Kat Figatner

Senior Vice President, In-Person Qualitative Research

meet Kat

Kat Figatner is a Partner/Senior Vice President on the qualitative team with over a decade of market research experience. She moderates both traditional and digital qualitative research, including focus groups, ethnographies, shop-alongs, online communities, and mobile journals with consumers and B2B respondents.

In addition, Kat facilitates activation workshops and ideation sessions to guide clients in turning research insights into business strategies and innovation. 

Prior to joining C+R Research in 2012, Kat worked most recently for MarketVision Research, based in Cincinnati, and Conifer Research, an ethnographic boutique consultancy in Chicago. Kat spent four years at Research International (which merged with TNS during her tenure), where she led large-scale global and domestic qualitative studies and early-stage innovation projects.

Kat holds a master’s degree in the social sciences from the University of Chicago and is formerly the co-chair of the Chicago chapter of the QRCA (Qualitative Research Consultants Association). After receiving a BA in psychology from Haverford College, she taught English in Japan to junior high school students.

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thought leadership

q&a

  • What's your favorite thing about Market Research? What do you enjoy about Market Research?

    I love learning! Whether it’s discovering the intricacies of a particular category or brand, hearing the stories of the consumers, or coming up with a new technique for engaging with respondents, my curious nature is constantly satisfied. 

  • What's the best part about working at C+R? 

    The people! We have such a caring and sharp group of people here. I love how we support each other and also spark great thinking in one another. 

  • What's the most rewarding thing about your job? 

    Seeing the impact of our research in the market – whether it’s a new product, an optimization of something existing, or a marketing campaign, I love connecting things in the ‘real world’ to an insight I uncovered through research.

  • What's your favorite thing to do in Chicago?

    Going to the many street festivals in the summer. I used to live in Lincoln Square and loved attending Maifest and the German-American parade and festival as they were the perfect bookends to the festival season. I love the food, drinks, entertainment, people watching, and simply spending time outdoors and enjoying the Chicago summer.Â