DEI Matters: Ep 3 - Religious Diversity in the Workspace

In this episode, we dive into the vital topic of religious inclusion within the market research industry—both for respondents and employees. We explore how recognizing diverse religious practices and allowing for various expressions of faith can create a more inclusive environment.

Join us as we discuss actionable strategies for implementing workplace policies that honor religious diversity, fostering a respectful culture in insights communities, and ensuring that market research reflects the voices of individuals from all faith backgrounds. Whether you’re a researcher, team leader, or insights professional, this episode provides valuable tips and best practices to help you champion inclusion in your work and workplace.

Tune in to learn how to build bridges of understanding and make space for every voice in the world of market research.

April 27, 2023

Creators and Guests

Host

Amy Santopietro

Amy Santopietro serves as the Director of Consumer Insights and Market Research at Mass General Brigham, where she is passionate about the organization’s mission of ensuring equitable care for all. In this role, she oversees patient and consumer research across marketing, patient experience, and digital, among other areas. Prior to working at Mass General Brigham, Amy spent six years at TJX where she supported consumer insights for HomeGoods, worked on the launch of Homesense in the US, and later led both store and digital customer experience across all five US brands. Amy began her career in market research accidentally, when it was a small part of her first role out of college as a media planner. She soon realized she much preferred consumer insights to media planning as she was fascinated by understanding consumer motivations and behavior. Since her early days in the media agency world, Amy has worked across a number of industries including pharma, food and beverage, retail, and now healthcare. Amy is also the current Director of Memberships for the Insights Association North Atlantic chapter. This is an all-volunteer based non-profit that is dedicated to furthering both insights and insights professionals across the New England region. This is Amy’s second year volunteering with the chapter. She also sits on the IDEA Council board, which is a subset of the national Insights Association and was created to promote ongoing inclusion, equity, and access in market research for both respondents and researchers. When she’s not working, you can find Amy hanging out with her two small children, running, or cheering on the Boston Red Sox.

Host

Farah B. Samawi

Farah B. Samawi is a Senior Associate at GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group) with over five years of experience in market research, program management, and community engagement. Holding a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a concentration in Community Ethics and Social Change from Smith College, she combines expertise in qualitative and quantitative research with a global perspective gained from living in Cyprus, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. Fluent in Arabic, Farah has contributed to UX research, donor engagement, and healthcare development through roles at organizations like Chadwick Martin Bailey and Health Care Resource Centers. Passionate about equity and social change, she is committed to creating meaningful impact through her work and advocacy.

Host

Melissa Barrios

Melissa Barrios brings over 25 years of experience in the market research industry, having begun her career at Dynata and now serving as Director of Client Development at InnovateMR. Over the years, she has honed her expertise across a wide array of market research disciplines, including phone and online sampling, full-service project management, survey design, data analysis, reporting, sales support, and bidding. Melissa’s strategic insights and leadership have played a pivotal role in delivering innovative, high-quality research solutions to clients on a global scale. Beyond her professional achievements, Melissa is deeply committed to driving positive change in the industry. She serves on the board of the Insights Association North Atlantic Chapter as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where she leads initiatives that promote inclusivity and equitable opportunities for all. Her work exemplifies her dedication to fostering a collaborative and diverse research community.

Producer

Joe Lamson

Currently responsible for leading the Forsta existing strategic client growth in North America. Prior career positions included leadership and individual contributor roles in Business Development as well as operations at Kantar(GMI/Lightspeed) as well as Harris Interactive. Expertise in Software sales/deployment/management as well as operation execution in the research and experience industry.

Producer

Marissa Fohlin

Marissa has been working in market research since 2012, and her passion for the industry drives a continuous focus on improvement and delivering outstanding results on every project she supports. She specializes in managing complex research projects, fostering strong vendor relationships, and strategic client management. With extensive experience in both quantitative and qualitative research, Marissa ensures that every project—from initial design to final analysis—meets the highest standards. Since 2018, Marissa has served as the Communications Director for the Insights Association North Atlantic Chapter, contributing to the community that has played a significant role in her career. Marissa is also honored and excited to be involved with the DEI Matters podcast, where topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the insights field are explored, fostering impactful and thought-provoking discussions.

Producer

Rich Ratcliff

Rich Ratcliff is the Chief Trust Officer (CTrO) at OpinionRoute, driving data quality, transparency, and trust in the research process. With over 30 years in the Insights Industry, Rich is a hands-on leader who transforms ideas into value and profits. His expertise spans business intelligence, product development, team leadership, and financial strategy. Before OpinionRoute, he held key roles at The NPD Group, TNS, GfK, and successfully transitioned Carbonview Research into EnsembleIQ's research division.

Editor

Veeraj Keshwala

What is DEI Matters: Insights Association North Atlantic Chapter?

Welcome to DEI Matters, the new podcast from the Insights Association North Atlantic Chapter! In this introductory episode, you'll meet our hosts and discover what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mean to them personally. We'll explore why DEI is not just important on an individual level, but also crucial for the insights community as a whole. Join us on this journey to understand how embracing DEI can enhance our work and drive impactful change.