Circana Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Circana has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, finance, technology, human resources, and market-specific business units.

Focused on decoding complex consumer behavior, Circana empowers global brands to unlock growth through advanced analytics and cross-industry data, ensuring clients outpace competition in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Leadership Roles at Circana

  • Chief Executive Officer - Phemelo Phemiz
  • Chief Financial Officer - Holly Knightly
  • Chief Financial Officer (APAC) - Steven McNaught
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Co Owner - Helen Omolara
  • Chief Operating Officer - Randy Kirschner
  • President, Mobile - Brian Lutwick
  • President Foodservice - Tim Fires
  • President - Sam Matsuno
  • Global Technology Chief of Staff - Bruce Schnur
  • Chief People Officer - Helene Bouffard
  • Phemelo Phemiz - Chief Executive Officer

    Phemelo Phemiz, the Chief Executive Officer at Circana, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the organization. By leveraging unparalleled technology and deep industry expertise, the Chief Executive Officer guides the firm in providing clarity to nearly 7,000 global brands. Phemiz maintains constant alignment with the Board to ensure the company remains the leading advisor on consumer behavior. This leadership role involves identifying emerging market trends and scaling the business to meet evolving consumer demand across diverse sectors. Through the integration of cross-industry data, the Chief Executive Officer drives innovation and operational excellence. Phemelo Phemiz fosters a culture of growth, ensuring the company consistently delivers actionable insights that help clients navigate the complexity of the modern retail landscape while maintaining a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

    Holly Knightly - Chief Financial Officer

    Holly Knightly, the Chief Financial Officer at Circana, governs the financial health and fiscal strategy of the organization. Managing capital allocation and financial planning, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that resources support the company's mission to provide deep expertise and advanced analytics to global brands. Knightly collaborates with the executive team to evaluate investment opportunities in new technology and data capabilities. This leadership position involves rigorous oversight of financial reporting and risk management to maintain the company's market position. By aligning fiscal objectives with business growth targets, Holly Knightly secures the stability necessary for the firm to continue innovating in the consumer behavior space. The Chief Financial Officer monitors global economic trends to inform strategic decisions, ensuring that the company remains a profitable and influential advisor to the world's leading retailers and consumer goods manufacturers.
    Holly Knightly

    Steven McNaught - Chief Financial Officer (APAC)

    Steven McNaught, the Chief Financial Officer (APAC) at Circana, directs the financial operations and strategic planning for the company's activities across the Asia-Pacific region. Overseeing regional fiscal performance, the Chief Financial Officer (APAC) ensures that local business units maintain alignment with the broader corporate financial strategy. McNaught manages regional budgeting, compliance, and investment analysis to support growth in this critical market. This leadership role involves navigating the unique economic complexities of the APAC region to provide actionable insights for local and international clients. By optimizing financial processes, Steven McNaught enables the firm to expand its footprint and meet the specific demands of the regional consumer base. The Chief Financial Officer (APAC) works closely with global leadership to ensure that regional financial outcomes contribute effectively to the overall success and market impact of the organization.

    Helen Omolara - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Co Owner

    Helen Omolara, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Co Owner at Circana, provides high-level strategic oversight and financial governance for the enterprise. As a key stakeholder, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Co Owner shapes the long-term direction of the company's business model. Omolara manages complex financial structures and ensures that the firm's ownership interests remain aligned with its mission to provide clarity on consumer behavior. This role involves evaluating strategic partnerships and potential acquisitions that enhance the company's cross-industry data capabilities. By balancing financial rigor with entrepreneurial vision, Helen Omolara drives the organization toward sustainable growth and market leadership. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Co Owner maintains a focus on long-term value creation, ensuring that the company continues to deliver exceptional insights to its global client base while maintaining its status as a premier industry advisor.

    Randy Kirschner - Chief Operating Officer

    Randy Kirschner, the Chief Operating Officer at Circana, manages the internal infrastructure and execution of business processes that support the company's analytical services. Overseeing the daily operations, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the firm's advanced technology platforms function at peak efficiency to support client needs. Kirschner coordinates with other C-suite leaders to streamline workflows and optimize the delivery of data-driven insights. This role involves managing the operational scale required to process vast amounts of consumer data, ensuring that the organization meets the high standards expected by global retailers. By refining internal systems, Randy Kirschner directly impacts the company's ability to provide clarity on the complete consumer wallet. The Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on operational agility, allowing the business to adapt quickly to shifting market dynamics and sustain long-term growth across all service lines.

