Greenbook Future List Spotlight: Stephanie Vincent

Editor’s Note: The following interview features a 2025 Greenbook Future List honoree, Stephanie Vincent. The Greenbook Future List recognizes leadership, professional growth, personal integrity, passion, and excellence in the next generation of consumer insights and marketing professionals within the first 10 years of their careers.

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Stephanie Vincent, Executive Vice President at Harmon Research Group, LLC, is a testament to how purpose-driven leadership can create real impact—both inside and outside the insights industry. With a career that began as a phone interviewer and evolved through years of change and reinvention, Stephanie blends deep operational knowledge with a fierce commitment to people and purpose.

Her proudest accomplishment? Rallying the market research community to support an orphanage in Costa Rica, turning a simple conference conversation into a global cause. Whether mentoring teams, championing data quality, or navigating the new realities of AI, Stephanie leads with kindness, fairness, and a clear belief in the power of connection.

Since starting your career in MRX, what would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is bringing the market research industry together to support a cause that is deeply personal to me. For years, I have been volunteering at an orphanage for girls aged 5 to 12 who have been removed from their homes due to social risks. The organization is now building a new facility to expand its support, ensuring that teenage girls can stay in a safe and stable environment instead of aging out at 12.

What started as a simple conversation at a conference turned into something much bigger.

During that conference, I mentioned to someone at a booth that the girls at the orphanage would love the yoyos he was handing out. That conversation led to him telling me about the MREF and encouraging me to apply for a grant. I did, and the orphanage received the funding. That moment sparked my involvement with the MREF, and from there, I was able to connect leaders in the industry to the cause.

Since then, market research professionals have traveled to Costa Rica not once, but three times as part of a Vision Trip to spend time with the girls. Their generosity has made a real difference. Providing school supplies, educational activities, and resources to help the girls feel more supported in their education. Thanks to these collective efforts, we have raised thousands of dollars, much of which is now helping fund the construction of the new orphanage. This support is giving these girls a real chance at a brighter future.

None of this would have been possible without the kindness and generosity of the industry. I am incredibly grateful to have played a part in inspiring people and companies to get involved. Seeing firsthand how collective action can create real and meaningful change.

How has market research changed since you first started your career?

Everything has changed. My career in insights has two different phases. I started very young, took a 12-year break, and returned three years ago. The difference was staggering.
I began my career right after high school when CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing) was the standard for everything. My first job was as a phone interviewer. Starting from the ground up was a great learning experience because I got to understand every aspect of the business. But after 12 years away, I was shocked to see how much had changed. CATI was fading, and everything had moved online.

Coming back, I had to relearn the industry. I had to understand bots, fraud detection, data quality, online panels, and even how to recruit for qualitative research digitally. I also had to learn how to market completely new products in a landscape that had evolved dramatically.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that adaptability is essential. The industry will continue to change, and if you don’t change with it, your business won’t survive.

If you could go back in time to when you first started your career, what advice would you give to your younger self?

I would tell myself that all the hard work will pay off. Staying curious is essential in this career. That every effort, every challenge, and even those rainy days rushing to school will be worth it.
I would remind my younger self to listen to the incredible professionals and mentors I will meet along the way because they have valuable experience and wisdom to share. That standing up for myself is okay, and I don’t have to fear being a strong woman. Honesty and loyalty matter, and hard work does not go unnoticed. People will remember you for your dedication and integrity.

I would also emphasize the importance of continuous learning and staying open to change. The industry evolves quickly, and adaptability will be key to success.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that relationships in this field last. The mentors and colleagues I worked with from 2003 to 2009 stayed friends with me, and in 2022, they were the ones who called me back into the industry, and I was more than happy to jump back in the industry with them! 

How do you advocate for others on your team or your customers?

There are two key lessons I’ve learned over the years. The first is to always lead with kindness. There is no place for negativity in a strong team. I believe in this principle because I’ve seen firsthand how poor leadership can affect people. Experiencing leadership that lacked kindness taught me exactly how I don’t want to treat others. My approach with my team is solution-focused rather than assigning blame. I love mentoring my team, identifying their strengths, and aligning their skills with the company’s needs to help them grow while contributing effectively.

The second lesson comes from one of my most valued mentors: always be fair. Fairness should guide every decision, whether with clients, colleagues, or leadership. For clients, this means offering competitive pricing, delivering high-quality work, and providing excellent service. I always encourage my team with a simple reminder: "Let’s do this better, let’s be excellent."

A true partnership approach builds trust, delivers real value, and benefits everyone involved.

By leading with kindness and fairness, I try to create a supportive work environment and lasting relationships that drive success for both my team and my clients.

What challenges do you see facing newer MRX professionals as technology advances?

One of the biggest challenges in our industry today is the issue of data quality. Fraud and low-quality responses are ongoing concerns, and as technology evolves, so do the tactics used to exploit research systems. It’s a constant game of cat and mouse, requiring the industry to stay ahead by implementing strong quality measures. For someone new to MRX, this can feel overwhelming, but adaptability and creative problem-solving are essential skills to develop early on.

Another undeniable shift is the rise of AI. In many ways, AI is improving efficiency and streamlining research, but it also presents new challenges. The key is to embrace AI, understand its potential, and be ready to test and adjust as needed. If something doesn’t work, professionals must be willing to pivot quickly.

Fortunately, the industry offers many resources to help new professionals navigate these changes. My advice is to take advantage of them. Stay curious, keep learning, and be open to change. The ability to adapt will be a defining factor in long-term success.