Our Purpose
We unlock actionable truths through Real connection.
Our work is truly In-Context: Whether in-store or via e-commerce, we work with real shoppers in real environments using real stim. There are no data quality issues or surprises once the concept hits the real-world. You can trust the data and confidently move forward.
Win-At-Shelf Framework™: We have developed the methodology and framework to provide a post-research comprehensive understanding. We capture, interpret, and predict behavioral and emotional reactions to determine whether the concept has been seen, understood and wanted (and wanted again). This means you know what is driving performance and what needs to be improved.
We make it easy: We streamline the logistical challenges and quickly adjust without compromising on excellent service. This means you can access best-in-class methodologies without it feeling hard.
“We love real work with real humans” -CPG Client
A highly collaborative environment, REAL Insight is committed to building and maintaining a team that brings diverse perspectives and talents to the mix while operating with the cohesiveness that can only come from a team of people who genuinely like each other. Our clients get the best of all worlds as a result.
Meet Our Team
With enthusiasm and a great deal of care, Luke stands steady at the helm of REAL Insight. Navigating the way to big picture thinking by strategically designing solutions to answer a variety of research needs, he ensures all outputs deliver the highest quality you expect from Real Insight. His passion for research is matched only by his love for hockey, especially watching his kids play.
Sara is our one-of-a-kind psychology guru and organizational champion. In her role, she oversees the team while optimizing strategy and execution. Sara brings an impressive background that includes psychology, neuroscience, organizational development, and decades of professional experience in understanding human behavior. She brings valuable curiosity, empathy, leadership, and some snark to our work! As smart as she is, Sara occasionally indulges in binge-watching trashy tv, staying up too late, and mindless Instagram scrolling.
Having made the leap from client-side to research-side, Erin brings invaluable context that helps our team keep it REAL. Practical, knowledgeable, a gold-star project manager, and a true team player, she’s a natural fit as she oversees project execution and optimizes research processes. A voracious reader, Erin is never short of a fun fact; she’s even more happy to collect them on her travels.
Nothing is impossible for Lisa, who brings a variety of experiences and a willingness to learn to her role. Whether she is keeping projects afloat or handling relationships, she deftly navigates her work with grace and resourcefulness. She is new to the industry but has lots of experience as a shopper! In another life, she wants to live at the lake and spend her days reading, with family, or searching for a diamond in the rough at a flea market.
Confident and compassionate, Tyler can’t help but leave a good impression. Often leaving respondents to think, “Wow, did her warm brown eyes just see into my soul?”, Tyler uses humor and empathy to bring out the best in respondents and gain valuable insight. Her free spirit is reliable, yet hard to pin down. When in town, she's working hard to acquire all the Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu knowledge she can.
Zachary switched from cooking delicious meals to whipping up actionable insights. Always ready to lend a helping hand, he has been known to confuse employees and shoppers in-store about his true loyalties. Zachary is a pro at solving problems with a smile and has been in the industry for three years. The team often relies on his exceptional restaurant recs and delights in his infectious laugh. Two of Zachary’s favorite non-work activities include quoting Lord of the Rings to his cat, Gandalf, and eating chips.
No matter how frustrating a challenge seems, we can always count on Josie to Shake It Off and be Fearless in pursuit of the truth. She is a Mastermind assisting our research teams in uncovering insights Bejeweled with nuance then finding ways to present them with Style. From New Year’s Day, to August, and Back to December, Josie is always available to help a teammate. Outside of work, The Best Day for Josie is spent with family and friends and finding treasures at an estate sale.
José's impeccable attention to detail ensures that we are always ready for projects while bringing an analytical and supportive mindset to his role. He thinks deeply - often noticing areas of friction in a process and offering wise solutions. José offers compassion and kindness to others during his work and is always a joy to have around. When he isn’t working, José loves to listen to music, read, and write – he hopes to write a book one day!
At work, Sydney excels at bringing teams together, ensuring equity, and sparking new ideas with her gracious approach. Sydney's sunny energy, collaborative spirit, and organized focus is a special gift when facilitating a meeting, having a one-to-one conversation or working on a best practice. Outside the office, she’s a confident adventurer who loves cooking, crafting, and chatting. She’s all about fashion, nature, and anything pink!
Renée Nelson brings a relaxing and approachable energy to the team. A recent graduate from St. Thomas, she is a supportive presence who skillfully combines her strong background in data analytics with a keen interest in qualitative research methods. Renée is always eager to dive deep into data and analysis. Outside of work, this old soul enjoys spending quality time with family, hunting for treasures at thrift stores, relaxing with a hot cup of tea during cozy nights in, and maintaining her easygoing attitude.
Maggie is a results-driven powerhouse who faces challenges with focus and confidence. Always there with a supportive, steady hand, Maggie brings tenacity, humor, and a list-oriented mindset that keeps the team in order. Whether she’s snapping photos, baking treats, or building Lego sets, she blends creativity with precision. A lover of music and math, Maggie’s boundless spirit and sharp mind make her a force to be reckoned with!
Being with REAL Insight for over 10 years, Sheila’s role is ever-evolving. When in need of an incredible eagle eye, the impressive ability to sort and make sense of complex situations, and a positive, fun can-do attitude, we call upon Sheila “Tequila” Dingels. She has rarely met a specialty cocktail she didn’t like! With a passion for finding purpose in community involvement, you will often find Sheila volunteering her time and gifts in a variety of ways—whether it's social justice issues, hunting down long-lost gravestones for strangers, or helping homeless families pick out furnishings for their new homes.
Emily is an ever-supportive, ever-driven part of our team. Her eagerness to make sure all projects go smoothly is an imperative piece of the REAL Insight puzzle. Whether she’s in the aisle with us, or working the phones, she is for sure being helpful and making everyone feel at ease. Emily’s natural curiosity is also at play when she’s exploring the side streets in new cities or tracking down long lost ancestors
Michelle is a seasoned marketing pro who uses her curious inclination and stellar puzzle-solving skills to extract and translate what people perceive, feel, and experience. She is warm and fun right from the get-go, setting people at ease to openly share their thoughts. When she’s not setting people up for success, she’s setting her Pickle Ball partner up for a slam on the courts. When it comes to exercise, being social, and learning opportunities, this ever-moving extravert is all in.
Building empathy is a driving force behind Molly’s research philosophy. She is passionate about her projects and weaves integrity, empathy, and awareness together to create a strong ethical foundation that tirelessly brings more and more voices to the table. You will often find this compassionate heart on a walk in the woods—camera in hand—taking in the moss, mycelium, and lichens.
Solveig is an absolute research expert and a vital contributor within the REAL Insight family. With a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Minnesota, her natural curiosity and knack for asking insightful questions make her an invaluable asset to every project. Beyond her expertise, Solveig is the ultimate cheerleader whose kindness and thoughtful nature ensure that everyone around her feels supported. Whether she’s out in the field on a new adventure or critically analyzing research, she is sure to bring both a sharp mind and a cheering heart to the work.

The Founder
The Founder, Jim Cahill, had as eclectic a career path as one could possibly imagine prior to starting what was then called Marketing Roundtables in 1989. Stints in the military, seminary, agency world (Leo Burnett), collections, print sales, operations management, education, business manager for a bishop, and product marketing (Green Giant) all provided a background that established one primary fact: he was really, really good at talking with people. What made him so good was that he genuinely and compulsively cared about the person he was talking with, which generated rapid rapport and respondents that wanted to share. They felt appreciated and respected. These qualities proved be absolutely perfect for conducting in-store intercepts and Marketing Roundtables’ equity as in-store experts grew from there. Unsurprisingly, you can still find The Founder talking with people. Since retiring in 2009, Jim and The Foundress Norma, moved to a low income neighborhood of St. Paul as missionaries serving the needs of their neighbors. He now goes door-to-door making friends and being helpful and has never been happier.

