Idea Forum Presenters
Virtual | September 27

Presenters

The IDEA Forum will feature objective, thought-provoking content and vetted best practices. Here we will candidly discuss critical challenges and potential solutions: Ideas, concepts, strategies, methodologies, and technologies that can identify and/or mitigate bias in Generative AI techniques as applied to the various stages of the insights process.

Abran Maldonado

Abran Maldonado

Co-founder, Create Labs Ventures; OpenAI Community Ambassador

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Abran Maldonado is a leading AI expert, OpenAI ambassador, and co-founder of Create Labs, a Black and Brown founded startup disrupting the AI and digital human design space. With years of experience in both entertainment and education technology, including a background in Hip-Hop, digital media, and youth culture, Abran brings a unique perspective to the AI community. As a Gates Millennium Scholar, he is dedicated to advancing diversity in tech and has worked to expand 5G VR/AR edtech solutions to schools nationwide. He is recognized as one of the first AI prompt engineers of the ChatGPT era and the creator of the first GPT-powered virtual avatar, C.L.Ai.R.A. Abran's pioneering work in generative AI and metaverse design has earned him a reputation as a visionary in the development of AI technology, and he is dedicated to bringing culture and innovation to life with authentic, AI-powered immersive experiences.

John Bremer

John Bremer

President, Phantom 4 Solutions

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John is the President of Phantom 4 Solutions, helping companies develop research and data strategies at the senior executive level. Previously John was the Global Chief Research Officer of Circana and NPD, the Chief Research and Strategy Officer of Toluna, and the Chief Research Officer at Compete. John has chaired working committees and conferences for the Insights Associate, ARF, CASRO, and the ASA.

Damon Jones

Damon Jones

Burke, Inc.

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Damon plays a critical role in Burke’s Data Collection Division as he oversees the day-to-day operations involved in the execution of telephone research projects. He manages the execution of our Hispanic telephone data collection through our subcontractor partner network. In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Damon serves as Chair of Burke’s Inclusion & Diversity Strategic team called Kaleidoscope and serves on multiple teams within the organization.

The recipient of the 2020 MRX Diversity Champion Award, Damon is continually involved in staying current in MR Data Collection and general industry knowledge by his active membership in the Insights Association.

He is a Board advisor of the North Atlantic Chapter of IA and serves as Chair of that Chapter’s Diversity and Education Committee which he formed during his tenure as President in 2014-15, and serves on the national Insig hts Association’s Chapter Leadership Committee and the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access) Council. He has been a presenter at multiple educational conferences.

Damon has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati with a double major in Marketing and Management. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Principles of Marketing Research Certification Program and of Cornell University’s Online Diversity and Education Certification Program. He has been with Burke since July of 1996.

Sandra Grandsoult

Sandra Grandsoult

Co-creator & Founder

Equitas Insight

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Sandra is an Insights, Marketing and Diversity & Inclusion professional with proven success in growing brands and customers, and in building diverse, high performing teams. She has a Masters’s degree in Marketing from Lancaster University UK, and over 20+ years of client-side Insights and Marketing experience gained in Leadership roles at global organizations including GSK, Walt Disney, Virgin Media, Vodafone, and American Express.

In 2009 she joined Brand Learning (now part of Accenture), a boutique Consulting Firm, where she worked extensively on building insight, strategy and marketing capability programs across a wide portfolio of categories and brands (including CPG, Technology, Financial Services, Pharma, Home Improvement, Food & Beverages)

In recent years Sandra has been applying her Insights and Marketing expertise to help champion Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within the marketing industry. She has recently co-founded a diversity, equity & inclusion consultancy Equitas Insight, which focuses on helping businesses, brands and people to fully benefit from the powerful perspectives that come from a diverse workforce.

Mercedes Bender

Mercedes Bender

Principal, Ipsos Strategy3

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Mercedes is a Principal at Ipsos Strategy3, and leads the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practice. With foundational experience as a brand strategist, she also advises brands on how to authentically embed DEI within their core brand strategies. She has past experience in entrepreneurship, digital commerce and product management, and has led some of the top consumer brands such as Google, Coca-Cola, Life Fitness, and IBM in launching new products, developing digital innovation, and positioning them as leaders in the market. She believes that brand success resides not just through the products they create, but through the humans they serve - by creating value and a sense of belonging at every touchpoint within their experience. Although she only likes her weather warm and sunny, Mercedes remains fiercely committed to her hometown of Chicago. She holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.

Tchicaya Robertson

Tchicaya Robertson

Founder, Tribe Insights

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Tchicaya Ellis Robertson, Ph.D. is an Applied Psychologist with a background in Industrial/Organizational and Consumer Psychology who specializes in psychometrics, advanced analytics, and survey-based research for over 25 years. Dr. Robertson’s research fuels cross-industry thought leadership and helps clients build inclusive workplaces through insights and training. An experienced leader of global teams with a record of excellence in the professional services and public service industries, Dr. Robertson enjoys uncovering Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access insights to support strategic culture goals. As a Thought Leader, Speaker, and Insights professional, Tchicaya’s work supports change transformation efforts across the broader talent  domain. A mother, author of two books, and active member in her sorority, she leverages her resources to support large-scale coalition building to solve social challenges of today’s time. You can catch one of her lively conversations on her podcast (#All Things X with Dr. Tchicaya Ellis Robertson | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com)

Shannon Dansby

Shannon Danzy

CEO and Founder

Danzy Consults

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Bianca Pryor

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Bianca’s (she/her) passion for fighting for equity and inclusion has long been burning.

She currently chairs the Insights Association IDEA Council, which stands for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access, alongside 15 equally-passionate council members. In the two-plus years of inception, IDEA Council has been fiercely committed to making our industry more representative by way of IDEAtors Fellowship Program; launching IDEA Forum, which has helped push the industry conversation; and validating and socializing an industry recommendation for race and ethnicity screener/profiler questions based on how consumers themselves want to be asked (gender ID and sexual orientation soon coming).

In 2019, Bianca launched a 501c3 that centers Black maternal health called Dr. Shalon’s Maternal Action Project and launched a peer-to-peer empowerment app for Black birthing people called Believe Her in 2021.

Scott Baker

Scott Baker

EVP, Clients Solutions, Sago

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Scott Baker is a Senior Vice President at Sago. He has deep knowledge and experience working with Fortune 100/500 Brands for a variety of verticals, solutions, and methodologies over the years. Always working with clients to achieve their research goals, consider innovative solutions and develop long-term partnerships.

Scott began his career in the field of advertising before joining the research firm – Herron Associates in Tampa, Florida in 1991. In 1998 he moved to Los Angeles, California to join Adept Consumer Testing where he worked across many positions from Project Director to Vice President to several years as President before leaving. In 2014, Scott joined Schlesinger Group where his responsibilities ranged from overseeing West Coast Operations to leading the Brand Team and several key accounts before leaving in 2022.

Scott is highly involved in several professional organizations including the Insights Association. Over the years, he has served numerous local and national positions within Industry organizations and other non-profits. Currently, he serves on the Executive Committee for the Insights Association Board of Directors with a particular focus on National Events and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives with the IDEA Council.

Scott is a graduate of the University of South Florida, with continued education from New York University, Loyola University, UCLA Extension, Burke Institute, and the Disney Institute. In addition, Scott is IPC certified (an Insights Association designation).

Scott lives at the beach in Marina del Rey, CA, and can be found doing outdoor activities on the weekends with his husband and two mini-Schnauzers – typically between Venice Beach and Palm Desert.

Ana Maria Santos

Ana Maria Santos

Co-creator & Founder

Equitas Insight

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Ana is a marketer by background, a change driver and a capability builder by design. She began her career in Brazil working in B2B marketing in blue chip industrial and manufacturing organizations. She then moved into academia and marketing consulting. After earning her MBA she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers before joining Brand Learning, which was acquired by Accenture. At the beginning of 2021. following her passion and desire to use her skills to make a difference, she co-founded Equitas Insight, a consultancy aiming to drive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace.