product leader, and industry analyst who has accelerated enterprise growth initiatives. Jeff’s analysis and insight have been published in The Wall Street Journal, The NY Times, Financial Times, Cyber Security Hub and TheStreet. Jeff has been a keynote speaker and chair for conferences, and the architect of the 4G World and AI World conference. Jeff attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of California at Berkeley and University of California at Santa Cruz. He is also an Oregon State University Certified Master Gardener.
Leads the firm’s overall product portfolio and team for advisory, consultative, education and research and the experience in using them.
SVP of Products
Tucker is responsible for the revenue and sales leadership at Ventana Research. As a member of the management team, his focus on revenue growth through the CARE portfolio of products, and value of the Ventana eXperience, is realized with a world class analyst team to support business and technology professionals across organizations, technology vendors and investment communities. Tucker’s experience across three decades of leadership and selling experience to senior business and IT executives, investment firms and organizations in every industry, while at companies like Gartner, META Group, First Albany, Oracle, SAP, and Teradata. Tucker is a graduate of Columbia University and Columbia Business School. He was a member of the US Sailing Team for a decade and is a three-time world champion sailboat racer.
Rob leads the Office of Finance practice and manages the business research focusing on the intersection of information technology and business applications. His expertise agenda includes the specific focus areas: business planning; digital finance; ERP and continuous accounting; close, consolidate and report; purchasing, sourcing and payments; revenue, lease and tax accounting. Prior to joining Ventana Research he was an equity research analyst at several firms including Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, and Drexel Burnham, and a consultant with McKinsey and Company. Rob was an Institutional Investor All-American Team member and on the Wall Street Journal All-Star list. Rob earned his BA in Economics/Finance at Hampshire College, an MBA in Finance/Accounting at Columbia University, and is a CFA charter holder.
Over three decades of experience and expertise in the Office of Finance and manages the overall business technology research efforts.
SVP & Research Director
of Business Research
David manages the technology research and leads the overall expertise direction in digital technology including the following focus areas: analytics and data; AI and machine learning; blockchain; cloud computing; collaborative and conversational computing; extended reality; internet of things; mobile computing; and robotic automation. Dave oversees the expertise areas of analytics and data that span focus in use of them across business and IT. For decades, David brought to market leading-edge analytics and data products where he has held marketing and product leadership positions at Pivotal a division of EMC, Vertica Systems, Oracle, Applix, InforSense and IRI Software. David earned his MS in Business from Bentley University and a BS in Economics from University of Pennsylvania.
Over three decades of experience and manages the overall technology research and expertise in data and analytics technology and processes.
SVP & Research Director
of Technology Research
Tony is the VP of Business Development at Ventana Research. He joined the firm in 2018 and is responsible for growing Ventana Research’s new business. Prior to working at Ventana Research, Tony worked at several tech media firms including SourceMedia & HIMSS Media. He has spent the last two decades working alongside clients, guiding them to solutions that benefit their overall agenda. When Tony is not working with his clients, you will find him on stage either behind a drum set or on a mic at comedy clubs. He has a degree in Communications from Queens College, NYC and resides in North Jersey.
Dana Billingsley is the SVP of Finance and Administration at Ventana Research. She is responsible for the management of revenue and cost operations across finance, accounting, administration, and sales operations with a lead role in the processing of contracts, payables, and receivables as well as financial reporting to ensure efficient operation within the firm. Dana brings more than 15 years of experience working for attorneys as a paralegal/legal assistant and 16 years of experience running her own accounting and campaign finance business.
Dana is responsible for the management of the firm's revenue and cost operations across finance, accounting, benefits, and administration.
SVP of Finance & Administration
Stacey Durden joined the firm in 2020 and is responsible for the marketing and communication efforts of Ventana Research. She works closely with the Revenue, Analyst and Client Success teams to increase brand awareness, support revenue growth, and improve the value of the firm by publishing relevant education and research insights to our community of professionals and clients. Prior to working at Ventana Research, Stacey was the Director of Fundraising and Communications Manager at Volunteers in Medicine, and Business Development and Marketing Manager at AirLink Critical Care Transport. She brings more than 18 years of marketing and sales experience to her role and earned her BS in Communications from Portland State in Oregon.
Stacey joined the firm in 2020 and is responsible for the marketing and communication efforts of Ventana Research.
VP of Marketing
The subject matter practice leaders
Mark is responsible for the overall business and technology direction of Ventana Research and defined the blueprint and methodology for continuous modernization across people, processes, information, and technology. Mark is an expert in enterprise software and digital innovation across business. Mark leads the industry in the expertise of digital business covering business continuity, digital communications, digital payments, digital security, experience management, governance and risk, performance management, sustainability & ESG and work management. Mark has held CMO and product roles at research and software companies. Mark started Ventana Research two decades ago and has worked in the technology sector for over 30 years leading innovations in research and technology. Mark is an Eagle Scout and volunteers in Scouting supporting youth to reach their full potential.
David manages the technology research and leads the overall expertise direction in digital technology including the following focus areas: analytics and data; AI and machine learning; blockchain; cloud computing; collaborative and conversational computing; extended reality; internet of things; mobile computing; and robotic automation. Dave oversees the expertise areas of analytics and data that span focus in use of them across business and IT. For decades, David brought to market leading-edge analytics and data products where he has held marketing and product leadership positions at Pivotal a division of EMC, Vertica Systems, Oracle, Applix, InforSense and IRI Software. David earned his MS in Business from Bentley University and a BS in Economics from University of Pennsylvania.
Over three decades of experience and manages the overall technology research and expertise in data and analytics technology and processes.
SVP & Research Director
of Technology Research
Rob leads the Office of Finance practice and manages the business research focusing on the intersection of information technology and business applications. His expertise agenda includes the specific focus areas: business planning; digital finance; ERP and continuous accounting; close, consolidate and report; purchasing, sourcing and payments; revenue, lease and tax accounting. Prior to joining Ventana Research he was an equity research analyst at several firms including Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, and Drexel Burnham, and a consultant with McKinsey and Company. Rob was an Institutional Investor All-American Team member and on the Wall Street Journal All-Star list. Rob earned his BA in Economics/Finance at Hampshire College, an MBA in Finance/Accounting at Columbia University, and is a CFA charter holder.
Over three decades of experience and expertise in the Office of Finance and manages the overall business technology research efforts.
SVP & Research Director
of Business Research
Keith leads the expertise in Customer Experience (CX), covering applications and technology that facilitate engagement to optimize customer-facing processes across marketing, sales and CRM. His focus areas of coverage include agent management, contact center, customer experience management, field service, intelligent self-service, and voice of the customer and where related technology supports the experiences and interactions with the customer. Keith’s specialization is in natural language and speech tools with intelligent virtual assistants, multichannel routing and journey management, and the wide array of customer analytics. He is focused on how businesses can break down technology and operational silos to provide more efficient processes for two-way engagement with customers. Keith has been an industry analyst for more than a decade and prior was the editorial director of Call Center Magazine. There he pioneered coverage of cloud-based contact centers, speech recognition and processing, and the shift from voice to multichannel communications. He is a graduate of Amherst College.
Matt leads the expertise for Data covering technology that improves the utilization and value from data and analytics. across business and IT. His focus areas of expertise and market coverage include analytic data platforms, data governance, data management, data operations, operational data platforms and streaming data and events. Matt’s specialization is in operational and analytical use of data and how businesses can modernize their approaches to accelerate the value realization of technology investments in support of hybrid and multi-cloud architecture. Matt has been an industry analyst for more than a decade and has pioneered the coverage of emerging data platforms including NoSQL and NewSQL databases, data lakes and cloud-based data processing. He is a graduate of Bournemouth University.
Over two decades of experience covering analytics and data, with a specific focus on emerging data technologies in operations and analytics.
VP & Research Director
of Analytics and Data Research
Stephen leads the expertise in Office of Revenue and guides leaders in the applications and technology for buying and selling products and services to maximize revenue. The topics of coverage include digital commerce, partner management, revenue management, revenue performance management, sales engagement, and subscription management. Stephen’s uniquely diverse technology experience spans over 30 years, including leadership roles heading up product strategy across a range of data-driven applications in sales enablement, financial reporting and planning, and billing and monetization platforms. Stephen was General Manager at InsideSales.com where he managed the C9 Analytics business, VP of Product and AI strategy at RecVue and held roles at Oracle, Exigen and Aviso. Stephen earned his BS in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Over three decades of experience as a product leader leading the expertise in Office of Revenue in the buying and selling of products and services.
