As SVP of Product at Cint, Lindsay Fordham leads product management and design across a global portfolio of research technology solutions. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of media analytics, programmatic marketing, and data innovation, Lindsay brings a deep and thoughtful approach to product development. Her north star? Helping brands, agencies, and platforms unlock the full potential of their data to drive smarter, more impactful decisions.

For Lindsay, strength in leadership isn’t about command and control; it’s about serving as a role model and living one’s truth. “Great leaders lead by influence, not control,” she shares. “Sometimes it's the ringleader who rallies people behind an idea, sometimes it’s the quiet authority who inspires calm. What many leaders underestimate is how much influence they have simply by being a living example of their practice.”

This philosophy has been shaped by her experience navigating the tech and research worlds, particularly in roles where organic leadership skills are markedly necessary. “As a product leader, I am often in a position where I need to lead without direct authority, working across functions to align people on a common purpose. One of the most critical skills that I’ve developed is facilitation. Creating space for multiple perspectives and helping teams move toward shared understanding and goals is far more powerful than a directive.”

Her approach to leadership is as grounded in the professional as it is in the personal. “I’m constantly inspired by my family, particularly my sisters who both own and operate their own small businesses and still manage to keep up with family obligations. I learned as much about conflict resolution and navigating trade-offs from watching them than any management text book could teach.”

At Cint, Lindsay is helping lead the company through an exciting period of transformation. “I’m especially excited about the work we’re doing to bring AI and machine learning into the hands of our customers to augment their workflows and improve the quality of the data,” she says. “We’re also expanding beyond survey data into outcomes measurement. When we bring together what people say with what they do, we can unlock smarter, more actionable decisions for our clients.”

Lindsay and her team at Cint have been long-standing supporters of WIRe, both as corporate donors and active participants in the community. From supporting their teams via the WIRe Accelerate program to engaging with WIRe’s global events, their engagement is deeply rooted in the belief that transparency, honest feedback, and diverse voices are key to industry progress. “WIRe creates a safe space to participate in discussions that are honest and vulnerable so we can all learn from one another,” she shares, adding, “...hearing voices that may otherwise not be amplified in the industry is crucial to promoting progress and innovation across the industry. 

As the insights industry stands on the edge of transformative change, Lindsay remains committed to collaboration and conversation. “Cint is just one piece of this complex value chain, and we know we can’t shape the future alone. I want to hear from you — your challenges, your goals, and how we can better support your transformation. Let’s build the future of insights together.” When it comes to advice for women in research who aspire to leadership or entrepreneurship, Lindsay is straightforward: “Be the change-maker. If you see a mess, clean it up. Don’t wait for permission or wait to be asked. The people who step in and make things better get noticed and, more often than not, you will be rewarded as well.”