About the ICN

The Insights Career Network (ICN) is a community of market, consumer, user, and business research professionals who volunteer their tools, experience, and networks to help each other develop their careers.

The Insights Career Network (ICN) is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) dedicated to the idea that professional support networks should be accessible to everyone—without strings or walls. Originally founded in 2022 to combat the career “pain and isolation” of the pandemic era, we provide market research and UX professionals with the community, resources, and emotional safety needed to thrive during life’s most challenging transitions.

Together, we help colleagues – fledgling and experienced, alike – find jobs, learn new job research skills, grow their professional networks, improve their job applications, and step forward with confidence.

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ICN Team Composite courtesy of Austin’s own
Bridgette Bloomquist Photography.

Meet the 2026 ICN Leadership Team

Partnerships and Industry Relations

Gabe McElwaine, Head, Partnerships and Industry Relations

After a decade in the music business, Gabe took the logical next step into the market research industry. For the past 18 years, Gabe has progressively moved from large data aggregators to focus more on the newer research technology platforms, where he has worked to build the go-to-market, sales, and client management functions & teams for some of the more innovative restech startups in the market. Currently, Gabe leverages his sales and client development skills in consulting for a variety of market research platforms and agencies.es.

Member Services and Ops

Chelsea Popejoy | Head of Member Services and Ops

Many people in market research end up there by chance; in contrast, Chelsey attended Penn State with the intent of a career in consumer behavior and research. What she didn’t expect was making the jump from Analyst to Sales and how well that would suit her career progression. In 11 years, her career has spanned roles on the vendor side focusing on pharma, insurance, CPG, financial services, and tech industries – with an emphasis on CPG in her current role at Buzzback. Chelsey specializes in consultative solution selling and client service, with the research and data analysis chops to not be “just the salesperson” for her clients. Her goal is to have a true partnership and add value for all parties.

Director Sarah E. Weber | Austin, Texas

Sarah discovered her passion for research and building insights programs while working in the Austin, Texas, tech start-up scene, following a decade-plus career as an award-winning journalist. She started volunteering for the Insights Career Network in October 2023 while earning her Master’s in Marketing Research & Analytics at Michigan State University. She’s now a familiar face at ICN meetups, where she showcases career development and networking opportunities for job seekers and insights allies. In spring 2024, she joined uShip as a Sr. Marketing Research Analyst. When she’s not immersed in research or volunteering to support the insights community, you can find Sarah walking her mischievous rescue pup, Kiwi, enjoying Austin’s many parks and patios, and planning her next travel adventure.

Learning and Research

Z Johnson | Head of Learning and Research

Z Johnson is like the “Jane Bond” of SaaS operations. Drawing on her 20+ years in the insights industry spanning leadership roles at companies like Microsoft, Ipsos, and Zappi, she knows how to step into the executive suite and implement the strategies nobody else has time for. Coordinating across product, marketing, customer success, sales, and research teams, she is able to stand up teams and programs, documenting the processes so they can be handed off to keep running while she moves to the next solution that needs to be implemented. She currently also sits on the executive committee for MRII, leads the Learning and Research team for Insights Career Network, and co-chairs both the Pacific Northwest chapter and the QualTech special interest group for the QRCA. In her spare time, she plays the piano and creates watercolor and calligraphy art pieces.

Director Lori Walker | Los Angeles, California

Dr. Walker is a passionate advocate for inclusion in the research process and is dedicated to ensuring all voices are heard. She has committed and contributed to change by designing training for inclusive research, mentoring at WIRe, and volunteering with the ICN. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership from Capella University, her capstone research focuses on psychological safety in diverse teams.s now a familiar face at ICN meetups, where she showcases career development and networking opportunities for job seekers and insights allies. In spring 2024, she joined uShip as a Sr. Marketing Research Analyst. When she’s not immersed in research or volunteering to support the insights community, you can find Sarah walking her mischievous rescue pup, Kiwi, enjoying Austin’s many parks and patios, and planning her next travel adventure.

Director Tracv Bills | Austin, TX

Tracy Bills’ journey through the insights practice has been long (20+ years), with a meandering path through vendor and client-side consultancy. She uses her BA in Marketing and passion for numbers to elevate traditional user experiences through innovative product and marketing research.

As a mixed-method researcher, Tracy loves translating complex data into compelling narratives that spur actionable change. She leverages her comprehensive research toolkit to deliver insights that resonate with stakeholders and guide product decisions. Her expertise spans B2B, technology, user experience, product development, brand equity, and competitive analysis. She has served in leadership roles at AppFolio and ServiceNow, as well as multiple research agencies (e.g., Millward Brown).

Director Aditi Tandon | Denver, Colorado

iti brings over a decade of global experience in consumer insights, spanning the USA, China, and India. She did her MBA in Marketing in 2007 and has been a researcher by choice. Aditi specializes in healthcare market research, bringing valuable experience from leading organizations including Merck & Co., Shanghai Fulland and IQVIA.
Her expertise spans both quantitative and qualitative research, and she excels at transforming complex data into actionable insights. Her experience with both B2B-B2C, Client and supplier side, startups, as well as Fortune-listed organisations has helped her shape a holistic perspective. She is passionate about fostering inclusive research.

