Women in Social Listening and Insights

Jackie Cuyvers meets with Cara Buscaglia, who leads strategy and innovation at Talkwalker (now part of Hootsuite), about how social intelligence is evolving in the age of AI. From her early career in PR to shaping global insight strategies, Cara reflects on what “speed” really means today, the push to democratise social listening, and why connecting social data with business metrics is the next frontier.

Jackie Cuyvers sits down with Leila Akhavan, Senior Strategist at Tubular Labs, to reflect on her journey into social video intelligence – from her early days at the Ellen DeGeneres Show’s digital network to working closely with brands and platforms today. They talk about how social video data helps surface cultural shifts, shape partnerships and guide decisions, as well as the growing role of AI and why curiosity and storytelling still matter.

In this episode, Ishbel Macleod, Head of Research and Insights at We Are Hydrogen, shares how her curiosity led her from journalism into social intelligence. She discusses using AI to analyse large datasets, streamline tagging and uncover hidden insights – while keeping human interpretation at the core. Ishbel explains how her team turns social data into action, why authenticity and real voices build trust online and how brands can move from trendspotting to meaningful storytelling. She also reflects on the future of social listening, the rise of new platforms and offers practical advice for anyone looking to start a career in insights.

In this episode, Jackie Cuyvers speaks with Rotem Hinkis, Senior Associate Director and Business Intelligence Lead for Europe at APCO Worldwide. Rotem shares how her background in literature and teaching fuels a curiosity-driven approach to social intelligence, from tackling niche B2B topics to turning data into actionable strategies. They discuss the balance between quantitative and qualitative insight, the importance of cultural nuance and the pitfalls of chasing metrics without meaning. Rotem also offers a pragmatic take on AI’s role in research and advice on building diverse, T-shaped teams that can tell compelling, data-led stories.

Host Jackie Cuyvers is joined by Dr Liz Gross, founder and CEO of Campus Sonar. Liz shares her journey from campus marketing to pioneering social listening in higher education, with a mission to rebuild public trust and foster authentic relationships. She explains how her team turns real-time insights into strategic impact across enrolment, alumni engagement and crisis comms, and why the human element remains essential in an AI-driven world. Packed with advice and forward-looking trends, this episode offers a valuable perspective on the future of social intelligence in higher ed.

In this episode, our host Jackie Cuyvers sits down with Chelsie Hall, founder and CEO of ViralMoment – a pioneering video-first social intelligence company. Chelsie shares her fascinating career journey, from working with think tanks for the Department of Defense to identifying a critical gap in the industry: the need for social listening tools that can truly interpret the modern, video-driven social landscape. Together, Jackie and Chelsie explore the challenges of making sense of a world where everyone’s feeds –and the stories they see—are shaped by algorithms, and where understanding global, multilingual video content requires both cutting-edge AI and cultural nuance.

Host Jackie Cuyvers welcomes Ellen Tseng, head of the social listening team at Cash App. Ellen takes us on a journey through her career in social intelligence, sharing her experiences from the entertainment industry to fintech. Along the way, she unveils the complexities and evolutions in social listening, discussing cross-functional teamwork, the challenges of interpreting sentiment, and the importance of a compelling narrative in insights. Ellen's passion for data and social media shines through as she offers invaluable advice for those aspiring to thrive in this ever-evolving field. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to social intelligence, you won't want to miss the insights and inspiration Ellen brings to the table.

In this episode of the Women in Social Listening and Insights podcast, host Jackie Cuyvers sits down with Vicky Britton, Associate Principal at Oracle Life Sciences based in the UK. Vicky shares her fascinating journey from studying journalism to becoming a key player in the world of social intelligence, particularly within the pharmaceutical industry. With a focus on delivering search and social media intelligence projects, Vicky offers insights on how she leverages social media data to bring unfiltered patient experiences to light in the healthcare sector.

Jackie and Vicky explore a range of topics, including the importance of collaboration across teams, challenges in dealing with misinformation and the critical role of data visualisation. Vicky's enthusiasm for social listening shines through as she discusses trends, the integration of AI and the evolving landscape of social intelligence. If you're eager to learn from a trailblazer in social listening or are passionate about advancing your career in this field, this episode is a must-listen. So grab your headphones, and let's dive in.

In episode 10 of the Women in Social Listening and Insights podcast, host Jackie Cuyvers welcomes Melissa MacGregor, Senior Research Manager at Microsoft. Melissa delves into her journey through the world of social intelligence, starting from her roots in a San Francisco communications agency's research and analytics department to her current impactful role at Microsoft. Jackie and Melissa explore Melissa's passion for weaving social insights with traditional research methods and her love for the constantly evolving field of social data.

They discuss Melissa’s approach to data visualisation, insights communication and collaboration, highlighting the importance of making social intelligence easily comprehensible and actionable for diverse stakeholders. Melissa also shares her advice for aspiring social intelligence professionals, emphasising the significance of being nimble, open and communicative. Join us as we uncover the valuable insights and inspiring career of Melissa MacGregor in shaping the future of social intelligence.

In this episode, host Jackie Cuyvers sits down with Jasmine Bansal, a trailblazer in the field as the Senior Manager of Social Intelligence at the Bank of Montreal (BMO). Jasmine shares her remarkable journey from consumer insights at Kraft Canada to her influential role in the banking industry. We’ll delve into the vital role social intelligence plays in modern business strategy, from challenging conventional wisdom to pivoting communication efforts. Jasmine underscores the importance of stakeholder collaboration, the shift from reactive to proactive use of social data, and storytelling's value in contextualising insights. Join us as we explore how social intelligence has evolved and why it’s more crucial than ever in anticipating market trends and contributing to business innovation.