Director, Research
Stacey is a nationally recognized communications expert who uses her research skills to help clients meet their business objectives. The Stanford-trained social scientist is an expert at helping companies systematically identify key audiences, measure market attitudes and develop successful communication strategies.
Prior to joining Padilla Speer Beardsley’s research practice, Stacey was an associate professor of journalism and mass communication at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. At the University of Minnesota’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, she served as an adjunct professor and taught masters’ courses in strategic communication and public opinion. She also was lead researcher of a study sponsored by the Arthur W. Page Center on public relations practices of Fortune 500 companies.
Stacey also has hands-on experience in both public relations and journalism. She did media relations and employee communications writing at IBM, and was a media-relations columnist for Ameriprise Financial. She began her career as a reporter and editor for newspapers in Florida and Massachusetts, where she won awards for writing and in-depth reporting.
Before receiving her doctorate in communication research from Stanford University, Stacey earned her master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Florida and her bachelor’s in English from Wellesley College. She has published her research in scholarly and professional journals and is co-author of the college textbook “Writing Across the Media.” She also volunteers with organizations that support children’s health and education.