December 1, 2020 – The Insights Association has formed the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) Council and charged it with a mission to deliver measurement, education, and standards of excellence to address the lack of representation in the insights profession and the populations it researches.
“As an industry, we take pride in building cultural understanding and empathy. We have the knowledge, creativity, and influence to make a difference,” commented Melanie Courtright, CEO of the Insights Association. “I am thrilled to work alongside such an impressive, diverse group that will lead this vital initiative.”
The members of the IDEA Council are:
- Scott Baker, Senior Vice President, Client Solutions, Schlesinger Group
- Khary Campbell, Assistant Vice President, Research & Innovation, L’Oréal
- Jackie Chan, VP, Head of Research & Analytics, Prudential Financial
- Dawn Christian, Senior VP of Inclusion & Diversity, GCI Health
- Melanie Courtright, CEO, Insights Association
- Sherri Dansby, Market Research Manager, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Shannon Danzy, Principal, danzy consults; QRCA
- Carlos Garcia, President, Garcia Research
- Alfred Ishak, Senior Director, Development & Planning, Gongos
- April Jeffries, Global President, Ipsos
- Damon Jones, Vice President, Telephone Operations, Burke, Inc.
- Heather Magaw, Vice President, People & Culture, Chadwick Martin Bailey
- Bianca Pryor, Vice President, BET
- Tchicaya Ellis Robertson, Senior Thought Leadership Principal, Accenture
The work of the IDEA Council will be structured on four pillars: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access. For each, there will be initiatives that aim to improve both the Profession and the Research.
To make advancements within the insights profession, work will include: Building a common and current lexicon, hosting community dialogue, expanding representation of marginalized groups at organizations and events, supporting education and career advancement, developing pay and organizational diversity and career advancement metrics and benchmarks.
To help ensure truly representative research and mitigate bias within insights and analytics work, there will be cultural competency and literacy education, establishment of sampling and holistic insights best practices, and work to build long-term engagement with research participants in underserved populations. IA member companies will be invited to pledge their support for these initiatives.
Companies with greater gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, including in their leadership ranks, outperform their peers – so, these efforts stand to provide real, tangible benefits to our members, Courtright noted. It also will help business, government, and the media by increasing the volume of accurate and trustworthy information to fuel discussion, understanding and decision making.
“The Insights Association takes seriously its unique position as an unbiased advocate, a builder of bridges and a forum for conversation and debate,” added Lisa Courtade, Executive Director, Global Customer Insights at Merck and IA Board Chair. “As we work to amplify the voices of those too long silenced, we must become more inclusive rather than exclusive, encouraging all voices in the insights and data analytics community to be heard.”
Press Release
MR News
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