Keynotes
We have two exciting keynote speakers this year Jason Kelly & Andy Schneider.
Jason Kelly
Jason Kelly, author and the Host & Executive Producer of The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly, has spent more than two decades as a journalist across a variety of media. In a way, he's a qualitative researcher too - he asks questions to surface insight but at a different scale and with different audiences than most QRCA members.
He began his career as a journalist in Atlanta, covering the 1996 Summer Olympics, and has since authored two books, The New Tycoons and Sweat Equity, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek's radio and television programs, created multiple series at Bloomberg in audio and video. He is now in the midst of a new project - collaborating with the founders of KKR on a book about the firm and the private equity industry.
Jason will share how he preps for interviews, holds powerful interviewees' attention even when things get uncomfortable, coaches one of the most successful athletes in baseball history in the art of interviewing, and embeds himself in pursuit of a story to earn insider access.
Andy Schneider
Reading Minds - Lessons From A Mentalist
Via an interactive and fun presentation, Andy Schneider, full-time plastic surgeon and part-time mentalist, will break down the psychology behind mentalism and connect it to the instincts we rely on as qualitative researchers: observation, sensing hesitation, and hearing what is underneath a person’s words. Expect a few surprises, a lot of laughs, and many takeaways for your next project.
Dr. Andy Schneider has been a professional magician and mentalist for over 50 years. Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, he performed at children's birthday parties, schools, fairs, and churches. After graduating from Princeton University he returned to Virginia for medical school, and then to North Carolina for residency in general surgery and plastic surgery. Today he is a partner at Forsyth Plastic Surgery in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and former Chief of Staff at Medical Park Hospital. He continues to perform for children and adults at corporate events, schools, parties, and fundraisers.
Session and Workshop Speakers
We're excited about the extensive lineup of industry leaders sharing their knowledge with our attendees. Each speaker brings a unique perspective, providing valuable knowledge on the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in qualitative research.
The Palmerston Group
Daniel Berkal
"The Art of Designing Unforgettable Research Experiences" Daniel Berkal is a Partner at The Palmerston Group, where he specializes in reimagining how qualitative research is designed.
Burke Institute
Jim Berling
"The Evolving World of Synthetic Data - Where are we now?" Jim Berling is the Managing Director of the Burke Institute and a senior leader at Burke, Inc., recognized globally for his leadership in moderation and facilitation training.
Enchanted Research
Shaili Bhatt
"Designing for Flow and Elevated Engagement" Shaili has 20 years of experience conducting qualitative research for prestigious companies in CPG, travel/entertainment, retail, F&B/restaurants, finance and technology.
BLiNK Market Research
Cathy Boyd
"When Interviewing Patients Changes Your Life" Cathy has over 30 years of marketing/public relations experience in both the private and public sector. Over the years she has designed and conducted hundreds of qualitative and quantitative research studies.
Fetch Insights
Michael Carlon
"Remote Interviews Aren't Broken; Our Approach to them Is" Mike Carlon is the Director of User Experience Research at Charter Communications and the founder of Fetch Insights, a qualitative research agency.
Vital Findings
Ivey Crespo
"Upleveling Projectives: Arts-Based Methods in Qual" Ivey leads the qualitative practice at Vital Findings, an insights and strategy agency. Ivey specializes in co-creation, white-space exploration, future-casting and activation.
Esomar
Anne-Sophie Damelicourt
Anne-Sophie is a leading consultant in the global data analytics & insight industry, and currently serves as President and chairing the Board of Esomar.
DiCicco Research
David DiCicco
"I'll Be Your Mirror - Projecting the Human, Professional Image in a Changing World" David DiCicco is the co-founder and president of DiCicco Research, a healthcare market research consultancy specializing in qualitative and mixed-methodological research.
Wolters Kluwer
Karen Duffy
"How Video Screeners Are Reshaping Qual Recruitment" An Associate Director of Market Research for the Corporate Compliance unit of Wolters Kluwer, Karen partners with the user research team to provide insights to help build the B2B strategy.
Naomi Henderson Legacy Award winner
Mandie Fox
"The Rules We Break, the Trust We Build: Showing Up for the Voices Research Can Miss" Mandie is a Master Moderator certified by the RIVA Institute, with over twenty years of experience and more than 7,500 hours leading focus groups and interviews.
STELLAR Strategic Services
Shane Holsclaw
"Engaged Experts: The Power of Passionate Participants" Shane Holsclaw joined Stellar Strategic Services, Inc. in April 2021 and is a Moderator and Senior Research Analyst.
