When you love what you do, the extra mile is just business as usual.
People matter. Sounds nice and sentimental, right? But they also matter to that cold hard figure on the bottom line. Hire exceptional people, keep them engaged, and you’ll get exceptional work. It’s simple, really. Start talking about integrating technology infrastructures, global single-solution roll-outs, customized reporting and all the rest that goes into human capital measurement, and well, things get more complicated. That’s where Modern Survey comes in.
Organizations around the world from Fortune 100s to small non-profits use Modern Survey to gather information and create better human capital management strategies. Priding ourselves in flexible, client-centric technology, PhD-level consulting expertise and jaw-dropping service, Modern Survey provides the right blend of technology, science and strategy to help our clients create positive organizational change.
Leadership
Don MacPherson, President and Co-Founder
As President, Don is responsible for leading the sales, marketing, and consulting departments at Modern Survey. Drawing on 17 years of experience in the field of employee measurement, Don’s areas of expertise include understanding of employee and customer motivations, development of effective leadership, and creating processes for gathering feedback from transitioning employees.
Among a variety of interests, Don volunteers his time to the A Better Chance Foundation. He has been a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 1998. Don's undergraduate studies in Denmark and his stint as a professional basketball player in Germany have helped him understand the global challenges organizations face today. He earned his degree in History and Mass Communications from St. Cloud State University.
Patrick Riley, CEO and Co-Founder
Patrick helped found Modern Survey and serves as Chief Executive Officer, responsible for providing direction and leadership to define and achieve the business' goals, mission and strategic vision.
Patrick's leadership and vision have been on display for years in his many contributions to the arts and to his community. Patrick is an accomplished filmmaker and musician. He has played in rock & roll bands, worked as a writer and producer in the film and television industry in Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles and at the Sundance Filmmaker's Lab, and has volunteered his time and energy to the Interact Center and Center for Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment. Patrick earned his BS degree in communication arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Dan Riley, COO and Co-Founder
As Chief Operating Officer, Dan is responsible for the strategic, tactical and short-term operations management of Modern Survey. This includes the development, design, operation and improvement of the systems that deliver Modern Survey's superior solutions. In addition, Dan directs the development and maintenance of strategic technology partnerships.
Dan is an expert web technologist, software processor and Internet security specialist. Dan is also a versatile and innovative musician who plays several instruments and has shared billings with artists of national and international acclaim. He earned his BA degree in international relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Diane Kozlak, Vice President of Sales
As Vice President of Sales, Diane leads business development efforts, building relationships, helping clients determine their needs, and helping Modern Survey meet its revenue goals. Prior to joining Modern Survey, Diane served as Regional Vice President at Menttium Corporation.
Diane is an active non-profit board member and has worked with many organizations including Women’s Health Leadership Trust, HR Strategy Forum, Women in Technology, Women on Boards, Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, and St. Stephen’s Human Services. She is also a devoted disability advocate and loves yoga, international travel and tango.
Diane earned her degree in Human Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, among the first graduating class to include female students. She has since earned a mini-MBA from the University of St. Thomas.
Joan Benson, Client Services Manager
Heading up Modern Survey's client services department, Joan oversees department operations and leads a team of Project Managers and Client Support Specialists. Working to ensure operational efficiencies and project success, Joan uses her 20 plus years of industry experience to solidify Modern Survey's top-notch client service. Additionally, Joan provides expert project management and assists in the development of client relationships.
Steve Thomson, Chief Technology Architect
Steve's key mission is to help enhance Modern Survey's technology solutions and infrastructure. As a leader and mentor to Modern Survey's developers, network administrators, and technology team members, Steve supervises various programming tasks, ensures the efficiency of the technology team's internal procedures, and encourages the development of each technology team member. Additionally, Steve works to facilitate communication between technology team members and client/business levels, and also to set priorities and implement processes that will help improve product development.
Bria Knorr, Director of Technology
Bridging Modern Survey’s Technology and Client Services departments, Bria oversees the technical execution of Modern Survey projects, including survey programming, data management and report design. Additionally, Bria establishes priorities for solution/process efficiencies and provides technical direction and assistance to Modern Survey’s clients. Bria has a BS degree in Business from the University of Minnesota.
Bruce Campbell, Senior Consultant
Bruce is a renowned employee survey expert with more than 25 years of human resource industry experience. Bruce develops Modern Survey’s standardized employee survey content and strategic planning for development of employee survey norms and benchmarking data. He also assists clients in interpreting their employee survey results.
Before joining the Modern Survey team, Bruce was the executive director of survey design and analysis at Gantz Wiley Research, Minneapolis. Previous to that he worked in the Human Resources Research Department at Control Data Corporation.
Bruce holds a BA in Psychology from Haverford College and a Ph.D in Social Psychology from the University of Minnesota (ABD).
Lara Peterson, Operations Manager
Lara oversees Modern Survey's human resources, financial, and legal needs, as well as facility management. Additionally, Lara manages Modern Survey's administrative personnel, ensuring administrative support for senior management.
