As research, design, and strategy industries continue to evolve alongside rapid technological, economic, and societal shifts, the pathways to securing roles in this field are transforming. This dynamic panel brings together seasoned research leaders and hiring managers to examine current hiring trends and the changing recruitment landscape for research professionals across industries.
Attendees will gain insights into the core skills that are most in demand today, how expectations for research roles are shifting beyond traditional tech environments, and what transferable competencies can help professionals pivot into new sectors. Whether you’re navigating a job search, hiring for research talent, or looking to future-proof your career, this session will offer timely guidance, actionable strategies, and a candid look at what it takes to stand out in today’s competitive market.
Speakers
Shakima Jackson-Martinez is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader with 15+ years’ experience developing thriving workplaces. Her specialization lies in foundational DE&I practices, inclusive talent acquisition, and building organizational empathy through internal research. Shakima currently serves as the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at AnswerLab, where she leads the DE&I and talent acquisition functions. Prior to this, she held roles in Human Resources, Strategy, and Operations. She is extremely passionate about using research to foster a deeper understanding of company culture and organizational needs while also creating spaces where people feel a true sense of belonging.
Ian Lowrie is a product-minded experience leader focused on building tools for developers and enterprise users. His approach combines market, user, and ethnographic research techniques to get beyond the interface and solve complex business problems for data-intensive organizations and their users. He is currently Director of User Experience at eSimplicity.
Chad Maxwell is the President of Kelly Scott Madison (KSM), where he leads the agency’s client portfolio, solution development, and capability building. A scientist-turned-marketer, Chad leverages his background in cultural anthropology to help teams grow brands and businesses through the power of media and people-understanding. His expertise lies in driving clarity, informed decision-making, and simplicity by applying insights and data science. Prior to joining KSM, Chad held senior roles at Starcom and Razorfish, where he led research and insights teams. He earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Florida, concentrating on methods and business applications.
Sandra Villegas Hernandez is an experienced analytics and insights professional with over 12 years of experience at Procter & Gamble, she has worked across many markets and categories, in key managerial roles throughout Latin America and the U.S. Currently serving as the North America Grooming Analytics & Insights Director at the Gillette World Shaving Headquarters in Boston, MA, Sandra leads consumer insights and capabilities for seven brands in the US and Canada worth over 2 billion USD. With a blend of traditional research expertise and innovative methodologies, she is a certified Human Insights and Disruptive Innovation Expert from the prestigious Harvard Business School, also holding qualifications in quantitative and statistical analysis and spearheading the integration of AI as an iterative qualification tool in the P&G Grooming business. In her free time, Sandra loves to travel, music festivals, and prioritizes working out as part of her work life balance goals..