Janelle Angela James

I am an experienced marketing leader, consumer expert, and innovation specialist with a passion for changing the world and inspiring those around me. My work has touched over a billion people. I illuminate, create, build, connect, and improve.

I help brands become more relevant by better understanding people: consumers, employees, suppliers, and investors. Today that works takes many forms... from designing and conducting research globally to uncovering bias that undermines growth to translating emotion into action and even optimizing AI systems and advertising. My work strengthens big businesses, small businesses, tech companies, writers’ rooms, finance departments, marketplaces… and improves the lives of everyday people.

I've chartered my own path from Brooklyn to Boston, Milan, Chicago, and London. Interesting stops on my journey include conducting research in 15+ countries; living and working abroad 4 times; founding a firm’s first employee resource group and growing it to over 200 people; leading a global brand across 40 countries; developing a class at Roosevelt University; and guest lecturing at UCLA, Harvard, NYU, University of Chicago, and Northwestern in Qatar. Today, I lead Cultural Intelligence for Ipsos in the US.

My work and passion have driven me to author opinion pieces in Newsweek and Ad Age… focusing on different aspects of audience understanding, marketing, brand building, and growing impact with consumers today. I was named a 2021 Advertising Week ‘Future Is Female’ honoree for my ability to effect organizational change and external impact with marketing and advertising brands and beyond. I also Co-Chair the ARF’s Cultural Effectiveness Council working to advance thought leadership on culture and communications that drive business growth… and host its monthly “Culture Connect” podcast on all things inclusive marketing, media, and tech.

I am most interested in the points where people meet business... marketing, innovation, insights, inclusion, and developing careers. Other titles I enjoy include home cook, amateur photographer, hostess, mentor, world traveler, and mother.