About Us

Karen Flake

KFA Associates is led by principal, Karen Flake, an energetic, analytical and creative thinker known for getting things done.

Her career in the research industry spans over two decades and is based on in-depth knowledge of several industries and methodologies. Clients have included companies in advertising, consumer packaged goods, finance, government, healthcare, non-profits, retail, telecommunications and utilities. She has designed and delivered insightful custom survey research, and is a seasoned focus group moderator.

Her experience in managing a fast-growing, entrepreneurial firm materialized in 1996, when she bought a small company and joined with partner, George Wilkerson, to form Flake-Wilkerson Market Insights. In 2007, after 11 years of hands-on leadership, the company was sold to a private equity firm and became integrated with Market Strategies International, where Flake served on the Executive Committee in the position of Vice Chair. Market Strategies International ranks among the 20 largest research firms in the world.

Her community leadership includes board positions on a myriad of civic organizations and non-profits, many of which she has chaired. These include: an Agency for Cancer Radiation Treatment; a Mental Health Agency; a Hospital Advisory Board for Women Services; Our House - a Homeless Shelter; Women's Leadership Organizations; The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and more. Flake co-founded The Arkansas Quality Award in the mid-1990s and has been a certified examiner using Malcolm Baldrige criteria. She was appointed by two governors of the State of Arkansas to serve terms on the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, which she chaired in 2000-2001.

Flake's strengths include:

Convergent and divergent thinking
Attention to detail
Intuitive probing for hard-to-get information.
C-suite experience with tested grasp of issues.
Insightful moderating of group meetings and discussions
Compelling public speaker
Creative ideation
Ability to synthesize findings to make actionable recommendations

Dawn Adams

Dawn Adams serves as Research Director for Karen Flake & Associates. She manages all facets of the research process from start-up design to report completion. A meticulous organizer, Adams is known for ensuring that all processes are performed with accuracy and according to plan. She draws her expertise from her education and many years of experience across a range of places and positions.

B.S. degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University with a minor in Business Administration
M.A. in Applied Psychology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR)
Post graduate work, Principles of Market Research, from the University of Georgia
Lecturer in the Department of Psychology, UALR
Research Coordinator in the Behavioral Medicine program, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Study Director for Flake-Wilkerson Market Insights, and, upon its sale, for Market Strategies International
Community volunteer as a board member of the Arkansas Down Syndrome Association and as a sustaining member of the Junior League of Little Rock

Succinctly, Adams may be described as an individual who combines practical experience with theoretical knowledge. She fully comprehends what is sound research and quickly recognizes how to control for bias.

Her strengths include:

In-depth knowledge of research principles
Ability to conceptualize and design advanced studies
Extensive project management experience
Ability to professionally facilitate discussions on sensitive topics
Good judgment in managing projects to be on time and on budget
Highly perceptive and able to make actionable recommendations