Arielle’s career has been driven by curiosity. As a Chicago public school teacher who loved asking elementary schoolers “why” and “how,” she ignited her love for uncovering what makes young minds tick. That same spark led her to a career as a children’s research consultant helping global toy and entertainment brands understand the “secret sauce” required to create winning products and content.
As one of our newest Insights Illuminators, Arielle thrives on translating messy-yet-magical “kid-think” into clear, actionable insights. She effortlessly moves from moderating focus groups with preschoolers to presenting complex data to C-suite level executives. Clients praise her for crafting thoughtful research materials, developing meaningful relationships and creating story-rich deliverables that make insights feel deeply human. Her work inspires brands like Nickelodeon, Taking Cara Babies, Old Navy, and SiriusXM to better understand and connect with younger audiences.
Prior to joining Smarty Pants, Arielle was the founder and principal of Shanker Education Consulting, where she championed kids and their ideas to inform the products and media they consume. Through her client work in research and learning design, she has led countless end-to-end custom studies for a range of companies in edtech, children’s media, and toys & games.
Prior to consulting, Arielle spent several years as a pre-k teacher, where she learned firsthand how to engage children and build trust. She came to teaching by way of Teach for America, an experience that continues to shape her research philosophies and practices. Years in the classroom taught her to listen patiently, communicate clearly, and approach research with a developmental lens.
Arielle earned her B.A. In Organizational Studies from the University of Michigan (Go blue!) and an M.Ed. from Dominican University. Her background in education and organizational strategy fuels her holistic approach to research and storytelling.
When she’s not geeking out over research, Arielle is likely to be chasing after her toddler and infant (2 under 2 mom life!), solving the New York Times daily puzzle lineup, sipping an oat milk matcha latte, or belting out Taylor Swift lyrics.
