Best Market Research Consultants in Chicago

Best Market Research Consulting Services in Chicago

Chicago’s market research scene—spanning the Loop, Naperville, and Elgin—is a once-hidden powerhouse of insight, influence, and innovation. From bustling startup hubs to established manufacturing and healthcare giants, the professionals weaving their expertise into regional strategy are quietly reshaping how decisions are made. At Digital Reference, we believe in shining a light on those trailblazing behind the scenes, and building better systems, coaching teams, and creating scalable influence.

Through a detailed search of consultants across Chicago’s dynamic industries, and a comprehensive evaluation of each consultant's research methodology, industry impact, and ability to translate data into action, we've assembled a comprehensive list of market research professionals redefining the Chicago landscape. This list highlights the unique strategies and standout strengths that set each expert apart.

For a comparable look at how thoughtful practitioners are shaping the future of the industry, check out our spotlight on market research consultants in New York City: Market Research Consultants in New York City to Watch.

🧭 Our Methodology - Market Research Consulting Services

To create this list, we:

• Mapped our search to professionals based in or deeply engaged in Chicago, Naperville, and Elgin.
• Evaluated their public-facing work—LinkedIn, websites, case studies—to assess strategic impact.
• Prioritized those who embed research into leadership, innovation, and systems-level thinking.

We believe the strength of market research lies in those who turn insight into action and help shape the systems that drive meaningful change.

🌟 Featured Market Research Professionals

Melissa Deluca

President, Irwin Broh Research— Behavioral Strategy & Consumer Foresight
Melissa Deluca is a seasoned research leader known for elevating brand equity through clarity, rigor, and human-centered insight. As President of Irwin Broh Research, she guides organizations through complex behavioral questions, helping them turn data into confident, future-facing decisions.

Why Melissa stands out:

📊 Customized Research Strategy: Designs tailored research programs that directly address real-world business challenges.
🧠 Insight Translation: Transforms complex analytics into clear, compelling narratives executives can act on.
🤝 Consultative Partnerships: Builds long-term client relationships rooted in trust, alignment, and strategic foresight.

Melissa’s work sits at the intersection of precision and perspective—helping brands move forward with confidence.

Anne Schorr

Owner, Conifer Research — Modern Ethnography & Insight Artifacts
Anne Schorr brings depth, empathy, and creativity to modern ethnographic research. As the owner of Conifer Research, she blends immersive fieldwork with decision-ready outputs that help organizations truly understand the people they serve.

Why Anne stands out:

🔍 Immersive Research Leadership: Has led dozens of UX and consumer behavior programs across mobility, education, and retail.
🎨 Insight Artifacts: Translates research into tangible tools that bring insights to life for executive teams.
🤲 Participatory Design: Champions collaborative sessions that co-create solutions alongside clients.

Anne’s approach ensures research doesn’t just inform—it inspires action.

Olin Erickson

President, EM Search Consulting— Enterprise B2B & Research Ops Architect
Olin Erickson specializes in building research systems that drive organizational change. As President of EM Search Consulting, he partners with enterprise teams to operationalize insights at scale.

Why Olin stands out:

🏗️ Enterprise Research Design: Architects workflows for complex healthcare and manufacturing organizations.
🗂️ Executive Insight Frameworks: Transforms leadership interviews into structured, actionable models.
📈 Scalable Research Ops: Brings rigor and repeatability to enterprise-level research initiatives.

Olin’s work ensures insights don’t stall—they move organizations forward.

Shilpi Kumar

Founder, Khoj Lab — Participatory Futures & Civic Insight
Shilpi Kumar is a systems thinker shaping the future of cities through participatory research. As Founder of Khoj Lab, she integrates community voices into public-interest projects that influence urban design and civic policy.

