Honeyworm Studio
Think Deeper, Get Dirty.
Our Mission
We believe the best solutions emerge when intellectual depth meets practical engagement.
Honeyworm Studio is a consulting firm that bridges the gap between data-driven insight and human-centered design. We partner with parks, public green spaces, environmental organizations, and community-focused nonprofits to uncover what the numbers mean and what the people behind them need.
Our specialty is volunteer engagement—helping organizations recruit, retain, and train volunteers through research-backed strategies. From assessing existing programs to developing sustainable toolkits for volunteer recruitment and community stewardship, we combine quantitative analysis with qualitative research methods including stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
Our name reflects how we work—below the surface, in the details that matter. We dig into the foundations of your challenges, combining data analysis with real conversations, to build strategies that last.
Our Approach
Data-Informed Strategy
We transform raw information into actionable insights using advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and visualization tools designed to match your team's capacity.
Human-Centered Research
Through interviews, journey mapping, and participatory workshops, we uncover the stories behind the statistics—understanding what motivates communities and what barriers they face.
Sustainable Toolkits
We build practical, maintainable solutions—not overwrought systems. Our deliverables are designed to outlast our engagement and grow with your organization.
Our Team
Melissa C. Schultheis
Environmental Humanities & Community Engagement
Melissa brings over a decade of experience bridging scholarship with hands-on environmental education. Her doctoral research at Rutgers University explored how agricultural narratives shaped early modern literature, revealing hidden histories of labor and community. As Agricultural Programs Manager at the NYC Public Schools' Genovesi Environmental Study Center, she designs and leads curricula that connect K-12 students to urban ecosystems. A Master Beekeeper candidate through Cornell University, Melissa approaches complex systems with a cultivator's patience—understanding that lasting change requires both careful design and deep roots.
PhD ABD, English Literature, Rutgers University
MA, English Literature, University of Colorado Boulder
MA, Education, Cumberland University
Dan DeWitz
Data Science & Evaluation
Dan is a data scientist with over ten years of experience transforming complex information into strategic insights. His work spans federal oversight at the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, healthcare analytics at WPS Health Solutions, and AI adoption at Indeed, where he builds LLM-powered tools and evaluation frameworks. Before turning to data, Dan taught high school physics, led interpretive programs as a River Ranger with the Montana Conservation Corps, and conducted neuroscience research at Georgia Tech and University of Wisconsin-Madison. He approaches every project with the same question: what does this data tell us about people, and how can we use it to serve them better?
MS, Economic Theory and Policy, Bard College
BS, Behavioral Neuroscience, Viterbo University
AWS Data Engineering Nanodegree
What We Do
Program Assessment & Evaluation
Mixed-methods research combining stakeholder interviews, focus groups, surveys, and data analysis to assess volunteer programs and community engagement initiatives. We help nonprofits, parks, and green spaces understand volunteer retention rates, identify barriers to participation, and surface opportunities for growth.
Volunteer & Community Engagement Strategy
Comprehensive volunteer engagement consulting including journey mapping, segmentation analysis, and toolkit development. We help organizations improve volunteer recruitment, increase retention, develop training pathways, and cultivate volunteers into long-term ambassadors and donors.
Data Systems & Visualization
Practical dashboards, automated reporting, and data consolidation designed for nonprofit capacity. We build sustainable tools that track volunteer hours, measure engagement metrics, and support evidence-based decision making—without overwhelming your team.
Curriculum & Training Development
Educational programming and volunteer training curricula that combine narrative storytelling with hands-on exploration. From environmental literacy programs to staff skill-building workshops, we create materials that strengthen organizational capacity and deepen community connections.