Ready to take the next step into Insights leadership? This webinar explores what it means to adopt a management mindset and how to prepare yourself for roles in upper management and leadership. Learn how to shift your perspective, build key skills, and position yourself as a strong candidate for advancement. Whether you're actively applying or planning your path forward, this session will help you confidently navigate the transition into management with clarity and purpose.
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Building community and connections has never been more important; the relationships we make and maintain have the power to shape our careers, transform our personal and professional trajectories, and bring us all closer together. This year’s WIRe Annual Webinar series, sponsored by FUEL + The Focus Room, focuses on the authentic connections who make us who we are. Register for one session and we'll automatically register you for the whole series!
With 20+ years of experience in the market research industry, Jess Gaedeke has gained a deep expertise and intense passion for all things “growth.” This includes consulting with clients on how to grow their business through brand building and innovation; deploying commercial strategies to grow tech-enabled insights organizations; and developing some of the most successful talent in the industry. Jess joined Dig Insights as Chief Revenue Officer in 2023, after leadership roles at GutCheck (acquired by Toluna), Affinnova (acquired by Nielsen IQ/BASES), Designalytics, and InsightsNow. She currently oversees sales, marketing, and customer success at Dig, a tech-enabled insights company that drives predictable brand & innovation success.
Melissa Sauter is CEO of Escalent, an award-winning data analytics and advisory firm specializing in industries facing disruption and business transformation.
She brings 25+ years of experience in market research and management consulting to the role and is committed to accelerating growth and value for customers, employees and shareholders. Under her leadership, Escalent has grown significantly, organically and through strategic acquisitions with the most recent being C Space and Hall & Partners in 2023. The entire Escalent enterprise applies expertise and insight to solve complex challenges for its impressive roster of world-class clients.
Prior to leading Escalent, Melissa was president of Market Strategies International, which merged with Morpace following the acquisition of both research firms by STG Partners in 2018. Before joining Market Strategies, Melissa led the Services and Emerging Industries division at J.D. Power and Associates. She was responsible for overseeing syndicated research, proprietary tracking programs, solutions consulting, and performance improvement programs for a wide array of industry verticals. Melissa’s experience also includes business process reengineering and strategy consulting for Deloitte as well as sales and marketing roles for Freudenberg-NOK, a tier-one automotive supplier.
Melissa earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in business from Michigan State University.
Ariel is a marketer passionate about inspiring people with impactful content and conversation, and bringing people together to form meaningful connections through unique, memorable experiences.
After attending Brandeis University in Boston, Ariel has built her career in marketing, events, and community engagement. She has experience in the non-profit sector, startups, lifestyle and networking organizations, and - for the better part of the past decade - global b2b marketing within the Restech industry.
Ariel joined Cint in February 2023, where she leads the brand experience team, overseeing events, PR, social media, and gifting.
Ariel is on the 2025 Advertising Week NY Advisory Board, was named a '25 & '23 Greenbook Future List Finalist, and served as the Boston WIRe Chapter Event Lead.
