{"id":47603,"date":"2025-08-21T02:55:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T00:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/?p=47603"},"modified":"2026-01-15T14:41:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T13:41:00","slug":"women-in-research-conversation-with-chief-research-officer-priyanka-sarkar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/women-in-research-conversation-with-chief-research-officer-priyanka-sarkar\/","title":{"rendered":"Women in research part 1: a conversation with our Chief Research Officer, Priyanka Sarkar\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized wp-container-content-82ea18c2\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Shivaani-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48427\" style=\"width:50px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Shivaani-1.png 1080w, https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Shivaani-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Shivaani-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Shivaani-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Shivaani-1-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Author: Shivaani Gore<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_ab72e6-0e, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_ab72e6-0e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_ab72e6-0e\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_ab72e6-0e mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_ab72e6-0e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_ab72e6-0e\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading47603_ab72e6-0e wp-block-toluna-advancedheading has-toluna-black-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_ab72e6-0e\">We&#8217;re proud to have some incredible women in our teams at Toluna \u2013 researchers, innovation experts, designers, you name it. One example is Priyanka Sarkar, our Chief Research Officer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e200e86f463ce47d3fc742caf2a0cdd2\">Curious to learn more about her journey and professional experiences, I sat down with her for a candid interview.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_dbef8d-ed, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_dbef8d-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_dbef8d-ed\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-xl, 2rem);line-height:40px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_dbef8d-ed mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_dbef8d-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_dbef8d-ed\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading47603_dbef8d-ed wp-block-toluna-advancedheading has-primary-blue-current-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_dbef8d-ed\"><strong>Q: <\/strong>Thanks for your time today! Starting right off, can you tell me about your path to the insights industry?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b3ee48e0d7284df017436e201fe24a9d\"><strong>Priyanka<\/strong>: My path into the insights world started with a love for stories. I grew up reading and writing a lot, and my curiosity about people and what shapes their lives first led me to media and advertising. Then, during my Master\u2019s, I discovered qualitative research: the perfect mix of travel, exploration, and connection. Listening to people, understanding what really matters to them, and translating those learnings into something meaningful was incredibly rewarding. And of course, getting to travel the length and breadth of India conducting focus groups was the cherry on top.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29ff967795814cdcb86cc50d8aa15369\">I\u2019ve always followed my curiosity and asked myself what work truly energizes me. That thinking took me from Mumbai to Boston and then to London. Working across cultures gave me a holistic understanding of consumers. Some opportunities came unexpectedly, but saying yes, even when it felt like a leap, has been a consistent theme in my journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_390ed5-63, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_390ed5-63[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_390ed5-63\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-xl, 2rem);line-height:40px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_390ed5-63 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_390ed5-63[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_390ed5-63\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading47603_390ed5-63 wp-block-toluna-advancedheading has-primary-blue-current-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_390ed5-63\"><strong>Q:<\/strong> What inspired you to continue building your career in the insights industry? &nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d3e5bffe7729b71482b8b227f47a4815\"><strong>Priyanka<\/strong>: It started with simple curiosity and grew into a passion. I\u2019ve always been interested in what drives people, their choices, their behaviors, their stories. I was drawn to the idea of using research to uncover motivations and developing strategies that actually make a difference. There\u2019s something rewarding about seeing a product you\u2019ve tested on a store shelf or a campaign you\u2019ve helped shape go live.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-039d9ba14488f60921d9b83479a863ed\">Over time, as I progressed through roles, I worked closely with teams in finance, marketing, sales, HR, operations, insights, and R&amp;D. Seeing how all those pieces connect to make a company successful taught me the value of taking a broad view. It also shaped how I lead teams, whether in the UK, across Europe, or now globally, because I\u2019ve seen first hand the value each function brings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-65e0d2b938859ef0fcd8809f8d54fafe\">But what really keeps me inspired are the people. I\u2019ve had the chance to work with smart, curious colleagues who approach every challenge with fresh thinking and deep experience. They\u2019ve taught me to keep learning, to stay open to new perspectives, and to create spaces where collaboration thrives.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-54bada3a162b932b31719b671de0119e\">For me, the insights field is a rare mix. It keeps you learning, it connects you with different cultures and industries, and it lets you work alongside people who are just as motivated by curiosity as you are. That blend of challenge and human connection is what keeps me going.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29e8946881afe5ce47c670e635612496\">At the heart of it, the joy has always been the same: sparking meaningful change in people&#8217;s lives. Whether it\u2019s answering client questions or leading big internal transformation projects, I strongly believe in the power of a good story to deliver impact. The insights industry has allowed me to live that every day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_64458c-d1, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_64458c-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_64458c-d1\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-xl, 2rem);line-height:40px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_64458c-d1 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_64458c-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_64458c-d1\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading47603_64458c-d1 wp-block-toluna-advancedheading has-primary-blue-current-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_64458c-d1\"><strong>Q: <\/strong>That&#8217;s inspiring. Being a woman in research, did you face any challenges along the way?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-081260c71085214b4bff3886ddb5667a\"><strong>Priyanka<\/strong>: I\u2019d be lying if I said no. I\u2019ve had supportive colleagues, but being a woman in research &#8211; and in leadership &#8211; still means navigating subtle biases and competing expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d1c3468c4b1fc45c1662fd1f13084e33\">I\u2019ve walked into rooms where I was the only woman and sometimes the only woman of color. That came with a quiet pressure to be the most prepared and the most confident, just to be taken seriously. Later, as a mother, I faced a new set of assumptions. Balancing my ambitions with being present for my child sometimes left me feeling like I wasn\u2019t giving my best in either role. Those moments were frustrating, and at times, isolating.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ee77c4ed96abb4ca0c19d891a19e0561\">What helped me was learning to speak up for myself and not letting a single setback define me. I leaned on mentors and peers who understood those pressures and offered perspective. Their support reminded me that I wasn\u2019t alone, and that systems do change &#8211; but only if people keep pushing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5a607adc3050709224cee2f1a47c5aaa\">These experiences made me more aware of the barriers women still face, but they also shaped the kind of leader I want to be. I focus on building teams where no one has to choose between their career and their family, and where contributions are valued for their impact. Not judged through the lens of gender, caregiving responsibilities, or cultural background.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_b7e66c-ea, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_b7e66c-ea[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_b7e66c-ea\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-xl, 2rem);line-height:40px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_b7e66c-ea mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_b7e66c-ea[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_b7e66c-ea\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading47603_b7e66c-ea wp-block-toluna-advancedheading has-primary-blue-current-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_b7e66c-ea\"><strong>Q: <\/strong>Thank you for sharing that. Can you tell me more about the mentors and peers who made a difference in your journey?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fb180d434a1c5d4d918ca5f484c2a2f1\"><strong>Priyanka<\/strong>: Yes, I\u2019ve been fortunate to have mentors who shaped my thinking in powerful ways. Two instances stand out. One senior leader taught me that true influence comes from clarity: being able to cut through complexity and focus on what really matters. That lesson has stayed with me ever since, in how I deliver insights and how I lead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22253e59e6bb0ee6aaf7df8dc6b80f4c\">Another mentor pushed me to take on the hardest, most visible projects, not because they were comfortable, but because they were defining. She reminded me that growth doesn\u2019t come from doing what you already know; it comes from stepping into the unknown and proving to yourself you can navigate it. Those experiences built both skill and confidence in my own judgment and voice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86e1ae7c6e5e4c363d03e6bd006f4edb\">I\u2019ve also been lucky to work alongside several strong women leaders, both early in my career and now at Toluna. Watching how they lead with resilience, empathy, and decisiveness has shown me that there\u2019s no single \u201cright\u201d way to lead. It gave me the confidence to lean into my own style and trust it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-03fc43908cd181d1c2e33e0c77db165c\">I&#8217;ll add that as a woman of color working across different countries, I\u2019ve sought out mentors who understand both gender and cultural dynamics. Their perspective helped me navigate moments where I felt like the \u201conly one\u201d in the room. Just knowing that someone else had walked a similar path and succeeded, was grounding.