ABOUT CARSTEN HOHNKE, PHD

STRATEGY EXECUTIVE | ANALYTICS LEADER | MIT-TRAINED SCIENTIST

I help executives turn analytics into strategic advantage.

For more than 20 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of data, decision-making, and business performance—as a management consultant, portfolio manager, analytics leader, and COO. My background spans mortgage finance, tech startups, economic development, and Fortune 500 brands.

What I’ve learned across all of those environments is simple:

Analytics only matters when it leads to better decisions.
And better decisions only happen when leaders and teams are aligned around what truly drives value.

My mission is to help companies create that alignment.

A Career Built on Connecting Insight to Action

I earned my PhD in Brain & Cognitive Sciences at MIT, where I studied synaptic plasticity and computational models of learning and behavior. That early work taught me how complex systems adapt — and how to interpret the patterns beneath the noise.

From there, my career moved into the world of business:

  • Strategy Consultant — Eight years helping organizations clarify direction, build analytical rigor, and solve high-stakes strategic problems.

  • Portfolio Manager, Economic Development — Oversaw technology investments for the State of Michigan, guiding performance of startups and innovation programs.

  • Tech Company COO — Led operations, fundraising, and organizational scaling for a venture-backed software company.

  • Analytics + Strategy Leadership in Mortgage Finance — Built and guided high-performing analytics teams, optimized customer retention and portfolio performance, and applied advanced analytics to one of the most data-intensive industries.

  • Portfolio Manager, Mortgage Servicing Rights — At the largest mortgage originator in the U.S., responsible for analytics-driven decisions in a complex and dynamic market.

Every step sharpened my ability to bridge strategy, analytics, and executive decision-making.

How I Help Today

Most organizations have plenty of data—but lack clarity, alignment, and strategic insight.

I partner with executives to:

  • Build and align analytics functions

  • Identify the metrics that matter

  • Reveal the true drivers of customer behavior

  • Strengthen retention, pricing, and portfolio performance

  • Improve cross-functional decision-making

  • Bring structure and momentum to strategic initiatives

I don’t just analyze data. I help leaders create clarity, focus, and action around what data is telling them.

My Style and Approach

My clients often describe working with me as:

Thoughtful. Energizing. Insightful. Practical.

I’m known for translating complex analytics into simple narratives executives can use. I thrive in collaborative environments, and I bring both analytical rigor and strategic empathy to the table.

My goal is always the same:

Eliminate guesswork. Elevate decisions. Empower teams.