VP & Research Director
of Office of Revenue Research
Quincy Valencia is an innovative executive with extensive experience in HR and human capital management (HCM) technologies. Her expertise agenda includes HCM application and platforms including these focus areas: continuous payroll; employee experience; learning management; talent management; total compensation management and workforce management. Ms. Valencia has a unique background, having worked both as HCM practitioner and technology provider. Prior to joining Ventana Research, she served as VP of Product Innovation with AMS, and designed and launched the first end-to-end conversational platform for the hourly workforce. Previously, she held technology and leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies including ADP and The Home Depot. Ms. Valencia holds a master’s degree in HR Management and a bachelor’s degree in International Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami.
Over two decades of experience in human capital management covering the span of engaging the workforce and value of people in the organization.
VP & Research Director
of Human Capital Management
Tejas Singh is a Research Analyst at Ventana Research. Focusing on technology research and in Analytics and Data expertise areas and supporting research products including the firm’s Market Perspectives, Benchmark Research, Dynamic Insights and Value Index products. He works closely with the revenue, products, and client success teams to support Ventana Research be the leading market research and advisory service firm. Prior to working at Ventana Research, he worked with SMBs, responsible for research, copywriting and digital marketing. Tejas studied computer science for two years and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Hayden Christie is a Research Analyst at Ventana Research. Focusing on research in Customer Experience (CX) and Office of Revenue expertise areas and supporting research products including the firm’s Market Perspectives, Benchmark Research, Dynamic Insights and Value Index products. He works closely with the revenue, products, and client success teams to support Ventana Research be the leading market research and advisory service firm. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Nevada, Reno, an Eagle Scout and has a passion for technology and how it shapes organizations and their processes. Hayden lives in Buda, TX, just outside Austin and resides there with his wife and two cats and enjoys hiking and all other things outdoors.
Technology research professional and enthusiast in the Customer Experience and Office of Revenue expertise areas helping guide the technology industry.
Research Analyst
Matthew is a Senior Research Analyst at Ventana Research and focus in the Office of Finance and Human Capital Management (HCM) expertise areas and supporting research products including the firm’s Market Perspectives, Benchmark Research, Dynamic Insights and Value Index products. He works closely with the revenue, products, and client success teams to support Ventana Research be the leading market research and advisory service firm. Prior to joining Ventana Research, Matthew worked as an analyst in the military, academia, and the private sector. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Journalism and Technical Communication and his Master of Arts in Political Science. Matthew lives with his family in northern Colorado, where he enjoys going on hikes, reading new books, and going to breweries.
Mawish Rahman is a Research Analyst at Ventana Research, and works in the area of expertise called Digital Business. Mawish supports the focus areas in business continuity, digital communications, digital payments, digital security, experience management, governance and risk, performance management, sustainability & ESG, work management and product experience management supporting research products including the firm’s Market Perspectives, Benchmark Research, Dynamic Insights and Value Index products. She works closely with the revenue, products, and client success teams to support Ventana Research be the leading market research and advisory service firm. Mawish earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the California State University, Long Beach with a focus on microeconomics. She currently lives in Long Beach, CA, where she enjoys exploring new restaurants in downtown, and playing video games in her free time.
Research analyst focused on technology research in Digital Business to help organizations become effective and modern in their operations.
Research Analyst
Marisela leads the firm’s overall client experience to optimize every interaction to realize value from the Ventana eXperience. Mari manages the client success team that is focused to ensure every engagement of the firm’s products is optimized to meet and exceed the value expected. She has contributed to the firm’s success for over a dozen years. Mari is an expert in applying technology like HubSpot, Microsoft Teams and salesforce.com for best-in-class client experience processes. Before Ventana Research, Mari worked in design, customer service and operations along with volunteer work for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. She is passionate about being creative and works passionately at everything she does. She has a degree in Visual Communications from F.I.D.M., San Francisco.
Leads the firm’s overall client experience and client success team for fulfilling on the mission for optimizing Ventana eXperience.