Marketing and Impact

Jocelyn Bayle | Head of Marketing & Impact

Stumbling into market research by accident, Jocelyn quickly discovered how data could drive marketing investment and business strategy. She has spent over a decade commercializing research, healthcare sample, and data solutions, helping clients turn insights into action. Leveraging her experience across global studies, she has consistently translated complex data into clear, client-facing solutions that drive adoption and revenue. In leadership roles at Research Corp, Spidermetrix, Offerwise, GMO Research, and GfK / Netquest, she has aligned teams and go-to-market strategies to maximize impact. Her work bridges product, marketing, and sales, ensuring research solutions deliver seamless, high-value experiences for clients. She proudly amplifies the ICN voice, supporting researchers as they navigate change and share lessons that shape the future of the insights industry

Director Michelle Onofrio | Easton, Connecticut

With over 20 years of experience as a strategic thinker and storyteller, Michelle Onofrio is a passionate advocate for the voice of the consumer, unlocking teams’ understanding of consumers to deliver value. Michelle enjoys cohesively integrating learnings into insights and. stories that can provide holistic solutions to key business challenges. Her expertise and toolkit span the research spectrum, from trends and white space identification to concept. development/qualification through acovation evaluation and brand equity, leveraging all to. understand the deeper “why” behind consumers’ behaviors and thinking. With deep expertise in CPG and a passion for turning insights into action, she brings C-level execs the sharp. perspective they need on how brands can stay consumer-centric in an evolving marketplace. Michelle has held roles at Combe, Beiersdorf, and Unilever.

Director Melissa Paluch | Falls Church, Virginia

Melissa Paluch, based in the Washington, DC area, serves as the volunteer Marketing Director for the Insights Career Network. She is a skilled market researcher known for her ability to design and execute research projects, delivering actionable insights. With experience as a Market Research Analyst at Virginia Tech, Melissa has a strong analytical acumen and expertise in assessing market demand and competition. She holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from George Mason University, graduating cum laude in 2018, and a Graduate Certificate in Survey Design and Data Analysis from George Washington University in 2015. Melissa is also a RIVA-trained focus group moderator.

Currently, Melissa is employed as a Survey Research and Data Analyst contractor through MBO Partners on behalf of Price Waterhouse Coopers. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys biking, boating, and traveling.

Director Tasneem (Tas) Dalal | Charleston, South Carolina

Tasneem Dalal known to many in the insights community as Tas, brings a deep passion for helping people and businesses reach their full potential through insight, innovation, and authentic connection. She will lead ICN’s marketing and communications efforts, helping to strengthen engagement across our growing global community of insight professionals. In addition to her new role with ICN, Tas serves as Customer Success Director at Product Hub by MMR Research, where she helps lead the company’s flagship platform that is redefining how brands approach product testing and innovation. Her expertise of market research, technology, and customer experience positions her perfectly to enhance ICN’s storytelling, outreach, and brand presence.

“The insights industry has given me so much — mentors, opportunities, and a sense of belonging,” said Das. “This role with ICN is my way of giving back. I’m excited to connect people, share ideas, and celebrate the incredible work happening across our industry.”

Through her work at both Product Hub and ICN, Tas remains committed to one guiding principle: people first, always.

Executive Director

Brian Fowler | Strategy Consultant, Brain Flower Services

Brian’s career began with a decade as a full-service research practitioner and progressed into business intelligence and market/ing research for brands, research agencies, and multimode platforms. The data, people, and process skills learned in that foundation prepared him to lead one of the original multimode survey software platforms, CFMC/Survox, through a decade of intense innovation and dramatic change for the company and the industry.

For 25+ years, concurrent with his corporate and consulting careers, he has served as a volunteer elected officer with more than a dozen nonprofit organizations, including chapters of the AMA, IA/MRA, and AAPOR. He has mentored dozens of fellow insights and marketing professionals, co-produced more than 200 networking and educational events, and garnered several awards. His clients, often entrepreneurs, startups, and nonprofits, rely on his services to get to market, stay competitive, and build effective marketing, research, and business operations.

The ICN is one of the most accessible and effective career support groups because of our incredibly supportive community. Researchers are naturally and professionally curious, empathetic, and supportive and that’s a significant reason for this career community’s effectiveness. Many of us have faced hurdles in entering or advancing our careers and some of us have benefited from mentors who steered us in little ways that made big differences. It can be devastatingly lonely when you are fighting for your life. Don’t go through it alone – the ICN community will help.

— Brian Fowler

ICN Board Secretary

Kahren Kersten | Cary, North Carolina

With a BA in Business Management (University of Leeds, UK), Kahren’s career began in London in 2007 as a market researcher in NPD, advertising, and CX. She sought opportunities to learn and apply an array of quantitative and qualitative tools and techniques, innovating on research methods as she progressed to leadership roles, winning new business in turn. During her time in the UK, Kahren worked at BrainJuicer (now System1 Group), denstu’s Vizeum UK, GfK NOP, and MarketCast, among others.

