> [!headshot]
>
> 
# Testimonials: feedback about me and my work
## From clients and colleagues
> [!from-clients-and-colleagues]
>
<span id="testimonial-john-bratincevic"></span>
> - ![[John-Bratincevic.png]]
> > “David is **one of the best writers and public speakers I’ve met.** His work is intelligent, thorough, pragmatic, and has artistic and intellectual flair. He’s also a gentleman. If I were putting together a dream team of the professionals I’ve worked with over the years, David is one of the first names I would put on the list.” ([John Bratincevic](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bratincevic/))
<span id="testimonial-yuri-khidekel"></span>
> - ![[Yuri-Khidekel.png]]
> > “David **transformed all our external communications**. He quickly gained a deep understanding of our technology and company strategy, then created a great portfolio for us: a technical white paper, in-depth explainer videos, investor decks, and more, that are very persuasive.” ([Yuri Khidekel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/khidekel/))
<span id="testimonial-angelina-gennis"></span>
> - ![[Angelina-Gennis.png]]
> > “The value David brings to my 500K+ audience on the CX Cast podcast (he's a repeat guest) is not just that he’s knowledgeable but that he's exceptionally clear. \[...\] Whether it's the informal format of my podcast or an **in-person keynote in front of thousands, David's got great delivery.**” ([Angelina Gennis](https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelinagennis/))
> - ![[Rick-Parrish.jpg]]
> > “David is an exceptional colleague, leader, and mentor. His absolute **dedication to quality** comes through in every aspect of his work — from his **rigorous research** to his compelling prose and **engaging presentation style.** David’s expertise in CX, design, and technology — as well as his patient generosity and positive attitude — make him ideal to work with in any capacity. He is always a favorite among clients and co-workers.” ([Rick Parrish](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-parrish-at-forrester/))
> - ![[Alex-Balashov.png]]
> > “As advisor to our startup, David brought **deep understanding of complex AI technologies,** as well as extremely high attention to detail, and an easy and professional style of communication. His contributions were wide-ranging and excellent: a technical whitepaper, **product videos (end-to-end production: writing, recording, narrating, and editing)**, a product roadmap, a UI/UX redesign, presentations for prospects and investors (which he both created and delivered), technical specifications, a provisional patent application, use case designs and reviews, and a complete website. Aside from the high quality of the results, what I valued most were his absolute reliability and responsibility.” ([Alex Balashov](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-balashov/))
> - ![[Joana-de-Quintanilha.png]]
> > “What truly sets David apart is his **blend of humanity and dedication to the highest standards of quality**. Always on the lookout for new ways of expressing ideas, his feedback is consistently insightful and constructive. David has a great sense of humor, a broad set of interests (in art, photography, and technology), and an **ability to cross-pollinate ideas from different disciplines**.” ([Joana de Quintanilha](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joana-de-quintanilha-308b551/))
<span id="testimonial-harley-manning"></span>
> - ![[Harley-Manning.png]]
> > “David is **super smart and wonderful to work with** (as I did for many years). His **critical thinking skills, attention to detail, clear writing, and effective editing** make him a standout collaborator. He’s also strong at leading a team and coaching people to high performance — the people who reported to him just loved him. Possibly his best quality, though, is his positive attitude: It’s great to work with someone who is so **easygoing, caring, and rational**. That means a lot, especially in turbulent times.” ([Harley Manning](https://www.linkedin.com/in/harley-manning-6271b/))
<span id="testimonial-brandon-purcell"></span>
> - ![[Brandon-Purcell.png]]
> > “David **personifies thought leadership**. His intellectual curiosity, clarity of communication, and ability to see several steps ahead make him an invaluable collaborator.” ([Brandon Purcell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandoncpurcell/))
> - ![[Will-McKeon-White.jpg]]
> > “Every opportunity I've had to work with David has been a privilege. In addition to being a thoughtful and collaborative partner, David **would always help me think about a problem in a different way, especially around conversational AI and generative AI**. He added dimension and depth to any topic we covered, from developing a prescriptive chatbot ‘voice’ template, to **creating a throughline from design to business objective**. It's been a joy to work with him.” ([Will McKeon‑White](https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmaxwhite/))
<span id="testimonial-maxie-schmidt"></span>
> - ![[Maxie-Schmidt.png]]
> > “David is a colleague I want on my team. He is conscientious, driven and always striving for a better solution. But he is also highly collaborative and kind. David **challenged my thinking** and made me want to improve my work outputs but in a highly constructive way so we could co-create. He isn't one to tear things down. He is one to build them with colleagues. David also always has an open ear for people — both in a professional and in a personal capacity. And what's more, I respect his deep subject matter expertise on design, human-machine interactions, conversational design and chatbots — **his predictions and thoughts on the role of generative AI will help the field evolve**. He is also a **creative soul**, just check out his work as a photographer and filmmaker!” ([Maxie Schmidt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxieschmidt/))
