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Chief Data, Analytics & AI Officer at McDonald's
Michelle is McDonald’s Chief Data and analytics Officer, leading the Data, Analytics, and AI practice for the Enterprise. Michelle and her team enable McDonald's to capture and harness the full value of its data and AI to run and grow the business more effectively.
Michelle brings 30 years of experience to Strategy, Insights, and Analytics, having most recently led the Global Insights and Analytics team at McDonald’s. Since joining McDonald’s, Michelle has stood up both a Foresight team and a Gen AI COE, connected human insights with data and analytics to drive more significant business impact, and played a critical role in the new global innovation process; Michelle is also a passionate people leader and people developer. Before McDonald’s, Michelle worked at Mars Wrigley and other notable brands, like Clorox.
Before living in Chicago, Michelle had the opportunity to live and work in Europe for four years. Michelle loves music, traveling the world, and checking out new restaurants in her free time. She hopes to get to 100+ countries in her lifetime.
This dynamic panel brings together accomplished women who have successfully navigated significant career transitions. From stepping into stretch roles that expanded their skillsets to launching independent ventures after corporate careers, these leaders will share authentic stories of transformation, challenge, and triumph.Our panelists represent diverse paths: corporate executives who founded their own companies, professionals who moved between agency and in-house roles, and leaders who stepped into positions that required bold new capabilities. They'll discuss the practical and emotional aspects of career pivots, offering actionable insights for women considering their next big move.
President, Suzy
A long-time MRX veteran, Katie Gross knows the importance of bringing your consumer into every business decision. Her deep understanding of the full market research value chain stems from 18 years of international experience across every facet of the industry — working with insights agencies Mintel and Stylus to individual brands at Avilton Foods, and even within the world of programmatic survey sampling at Cint and Toluna.
Now in her role as Chief Customer Officer, she manages the Sales, CS, and Market Research Center of Excellence teams to provide best-in-class customer service for Suzy’s impressive roster of enterprise clients. Outside of work, Katie tirelessly advocates for women in the workplace, with an added focus on fostering financial independence.
She counts herself a member of Women In Research’s WIR exec program, all-female leadership network Chief, and the Financial Gym. She can be found kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on the lakes of Northern New Jersey.
Chief Insights & Analytics Officer, Reckitt
Dr. Elaine Rodrigo is a transformational leader in AI, data and insights, currently serving as the Chief Insights & Analytics Officer at Reckitt.
An advocate for AI, Sustainability & DEI in shaping the future of business. Elaine is dedicated to creating sustainable growth by harnessing the power of data & AI, to unlock deep insights and drive strategic decision-making.
With more than 26 years of experience, Elaine has transformed insights functions across large FMCG companies such as Reckitt, Danone, and Mondelez. She currently sits on the Board of Stravito, an AI-driven SaaS start-up that made the list of Europe’s fastest growing companies
Elaine is an Executive-in-Residence at Oxford University’s Said Business School, where she shares her time & expertise with students in the Exec MBA & AI postgraduate programme. Elaine has a PhD in Marketing from Monash University, Australia, where she is also a Senior Fellow.
Passionate about empowering women in leadership and fostering a people-first culture, Elaine’s personal purpose is to “inspire & enable every woman to be the best version of herself”. Elaine sits on the Board of Women In Research (WIRe) & is an active member of both the Allbright & Chief professional women’s networks.
Co-founder and CEO, Growgetter
With more than 15 years of B2B marketing experience within the insights sector, Jenn Mancusi is passionate about helping businesses grow through data-driven growth strategies. She is the co-founder and CEO of Growgetter, a growth marketing firm that specializes in the data, insights, and analytics sector. She is also a member the Chief network, where she shares her expertise and insights with other leaders and professionals.
Prior to launching Growgetter, Jenn was the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Voxpopme, a video insights platform that enables brands to capture and analyze rich consumer feedback. She led the global sales and marketing teams, helping to efficiently grow revenue year over year. Jenn also helped establish and nurture strategic partnerships with leading market research and analytics firms. She has extensive experience in positioning and storytelling, digital marketing, online advertising, and market research.
Founder, Women In Research Growth Strategist/Advisor, ScaleHouse
Kristin Luck serves as an advisor and growth strategist to a number of cutting-edge marketing and analytics technology and services firms through her consultancy, ScaleHouse. She is the founder of two marketing analytics companies that she led to successful exits. Kristin co-founded OTX, an online research business that was named the fastest growing research firm in the world in 2002 and 2003 and was subsequently acquired by Pilot Group and again by Ipsos in 2007. She then founded Forefront Consulting Group, a research technology firm that was acquired by Decipher. Decipher was acquired by FocusVision in 2014 after seven consecutive years of double- and triple-digit growth. FocusVision merged with Confirmit in 2021 to become Forsta, where she sat on the the Board of Directors until its recent acquisition by Press Ganey.