In 2017, Kahren moved back to the US to pursue an MA in Industrial and Product Design (NCSU) where she blended existing career knowledge with newfound design skills. In her final year, she worked full-time in Electrolux’s design team. After graduating in 2020, Kahren founded Experience Insights, a consultancy using mixed-methods research, journey maps, workshops, collaborative techniques, and wireframes/service mapping to holistically inform business strategy and design new customer experiences.

The ICN was founded in 2022 by Co-Founders

Stephen Griffiths, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jacci Weber, Franklin, Tennessee
Maya Kantak, Los Angeles, California
Brian Fowler, Alameda, California
Justin T. Hawkins, Chicago, Illinois
Doug Keith, Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Senior Executive Advisors and Co-Founders

Doug Keith | President, Future Research Services

Doug Keith has more than 25 years of experience in the research industry, doing both qualitative and quantitative work. Doug trained as a focus group moderator at the Burke Research Institute in Cincinnati, OH, and has conducted qualitative and quantitative research for a variety of clients across industries, with a focus on technology and media & entertainment. Prior to moving into consulting, Doug served as a Vice President/Account Executive in the Media & Entertainment Group at TNS, where he worked at the highest level with clients in the fields of media, telecommunications and IT.

Doug has been a panelist and speaker at the IAB Audio Agency day, a featured speaker at the ARF Re:Think Conference, and the Giant Screen Theater Association worldwide conferences. He completed a degree in Journalism at the University of South Carolina and obtained his MA in mass media and communication from Temple University. He is currently a member of IA and QRCA.

Justin Hawkins | Marketing Research Leader, Kimberly Clark

Justin is a highly collaborative and empathetic consumer insights business partner who thrives in ambiguity. He is trained in moderating, facilitating, storytelling, and design thinking, and has experience leveraging jobs to be done to ensure consumer relevance. Justin has been involved in developing at least 3 new brands from opportunity identification/selection to launch and has a proven track of influencing senior leadership teams with actionable insights rooted in qualitative and quantitative consumer learning.

Justin Hawkins, Marketing Research Kimberly Clark

Having managed research across multiple continents and living abroad for several years, Justin truly has a heart for influencing across markets. Justin currently works at Kimberly-Clark where he leads US front-end innovation research for the company’s adult and feminine care businesses.

Maya Kantak | Lead Consumer UX Research, Rocket Companies

Maya is an award-winning consumer insights leader leveraging the power of the consumer voice to drive revenue and profit growth for industry leaders and beloved brands, including Honda, Del Taco, Disney Parks, ZipRecruiter, and now, Rocket Companies. During her 8+ years in the industry, and 3+ years in senior leadership roles, she has successfully spearheaded actionable, custom research projects to drive commercial strategy, brand building, product launches, and more.

As a passionate insights leader, Maya uses her platform to support, encourage, and educate other researchers trying to navigate the space. Recently, Maya has dedicated time to helping create opportunities for insights professionals through her co-founding of EPIC Insights, and her advisory roles for Michigan State University and Insights in Color.

As a second-generation researcher, I know firsthand the impact early guidance can have on a career. I learned advanced analytics at a very young age and met folk in the industry I still look up to today. It’s not always easy to first facilitate these connections though, especially in our newly digital-first world. I hope the Insights Career Network will bridge that gap, and provide access to this wonderful MRX community for all to benefit.

– Maya Kantak

Jacci Weber | Senior Pet Parent Insights Manager, Mars Petcare

Jacci is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary marketing leader who strives to put the consumer at the forefront of all decision-making. While Jacci initially discovered the Marketing Research industry by accident via Google search, she’s enjoyed dedicating the last 10 years to helping client-side firms launch new products, optimize customer experiences, deploy consumer learnings, and drive financial results.

Jacci currently works at Mars Petcare leading US consumer research for the IAMS brand. Prior to joining Mars, Jacci led consumer insights and brand licensing teams at The Wendy’s Company. Jacci is a proud graduate of the Masters of Science in Marketing Research (MSMR) program at Michigan State University and has served as an advisory board member for that program since 2013.

Jacci Weber, Senior Insights Manager, Mars Petcare

Her passion for insights – particularly in mentoring early-stage professionals – has led to speaking engagements with national conferences, universities (including Michigan State University, The Ohio State University, and the University of Iowa), and podcasts.

Stephen Griffiths | Research Director, Post Cereal

Stephen is fascinated by helping organizations use customer understanding to unlock growth. Stephen unwittingly began his insights career as a mall interviewer in high school and has been in consumer insights for 10+ years with Nielsen, P&G, General Mills, and UnitedHealth Group. His passion led him to co-found Epic Insights, a networking organization for client-side insights professionals. Stephen can be found interviewing insights professionals on Digging For Insights, the leading client-side insights podcast founded in 2019.

Stephen Griffiths,
Research Director,
Post Cereal

I remember fighting with self-doubt as I struggled to get a job as a new college graduate in the Great Recession. It wasn’t until years later as an MBA student and hiring interviewer that I learned how to present oneself as a job candidate and really leverage career connections. I’m hoping the Insights Career Network can provide the resources and community that I wish had been there for me 12 years ago.

— Stephen Griffiths