> - ![[Boris-Evelson.jpg]]
> > “David and I partnered on several research initiatives during our time at Forrester. While he absolutely deserves the usual accolades — an excellent collaborator, communicator, and teammate — I want to highlight what truly sets him apart: his **deep subject matter expertise in data, analytics, and AI**. Many data scientists excel at building complex AI algorithms but often struggle to align their work with real business needs. Conversely, business leaders frequently lack the data literacy and technical insight to fully grasp the potential of data- and AI-driven solutions. David bridges this gap seamlessly. He has a rare ability to translate business requirements into actionable data, analytics, and AI strategies — a skill that is part science, part art, and one he has mastered with precision.” ([Boris Evelson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevelson/))
<span id="testimonial-ian-jacobs"></span>
> - ![[Ian-Jacobs.png]]
> > “**Here’s the thing about David: the man is obsessed with quality**, more so than anyone I’ve worked with in the past two decades. He focuses his considerable attention on all aspects of the customer experience. For research output, that includes everything from determining the most fit-for-purpose research methods to the writing of the report/blog or creation of the presentation materials. There won’t be a word in anything David’s written that won’t have been considered, or an approach that has not been contemplated. What’s most amazing about all this focus is that David is laidback and incredibly easy to work with. **Oh — and that obsession with quality is not for form’s sake. His writing just sings, his analysis is always incisive and grounded** in the impact on real people, making his work **not only exceptional but also deeply meaningful**. He is also just a fun person to talk with — definitely not something to be discounted in a colleague.” ([Ian Jacobs](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iangjacobs/))
> - ![[Ron-Rogowski.png]]
> > “David is **one of the brightest, most professional, and most thoughtful people** I have worked with. David delivers thoughtful, measured, research-backed perspectives through a method of respectful questioning and **incisive analysis** that **unlocks clients' thinking by separating signals from noise**. He is a client favorite and a model colleague who has always set a positive example through his curiosity, generosity, and his calm and steady demeanor. His research and writing reflects his expertise in design and his understanding of how emerging technologies impact how people interact with products, interfaces, and other people — and he can explain it better than anyone I have met.” ([Ron Rogowski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-rogowski-6a774/))
<span id="testimonial-gina-bhawalkar"></span>
> - ![[Gina-Bhawalkar.png]]
> > “David is the most thoughtful manager I've had in my 20 year career. As a new analyst, David coached me through everything from how to craft an effective argument to how to give a powerful keynote speech. He is patient, **always offering feedback that is helpful, clear, and precise**. David is also a great listener and always made time for me if I was struggling and needed support. He constantly looked for opportunities to elevate, recognize, and advocate for our team. Beyond all this, David is also just **a great thought partner.** When I knew what I wanted to say but needed help framing and expressing it in a powerful and easy-to-understand way, I always turned to David. He helped me become a better writer and analyst and I will always be grateful for that.” ([Gina Bhawalkar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginabhawalkar/))
> - ![[Thomas-Husson.jpg]]
> > “I have always been impressed by David’s capability of working in a multicultural context. He has managed international teams and mentored many individuals from different countries and all of them have always praised his leadership skills. I remember he even **delivered great keynote speeches in French in Paris** and hosted several global events. He’s one of the most knowledgeable experts I know in design and customer experience. To me, David is not just a great leader and mentor but he is also a good person: very open-minded, supportive, collaborative, honest, curious and humble.” ([Thomas Husson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashusson/))
> - ![[David-Hoffman.jpg]]
> > “As a new research director at Forrester, I worked closely with David and benefited from his intellect, skill, and patience. His humility and gentle suasions enriched my experience and **elevated the entire leadership team**. Working with him made me a better RD. As an analyst, leader, and partner, David has brought his best to our team and our clients. I expect he will do the same for anyone lucky enough to work with him.” ([David Hoffman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-ian-hoffman/))
^88f415
## Got feedback?
> [!got-feedback]
>
> Compliments are nice, but I welcome critical input too — if you have constructive feedback, please [[Contact|send me a note]] with your thoughts.
^e6619f
> [!tile-set]
>
> > [!link-to-services]
> > **[[Services|Services →]]**
> > About my work for clients
>
> > [!link-to-about]
> > **[[About|About]]**
> > LinkedIn profile, background, and bio
>
> > [!link-to-contact]
> > **[[Contact|Contact →]]**
> > Send me a note via a form or LinkedIn