Leadership Overview
Circana has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, marketing, operations, finance, technology, and regional business management.
By providing unparalleled clarity on consumer behavior, Circana empowers global brands to unlock growth through advanced analytics and cross-industry data, ensuring clients outpace competition in a complex marketplace.
By providing unparalleled clarity on consumer behavior, Circana empowers global brands to unlock growth through advanced analytics and cross-industry data, ensuring clients outpace competition in a complex marketplace.
Leadership Roles at Circana
Phemelo Phemiz - Chief Executive Officer
Phemelo Phemiz, the Chief Executive Officer at Circana, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Phemiz architects the long-term roadmap for integrating cross-industry data and advanced analytics to solve complex consumer behavior challenges. By aligning the executive team with the core mission of providing clarity to 7,000 global brands, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the company maintains its position as a leading advisor. Phemelo Phemiz drives innovation across the entire enterprise, fostering a culture that prioritizes actionable insights over raw data. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to secure sustainable growth and market expansion. Through the application of deep expertise, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes the firm's ability to meet evolving consumer demand. Ultimately, Phemiz secures the competitive advantage for clients by transforming market complexity into clear, profitable business opportunities.
Holly Knightly - Chief Financial Officer
Holly Knightly, the Chief Financial Officer at Circana, directs the financial health and fiscal strategy of the organization. Knightly architects the capital allocation plans that support the firm's investment in advanced analytics and proprietary technology. By overseeing financial reporting and risk management, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains the resources needed to serve its extensive client base. Holly Knightly drives fiscal discipline across the enterprise, enabling the business to scale its operations effectively. This leadership role involves providing the Board with critical insights into revenue growth and market performance. Through the management of financial assets, the Chief Financial Officer supports the company's mission to unlock business growth for brands and retailers. Ultimately, Knightly secures the long-term financial viability of the firm, allowing for continued innovation in the competitive landscape of consumer behavior advisory services.
Steven McNaught - Chief Financial Officer (APAC)
Steven McNaught, the Chief Financial Officer (APAC) at Circana, directs the financial operations and strategic planning for the Asia-Pacific region. McNaught architects regional fiscal policies that align with the company's global standards while addressing the unique nuances of the APAC market. By overseeing regional revenue streams and cost structures, the Chief Financial Officer (APAC) ensures that the firm's expansion efforts remain profitable and sustainable. Steven McNaught drives financial performance by analyzing regional consumer behavior trends and adjusting investment strategies accordingly. This leadership role involves close coordination with the global finance team to ensure consistency in reporting and compliance. Through the application of deep regional expertise, the Chief Financial Officer (APAC) supports the company's goal of providing clarity to brands operating in diverse Asian markets. Ultimately, McNaught secures the financial foundation for the firm's continued growth and influence across the APAC region.
Helen Omolara - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Co Owner
Helen Omolara, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Co Owner at Circana, directs the long-term ownership strategy and high-level financial governance of the firm. Omolara architects the investment frameworks that allow the company to maintain its status as a leading advisor on consumer behavior. By overseeing the intersection of ownership interests and corporate financial performance, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Co Owner ensures that the firm remains focused on sustainable, long-term growth. Helen Omolara drives strategic decision-making by evaluating the impact of market shifts on the company's valuation and service offerings. This leadership role involves balancing the needs of stakeholders with the operational requirements of a global data firm. Through the application of deep financial expertise, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Co Owner secures the firm's market position. Ultimately, Omolara ensures the company continues to provide clarity to its global client base.
Randy Kirschner - Chief Operating Officer
Randy Kirschner, the Chief Operating Officer at Circana, manages the internal infrastructure and operational efficiency required to deliver high-level analytics. Kirschner architects scalable processes that allow the firm to process vast amounts of cross-industry data with precision. By overseeing the daily execution of business services, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the organization meets the rigorous demands of 7,000 global clients. Randy Kirschner drives operational excellence by streamlining workflows and integrating advanced technology across all departments. This leadership role involves coordinating with other C-suite members to align resource allocation with strategic growth targets. Through the implementation of robust operational frameworks, the Chief Operating Officer supports the company's ability to provide clarity in complex markets. Ultimately, Kirschner maintains the operational stability necessary for the firm to outpace competition and deliver consistent value to the global retail sector.
Sam Matsuno - President
Sam Matsuno, the President at Circana, directs the day-to-day execution of the company's business strategy across all service lines. Matsuno architects the tactical plans that translate the firm's advanced analytics into tangible growth for its 7,000 clients. By overseeing the performance of various business units, the President ensures that the organization remains agile and responsive to changing consumer demand. Sam Matsuno drives collaboration between departments to ensure that the company's deep expertise is applied consistently across the complete store and complete wallet. This leadership role involves managing the relationships with key retail partners and ensuring that the firm's insights lead to actionable results. Through the implementation of high-impact business strategies, the President supports the company's mission to outpace the competition. Ultimately, Matsuno secures the operational success of the firm by fostering a culture of innovation and client-focused service.
