MEET THIS YEAR's Mentors

Aakanksha Haran

Director, Smart Move Ventures
+ Full Bio

Research and Insights is something I am passionate about and have taken it up as my profession because I love to know what people think about their interactions, and what matters to them when making decisions. I have always had a curious mind and a desire to understand the inherit needs people have. Being an Independent researcher gives me that flexibility and opportunity to ‘seek the truth’ on my own. Having worked across agency and client side gives me an understanding of both sides of the ‘coin’ and enables me to push deeper on the ROI and nitty-gritty of work. I love a conversation, and a chance to learn something new. I am very Indian and British at the same time – and I love mixing cultures. It lets be the best I can. I am really good at time management – but always open for a chat. But here is the usual blurb – 17 years of MR & analytics experience, worked across multiple sectors, specialise in quant but love working on mixed methods, international experience – speak 5 languages (mostly Indian), worked across agency and client side – and never have a dull day!

Abbey Teunis

Founder & Director, Embark Insight

Adeline Ong

Head of Education Research, EY Sweeney

Agnieszka Balcer-Thinlay

Lead Product Researcher, Poland
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Professionally involved in product research, usability, and marketing research for 21 years, I gained experience in both startups (Codility) and large organizations such as Play (the biggest telco in Poland) and, currently, OLX (classifieds) , where I lead strategic research in the European markets. I work with wide range of methodologies - both qualitative and quantitative - at all stages of the life of our product. I am particularly interested in the efficiency of data use within organizations, including building synergies between research data and behavioral data, and pioneering collaboration between research, analytics, and data science teams. I have 8 years of experience as a Research Manager/ Director, currently back on the IC track. Speaker at Agile by Example (2019) and Market and Opinion Researchers Congress (2018). For years, I have been collaborating with the Warsaw School of Economics, teaching courses on the application of the Internet in research. Privately, much like Umberto Eco, I deeply believe in the value of unread books as a representation of what I have yet to learn.

Alexandra Martin Hernandez

Senior Insight Analyst at The University of Manchester
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Hola! I am Alex, an enthusiastic and passionate insight professional with 16 years’ experience in market research and insight development. I have over a decade of expertise from working in the private sector (agency-side) in international healthcare market research, conducting large primary research projects for pharmaceutical companies. In 2018, I decided to change direction and joined the Higher Education sector at The University of Manchester (UK) – setting up the Insights team from inception and working as Senior Insight Analyst and Business Partner for various internal teams. We operate like a full-service agency but in-house, as well as being consultants for any market insight projects. As a passionate researcher, I thrive in data-driven cultures and, throughout my career, I have worked closely with external clients and internal teams to incorporate the use of evidence and insight at all levels of the organisation to facilitate evidence-based decision making. I have a strong commitment to quality in Market Research and Insight development, as a Certified member of the Market Research Society.

Ali Smith

Senior Director, Firefish

Alice Moss

Head of Qual, 2CV

Alisa Hamilton

Founder, Harvest Insights
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Alisa Hamilton is the President of Harvest Insights, a boutique market research firm based in Atlanta.  She specializes in focus group and online community moderating as well as in-depth interviewing, quantitative analysis and executive reporting.  She is the host of the Atlanta chapter of Women in Research (WIRE), and in her free time is a foster mom to rescue puppies for Angels Among Us Pet Rescue.

Aliza Pollack

Independent Qualitative Strategist & Coach at Aliza Pollack Consulting

Allie Dautrich

Insights Consultant, Escalent

Allison Schoer

Director, Market Research, LinkedIn

Alysse Henkel

Vice President, Research and Insights The Vision Council

Amanda Keller-Grill

SVP, Global Innovation & Product Strategy, InnovateMR
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As an industry veteran of 10+ years, Amanda is responsible for streamlining and creating new products as InnovateMR’s SVP of Global Innovation and Product Strategy.  With a tenured background in Operations, Amanda was Innovate’s VP of Global Client Service for several years; leveraging her expertise in client delivery, sample design, and quantitative methodologies including hard-to-reach audiences, longitudinal research and non-traditional recruitment techniques.  Prior to Innovate, Amanda led the North American, LATAM, and APAC Operations at Cint.  Amanda got her start in Market Research at Toluna, where she played a key role in developing process to service high revenue clients.

Amanda Randall

Amy Davidoff

Customer Researcher, eBay

Amy Spencer

Co-Founder, The Research Heads
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Amy Spencer, Co-Founder of The Research Heads
Qualitative research is in my blood and what began as a childhood intrigue, is now a 20+ year career.  I bring a natural curiosity and empathy, which allows me to shift and change my line of questioning during moderation to dig into findings.  I love to challenge people’s contradictions, as often this is where the best insights come from.  I work across a number of different categories, but have focused a lot on CPG, Gaming, Technology and B2B.

