About Us

Ken Strasma

Pioneer in predictive analytics for Presidential campaigns. National targeting director for John Kerry 2004 and President Obama 2008. His models propelled Obama to victory over Clinton in the Democratic primaries and then to the White House.

Ken launched Haystaq, bringing political-style microtargeting to Fortune 500 companies. Guest lecturer at Princeton, Columbia, and UW-Madison. Published in the New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Atlantic, FiveThirtyEight, and Campaigns & Elections Magazine. Forthcoming book from Cambridge University Press.

Andrew Drechsler

Over a decade helping clients in the public and private sectors turn complicated data sets into actionable results. Expertise spans Obama for America, Bloomberg for Mayor, the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, and international electoral campaigns on six continents.

Previously VP of Strategic Services at Strategic Telemetry and VP at KRC Research. Served in the Clinton Administration as aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. MBA from Johns Hopkins University; B.A. in Economics and Politics & Government from Ripon College.

Willie Desmond

Nearly a decade of experience helping campaigns and organizations harness predictive analytics. Project manager for modeling on Obama for America 2008, managing Election Day boiler-rooms, and advising senior officials on dozens of campaigns.

In 2011–2012, lead map drawing consultant to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, shaping the state’s Congressional and Legislative Districts. MBA from Arizona State University; B.A. in Political Communication from The George Washington University.

Blake Silberberg

Director of Media Analytics at Haystaq, focusing on using a wide array of technologies to conduct detailed analyses. Also supports internal data systems and tools.

B.A. in Political Science from the University of Rochester with additional experience in Computer Science and Film & Media Studies. M.S. in Data Analytics from the University of Maryland Global College. Enjoys Ultimate Frisbee and the Baltimore Orioles.

Kate Donovan

Director of the Redistricting Data Hub project at Haystaq. Previously a tenured associate professor of political science at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York.

Jingyao Gu

Frontend Developer at Haystaq working on the Redistricting Data Hub project, having recently earned his M.S. in Computer Science. Background in developing intuitive and responsive interfaces for complex data-driven platforms.

Peter Horton

Senior Data Analyst at Haystaq working on the Redistricting Data Hub project. Graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. in Math and is pursuing an M.S. in Analytics from Georgia Tech.

Quentin Sprauve

Data Analyst at Haystaq managing data and running map-based district reports. Graduated from UNC Greensboro with a B.A. in Political Science with additional coursework at Universität Mannheim, Germany. Enjoys traveling.

Spencer Nelson

Senior Data Analyst at Haystaq working on the Redistricting Data Hub. Graduated from Macalester College with a B.A. in Geography and Anthropology and a minor in Data Science. Completed his M.A. at McGill University. Enjoys baking and running.