Connecting End-users of Insights & Analytics

Michelle Gansle is an international insights wave maker, with over 20 years in the Insights industry, mostly focused in consumer packaged goods industry. Michelle is currently leading Foresight, Innovation & Insights Strategy at Mars Wrigley, where she has the privilege of talking to people about gum and candy for a living. Michelle is a sought out speaker and has a passion for Diversity & Inclusion, the changing role of the Insights professional and collaboration between corporate researchers and client partners.

Prior to living in Chicago, Michelle had the opportunity to live and work in Europe for 4 years (und spricht Deutsch und een beetje nederlands y español!.) In her free time, Michelle loves music, travelling the world, and checking out new restaurants. She hopes to get to 100+ countries before she dies.

Vanessa is a marketing and brand strategist known for her strong passion for the end to end process of brand building, and the role brands play in people's lives. Her career has seen her work in insights and strategy teams, marketing and general management roles in Japan for some of the world's most recognizable brands; Coca-Cola, Philip Morris and Nike and Starbucks. Vanessa joined  ESOMAR in 2004, presenting a paper on the potential of wireless surveys to change research – this was the start of the drive of future-proofing our approaches (embracing tech), brands and industry.

Vanessa is constantly seeking to understand using a simple process of 'what do I know' - 'so what does that mean'  – 'now what do I do'? This has guided her to find actionable insights and insight/data verified opportunities. In 2017, she founded heart-data inc; a marketing strategy company focused on putting the consumer at the heart of the data and creating strategies that are future-proofing brands. In 2018, Vanessa was the co-winner of the ESOMAR paper of the year for her work on brand Ikigai (unpacking brand longevity and loyalty). Vanessa is also a cancer survivor that works to raise awareness of cancer as part of life – that will not hold you back.  

Joy Uyanwune who works as the Global Marketing Director at Decision Support, a full service Marketing & Social Research agency that conducts research in sub-Saharan Africa. An African Marketing Research Association Director (AMRA) , a past Nigerian Marketing Research Association (NIMRA) President, and from the great Igbo tribe in Nigeria.

A graduate of Business Administration & Marketing from University of Houston, Texas, USA, I have an over 27-year experience in Marketing and Market & Social Research from both client and agency sides. Her career has been built through years of resolving marketing challenges for multinationals and small companies in various sectors. With experience in most of the fields of marketing and social research in terms of focus and methods, Joy currently works with Decision Support, a full service Marketing & Social Research agency that conducts research in sub-Saharan Africa.

Joy was elected to ESOMAR Council in order to advance beyond discussing the ‘potentials’ of Africa, Joy has stepped forward to encourage positive and inspiring narratives about Africa. As a researcher, Joy recognizes the power of data and insights in pushing development through businesses and governments.

Senior Manager of Global Event at ESOMAR, has more than 20 years' experience within the global events industry and has worked at ESOMAR for 15 years, leading the events team for the last five.

Originally from Wales, Rhiannon has travelled and lived around the world due to her father's career, settling in Amsterdam 20 years ago.

In 2011, Danika moved to the Netherlands (from Eastern Canada) and in 2012 she started working in the Communications department at ESOMAR. She subsequently transferred to the Events and Content team, where she's since been promoted to Global Events Senior Executive, as well as Young ESOMAR Society (YES!) Community Manager.

Whether crafting the perfect programme, inviting the coolest committee and keynotes, launching new events, strategising on different ways to give young professionals a platform, and/or everything in between, Danika tries to incorporate her passion for innovation, collaboration and celebration into it all!

In past work lives, Danika has worked in a variety of functions, ranging from Summer Arts School Dance teacher to Motel Manager to Behavioral Therapist for children with autism. Outside of work, Danika can often be found travelling, baking or going for forest/beach/dune walks with her family.

Nordin has been working at ESOMAR since 2013, taking various positions in the area of finance and business processes. Since the beginning of 2020, he is has been heading the Finance and Member Services departments and brings a wealth of experience implementing business processes and routines.

Nordin is a certified Data Protection Officer certified by the Universiteit Maastricht's European Centre for Cybersecurity and Data Protection.