SVP of Client Experience
Seth is a Client Success Manager at Ventana Research and joined the firm in 2019. He works closely with our Industry analysts in the Office of Finance and Human Capital Management expertise areas, helping clients achieve the success they deserve. He’s passionate about the success of our partners and building relationships with our clients. Seth graduated from George Fox University in 2019, with a degree in Business Entrepreneurship and is an Eagle Scout. He currently lives in Sisters, Oregon and enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the great outdoors.
Chris Olson has 20 years' experience in Customer Operations and client-facing positions, spanning several industries. Prior to joining Ventana Research in 2018, Chris was a Sr. Customer Operations Manager in the semiconductor industry in Southern California. Now living in Central Oregon near the Ventana Research Bend office, Chris loves working with the VR team and supporting our awesome client base and gets outside to explore her new state as much as possible. She also enjoys skiing, kayaking, travelling and flying airplanes.
Chris is responsible for engaging clients with products and services and best possible Ventana eXperience.
Senior Client Success Manager
Michele is a Senior Client Success Manager at Ventana Research. She joined the firm in 2021 and is responsible for ensuring the best possible experience in client engagement with our firm and the products and services. She is responsible for the proactive and satisfactory fulfillment of services to our clients and responsible for delivering the highest level of client satisfaction with Ventana Research. She has worked in the project management space for over 20 years. Michele lives in Wilmington, NC and enjoys spending time with her husband, Brent, and sons Scott, Tyler, and Colin.
Michele is responsible for engaging clients with products and services and best possible Ventana eXperience.
Senior Client Success Manager
Ryan Swagerty is the Senior Director of Educational Products at Ventana Research. He is responsible for the design, production and publishing the portfolio of digital content products. He works closely with the Analyst, Research and Client Success teams to produce digital content that has a meaningful impact for our clients in the marketplace. Ryan has more than 20 years of experience in the business technology industry, including roles in consulting, operations management for several startup projects and as a writer producing content for companies across a range of verticals within the technology and web business spaces.
Lindsay Johnston is the Senior Director of Research Products at Ventana Research. She joined the firm in 2021 and responsible for management, execution and continuous innovation of the research programs and portfolio that provide Ventana Research with its distinctive competitive advantage in the business (B2B) research and advisory services industry. She works closely with the Analyst and Product teams to ensure that the firm’s research undertakings advance as planned. Lindsay is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Scrum Master (CSM) and has more than 15 years of experience in the market research industry. Prior to working at Ventana Research she was the Associate Director of Services at Infonetics Research and held roles at IHS Markit and Informa Tech.
Lindsay joined the firm in 2021 and is responsible for management, execution and continuous innovation of the research programs and portfolios at Ventana Research.
Senior Director of Research Products
Renae Christie is a Product Manager at Ventana Research. She joined the firm in 2021 and works collaboratively with the firm’s client success, marketing, analyst, and product teams to ensure on-time delivery and quality. Prior to Ventana Research, Renae worked as a legal assistant and then a fourth-grade teacher where she successfully managed overlapping projects and deadlines. Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Renae now lives in Buda, TX, a small town right outside of Austin, with her husband and two cats, and enjoys baking, traveling, and reading horror novels.
Energetic, young professional who brings a fresh perspective to the market research industry, with a passion for managing projects and working collaboratively with a team.
Product Manager
Jeff leads the firm’s overall product experience to optimize the value and those using the insights from them. He leads the product team focused on the portfolio of products across advisory, consultative, education, and research. Jeff is an accomplished strategic and product leader, and industry analyst who has accelerated enterprise growth initiatives. Jeff’s analysis and insight have been published in The Wall Street Journal, The NY Times, Financial Times, Cyber Security Hub and TheStreet. Jeff has been a keynote speaker and chair for conferences, and the architect of the 4G World and AI World conference. Jeff attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of California at Berkeley and University of California at Santa Cruz. He is also an Oregon State University Certified Master Gardener.
Heather is the Product Manager of Education Products at Ventana Research. She works closely with the Products, Research and Client Success teams to create exceptional educational content. She has nearly two decades of editorial and product management experience, including 12 years in the publishing sector where she managed and edited hundreds of successful projects, including several New York Times bestsellers. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Heather now resides in Oregon’s Willamette Valley with her husband, two sons and a host of fluffy critters. She enjoys RVing, spending time with family and volunteering at the local animal shelter.
Heather is the Product Manager of Education Products, leveraging 12 years of publishing experience to create engaging education products.