Having lived and worked in Tokyo, London and now San Francisco, I fully appreciate global nuances and I’m as passionate as ever about qualitative research and eager to share my knowledge.

Ana Vanegas

Vice President, Wise Market Insights
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Ana has 18 years of experience in market research, where she has led accounts across multiple countries and industries in the US and LATAM. She developed her career in a large multinational market research company in Colombia, where she managed global and local accounts and helped brands connect with their consumers. Her portfolio includes clients like Diageo, Pepsi, Nestle, British American Tobacco, Pfizer, Mondelez, L’Oréal, and Alpina. ​

After working in Latin America, she continued her career in the USA at a global market research firm where she led qualitative and quantitative projects for multiple clients across various industries.​

​Her passion is to understand clients’ needs, find the best market research approach, and transform data into actionable insights creating opportunities for consumers and brand

Andrea Ortegon

Principal, Insights Crafter
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I’m a Colombo-Canadian research professional and founder of Insights Crafter, a research practice I launched in November 2023 to bring user-centered, data-driven insights to a diverse range of clients. With over 20 years of experience in Market and UX Research, I’m passionate about transforming complex data into actionable guidance that drives real impact. My work spans English and Spanish-speaking markets across industries like tech, media, healthcare, and CPG. Known for a hands-on approach, I prioritize empathy and inclusivity, creating a collaborative team culture where innovation and strategic insights thrive.

Andrea Podel

Associate Director, Global Panel Consulting, quantiliope
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Andrea is a market research expert with 13+ years of experience specializing in global panel and field management. She is passionate about championing data quality and joined quantilope in May 2023 to drive the optimization of panel partnerships and processes. Andrea leads a global team of panel consultants who leverage best-in-class sampling practices to ensure clients receive the highest quality data with maximum efficiency.

Andrea Silva

Lead CX Insights, Bradesco
+ Full Bio

Andrea Della Manna e Silva is a seasoned professional with a strong background in market research, consumer insights, and brand strategy across leading companies from various sectors like finance, consumer goods, and tech startups. Currently leading CX Insights for Bradesco's investment and credit products, she excels in driving data-driven strategies to improve customer experience. Andrea has a proven ability to translate complex data into impactful insights, managing cross-functional teams and implementing innovative methodologies. Her skills span qualitative and quantitative research, project management, strategic storytelling, and executive reporting. Her educational foundation includes a postgraduate degree in Marketing Management & Strategy from FIA Business School, enhancing her expertise in consumer behavior, brand management, and strategic communication.

Andy Brown

Chairman Attention Working Group - CIMM, Consultant

Angel Bassett

Marketing Research Manager, American Heart Association

Angela Paladino

Deputy Vice President, Academic Board; Director, WCLA & Professor of Marketing, University of Melbourne
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Dr. Angela Paladino is a Professor of Marketing and the Deputy Vice-President of Academic Board at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Some of her research centres on the use of AI in education to maximise student learning outcomes as well as understanding the effects of professional development on student learning outcomes. She has published her work in journals including the Journal of Product Innovation Management; Teaching and Teacher Education; Personality and Social Psychology Review; Journal of Marketing Education and The Journal of Business Ethics. Angela has been awarded over 12 international and national teaching awards and is the recipient of over $35M in competitive funding from national and international agencies. Angela is the Associate Editor (AE) of the Italian Journal of Marketing and the former Associate Editor of the Journal of Product Innovation Management (JPIM). She is on the editorial review board of multiple journals including JPIM, the Journal of Marketing Education and the Journal for the Advancement of Marketing Education.

Angelina Iturrian

Senior Director, Consumer Insights & Analytics, Purpose Brands
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With over 20 years of experience in research and evaluation methods, marketing research, marketing strategy, and CX, I am a thought leader, data storyteller, teacher, and methodologist who delivers actionable insights and solutions to the Health & Wellness industry. As the Sr. Director of Consumer Insights and Analytics (CIA) at Self Esteem Brands (SEB), I report directly to the Global CMO and lead a team of seven CIA professionals who support all of SEB's brands and franchisees, including Anytime Fitness, Waxing the City, The Bar Method, Basecamp Fitness, Stronger U, and Healthy Contributions.I am passionate about developing corporate capability and fostering a culture of consumer obsession throughout the organization, strategically cultivating executive support. I leverage my Ph.D. in Research Methods and Statistics and my skills in qualitative and quantitative research, customer experience, and consumer insights to design and execute holistic research studies, analyze and interpret data, and turn insights into actionable strategy. I am a proactive, engaged, and strategic thinker, with proven success managing research projects and teams, creating reports for all levels of stakeholders, and presenting and facilitating data storytelling sessions. I am also a crystal ball gazer and consumer psychic for innovation in the future of wellness industry.