Naomi Henderson Legacy Award winner
Hannah Kaplan
"The Rules We Break, the Trust We Build: Showing Up for the Voices Research Can Miss" Hannah Kaplan (they/she) is a mixed-methods researcher who uses empathy-driven, equity-based research and storytelling to drive meaningful impact.
Integrated Innovation & Insights
Jodi Koehler
"Beyond the Job Statement: Putting JTBD to Work" Jodi Koehler is Owner and Principal of Integrated Innovation & Insights LLC, helping organizations translate customer understanding into stronger innovation, product, experience, and business decisions.
Recruit and Field
Kristin Marino
"Stop Winging It: A Simple Business Development Plan That Actually Works" Kristin Marino has spent over 20 years in qualitative research recruiting not because she fell into it, but because she genuinely loves the work and the people in this industry.
Responsive Research
Lauren McCluskey
"From Projects to Business Assets: Building What Lasts" Lauren McCluskey is Principal of Responsive Research, a second-generation qualitative research consultancy with 50+ years in the field.
Susan Newhouse & Associates
Susan Newhouse
"Designing for Flow and Elevated Engagement" Susan is an insights and innovation leader with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations uncover growth opportunities through consumer understanding, strategic innovation, and collaborative problem solving.
Vatoca
Allison Rak
"Work Smarter: Build Your Own AI Research Assistant" Allison Rak is a researcher & entrepreneur. With 20+ years experience in consumer insight, she has a diverse background that includes government, technology, media and CPG. She’s the CEO and owner of Vatoca.
Ready About Insights
Fiona Ray
"From Stimulus to Strategy: Build Your Skills with a Practical Framework for More Strategic Concept Evaluation" Fiona Ray is founder of Ready About Insights, a boutique qualitative consultancy specializing in brand strategy, innovation, and positioning.
Vital Findings
Robyn Rouse
"Upleveling Projectives: Arts-Based Methods in Qual" Robyn is a visualizer who combines creativity, a deep understanding of human behavior, and a strong foundation in consumer insights to guide brands through strategic decision-making.
Perfect Fit Post
Brian Sarfatty
"Testing the Real-World Challenges of DIY Video Diaries" Brian is a freelance qualitative researcher with a background in documentary video. After decades of editing customer testimonials, he now focuses on turning people’s real experiences into useful insights.
PKSRUNS & Bello
Paul Kingsley-Smith
"Testing the Real-World Challenges of DIY Video Diaries" Paul is Head of Growth at Bello, with years of experience in research technology helping qualitative researchers make the most of asynchronous tools.
Stavisky Research
Andrew Stavisky
"Your Name Is on It: AI Risk and Responsibility for Qual" Andrew Stavisky is principal of Stavisky Research Associates, LLC, a research consultancy focused on policy, communications, and corporate reputation research.
Emporia Research
Rebecca Strangio
"How Video Screeners Are Reshaping Qual Recruitment" Senior Client Solutions Manager at Emporia Research by title, optimist by nature. Rebecca Strangio leads with people-first energy — championing her team and exceeding client expectations
Sweet Insight Group
Susan Sweet
"What are we really doing here?" Susan uses qualitative and ethnographic research to help my clients get to know their customers and consumers deeply, providing true connections with brands and organizations to inspire action.
Market Decisions Research
Allison Tippery
"AI Journey Mapping Without Losing the Participant Voice" Ally Tippery is a qualitative researcher who loves listening to people’s stories and understanding the experiences behind the data.
Insight Culture
Simone Vogelmann
"Four Cultures Walk Into a Research Project... Navigating the Cultural Complexities of Global Quali" Simone Vogelmann brings over 22 years of qualitative research experience and has been part of Insight Culture since 2006.
Insights Association
Anita Watkins
As CEO, Anita serves as the strategic leader of the Insights Association representing the Association and the U.S. profession, and is responsible for driving the organization’s mission, vision, and growth.
Patchwork Research
Rachel Yanoshik
"From Bid to Buy-In" Rachel Yanoshik is the founder of Patchwork Research, an independent mixed-methods research practice serving brands, product teams, and agencies.
Bureau West
Jay Zaltzman
"Grow Yourself: Turning Conference Insights into Lasting Change" Over the past twenty years, Jay has been involved in both qualitative and quantitative research projects, and has helped resolve marketing questions for a wide variety of companies.
Speaker Resources
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Please visit the speaker resources page for key updates, session details, and event logistics.