Adam Chrnelich
Oconomowoc
Summary
Innovation-driven design researcher who blends human-centered rigor with strategic vision to turn mixed-methods insights into winning hardware and software experiences. Proven record of influencing cross-functional teams—from professional tradespeople at Milwaukee Tool to global product squads at Nike—through lean, athlete-first research frameworks that accelerate road-map decisions. Collaborative, values-led leader who builds trust quickly, elevates team thinking, and delivers solutions that improve lives on and off the field.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Design Researcher II
Milwaukee Tool
11.2024 - Current
- Drove end-to-end mixed-methods research for next-generation hand and power-tool concepts, leading ethnographic ride-alongs, field studies, lab usability tests, and hands-on prototype evaluations with professional tradespeople; insights set design criteria for new hardware platforms and digital touchpoints.
- Built and nurtured a continuous-feedback network of target users scheduling recurring in-context trials and survey pulses that fed rapid iteration cycles and cut concept-to-prototype turnaround.
- Synthesized market segmentation, competitive scans, and BTU (Business-Technical-User) analyses into opportunity maps that uncovered seven-figure whitespace revenue streams and informed portfolio road-map decisions for designers, engineers, and PMs.
- Earned trust as the team’s informal innovation lead, influencing without authority by building strong cross-functional relationships; ran user-centric workshops that kept designers, engineers, and PMs aligned on user-first principles and lean research frameworks.
Senior Consumer Insights Manager
Nike
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Led cross-functional CI teams to enhance visibility and integration across the enterprise, uncovering actionable insights, key opportunities, and risks.
- Spearheaded meta-synthesis of running shopper research, blending quantitative data from 100K+ consumers and qualitative insights from 20+ experience and marketplace research reports to produce a definitive consumer journey map and market analysis to address lost market share.
- Consulted with brand, product, and design teams to develop and guide global research initiatives, applying best practices and insight frameworks (enterprise segmentation & core consumer journeys) to develop strategic, data-driven recommendations for the business.
Experience Research Manager
Nike
07.2021 - 07.2023
- Led an omnichannel strategy initiative to integrate retail and digital insights, informing brand strategy and driving global updates in 100+ Nike stores and
Nike’s digital commerce platforms, enhancing the holistic consumer experience across channels. - Directed vendor engagements for a broad range of research projects, overseeing everything from remote recruitment to full-study execution in the field, and applying expert knowledge throughout to elevate research rigor and to enhance team capabilities and bandwidth.
- Established and scaled a rolling UX research program, conducting monthly usability testing and iterative feedback loops across Nike’s commerce (Nike.com, Nike App) and activity (Nike Run Club, Nike Training Club) platforms. Research informed digital and retail experience enhancements for commerce, and hardware integration improvements for activity apps. (Apple Watch).
Global Experience Research Manager (MBA Internship)
Nike
06.2020 - 08.2020
- Managed unmoderated UX studies on the Nike App to address significant onboarding drop-off, producing actionable insights that decreased drop-off rates 20-25% and led to a ~$6.5 million increase in annual incremental revenue.
- Analyzed performance and viability of high-value member virtual community pilots, culminating in a presentation to senior leadership and the development of a best practices and use cases artifact for future Nike member communities.
PSYOP Program Manager
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Established national recruitment and re-branding campaigns to bolster Ukrainian Special Operations Forces and their capacity to work alongside U.S. and European partners.
- Managed the development, budgeting, contracting, and implementation of ~$730 thousand worth of comprehensive multimedia programs that were disseminated throughout Ukraine.
- Interacted daily with Ukrainian nationals, and the USDOS on behalf of the USDOD to foster professional relationships in a dynamic embassy environment.
PSYOP Project Manager
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
12.2015 - 12.2016
- Developed influence campaigns designed to affect behavior change and increase local support for U.S. Allies in Syria, and their efforts to eradicate terrorism across the region.
- Led research and analysis of foreign audiences across five countries leading to the creation of reports used to advise senior commanders in the planning of strategic level influence campaigns.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Sports Business
University of Oregon
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
American Military University
01.2018
Skills
- Mixed Methods Research
- Prototype & Field Testing
- Lean Research Frameworks
- Workshop Facilitation
- Strategic Segmentation & Opportunity Mapping
- Storytelling & Stakeholder Influence
- Continuous Feedback Networks
Certification
- Professional Certificate in Product Management | 2024 | Northwestern
- Product Strategy Certification | 2023 | Northwestern
- Principles of Market Research Certification | 2018 | University of Georgia
Timeline
Design Researcher II
Milwaukee Tool
11.2024 - Current
Senior Consumer Insights Manager
Nike
08.2023 - 05.2024
Experience Research Manager
Nike
07.2021 - 07.2023
Global Experience Research Manager (MBA Internship)
Nike
06.2020 - 08.2020
PSYOP Program Manager
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
01.2017 - 01.2019
PSYOP Project Manager
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
12.2015 - 12.2016
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
American Military University
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Sports Business
University of Oregon
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