Anjul Sharma-Higgins

Research Director, Walnut Unlimited (part of Accenture Song)

Ankita Dutta

Founder, ResearchNex

Ann Bracken

Senior Director, InsightsNow Inc
+ Full Bio

I'm a research professional with over 25 years of supplier side experience working with syndicated scan and household panel data as well as custom quantitative data. Over the years I have worked with many top CPG manufacturers spanning a breath of categories including food & beverage, personal care, beauty care, home care and OTC pharmaceuticals and supplements. I am energized by learning my clients business and partnering with them on the best research design; providing actionable insights to progress their business as it was my own.

Anna Zamurujeva

VP, Customer Experience, Ipsos

Annetta Moses

Director Customer Insights, Abbott

Antonio Leon Villapalos

Founder & Head of Strategy, Zapiens, Evolutive Thinking

Arundati Dandapani

Founder and CEO Generation1.ca and Professor Humber Polytechnic, Generation1.ca

Ashish Mathurr

Director Sales & Client Development, Knowledge Excel

Ashley Spring

Director of Research, Ally
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Ashley Spring is the marketing research director at Ally focused on brand, media, messaging, and audience insights. She brings her experience as a research leader to integrate consumer trends and expectations across marketing. Prior to joining Ally she was a senior manager for panel research and television ratings at NASCAR. She has also held positions on the research vendor side supporting CPG brands, including management of ongoing global brand studies for Proctor & Gamble fem care, laundry care, and baby care businesses. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends and traveling, usually to go to a concert or a Disney park.

Ayala Kramer

Founder, HARK Research

Baillie Buchanan

Co-Founder, Research for Good
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Since co-founding Research For Good in 2012 Baillie has helped RFG grow into an industry leading audience, fieldwork and research technology company focused on connecting researchers with real people to enable true human understanding. Baillie's depth of experience includes roles in sales, marketing, operations and product development in the MR industry since 2005 at GMI (Kantar) and PeanutLabs (Dynata) prior to co-founding Research For Good in 2012. As COO, Baillie is focused on customer delivery, managed services, privacy/regulatory compliance, information security, marketing and launching RFG's groundbreaking DataForceConnect, Collect and Community research tech solutions.

Ben Leet

Industry Executive & Longtime WIRe Ally

Bonnie Janzen

President, Decision Analyst

Bonnie Wang

Research Manager, Ipsos

Caitlin Moynihan

VP, Research & Analytics, Yes&

Carly Kinney

Consumer Research & Insights Specialist, Pearson

Carmen Day

VP, Client Services, The Americas, Toluna Corporate

Carolyn Stuenkel

Managing Director, Conifer Research

Cheryl Hung

Vice President of Research, DIG Insights

Chris Grabarkiewicz Davis

Sr. Manager Market Insights & Analytics, Abbott Nutrition

Christie Hartbarger

CRO, Measure Protocol

Christine Holt

Vice President of Qualitative Services, Russell Research

Claudia Del Lucchese Aiman-Smith

Colson Steber

Co-CEO, Communications for Research, Inc.

Daksha Desai

Head of Insights, Clear Strategy Pte Ltd

Dan Young

Director, Boxclever

Dana French

Danny Gardner

Head, Social Media Insights & Analytics, Haleon (GSK Consumer Healthcare)

Debi Hart

VP Qualitative Products, Forsta
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Experienced business leader with expertise leading global, cross-functional teams. Over 20 years of experience in technology, product development and market research which has created my data focused mindset - enabling me to identify areas to improve efficiencies and experiences for my customers and being successful by driving alignment, communication and processes. Proven skills in relationship development with internal stakeholder and clients on a global basis, helping build solutions that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations.

Debra Papineau

Sr. Manager - Consumer Insights, Verizon

Delicia Cooney

Director, Insights, Trends & Innovation, WestRock

Dharmendra Jain

Founder & CEO, Actnable AI

Diego Adolfo Chavez Terrazas

Country Lead and Insights Director, EyeSee

Dina Al Sabbagh

Research & Insights Group Manager, Snap Inc.

Divashree Bhasin

Head Insights, Standard Chartered Bank

Edith Bardin

Global Insights Lead E-mobility, Shell

Edwige Lesoin ep shah

Head of department, creative excellence, Ipsos

Eliza Frascaro

Head of Research Southern Europe and MENA, Toluna

Elizabeth Roberts

On Sabbatical

Ellen Abamonte

Consumer Insights Team Lead - Series, Amazon Prime Video

Ellen Pieper

Chief Client Officer at Research Results
+ Full Bio

Ellen is the Chief Client Officer of Research Results. She is responsible for the leadership, vision, and financial performance of the team of subject matter experts and offerings. Ellen was previously the Chief Revenue Officer for Symmetric, a sampling firm based in Arlington TX. Prior to this, She spent almost7 years at WPP-owned Lightspeed GMI, where she latterly served as Account Executive, as well as a Client Operations Coordinator in Bellevue, WA. She has a degree in Psychology with a concretion in statistics and research from Columbia University in New York City. She has also achieved the designation of Professional Researcher Certification from the PRC Board of the MRA.   In 2020, Ellen was named to the GRIT Future List, by Greenbook. In 2020 she was also the President of the Southwest Chapter of the Insights Association. As she is passionate about the next generation of Market Researchers, she sits on the Board of Directors for the Masters of Market Research (MMR) program at the University of Georgia.

