The Insights Association is pleased to announce the promotions of two outstanding team members to executive positions. Nicole Symelidis (pictured at left) has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, and Meg Collins has been promoted to Director of Membership. These strategic promotions reflect IA’s commitment to excellent member service and sustained growth, recognizing the significant contributions and leadership qualities of both individuals.
Nicole Symelidis – Chief Operating Officer
In her new role as COO, Nicole will oversee the company's operational functions, ensuring efficiency, innovation, optimal member service, and strategic alignment across all departments. With more than two decades of experience in the market research industry, Nicole has been instrumental in driving key initiatives that have led to substantial growth and operational improvements.
Nicole is a career-long Insights industry association professional, starting with an administrative position at the Council for Marketing & Opinion Research (CMOR), followed by 15 years with the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO), where she served in multiple roles supporting events, publications, membership, and operations. Since the inception of the Insights Association in 2017, Nicole has served dual roles as Senior Vice President of both Operations and Membership.
"We are thrilled to promote Nicole to COO," said Melanie Courtright, CEO of the Insights Association. "She has unsurpassed knowledge of our association and the many ways it brings value to the membership and the insights and data analytics industry overall. She has established strong ties with so many of our member company executives, our Board of Directors, Chapter leaders, Committee volunteers, and many others. She has earned their respect by being responsive and thoughtful. Her professionalism has also earned deep trust and appreciation from everyone on the IA team. We can always rely on Nicole to provide a sound assessment and plan for any situation and know she will follow through on any task at hand.”
Meg Collins – Director of Membership
Meg has worked at the Insights Association since its inception in 2017 and previously managed the database, as well as many events, marketing, and communications responsibilities for CASRO. As the new Director of Membership, Meg will work closely with all IA staff and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of member engagement, retention, and growth. She will oversee budget and lead initiatives to enhance member experiences and ensure that IA remains the premier support organization for market research agencies and corporate insights departments.
“Meg sees all that we do through the eyes of our members and is quick to point out any sticking points or areas of confusion or frustration,” Courtright said. “Combining that empathy with a tireless work ethic and a friendly, fun, sincere personality, she has endeared herself to our members and staff. Always willing to do what it takes to help anyone at any time, she is uniquely qualified to lead our membership team and drive forward our mission of delivering unparalleled value.”
These promotions underscore the Insights Association’s commitment to nurturing talent from within and building a leadership team that is equipped to provide superior member service and guide the organization’s continued growth. Both Nicole and Meg have consistently shown exemplary performance, strategic thinking, and a passion for excellence. IA is stronger today with them stepping up to these key positions.