Why Shilpi stands out:

🏙️ Community-Centered Research: Embeds lived experience into public and civic research initiatives.
🔮 Futures Thinking: Combines ethnography with scenario planning to design inclusive urban futures.
📜 Policy Impact: Research regularly informs civic strategy across the Chicago Metro area.

Shilpi’s leadership brings equity, imagination, and participation into long-term city planning.

Joel Mathew

CEO, Fortress Consulting — Customer-Centric Digital Strategy
Joel Mathew bridges research, design, and performance to help brands grow with intention. As CEO of Fortress Consulting, he supports startups and mid-sized companies in building digital strategies rooted in customer insight.

Why Joel stands out:

🧪 Early-Stage Testing: Integrates A/B testing and brand tracking at the start of digital builds.
🔗 Mixed-Method Insight: Blends qualitative and quantitative research into cohesive brand strategy.
🎯 Resonant Storytelling: Helps brands craft narratives that connect deeply with target audiences.

Joel’s work turns research into conversion-ready experiences.

Jonathan Pirc

Founder, Lab42 Research — Agile Market Research for Gen Z & Millennials
Jonathan Pirc is known for speed, relevance, and cultural fluency. As Founder of Lab42 Research, he helps brands quickly adapt to evolving consumer expectations—especially among younger audiences.

Why Jonathan stands out:

⚡ Rapid Research Execution: Delivers concept and pricing insights in days, not weeks.
🏢 Broad Client Reach: Works with everyone from indie brands to Fortune 500 companies.
📦 Launch-Level Impact: Research has shaped messaging for major CPG product launches.

Jonathan’s approach keeps brands aligned with culture in real time.

Shari Altergott

Founder, The CX Edge — B2B Engagement & CRM Feedback Loops
Shari Altergott makes customer experience measurable, actionable, and repeatable. Through The CX Edge, she helps B2B organizations embed CX into their operational DNA.

Why Shari stands out:

🔁 Closed-Loop CX Systems: Designs feedback loops that directly connect experience to operations.
🧩 CRM-Driven Strategy: Integrates customer data into decision-making for service-led businesses.
🏭 Industrial CX Expertise: Elevates experience strategy in often-overlooked industrial sectors.

Shari’s work ensures CX isn’t a buzzword—it’s a business driver.

Michele DeKinder‑Smith

Founder, Linkage Research — Quantitative Segmentation & Modeling
Michele DeKinder-Smith brings analytical depth and storytelling precision to audience research. As Founder of Linkage Research, she helps organizations understand who their customers really are—and how to reach them.

Why Michele stands out:

📐 Advanced Segmentation: Builds robust frameworks across CPG, retail, and financial services.
📊 Statistical Storytelling: Translates complex models into clear, meaningful narratives.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Persona Development: Influences marketing and product teams with data-informed audience insights.

Michele’s work turns numbers into strategy with staying power.

Brian Love

President, Focuscope — Focus Groups & Market Facilities
Brian Love brings balance, neutrality, and insight to group-based research. As President of Focuscope, he supports brands and institutions seeking authentic consumer voices.

Why Brian stands out:

🗣️ Expert Moderation: Leads high-impact focus groups across consumer and public policy topics.
🏢 Flexible Research Facilities: Offers in-person, hybrid, and online testing environments.
🌾 Midwest Market Insight: Helps brands uncover authentic regional perspectives.

Brian’s approach creates space for honest conversation—and meaningful insight.

🚀 The Future of Chicago Market Research

From behavior-forward strategies, agile testing, and systems design to enterprise ops and healthcare journeys, Chicago’s market research consultants are covering the full spectrum of modern insight work. What unites them? They build insights into live strategies, not just reports.

At Digital Reference, we’re dedicated to spotlighting the behind-the-scenes experts who turn insight into real-world impact. Our work is all about recognizing the builders, thinkers, and operators shaping industries from the inside out. To learn more about our approach, visit our About page, or explore how other cities are evolving through insight-driven leadership in our recent feature on HR Consultants in Chicago to Watch.