Senior Manager of Education Products
Stacey Durden joined the firm in 2020 and is responsible for the marketing and communication efforts of Ventana Research. She works closely with the Revenue, Analyst and Client Success teams to increase brand awareness, support revenue growth, and improve the value of the firm by publishing relevant education and research insights to our community of professionals and clients. Prior to working at Ventana Research, Stacey was the Director of Fundraising and Communications Manager at Volunteers in Medicine, and Business Development and Marketing Manager at AirLink Critical Care Transport. She brings more than 18 years of marketing and sales experience to her role and earned her BS in Communications from Portland State in Oregon.
Dana Billingsley is the SVP of Finance and Administration at Ventana Research. She is responsible for the management of revenue and cost operations across finance, accounting, administration, and sales operations with a lead role in the processing of contracts, payables, and receivables as well as financial reporting to ensure efficient operation within the firm. Dana brings more than 15 years of experience working for attorneys as a paralegal/legal assistant and 16 years of experience running her own accounting and campaign finance business.
Tony is the VP of Business Development at Ventana Research. He joined the firm in 2018 and is responsible for growing Ventana Research’s new business. Prior to working at Ventana Research, Tony worked at several tech media firms including SourceMedia & HIMSS Media. He has spent the last two decades working alongside clients, guiding them to solutions that benefit their overall agenda. When Tony is not working with his clients, you will find him on stage either behind a drum set or on a mic at comedy clubs. He has a degree in Communications from Queens College, NYC and resides in North Jersey.
Tony joined Ventana Research in 2019 and is responsible for growing the firm’s new business and revenue potential.
VP of Business Development
Tucker is responsible for the revenue and sales leadership at Ventana Research. As a member of the management team, his focus on revenue growth through the CARE portfolio of products, and value of the Ventana eXperience, is realized with a world class analyst team to support business and technology professionals across organizations, technology vendors and investment communities. Tucker’s experience across three decades of leadership and selling experience to senior business and IT executives, investment firms and organizations in every industry, while at companies like Gartner, META Group, First Albany, Oracle, SAP, and Teradata. Tucker is a graduate of Columbia University and Columbia Business School. He was a member of the US Sailing Team for a decade and is a three-time world champion sailboat racer.
Over three decades of experience and expertise in leading growth in revenue teams in analyst to investment firms.
SVP of Revenue
Kirsten is the Director of Revenue Operations at Ventana Research. Her work with the firm began in 2012 leading client success with account and project management across all product lines. She currently oversees the operations and alignment of the firm’s processes to achieve revenue goals synchronized across the organization’s marketing, sales, client success and finance teams. Prior to working at Ventana Research, Kirsten spent more than 15 years serving in both public and private sector administrative and account management roles. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the Oregon State University College of Forestry.
Jeff is a Senior Account Director at Ventana Research. He joined the firm in 2019 and is responsible for providing strategic support to help our clients better understand and educate their markets through research and guidance. With over 20 years of experience developing content and demand generation strategy, Jeff works closely with vendor marketing teams to understand their goals and develop recommended campaign approaches to successfully engage and educate business buyers on the strategic value of digital innovations and technologies that improve their business processes.
Over two decades of experience developing content and demand generation strategies to help clients better reach their markets through research and guidance.
Senior Director of Client Development
Lisa Lusk is the Senior Business Performance Manager at Ventana Research. Utilizing her analytical and business development background, Lisa focuses on strategic analysis, market development, and operational best practices. She works collaboratively with the Leadership Team, leveraging data and insights to drive decision-making and grow the bottom line. She is motivated by results in the numbers and working alongside passionate individuals who truly care about making an impactful difference for clients. Lisa graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Central Florida and lives in Tampa, Florida, where she enjoys cheering on the sports teams and taking advantage of the sunshine.
Lisa is the Senior Business Performance Manager, guiding the firm’s business through market development, and operational best practices.
Senior Manager of Business Performance
The Ventana eXperience (VX) represents who we are as a firm. It reflects our philosophy and how our firm operates daily, and it is built into our mission statement.
We do not take these words lightly. We believe there must be an empathic approach that extends across every touchpoint in the client journey, and that we must always act in accordance with five core principles:
To learn more about the Ventana eXperience,
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