aBOUT US
Our Philosophy
We believe that good research builds bridges.
We specialize in uncovering what people know but might not say out loud, and what they feel but can’t articulate.
Our research surfaces the truth that our clients need to realign, reset, and reimagine their future together.
How We Work
We use an immersive and collaborative process that begins with listening and leads to action.
Our projects are human-driven, insight-rich, and designed for impact.
WHAT IS A QUIRE?
A quire is a stitched collection of pages in a hardback book. A gathering of knowledge. A collective of voices.
AT QUIRE, WE EMBODY THIS SPIRIT - BRINGING TOGETHER DIVERSE INSIGHTS, INFORMED PERSPECTIVES, AND COLLABORATIVE ENERGY TO HELP OUR CLIENTS WRITE THEIR NEXT CHAPTER.
The Quire Difference:
We are trusted thought partners, not traditional consultants.
Our clients come to us with big questions and shallow benches. They’re mission-driven teams who need experienced external collaborators to help them move forward with clarity and confidence.
MEET THE TEAM
Autumn Sanders
Hi, I’m Autumn Sanders — founder and CEO of Quire. I started this work because I believe real progress begins when we stop assuming and start listening. My background is in design management and journalism, and I’ve spent the last 15 years helping Fortune 500 companies, national foundations, and mission-driven teams understand their customers, shift their thinking, and solve problems more effectively.
Before launching Quire in 2017, I worked with organizations like Samsung, SC Johnson, FedEx, the Gates Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Since then, Quire has supported more than 30 organizations across the country — from Birmingham to New York — through research, strategy, facilitation, coaching, and program development.
I’m especially proud of leading the Birmingham Black Business Census, a 2024–2025 project that brought together local women-owned firms to gather and share data about Black-owned businesses in all 23 Birmingham communities. I also helped launch a cohort model for completing the Office of Minority Business Enterprise certification in partnership with Create Birmingham — now in its second year.
Outside of Quire, I’ve coached over 30 entrepreneurs one-on-one and regularly speak on leadership, innovation, and customer insight. I’m a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and Babson College’s Black Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership program. I’ve served on several nonprofit boards focused on arts and community development, and I currently stay active as a CO.STARTERS facilitator and trainer, and a member of EPIC.
When I’m not working, you might find me teaching tennis, mentoring creatives, or quietly rethinking how we support small business ecosystems.
Founder & CEO
Want Autumn to speak at your next event or conference?
Katelyn Foote
Hey, I’m Katelyn — a design researcher with a thing for cities, stories, and systems. At Quire, I get to dig into the everyday data that shapes people’s lives and help teams design smarter, more human strategies.
Before Quire, I worked with nonprofits and small businesses across urban neighborhoods in Birmingham and rural communities across Alabama, doing everything from facilitation to fieldwork. I’m especially drawn to community-centered design.
I hold a degree in Social Entrepreneurship from Samford University and a MSc in Urban Strategies and Design from the University of Edinburgh. When I’m off the clock, you’ll probably find me reading travel guides and planning my next trip!
Design Research Associate