our people
Len Preeper
Partner, Halifax
Since founding Thinkwell in 2003, Len has reshaped how organizations approach research, providing impactful insights across industries. He also created Thinkwell Shift, leveraging his environmental passion for tangible change. An Acadia and Queen’s alumnus, he has nurtured future political minds and pollsters at universities. As part of the Entrepreneur’s Organization in Atlantic Canada, Len continues to drive research innovation that truly matters.
Carolyn O’Keefe
Partner, St. John’s
With over 20 years of experience, Carolyn is a sought-after expert in market research and strategy. An integral part of Thinkwell’s leadership team, she focuses on building strong, trust-based partnerships with all clients. Drawing on deep industry insight and a collaborative approach, Carolyn works closely with clients to understand their goals, drive results, and foster meaningful, lasting connections. Her commitment to excellence and personalized service has made her a trusted advisor for clients across Canada. A Memorial University grad with a B.Comm (Hons.) and CAIP designation, Carolyn continually fuels client success with her passion for research.
Kate Calnan
Vice President, Strategy
Kate Calnan has 15 years of experience helping people and teams thrive at work by focusing on employee well-being and organizational performance. With a background in Organizational Psychology, the scientific study of people at work, Kate specializes in collaborating with leaders to improve team dynamics and engagement, overcome conflict, navigate change, and achieve strategic alignment. Kate is a trained psychometrician and skilled interviewer. This unique expertise enables her to conduct employee, team, and organizational assessments designed to provide leaders with invaluable insights to shape meaningful and sustainable change.
Lianne Sarson
Vice President, Research
Lianne brings over 15 years of experience helping organizations navigate complexity and make confident, evidence-based decisions. With a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, her work is rooted in the science of how people and organizations function at their best. She offers deep expertise in research design, organizational strategy, and facilitation—shaped by years of experience leading stakeholder engagement, community consultations, and strategic planning initiatives. Lianne has facilitated hundreds of sessions—from rural community halls to government boardrooms—and has designed and led large-scale, multi-method studies that surface insights to inform policy, workforce strategy, and system change. She is known for her ability to simplify complexity without losing nuance and for translating diverse perspectives into strategies that are both evidence-based and grounded in lived experience.
Allan Gates
Vice President, New Brunswick
Allan Gates is a trusted strategic advisor with decades of experience working in Canada and the United States. He leads Thinkwell’s efforts in New Brunswick and supports Thinkwell's strategic planning engagements. A successful entrepreneur, Allan cofounded Bonfire Communications in Saint John in 2013 and built it into one of Atlantic Canada’s top marketing and communications agencies. Bonfire was acquired in 2022. He was also cofounder and publisher of media property Huddle.Today, acquired by Acadia Broadcasting in 2019.
Jaimie Reynolds
Research Consultant
Jaimie specializes in knowledge translation, helping bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice. With a strong foundation in evidence-based methodologies, Jaimie excels at transforming complex findings into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Known for her strategic thinking, collaborative style, and commitment to impact, Jaimie ensures that knowledge moves beyond the page and into practice.
Jaimie has experience developing and distributing surveys, analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, and facilitating focus groups and interviews. She is skilled in compiling secondary data through jurisdictional scans and literature reviews. Jaimie holds a Master’s degree in Applied Psychological Science from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology from Carleton University.
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