2025 WIRexec Leadership Summit US

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.

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.

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.
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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.

Debra Ohstrom, CFA is a Financial Educator who uses her financial expertise to empower people to take control of their financial future.

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.

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.