Brian Lutwick - President, Mobile
Brian Lutwick, the President, Mobile at Circana, directs the strategic development and market penetration of the firm's mobile-centric data solutions. Lutwick architects the initiatives that capture consumer behavior insights through mobile platforms, providing clients with a more granular view of the complete consumer. By overseeing the mobile division, the President, Mobile ensures that the company's technology remains relevant in an increasingly digital retail environment. Brian Lutwick drives growth by identifying new opportunities for mobile data integration and expanding the firm's reach in the mobile commerce sector. This leadership role involves coordinating with product development teams to ensure that mobile insights are seamlessly integrated into the broader analytics suite. Through the application of specialized mobile expertise, the President, Mobile supports the company's goal of helping brands meet consumer demand. Ultimately, Lutwick secures the firm's leadership in mobile analytics, enabling clients to navigate the complexities of the modern digital marketplace.
Rupert Walters - Group President
Rupert Walters, the Group President at Circana, directs the strategic oversight of multiple business segments to ensure cohesive service delivery. Walters architects the growth strategies for these groups, focusing on how cross-industry data can be leveraged to solve specific retail challenges. By overseeing the performance of these business segments, the Group President ensures that the firm's deep expertise is effectively deployed to meet the needs of diverse global brands. Rupert Walters drives market impact by aligning the objectives of these groups with the company's overarching mission of providing clarity on consumer behavior. This leadership role involves managing the interaction between different business units to foster innovation and operational synergy. Through the application of broad industry knowledge, the Group President supports the company's ability to outpace competition. Ultimately, Walters secures the firm's market influence by ensuring that each group delivers high-value insights that drive business growth for clients.
Misty Muscatel - Chief Marketing Officer
Misty Muscatel, the Chief Marketing Officer at Circana, executes the global brand strategy to amplify the company's reputation as a leader in consumer behavior analytics. Muscatel designs comprehensive campaigns that highlight the value of the firm's unparalleled technology and deep expertise to retailers and brands worldwide. By overseeing the communication of complex data insights, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the market understands the unique benefits of the complete store and complete wallet perspective. Misty Muscatel drives engagement across diverse industry sectors, positioning the brand as an essential partner for growth. This role requires close collaboration with product teams to translate technical capabilities into compelling narratives. Through strategic positioning, the Chief Marketing Officer expands the company's footprint in key markets. Ultimately, Muscatel strengthens the brand identity, ensuring that clients recognize the firm as the primary authority on consumer demand.
Bruce Schnur - Global Technology Chief of Staff
Bruce Schnur, the Global Technology Chief of Staff at Circana, directs the operational integration of the firm's technological assets. Schnur architects the internal coordination between engineering teams and business units to ensure that the company's analytics platforms remain at the forefront of the industry. By overseeing the execution of technology-driven initiatives, the Global Technology Chief of Staff ensures that the firm's data capabilities directly support client growth. Bruce Schnur drives efficiency by aligning technical resources with the strategic priorities set by the executive leadership. This leadership role involves managing complex cross-functional projects that enhance the company's ability to interpret the complete consumer wallet. Through the optimization of technical workflows, the Global Technology Chief of Staff enables the firm to deliver actionable insights with speed and accuracy. Ultimately, Schnur maintains the technological edge that allows the company to outpace competition in the global market.
Explore Leadership Teams in Advertising Networks
Publicis Worldwide, founded in 1926, is a global creative marketing agency that helps clients navigate business transformation in rapidly changing markets. The company provides strategic creative solutions powered by data and technology to enhance marketing effectiveness across industries. Operating in over 100 countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and South America, Publicis Worldwide serves major global brands with comprehensive marketing services. The company offers B2B and B2C marketing solutions, creative development, and technology-driven campaigns. Publicis Worldwide maintains a strong international presence with offices in major markets including France, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China, India, Brazil, and Australia.
Company Leadership
KN
PP
EK
Founded in 2005, Aleph Holding is a leading global enabler of digital advertising by connecting the largest digital platforms with thousands of advertisers.
Company Leadership GT
JS
MI
MM
Landor & Fitch was a global brand transformation company that operated from 2021 to 2023 as the merged entity of Landor Associates and experience design agency Fitch. Headquartered in London with a presence across more than 30 offices in over 21 countries, the firm provided comprehensive consulting, design, and experience services that linked business strategy to brand development using data and analytics. The company specialized in brand transformation, brand designing and strategies, brand experience and expression management, brand performance analysis, and cultural transformation, serving clients across retail, corporate, hospitality, technology, and government sectors. Landor & Fitch offered an expanded portfolio of capabilities including brand consulting and strategic design, retail and workplace experience design, motion design, sonic branding, and architectural design services. The firm operated as part of WPP, the world's largest advertising company, delivering integrated solutions through global creative teams that collaborated across time zones and borders. Services encompassed brand research and valuation, brand strategy and architecture, corporate identity and packaging design, innovation, naming and writing, branded experiences, employee engagement, and digital branding. In 2023, following a five-year strategic expansion that integrated specialists in sonic branding, workspace design, and motion graphics, the company rebranded back to simply Landor, reflecting the evolution of its unified culture and significantly expanded service offerings. The rebrand featured a new ultramarine blue identity inspired by the transformative power of water, paying tribute to founder Walter Landor who established the original business on a ferry boat in San Francisco harbor in 1941.
Company Leadership PM
JB
At Thrasio, were reimagining how to make the worlds most-loved products accessible to everyone. So we work with successful sellers, using a deep understanding of rankings, ratings, and reviews plus supply chain and marketing smarts to transform the art and science of commerce.
Company Leadership JS
GG
HB
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Circana Top Executives and Leadership Team
