Molly is proud to hold the title of Insights Sage at Smarty Pants, a role she assumed in late 2020. The playful title for her senior director position summarizes her depth of consumer knowledge and her 23 years of market research experience partnering with clients across a variety of industries—including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education and nonprofits.

Molly is a master at leading organizations in their pursuit of answers to critical business questions that fuel their growth. Her natural curiosity for what makes people tick, combined with her love of data and science, power her market research prowess. While Molly is adept at leading research across a wide range of methodologies, she is especially passionate about conducting quantitative research studies. Perhaps it all started with her love of Family Feud as a child!

Molly leverages her research talents in daily leadership of complex initiatives for Smarty Pants clients in the retail, healthcare and toy & game categories. From kid-targeted new product development to market demand evaluation among adult shoppers, Molly prioritizes what matters most to clients—actionability, efficiency and impeccable quality.

Prior to joining Smarty Pants, Molly was Associate Vice President, Strategy & Accounts at SimpsonScarborough, where she designed research and developed strategies to help colleges, universities and K-12 institutions achieve their marketing goals related to recruitment, retention and fundraising. Molly also worked at Kantar Health, conducting qualitative and quantitative research both domestically and abroad for clients like Pfizer and Bausch & Lomb. She began her research career at a boutique research firm, WBA Research, where she learned the ins and outs of successful project management and the art of not eating too many M&Ms while in the back room observing a focus group.

Molly earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychobiology from Wellesley College. But in true Smarty Pants fashion, she went on to receive Principles of Market Research and Principles of Mobile Market Research certifications from The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. She has also completed The Executive Technique program which helps leaders refine their communications skills. Molly stays smart and connected through her role as a mentor for Women in Research (WIRe).  

Born and raised in Maryland, Molly lives with her family just outside of Baltimore. She is proud to be raising two strong, independent daughters, each of whom are not be afraid to be a smarty pants!

mjackson@asksmartypants.com

Fun Facts

  • Loves endurance fitness challenges. Once rollerbladed 87 miles from Athens to Atlanta, GA in 12 hours, and most recently she challenged herself to walk 100 miles in one month
  • Dreams of going to Siena, Italy to see the Palio di Siena, a bi-yearly horse race
  • Loves to bake and recently became obsessed with The Great British Bake Off
  • Wants to be a contestant on the Amazing Race, even though she knows she and her friend would laugh too hard the whole time and come in last
  • Loves Broadway shows. Can’t wait to take her girls to see The Lion King
  • Enjoys playing bingo at local fire halls, and once won $400 with a coverall