Kara believes that everyone has a story to tell and she has a gift for connecting with people and hearing what they say. Not just what they say with words, but the information they provide through subtle gestures, inflections of voice, how they hold themselves, and how they present themselves to the world. Kara believes that everything about a person is a clue that brings them and their life into focus. This passion for all aspects of human ‘being’ makes ethnography a perfect fit for Kara. Her natural empathy and ability to relate with people no matter their situation has led many respondents to thank her at the end of an interview for listening to them. This gratitude for being heard reinforces the importance of Kara’s ethnographic work and makes each project a unique and fascinating study.

When not listening to the stories of people in the real world, Kara brings the stories of characters to life on stage. An accomplished actor, Kara’s in-depth understanding of the human condition makes each character she plays dimensional and real. Whether it is a Shakespearian tragedy or a modern day comedy, Kara finds the wholeness of her character and conveys their story in a way that is honest and compelling.

At the end of the day, Kara thinks that acting and ethnography go hand in hand. You look at everything a person says and does, then you explore the importance behind each word and action, finally you tell their story in a way that is authentic and meaningful.

• Joined PortiCo Research in 2002
• Clients have included: Acura, Astra-Zeneca Inc., Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Chrysler, Ensure, Gatorade, General Motors, Infiniti, Mobil 1, Nissan, Office Depot, One-A-Day, U.S. Department of Defense, ZonePerfect
• Senior Brand Planner, Rubin Postaer & Associates, Los Angeles
• Brand Planner, WongDoody Advertising, Los Angeles
• B.A. Theater, University of Colorado, Boulder