Mark Keida joined Lake Research Partners in 2007 as a political analyst. Mark has conducted and analyzed surveys for political campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels, including campaigns this past cycle for Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD-04), Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mayor Mike Coleman (Columbus, OH), Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Mayor Don Plusquellic (Akron, OH), Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth, the Missouri Foundation for Health, Earthjustice, and Joe Biden for President. Mark is the lead analyst on LRP’s Presidential and Congressional tracking programs. Last cycle, he designed and analyzed surveys in over three dozen hotly-contested Congressional districts held by Republican incumbents, and worked on “Battleground,” a series of nationwide surveys conducted jointly with The George Washington University and the Tarrance Group that tracked the Presidential contest. Prior to joining LRP, Mark was a researcher at the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center, where he worked on international trade and labor issues. Mark is a graduate of Miami University (OH) and a native of the Salt City (Syracuse, NY). Mark is also a proud member of the non-competitive LRP cycling team.

Caitlin Murphy joined Lake Research Partners in 2003 and has extensive experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing public opinion research. Caitlin works on a range of qualitative and quantitative research projects focusing on reproductive health, women's political leadership, the environment, animal rights, women's health, and other social issues. Current and recent clients include the American Lung Association, the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, Women’s Campaign Forum, the American Social Health Association, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, ACLU, Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, AARP, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Caitlin is based in the Los Angeles area. Prior to joining LRP, Caitlin worked as a Research Analyst for Belden Russonello & Stewart, where she designed and analyzed survey and focus group research on a range of environmental, education and civil liberties issues. Previously, Caitlin was a Junior Account Executive at Fenton Communications, a DC-based public relations firm. She holds a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College in anthropology.




Kathryn Poindexter
Senior Analyst

Kathryn Poindexter joined Lake Research Partners in 2009 and works on issues such as public education, equality and justice, public lands and youth. Before joining LRP, Kathryn spent 10 years working with a wide variety of electoral and non-profit campaigns. As an entrepreneur in Colorado, Kathryn developed a new model of campaign consulting for resource-limited state and municipal candidates. With a fresh approach to technology, and an original take on print materials and direct mail, Kathryn helped progressive candidates in tight races maximize their shoestring budgets and run creative and effective campaigns. Most recently, Kathryn was a Senior Associate at the media firm MacWilliams Kirchner Sanders & Partners. In that capacity, she created and coordinated micro-targeted communications strategies for projects such as Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)'s congressional campaign, electing pro-choice and pro-equality candidates across Michigan, and the Minnesota Lakes, Lands and Legacy Constitutional Amendment. Kathryn was born and raised in Colorado and studied philosophy and women’s studies at Tulane University, where she helped launch the V-Day initiative in its first year on college campuses. Kathryn then started her political career with the National Association of State PIRGs, and over the next few years worked in seven cities on projects ranging from grassroots advocacy to organizational operations. Kathryn’s driving aim is to be in the right place at the right time in order to have the biggest impact possible for the progressive movement. Kathryn sits on the board of the Environmental Action PAC and is an active member of Washington’s Women’s Information Network (WIN). Her heroes are Rep. John Lewis, Molly Ivins, Gov. Ann Richards, Lois Gibbs and Sen. Paul Wellstone.

Anita Sharma
Senior Analyst

Anita Sharma joined Lake Research Partners in 2006 and works on a range of issues, with her most recent work focusing on family homelessness, low-wage work, education, and early childhood development. Anita’s clients include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Asian American Justice Center, Michigan’s Early Childhood Investment Corporation, and Community Service Society of New York. Prior to joining LRP, Anita was Assistant Director of the Government Performance Project, a research project funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and now a project of the Pew Center on the States. While there, she helped oversee the research and reporting for a study of state governments. Anita has also worked as a consultant for the United States Agency for International Development on an evaluation of a local economic development initiative in Livingstone, Zambia. A native of Connecticut, Anita holds a B.A. in political science from Georgetown University, with a concentration in comparative government. She completed her master’s studies in public policy at New York University. Anita is a member of the American Association of Public Opinion Research.

Dan Spicer
Senior Analyst

Dan Spicer joined Lake Research Partners in 2005, when Decision Research merged with Lake Snell Perry Mermin & Associates. Since 2001, Dan has served as an analyst on numerous projects across a broad range of issues, including education, health care, transportation and infrastructure, land use, environmental protection, affirmative action, civil rights, public safety, and campaign finance reform. His work has included polling and other research on behalf of Mark Begich for U.S. Senate, former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, and the Congressional campaigns of Jerry McNerney, Ann Kirkpatrick, Kurt Schrader, and Darcy Burner.

Prior to joining Decision Research, Dan taught political science courses at the University of Minnesota and has published research on the politics of abortion. Dan is a Minneapolis native, received his undergraduate degree in political science, sociology, and philosophy from Macalester College and his Master of Arts in political science from the University of Minnesota. He currently lives and works in the Portland, OR area with his wife Stephanie, their golden retriever Gabe and black attack cat Ebony. In his spare time, Dan enjoys riding his V-twin cruiser, jogging, and hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.