Julia Cummings joined Lake Research Partners in 2005 and focuses on progressive policy issues, particularly access to health care. She is a trained focus group moderator and analyst, and works primarily with non-profit organizations, foundations, and government agencies. Recent projects have addressed childhood obesity, substance use, cancer funding, poverty, Medicaid and Medicare, reproductive health, and health care quality. A native of Philadelphia, Julia graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in political science and communication studies. During her time at UNC, Julia worked as an intern for both North Carolina State Senator Kay Hagan and North Carolina State Treasurer Richard Moore. In her free time, Julia is a docent at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

Karen Emmerson joined Lake Research Partners in 2006 after interning with the firm in 2005. Karen is a trained focus group moderator and works primarily on election campaigns for candidates and ballot initiatives, as well as for issue advocacy organizations. She has conducted research on issues such as LGBT equality (including marriage equality), animal rights, gun control, Rock the Vote (on youth voting), immigration rights, forest management, and more. Karen grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and statistics from the University of Iowa. She also holds a master’s degree in political management, with an emphasis in polling and strategic research, from The George Washington University.

Cate Gormley joined Lake Research Partners in 2006. Cate works with foundations, non-profits, and issue advocacy organizations. She has conducted research on a range of progressive issues including education, reproductive health, the environment, women’s issues, children’s health, poverty, and more. She is an experienced focus group moderator. A native of Houston, Cate graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2002 with a B.A. in English. Before joining LRP, Cate was involved with several campaigns in Austin. During the 2004 election cycle, Cate worked as a community organizer for the Democratic National Committee and MoveOn Political Action Committee. Following the election, she was the Public Relations Coordinator for the National Foundation for Women Legislators in Washington, DC. During football season, even in election years, Cate makes time to watch the Longhorns play on Saturdays.

Shilpa grew up in Melbourne, Australia and Princeton Junction, New Jersey and graduated from the George Washington University with a B.A. in political communication.




John Norris
Associate Analyst

John Norris joined Lake Research Partners in 2005 as a research analyst after interning at the political research firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. John works with political candidates as well as labor unions, issue organizations, and on initiative campaigns. In his political work, John focuses on races in Michigan, California, Arizona, and Georgia. John also works for organizations such as the AFL-CIO, Change To Win, and the Public Campaign Action Fund on issues such as the economy, electoral reform, immigration, health care, public pensions, and more. John grew up in Kalamazoo, MI, and graduated from the University of Michigan in 2004 with a B.A. in political science. While at school he served on the board of Michigan's Alternative Spring Break program, one of the largest ASB programs in the country. He also spent his junior year abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland studying world politics and international terrorism.

Matt Price
Associate Analyst

Matt Price has been with Lake Research Partners since 2006. Matt works primarily on political campaigns to help elect Democratic candidates across the country, and has also done work analyzing the national political lay of the land, the 2008 Presidential race, the economy, and the women’s vote. Matt grew up in Silver Spring, MD. He got his start in politics on Chris Van Hollen’s first Congressional campaign in 2002, and later interned for Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont. Matt received his bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and holds a master’s degree from The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management.

Zach Young
Associate Analyst

Zach Young joined Lake Research Partners in early 2007. Zach works with a diverse array of political candidates, labor unions, and issue organizations. He is a trained focus group moderator and survey methodologist. Zach worked with a number of candidates in the 2008 election cycle, from Mayoral to Congressional races. In addition, he has been conducting research on a number of today’s pressing issues, including immigration and health reform. Zach grew up in Decatur, GA and graduated from Harvard University in 2004 with a degree in applied mathematics.