Barbara Ankersmit
Senior Advisor – Anthology Research
Barbara founded Anthology’s Research Group (formally known as QMark Research) in 1995. With more than 35 years of experience, she is recognized as Hawaii’s preeminent authority on the gathering of market research for use by private businesses, politicians and organizations involved in high-profile public issues.
Barbara established the state’s first telephone-survey calling center and focus group facilities, which elevated the market research profession in Hawaii. She has conducted polling programs for numerous federal, State of Hawaii and Hawaii House of Representatives political races and sought public opinion on some of the most important issues facing the Islands, including same-gender marriage, medicinal marijuana, death with dignity, women’s choice, land use and ballot measures.
In recognition of her achievements, the Hawaii Chapter of the American Advertising Federation honored Barbara as its Advertising Woman of the Year in 2014. She served as president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii for 10 years and continues to serve on its executive committee. Barbara is also a past president of Planned Parenthood Hawaii.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Barbara is a graduate of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology.