Professional Role and Company Overview
Jessica Broome, PhD, is the Founder and Head Southpaw of Southpaw Insights, an independent market research and human insights agency established in 2008 and based in Brooklyn, NY. She leads a women-led team of ambidextrous thinkers who specialize in delivering both qualitative and quantitative research aimed at powering smart, empathy-led decisions for a diverse client base. Southpaw Insights serves a broad range of sectors including pharmaceutical, food, technology, financial services, consumer packaged goods, and education.
Jessica is recognized for her ambidextrous thinking approach, combining innovative methodologies with empathy to generate meaningful, human-centered insights. Southpaw Insights emphasizes inclusive research practices and has been acknowledged for blending traditional and cutting-edge research methods.
Educational Background and Early Career
Jessica holds a PhD from the University of Michigan. Her academic journey included studying liberal arts and Southeast Asian studies, complemented by an MBA from the Ross School of Business. After college, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer, an experience foundational to her professional ethos and approach to research aimed at social impact.
Jessica’s early career involved working in non-profits—including interviewing diverse populations such as incarcerated individuals in New York State prisons—before transitioning into the research and insights departments of major public relations agencies. Notably, she advanced through roles at StrategyOne, the research arm of Edelman PR, and served as Vice President and Director of Research at Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L). These roles equipped her with extensive experience in both client-facing and methodological leadership.
Professional Expertise and Methodologies
Jessica is a seasoned survey methodologist and insights professional with a comprehensive skill set in designing and executing research that combines quantitative rigor with qualitative depth. Her firm specializes in:
- Human-centered, empathy-led research approaches
- Leveraging representative consumer research to ensure valid, actionable insights
- Employing mixed methods across sectors with customized solutions tailored to client needs
- Applying insights for effective message framing and media outreach in PR and communications
Her leadership style is described as collaborative, inclusive, and strategic, fostering innovation and diverse perspectives in research design.
Company Growth and Leadership
Jessica founded Southpaw Insights as a solopreneur and digital nomad, operating independently for approximately a decade before expanding to a team-based structure in Brooklyn, indicating a strategic scaling of operations and organizational maturity. She is actively involved in personally brainstorming ideas and engaging closely with clients to tailor research solutions effectively.
The company is known as a trusted partner by clients and agencies, praised for thoughtful responses to research questions and deep understanding of the latest research products. Under Jessica’s leadership, Southpaw Insights has developed a reputation for thoughtful, detail-oriented consulting that supports smart, data-driven decision-making.
Notable Achievements and Professional Presence
- Founded Southpaw Insights in 2008 and successfully rebranded from Jessica Broome Research six years prior to 2025, marking a significant milestone in business evolution.
- Jessica commands respect in the industry as a thought leader and has been featured in multiple interviews and spotlights including Titanium Member Spotlight and industry podcasts/webinars focused on research design and market research trends.
- Her professional narrative includes mentoring and supporting PhD professionals making transitions from academia to industry, as evidenced by her engagement in career pathway programming.
- Jessica and her team’s client successes span some of the world’s top brands coupled with deep experience in the market research community.
Contact and Professional Identity
Jessica Broome identifies with the pronouns she/her and is accessible for professional contact via the email jessica@southpawinsights.com. Her professional branding revolves around being an “Ambidextrous Thinker” and empathy-led founder, reflecting the intellectual and human-centered approach foundational to Southpaw Insights.
This comprehensive profile positions Jessica Broome as a highly qualified research professional and entrepreneur with a proven track record in leading a specialized market research agency. Her combination of advanced academic credentials, real-world sector experience, and methodological expertise provides a strong foundation for strategic partnership and client-driven insight development across multiple industries.