Kristin is a licensed investment banker with Oberon Securities and a founder focused on helping fellow founders and executive teams scale and monetize their businesses. Her deal expertise on both sides of transactions comes from participating in both acquisitions and exits from $30 million to $225 million. She is also passionate about supporting founders in international markets execute their entry into the U.S. Kristin regularly contributes to both the commercial (Fast Company, Forbes) and academic press (Research World, Journal of Brand Strategy) where she explores emerging marketing and research methods. She is consistently ranked as one of the top 100 sales and branding experts to follow on social media.
In addition to Founding, Women in Research, Kristin has also served on the board of ESOMAR, the global insights and analytics association, for eight years; including a two year term as Vice-President and a two year term as President.
Founder, Exhale Expand Ltd
Shazia Ginai, Founder of business growth consultancy Exhale Expand Ltd, is a dynamic insight and marketing expert. She is a driving force seamlessly turning insights about businesses and the humans that form them, into action. With a stellar track record, Shazia has successfully led insight capabilities in various organizations across brands and agencies, catalysing change across diverse markets and functions at Chief Growth Officer and CEO levels. She began her journey in the luxury fragrance and skincare industry at P&G, solidifying her expertise. Later, she established and led the global insight function at ghd, cementing her passion for actionable insights and empathetic leadership. Following this Shazia was CEO of the thought leading neuromarketing agency Neuro-Insight.Beyond her career, Shazia passionately champions equality and inclusion. She holds a role on the advisory board for Women in Research, until recently was Chair of colour of research and on the Market Research Society D&I council. Shazia's commitment extends beyond her professional life. She dedicates her time and energy to raising awareness and researching menstrual health, actively volunteering for Endometriosis, is trained in breathwork for trauma integration and yoga, actively championing decolonisation of this sacred south Asian practice.
Speaker and Asset Manager Advisor Coach
Debra Ohstrom, CFA is a Financial Educator who uses her financial expertise to empower people to take control of their financial future.
Founder, Women In Research Growth Strategist/Advisor, ScaleHouse
Kristin Luck serves as an advisor and growth strategist to a number of cutting-edge marketing and analytics technology and services firms through her consultancy, ScaleHouse. She is the founder of two marketing analytics companies that she led to successful exits. Kristin co-founded OTX, an online research business that was named the fastest growing research firm in the world in 2002 and 2003 and was subsequently acquired by Pilot Group and again by Ipsos in 2007. She then founded Forefront Consulting Group, a research technology firm that was acquired by Decipher. Decipher was acquired by FocusVision in 2014 after seven consecutive years of double- and triple-digit growth. FocusVision merged with Confirmit in 2021 to become Forsta, where she sat on the the Board of Directors until its recent acquisition by Press Ganey.
Kristin is a licensed investment banker with Oberon Securities and a founder focused on helping fellow founders and executive teams scale and monetize their businesses. Her deal expertise on both sides of transactions comes from participating in both acquisitions and exits from $30 million to $225 million. She is also passionate about supporting founders in international markets execute their entry into the U.S. Kristin regularly contributes to both the commercial (Fast Company, Forbes) and academic press (Research World, Journal of Brand Strategy) where she explores emerging marketing and research methods. She is consistently ranked as one of the top 100 sales and branding experts to follow on social media.
In addition to Founding, Women in Research, Kristin has also served on the board of ESOMAR, the global insights and analytics association, for eight years; including a two year term as Vice-President and a two year term as President.
Founder, Exhale Expand Ltd
Shazia Ginai, Founder of business growth consultancy Exhale Expand Ltd, is a dynamic insight and marketing expert. She is a driving force seamlessly turning insights about businesses and the humans that form them, into action. With a stellar track record, Shazia has successfully led insight capabilities in various organizations across brands and agencies, catalysing change across diverse markets and functions at Chief Growth Officer and CEO levels. She began her journey in the luxury fragrance and skincare industry at P&G, solidifying her expertise. Later, she established and led the global insight function at ghd, cementing her passion for actionable insights and empathetic leadership. Following this Shazia was CEO of the thought leading neuromarketing agency Neuro-Insight.Beyond her career, Shazia passionately champions equality and inclusion. She holds a role on the advisory board for Women in Research, until recently was Chair of colour of research and on the Market Research Society D&I council. Shazia's commitment extends beyond her professional life. She dedicates her time and energy to raising awareness and researching menstrual health, actively volunteering for Endometriosis, is trained in breathwork for trauma integration and yoga, actively championing decolonisation of this sacred south Asian practice.
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