Dave Whiteside Ph.DData doesn’t have to be daunting.

Better data.
Healthier workplaces.

I help leaders turn messy spreadsheets and survey results into clear, actionable insight — and real change for their teams and communities.

Start a conversation See how I can help

Dave Whiteside, Ph.D, smiling in a navy blazer

15 yearstelling powerful stories with data

1,500+reports delivered

100+organizations supported

How can I help?

There are two ways we can work together, depending on what you need:

For leadersCustom data & research supportFreelance consulting if you need a data partner to take a project from start to finish.

Survey design and end-to-end survey projects
Data analysis, heat maps and reporting
Data strategy built around your goals

Explore Consulting For organizationsBetter employee dataAt YMCA WorkWell, we’ve built an employee survey for nonprofits, with clear reports and expert guidance.

An employee survey designed for nonprofits
Reports in your inbox in 10 business days
Ph.D-led results consultations

Explore WorkWell Insights

Custom data & insights projects

Let me slog through the spreadsheets, so you can put the data into action.

Data can be daunting. It can also be the key to positive, lasting change — and I don’t take that lightly. If you need help connecting the dots and maximizing your impact, these are the services I offer:

Data Strategy

The biggest impact comes from a cohesive data strategy. Let’s build one together around your unique needs.

Survey Design

Good data starts with asking the right questions in the right ways. I’ll help you design a survey that ticks every box.

End-To-End Surveys

From survey design to presenting the data to leadership, I’ll manage the entire process so you get the data you need.

Data Analysis

Do spreadsheets drain you? I love them. I’ll find the most meaningful insights so you can get to acting on them.

Heat Maps

Thousands of data points, presented in one tidy place. I’ll visualize your data in a way that drives action.

Reporting

Concise, actionable reports are an art. Yours will capture attention — and look good doing it.

Employee surveys.
Built for nonprofits.

Nonprofit leadership is different. So why use employee surveys built for someone else?

At YMCA WorkWell, our Insights Survey has been built specifically for nonprofit organizations. It measures what actually drives well-being, engagement, and retention in mission-driven teams.

You’ll receive clear, actionable insights — and our team of Ph.Ds and certified coaches will help you turn feedback into meaningful, measurable change.

Book a free consultation Ask me about it

Nonprofit-first

Designed to measure the unique people challenges leaders face in the nonprofit sector.

Backed by the YMCA

We don’t just understand the nonprofit sector — we work in it too. We put impact first, not dollars.

Evidence-backed

Built by our team of Ph.Ds to capture the right data in the right ways for the biggest impact.

Short & sweet

Survey fatigue? Our anonymous surveys get you great data while taking less than 5 minutes to complete.

Results in 10 business days

Data gets stale quickly. Your reports land in your inbox in 10 business days, guaranteed.

Easy-to-digest reports

Forget the 50-page binder and unruly dashboards. We make complex data simple.

Guided Ph.D-level advice

Every report includes hands-on consultation to help you translate insights into action.

Anonymous & secure

Sample WorkWell heat map comparing scores across teams, locations, positions and tenure

Sample WorkWell report: results overview

Sample WorkWell report: driver breakdown

Sample WorkWell report: response breakdown

Sample WorkWell report: Net Promoter Score

Insights are only impactful if they’re actionable.

Our extensive heat maps put all of your data in one place, highlighting key differences across teams, locations, positions, tenure and demographics — so you can see exactly where your efforts will be best spent to have the biggest impact.

What we report on

EngagementCultureWell-BeingPerformanceBurnoutTurnovereNPS

About me

Impact first. Always.

For the last 15 years, I’ve had one goal: telling powerful stories with data, and helping engaged leaders do the same.

I’m a big believer that helping leaders make smarter, more intentional data-driven decisions is how I can do my part to create healthier workplaces and healthier communities.

My Work

I am the Director of Insights at YMCA WorkWell and the YMCA of Three Rivers. I’ve delivered 1,500+ reports to leadership teams and guide the data and insights strategy for the YMCA, its 1,500 employees, and thousands of community members.

My Education

I received my Ph.D in Organizational Behaviour and HRM from Wilfrid Laurier in 2015. My dissertation looked at fairness at work — and what makes managers treat employees unfairly, even when they want to be fair.

My Values

I value intentionality, authenticity, and curiosity — and I will never half-ass something that is important to me. I sweat the details, and pride myself in my ability to energize a team — whether it’s at work, at home, or on the soccer pitch.

My Outlook

I take positivity very seriously. I am a firm believer in expressing gratitude often, looking for the silver lining, and listening first and speaking second. And I have made it my personal mission to never, ever miss a deserved high-five.

Publications

Data is only meaningful if it’s shared.

From peer-reviewed journals to community reports and Harvard Business Review. Grab a coffee and find something that interests you — and reach out if you’d like to learn more. (Or better yet, collaborate!)

Reports & professional publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles

Data doesn’t have to be daunting.

Let’s connect

Let’s work together.

Tell me a bit about what you’re working on and I’ll reach out to find a time to connect.

Better data.Healthier workplaces.