Alexis Payne

About Alexis Payne

Hi! I’m a recovering academic, and I’ve been conducting applied human-centered research for over 15 years. In my work, I bring a cognitive lens to problems, grounding strategy in data, business practicality, and a deep understanding of how humans perceive and interact with the world around them. I specialize in building rigorous, scalable research cultures that value transparency, collaboration, and alignment, integrating qualitative and quantitative methods to deliver insights that matter. 🦸‍ My superpower is cutting through noise and aligning cross-functional teams around customer problems—bridging research, product, marketing, and operations to build accountable, insight-driven solutions and strategies. Whether improving digital experiences or end-to-end service delivery, I thrive in creating the clarity and collaboration needed to move from insights to action. Above all, I’m passionate about doing my small part in building a world that not only serves people but truly makes the human experience better.

Experience

1. Cx Research Operations Lead

   Vanguard

   Jul 2025 — Present

   As the Research Operations Lead and Manager, I drive both the strategic vision and day-to-day execution that enable a team of 60+ product and customer experience (CX) researchers to work effectively within a large, matrixed organization. My role bridges strategy, systems thinking, and operational delivery to ensure research at scale is efficient, impactful, and deeply embedded in organizational decision-making.I lead the development of our research operations strategy—defining how research is planned, executed, and shared across teams. This includes building scalable frameworks that support the entire research lifecycle, from intake and recruitment to data management and insights dissemination. I oversee tool strategy and governance, manage vendor relationships, and create policies and processes that ensure ethical, compliant, and consistent research practices across disciplines.On a tactical level, I design and implement systems that streamline researcher workflows, improve participant recruitment pipelines, and enhance access to tools and knowledge. I work closely with cross-functional partners in product, design, data, and compliance to align operational solutions with business priorities and to elevate the visibility and influence of research throughout the organization.By combining long-term operational strategy with hands-on execution, I help transform research operations into a strategic capability—one that not only supports research delivery but also strengthens the organization’s ability to learn, adapt, and make informed decisions grounded in evidence and empathy.

Education

• Mississippi State University

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Psychology

  2008 — 2011

• Mississippi State University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Cognitive Science

  2013 — 2018

• Mississippi State University

  Master of Science (M.S.), Experimental Psychology

  2011 — 2013

• Harding University

  Psychology

  2007 — 2008