Meet Our Partners

Dr. Kruti Lehenbauer brings deep analytical rigor and strategic economic insight to her role as Chief Economist & Director of Data Strategy at Stratford Analytics. With a strong foundation in econometrics and applied policy analysis, she has built a career at the intersection of economic modeling, program evaluation, and evidence-based decision-making across both the public and private sectors.

Dr. Lehenbauer holds a PhD in Public Policy and Political Economy and a Master’s degree in Applied Economics, both from The University of Texas at Dallas. She has spent more than 20 years translating complex data into actionable insights for state agencies, national research organizations, and institutional stakeholders. Her expertise includes labor economics, education and workforce policy, and regional development, all areas in which she has led high-impact evaluations and developed performance frameworks used by executive decision-makers.

At Stratford Analytics, Dr. Lehenbauer leads the firm’s economic modeling strategy, guiding the development of impact analyses, demand forecasts, and custom regional dashboards that inform critical investment and policy decisions. Her approach emphasizes methodological integrity, clarity in communication, and real-world applicability ensuring that Stratford’s clients gain not just data, but insight that drives results. Dr. Lehenbauer’s combination of policy fluency, economic expertise, and cross-sector leadership equips Stratford Analytics to serve as a trusted partner for industry leaders, economic development organizations, and state agencies navigating complex economic transitions. Her work ensures that every analysis delivers both technical depth and practical value.