    Brian Lutwick - President, Mobile

    Brian Lutwick, the President, Mobile at Circana, directs the strategic initiatives and business development for the mobile sector. Overseeing the application of mobile-specific data and analytics, the President, Mobile ensures that clients receive actionable insights regarding consumer behavior in the digital space. Lutwick manages the development of specialized solutions that help brands understand the mobile consumer's journey and wallet. This leadership role involves identifying growth opportunities within the mobile ecosystem and collaborating with other business units to provide a comprehensive view of the market. By driving innovation in mobile analytics, Brian Lutwick enables the company to help clients outpace the competition in a digital-first environment. The President, Mobile maintains a focus on delivering high-value insights that allow brands to meet consumer demand effectively, ensuring that the firm remains a critical partner for companies navigating the complexities of the mobile landscape.
    Brian Lutwick

    Tim Fires - President Foodservice

    Tim Fires, the President Foodservice at Circana, manages the strategic direction and operational success of the foodservice business unit. Overseeing the delivery of industry-specific data and analytics, the President Foodservice ensures that clients in the restaurant and food supply sectors gain clarity on consumer demand. Fires coordinates with research teams to provide deep expertise on the complete store and consumer behavior within the foodservice industry. This role involves developing strategies that help clients optimize their offerings and ignite innovation in a highly competitive market. By focusing on the unique needs of the foodservice sector, Tim Fires enables the company to provide actionable insights that drive growth for global brands. The President Foodservice maintains a focus on market expansion and client satisfaction, ensuring that the firm remains the leading advisor for businesses operating within the complex foodservice landscape.

    Sam Matsuno - President

    Sam Matsuno, the President at Circana, oversees the execution of corporate strategy and the management of key business functions across the organization. Directing the integration of cross-industry data and advanced analytics, the President ensures that the firm delivers consistent value to its global client base. Matsuno collaborates with the executive team to refine the company's service offerings and maintain its status as a leading advisor on consumer behavior. This leadership role involves managing the operational scale required to support nearly 7,000 brands and retailers. By driving efficiency and fostering innovation, Sam Matsuno enables the company to help clients apply insights and outpace the competition. The President maintains a focus on strategic growth and market impact, ensuring that the organization continues to provide the clarity needed to navigate the complexities of the modern consumer wallet and store environment.

    Bruce Schnur - Global Technology Chief of Staff

    Bruce Schnur, the Global Technology Chief of Staff at Circana, architects the technological framework that powers the company's advanced analytics and data processing capabilities. Coordinating the efforts of the global technology teams, the Global Technology Chief of Staff ensures that the firm's infrastructure remains at the forefront of industry innovation. Schnur facilitates communication between technical departments and the executive leadership to align digital initiatives with business goals. This role involves overseeing the deployment of scalable solutions that allow clients to analyze the complete store and consumer wallet. By driving technological advancements, Bruce Schnur enables the organization to provide the clarity required for brands to take decisive action. The Global Technology Chief of Staff maintains a focus on security and performance, ensuring that the company's data assets remain robust and accessible for clients operating in competitive international markets.

    Helene Bouffard - Chief People Officer

    Helene Bouffard, the Chief People Officer at Circana, leads the human capital strategy and organizational development initiatives. Overseeing talent acquisition, employee engagement, and leadership development, the Chief People Officer ensures that the company attracts and retains the expertise necessary to provide deep analytical insights. Bouffard designs programs that foster a culture of innovation and collaboration across the global workforce. This role involves aligning human resources policies with the company's business objectives to support growth and operational efficiency. By cultivating a high-performing team, Helene Bouffard enables the firm to maintain its position as a leading advisor on consumer behavior. The Chief People Officer works with the executive team to ensure that the organization's talent strategy supports the evolving needs of clients and the demands of the competitive retail industry, ultimately driving the company's success through its people.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Circana Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Circana?
    Circana is led by Phemelo Phemiz (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Holly Knightly (Chief Financial Officer) and Steven McNaught (Chief Financial Officer (APAC)).
    Who is part of Circana’s executive team?
    The executive team of Circana includes leaders such as Phemelo Phemiz (Chief Executive Officer), Holly Knightly (Chief Financial Officer), Steven McNaught (Chief Financial Officer (APAC)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Circana have?
    Circana has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Circana’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Circana includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer (APAC), Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Co Owner, Chief Operating Officer.