Grace Barnard of The Link Group; Stephanie Fox, a student at Ohio State University; Emma Thompson of BET Media Group; Isheah Alsumairi, from the AF Group; and Ragita Pramudya from Kodiak Cakes, have been named winners of this year’s Betsy Jane Peterson Award.
Each awardee will have the enrollment fee for The Principles of Market Research course, developed by the University of Georgia and Market Research Institute International (MRII), fully covered.
The Principles of Market Research is a completely online, self-paced course that covers the 13 topics of the Market Research Core Body of Knowledge (MRCBOK™), helping practitioners understand the entire research process from beginning to end.
“There were dozens of outstanding applicants, each demonstrating impressive commitment to professional growth and to the future of the insights industry,” said Terrae Schroeder, Senior Director of Marketing Strategy & Insights at Heartland Food Products Group and 2026 Board Chair of the Insights Association. “We are thrilled to support Grace, Stephanie, Emma, Isheah, and Ragita as they continue to build their skills and careers. The insights community will benefit greatly from their contributions.”
Added Pamela Bracken, Senior Development and Special Initiatives Manager at the University of Georgia and a Market Research Institute International (MRII) board member, “We are excited to welcome this year’s award recipients into the Principles program. They embody the mission of the curriculum — to provide motivated professionals with practical, current training to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving insights landscape.”
The Betsy Jane Peterson MRA Award was created in 2003 by the Marketing Research Association, which merged with CASRO in 2017 to form the Insights Association. Betsy was among the founders of MRII (formerly known as the Marketing Research Association Institute (MRAI)) and served as Executive Director of the MRA.
Graduates of The Principles of Market Research program are recognized by industry associations, employers, peer groups, and other professionals as having mastered the core body of knowledge that forms the foundation of market research. Successful completion earns a Certificate of Program Completion presented by the Insights Association, ESOMAR, and MRII, a Digital Badge, and University of Georgia Continuing Education Units.