Where Strategy Meets Science

Keith Nielsen is a Data Scientist with Axis Research, specializing in all things data.  In addition to performing statistical analysis and data interpretation, Keith builds the infrastructure behind Axis’ datasets to maximize functionality and efficiency. He brings an engineering background to his analytical work at Axis, with strong problem-solving experience and a record of taming chaotic datasets.  Keith’s passion is automating functions and standard analysis to reduce any errors and create efficiencies for the team.  Keith also has a natural ability to organize disparate qualitative feedback into meaningful findings for deeper insights.

Prior to joining Axis, he worked as a patent examiner at the Patent and Trademark Office as well as interning at a deep-sea robotics company.  Keith grew up in northern New Jersey and holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Vermont.

The newest member of the team, Donya is a Jr. Research Analyst at Axis Research. With a passion for storytelling, Donya comes from a background of statistics and English, two fields that coalesce to give her a unique and multidisciplinary approach to driving creative solutions. At Axis, she interprets and presents data as actionable insights for clients through deliverables, conducts samplings, and ensures data accuracy.

Blake has been with Axis Research since 2010 and has a decade of opinion research experience. At Axis, he develops actionable deliverables that highlight the key narratives, find opportunities, and produce wins, and he partners with clients to craft questionnaire language that produces accurate data with relevant insights.

Blake specializes in tracking research, helping clients focus their efforts on key audiences, understand the short and long-term movement in their data, and contextualize key events and initiatives – all with data guiding the way. Blake has also developed modeling efforts to blend the insights of opinion research with the rich data of the voter file – getting clients access to the exact audiences they need when they need them.

Axis Research’s founding principal, Brenda Gianiny, is a nationally recognized expert in the field of public opinion research with over two decades of experience honed at the highest levels of corporate America and Republican political campaigns. Using her background, experience and degree in mathematics, Brenda has worked with a wide range of both political and corporate clients to help them achieve success.

Known for maintaining strict client and data confidentiality, Brenda has worked with campaigns ranging from presidential and the US Senate, including serving as the primary pollster for the Bush-Cheney `04 re-election campaign and pollster to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, to local races for state legislative office and mayor. Brenda also has over twenty years of experience in public policy direction and corporate market insight helping companies like Walmart, Anheuser-Busch and ExxonMobil chart success. Whether it’s a local ballot initiative or campaigning for the highest office in the land, Brenda brings the same motivation and enthusiasm to each fight – helping clients win.

• Over 20 years of experience managing public relations and communications firms, including key infrastructure such as finance, human resources, and information technology support.
• Leads with a drive to maximize efficiencies and increase flexibility.
• Holds a B.S.A. from the University of Maryland’s school of Human Resources and Personnel Management with a minor in labor relations.