Redirecting.work
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Stacia Sherman Garr didn’t start her career with a roadmap. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, she initially pursued history—earning degrees from Randolph-Macon Women’s College and the London School of Economics—before landing at the Corporate Executive Board in Washington, D.C. “I didn’t want to just study the past. I wanted to influence the future,” she said. But it wasn’t until later, during her MBA at Berkeley Haas, that she realized the power of collaboration and the importance of applying her skills across domains.
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At Berkeley, she dove headfirst into entrepreneurship and finance—fields that, at the time, were male-dominated and far outside her academic background. “Finance holds power,”
she noted. “And I wanted to learn how to speak that language.” She was one of the few women in her finance cohort and the only one not already working in the field. But she thrived, graduating in the top 10% of her class while working full time at Bersin and later Deloitte. And, having two children.
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Yet despite her growing capabilities and visibility, the evolving dynamics and a change in leadership within the organization no longer aligned with what she valued most—autonomy, meaningful work where she could make an impact, and trust. Returning from maternity leave, she realized that the path ahead wasn’t as clear or as collaborative as she had hoped. It was time for a reset.
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Current Direction: Building RedThread Research with Integrity and Impact
Rather than return to a structure that no longer served her goals, Stacia decided to create her own. She and Dani Johnson—whom she admired for her intellect, technical savvy, and shared values—joined forces to launch RedThread Research. Their vision was clear from the beginning: to produce high-quality, original, and unbiased research untethered from commercial agendas. “We’re not going to write the headline first and find the data later,” she said, referencing practices she found unacceptable in prior research roles.
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Still bound by legal limitations from Deloitte, the first two years required creativity. Sponsorship was off the table, so they bootstrapped, licensing research and taking on consulting engagements to pay themselves within six months. That early revenue came thanks to relationships—clients at Mercer and Degreed who believed in Stacia and Dani's capabilities. “The network showed up,” she said. “People trusted us.”
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RedThread Research now runs on a membership model and is expanding its focus to community building. Stacia believes that while research is vital, the collective wisdom of practitioners is equally powerful—and often untapped. The firm continues to be self-funded and co-owned, reflecting a deep commitment to independence and values-based decision-making.
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Working in partnership has been central to Stacia’s ongoing success. From her business school days to running a firm, collaboration has provided both grounding and growth. Dani brings technical skills, marketing savvy, and an obsession with brand. Stacia focuses on finance, HR, legal, and strategy. Together, they’ve created not just a business, but a platform for influence.
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Advice to Others: Build with Intention and Integrity
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Choose the right partner. Trust, complementary skills, and the ability to have hard conversations are non-negotiable. “I often say I’m married to my husband—and to Dani.”
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Stick to your vision. In the early days, you’ll be tempted to say yes to everything. Say no to what doesn’t align.
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Seek feedback. Surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking and help you refine your message.
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Expect it to feel like a job. Even when it’s your dream, there will be days when it feels like work. But eventually, it begins to run on its own.
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Invest in your community. Your support system—family, friends, peers—is essential. Don’t go it alone.
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Research with purpose. If you’re aiming to influence how people work, remember the stakes are high. “People spend most of their waking hours at work. If we can help improve that, we’re making the world a better place.”
Stacia's path wasn’t linear, and she didn’t follow a tidy plan. But she followed her values and her curiosity—and built something that reflects both. RedThread Research isn't just a business; it’s a reflection of her belief in learning, shared leadership, and the power of collective insight.