Emma Cooper MD

Chief People Officer, System1 Group
+ Full Bio

Emma has been part of System1 since 2004, channelling her great energy to help us grow from a UK start up to a global industry leader. She treasures her diverse experience across the business, ultimately settling in global operations for over 5 years – which more than satisfied her curious and enquiring (she says nosey!) personality and her enjoyment of problem-solving.

When Emma did her MBA she recognised her passion and clear talent for managing people. As a genuinely caring person it was a natural progression for Emma to join our Exec Team in April 2020 as Chief People Officer. Emma’s highly effective at spotting and nurturing talent, resulting in the united world-class team we are today. At every step along the way she supports our people to be the very best they can be. Emma also advocates that a symbiotic relationship between individual growth and the growth of the business leads to success for all.

Outside of work, Emma has 2 children and cherishes family time. Her adventurous spirit motivates her to experiment with different experiences and try out new hobbies and activities, particularly travel and exploring. Emma is also a keen runner, enjoying Park Run every Saturday, and regularly paddleboards. She’s also a member of a craft beer club.

Erica Foster

Vice President, Branded Card Insights, JPMorgan Chase

Erin Benton

AVP, Research & Insights, The Wonderful Company

Estrella López-Brea Pérez

Farah Samawi

Senior Associate, Gerald Lehrman Group (GLG)

Febronia Ruocco

Director, FPR Insight Consult & Executive Coaching Ltd.

Felicity Stevens

European Insight Expert, Nestle Purina
+ Full Bio

Felicity is an Insights Expert at Nestlé Purina PetCare EMENA, providing insight and analysis on consumer trends, brand health tracking, and ad hoc research studies, supporting the company's vision to enrich the lives of pets and the people that love them. Before her current client-side experience, Felicity worked for Kantar, accumulating a solid base of research experience from which she has been able to grow. Other roles include brief brand management experience for a mass media and entertainment conglomerate. Her academic achievements include a master's degree in language interpretation and translation.

Flora Delecour

Senior Associate Director, Nature

Frida Bahja

Director of Research, Experience Kissimmee

Gabriela Gaut

Senior Director Nike Direct Analytics - EMEA, Nike, Inc

Gaelle Bertrand

Gaelle Bertrand, Research and Insights, External Affairs, PMI
+ Full Bio

Gaelle is a Head of Insight, with 20+ years of experience in the research industry. Gaelle has spent the past 10 years focusing on messaging and communications research. Currently leading consumer insights, for External Affairs at PMI, Gaelle previously led research and insight at NHS Digital, and headed up Kantar’s social media intelligence division. Gaelle has also worked for Dunnhumby and Synovate (now Ipsos) and client-side, for Coca-Cola and GSK. Gaelle has been a WIRe Mentor since 2021.

Geoff Lowe

Director, Infotools

Heide Tierney

SVP Consumer Insights & Trends at Constellation Brands

Heike Oulaghan

Senior Director, Global CMI, Ralph Lauren

Helene Quenu

Hilary Borndahl

CEO, Miix Analytics Inc.

Holly Brown

Founder/CEO, Boston Research Services, Inc

Horst Feldhaeuser

Group Services Director (SVP), Fellow of RANZ, MR Insights Evangelist, Presenter and regular contributor, QPR

Ioana Danila

Global Insights Manager, World Federation of Advertisers (WFA)

Isabel Hull

Research and Content Director, Kademy

Isabelle Landreville

President & Chief Insight Seeker, Sylvestre & Co.

Ishioma Iwegbue

Lecturer, Dennis Osadebay University

Ishita Mendonsa

Israel Coleman

Senior Manager, Strategic Solutions, GLG

Iyroshi Jayawardene

Market Researcher, Mentor and Coach Owner, iYroshi integrated solutions -Sri Lanka
+ Full Bio

Owner, iYroshi integrated solutions; a small business with great potential! A sought- after, versatile and passionate professional with excellent entrepreneurial insight and experience spanning across 20 years across diverse disciplines namely Market Research, CX Research & Insights, Marketing, Consultancy, Media Research, Training, Mentoring, Corporate Communications and Strategic Business Development.