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4b0e241e14a2ab50981c15dd16fa5df7\">What I\u2019ve learned is that great mentors don\u2019t just give advice. They open doors. They challenge you to raise your game. And they advocate for you when you\u2019re not in the room. Their example has shaped how I mentor others. I try to pay that forward by creating opportunities and backing the potential I see in people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_ff77de-f2, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_ff77de-f2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_ff77de-f2\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-xl, 2rem);line-height:40px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_ff77de-f2 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_ff77de-f2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_ff77de-f2\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading47603_ff77de-f2 wp-block-toluna-advancedheading has-primary-blue-current-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_ff77de-f2\"><strong>Q: <\/strong>What is your leadership approach? Has it evolved over time?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-afef0b8ed30e9a85ddc35f4d8b5c0abd\"><strong>Priyanka<\/strong>: Definitely! Early in my career, I thought leadership was about having the answers and driving outcomes myself. Over time, I\u2019ve learned it\u2019s far more powerful to create clarity, remove barriers, and let others bring their best ideas forward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3eaba427250ed6edf45e29781dc9579a\">My cross-cultural experiences also taught me that people are motivated by different things, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn\u2019t work. I focus on listening first, understanding what drives each person, and creating an environment where they feel safe to experiment, challenge, and grow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-889beac5e347e511ee9196a67832f9f9\">I also believe in setting high expectations, but I pair that with real support. Some of my biggest growth came when my managers trusted me with tough, visible projects but stood behind me as I figured it out. I try to lead in the same way: giving people stretch opportunities, backing their judgment, and being there to guide when needed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-09cb9e548dbc399c93b92325e7758c9e\">At this stage, I see leadership less as directing and more as multiplying impact. My job is to align the team on a clear purpose, build trust, and make sure every person feels their contribution matters. That\u2019s how you transcend from just performance to real commitment and that magical energy you only get when everyone on the team is truly passionate and determined to achieve their goals. It\u2019s continuous effort to create this energy and momentum, but always worth it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8df7fe682198dc4cf5d4a3b406a52e40\">I saw this most recently during the EDGE (Efficient Delivery for Growth &amp; Excellence) workshops, where cross-functional colleagues came together for the first time and worked incredibly hard, challenging all of us to step up for what might be one of the biggest transformation efforts of our careers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_458abb-b5, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_458abb-b5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_458abb-b5\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-xl, 2rem);line-height:40px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_458abb-b5 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-toluna-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading47603_458abb-b5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_458abb-b5\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading47603_458abb-b5 wp-block-toluna-advancedheading has-primary-blue-current-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading47603_458abb-b5\">Q: I truly appreciate your mindset.<strong> <\/strong>On a concluding note, is there anything else you&#8217;d like to add or share with women in the research world?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8fcfbb29f38f1c7c47033e72c004c39b\"><strong>Priyanka<\/strong>: I\u2019d say, don\u2019t wait until you feel completely ready to step into a new role or take on a tough project. Some of the biggest turning points in my career came when I said yes before I felt fully prepared. You&#8217;ll figure it out along the way, and that\u2019s what builds real confidence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a0e0f729a9949d28f0a3526c15816954\">Also, invest in your network. Not just for career advancement, but for support and perspective. Find peers and mentors who will challenge you, advocate for you, and remind you of your worth on the days you doubt it. And do the same for others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9e702fb5f9c1579d53ca7c40de6d6f07\">As a woman of color, I know it can sometimes feel like you\u2019re the only one in the room. But your perspective is valuable. Don\u2019t underestimate the strength that comes from bringing a different lens to the table. Representation matters, and every step you take opens the door a little wider for someone else.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-toluna-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e0413442fd6d02bb76f288d175245f8a\">Finally, stay curious. The insights field is constantly evolving, now faster than ever with AI, and curiosity will always be your greatest asset. It\u2019s what keeps the work meaningful and keeps you growing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Author: Shivaani Gore We&#8217;re proud to have some incredible women in our<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":47613,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_toluna_hide_sidebar":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[368,367,366],"class_list":["post-47603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-diversity","tag-leadership","tag-women-in-research","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47603"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47603\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tolunacorporate.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}