The Global 30-Under-30 List 2025
The 5th Annual Significant Insights Global 30-Under-30 List is here!
We’re thrilled to reveal the 2025 Significant Insights Global 30-Under-30 List, celebrating the brightest rising stars in the research, data, analytics and insights industry. This year, our esteemed global judging panel comprising senior insight leaders from top brands, agencies and associations, reviewed a record-breaking number of inspiring nominations from 14 countries.
Recognising Exceptional Young Talent
The Global 30-Under-30 List honours the industry’s most outstanding young professionals, those whose creativity, drive, and passion are shaping the future of research, data, analytics, and insights. These innovators are not only excelling in their day-to-day roles but also making a broader impact on the industry and, in many cases, using insights to accelerate positive change in the world. They truly are “the ones to watch.”
A Judging Panel Like No Other
This year, we welcomed four influential leaders to our judging committee, joining 25 senior clients and agency professionals from across the globe. Our new judges were:
- Angus Hunter, CEO, The Research Society (Australia)
- Jane Frost CBE, CEO, Market Research Society (United Kingdom)
- Joaquim Bretcha, Director General, ESOMAR (Global)
- Ruth Hinton, Chair of AURA Insight (United Kingdom)
Together, the 28 judges spanning 12 countries share a common mission: championing and developing the next generation of insight professionals. Over the past five months, they’ve worked tirelessly to review nominations and advocate for emerging talent. And they were extremely impressed, yet again, with the high quality of the nominations.
As one judge put it: “I’m glad I’m not under 30, I wouldn’t stand a chance!”
Jim Whaley, CEO of Ovation speaks the truth, “Being a judge for the 30 Under 30 is like having a front row seat into both the future and the high potential our sector promises.”
Rachel Hawley, Vice President of Special Projects at Fieldwork Inc.: “I’m impressed and inspired! Being a judge reminded me just how much talent and passion is driving our industry forward. Every nominee showcased meaningful work and fresh ideas.“
Lisa Courtade, Associate Vice President, Global Business Insights & Analytics, Organon: “The submissions are truly inspiring, showcasing nominees who are making significant contributions to the profession while also leading meaningful change in their communities.“
Jane Frost CBE, CEO of MRS: “This is a terrific programme with some wonderful nominees and even more wonderful winners. Everything we do to celebrate success in our sector promotes the sector as a whole and is very much welcomed.”
Ruth Hinton, Chair of AURA: “On behalf of Aura members, it was great to see so many strong entries which demonstrated impact in their role and impact in the wider world, including more honourees this year from people on the client side. We hope all the finalists are rightly proud of their achievements; and at Aura we love learning from real examples and fresh perspectives, so this list provides some great inspiration.”
Joaquim Bretcha, Director General of ESOMAR: “It is truly inspiring to witness the talent, passion, and drive of young professionals in our industry across the globe.”
With thanks to: Angus Hunter – The Research Society (Australia), Ankesh Agarwal – Majid Al Futtaim (UAE), Annie Pettit – E2E Research Services (Canada), Bob Qureshi – i-View (UK), Cait Wilson – ŌURA (USA), Crispin Beale – IDX (UK), Dali Tembo – Culture Foundry (South Africa), Diego Adolfo Chávez Terrazas – EyeSee Research (Mexico), Finn Raben – Amplifi (Netherlands), Harry Unwin – FC Bayern München (Germany), James Endersby – Opinium (UK), Jamie McCracken (USA), Jane Frost – Market Research Society (MRS) (UK), Jillian Roche – Isentia (New Zealand), Jim Whaley – Ovation (USA), Joaquim Bretcha – ESOMAR (Netherlands), Lisa Courtade – Organon (USA), Lisa Wilding-Brown – innovateMR (USA), Melanie Courtright – SAGO (USA), Pallavi Dhall – Quantum Consumer Solutions (India), Pravin Shekar – Krea eKnowledge (India), Rachel Hawley – Fieldwork, Inc. (USA), Ruth Hinton – Vue International & AURA (UK), Seyi Adeoye – Pierrine Consulting (Nigeria), Sinead Jefferies – Zappi (UK), Shaahin Shariat – Blinkist (Germany), Wiepke van der Wal (Netherlands), Zoe Wilson – AustralianSuper (Australia)
The Results
After an incredibly competitive process, 30 exceptional individuals from 8 countries have earned a place on this year’s prestigious list. Honourees hail from Australia, Canada, Ghana, India, Netherlands, South Africa, United Kingdom and the USA. Two-thirds are women, a testament to the diversity and strength of talent shaping our industry.
What Does It Take to Make the List?
The Significant Insights Global 30-Under-30 recognises insight leaders, innovators, creators, and thinkers under 30 who are making big strides in the world of insights. This needs to be demonstrated through:
- Outstanding day-to-day work for clients or stakeholders
- Influence and impact within their organisation or the wider industry
- Using data and insights to drive positive change globally and / or championing our sector
Nominees must be active members of the global research, data, analytics and insights community and 29 or younger as of 28 November 2025.
Click through to meet the Significant Insights Global 30 Under 30 2025:
Important 2026 Dates
- Nominations open: 1st May 2026
- Nominations close: 30th September 2026
- 30-Under-30 2025 announced: 30th November 2026
The Entry Requirements for 2026
We’ll want to find the insight leaders, innovators, creators and thinkers, under 30 years of age, who are making big strides in the world of insights. This could be reflected in their day-to-day work for clients and/or stakeholders, or the influence and impact they have made at their organisation, and/or the wider research and insights industry, or through their use of data and insights to help accelerate positive change in the world.
And they/you have to be a member of the global research and insights community and 29 or younger on November 30th, 2026.