Katy Kaushansky

Katy Kaushansky, lead consultant at K Squared Insights, is a freelance human-centered design researcher and strategist who specializes in mixed method approaches that fuel strategy and innovation. Her work focuses on helping organizations navigate complex challenges, uncover opportunities, and design solutions that create meaningful impact, with particular emphasis on healthcare, public sector, and social impact work. As a Design Research and Project Lead currently on contract at the Institute for Healthcare Delivery Design, she works to bring community voices to the table, from co-creating Illinois' Mental Health Response to Mass Firearm Violence Plan to leading research that supports the integration of state behavioral health divisions to better address patient needs. She champions trauma-informed research methodologies, implementing participatory design approaches that engage stakeholders as true collaborators rather than subjects, ensuring both psychological safety and meaningful co-creation throughout the process. Prior to founding her consultancy, as Head of Research at Sidecar Health, Katy managed all qualitative and quantitative research initiatives, building and supporting essential processes and roadmaps across teams. Her research on the Sidecar Health model helped gain CMS approval for multi-state expansion. At Publicis Sapient, she served as a qualitative research expert in the health vertical, developing digital transformation strategies for global brands. Her diverse expertise also includes strategic consulting for pharmaceutical companies and specialized work as a digital accessibility consultant, where she helped organizations create more inclusive digital experiences. As an IAAP Certified Accessibility Professional, Katy strives to ensure that research methodologies are both inclusive and accessible, advocating for representation across diverse populations and removing barriers to meaningful participation. Katy is pursuing a Master's in Information Design & Strategy with UX/UI specialization at Northwestern University, complementing her Bachelor's in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis.