MREF Awards

The Marketing Research Education Foundation (MREF) runs the Everyday Hero award and Philanthropic Company of the Year award. Awards are open to any individual, practicing marketing researcher, brand, or marketing research services provider from any and all countries globally who have contributed significantly to a nonprofit or community in need, or otherwise fit the category as outlined in the category descriptions.

The MREF Philanthropic Company of the Year award is given to a marketing research company that leads by example in the giving of time and financial resources in relation to the size of their organization.

Volunteers – encourages philanthropy, supporting its employees to go above and beyond to make a significant contribution to our world.
Is philanthropic in its community – displays philanthropic leadership in its community.
Gives of its resources – financially supports its causes for a lasting impact.

The MREF Everyday Hero award is given to a researcher who is making a difference in or outside of their community but who may not be getting the accolades they deserve. This individual is impacting their world through efforts such as:

Volunteering at a worthy nonprofit.
Doing the behind-the-scenes work an organization depends on.
Leading and encouraging others to give back through volunteering or other efforts.

Nominees must be currently employed by an insights or market research firm or work within an insights or market research department of a corporation.

2025 Winners

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BEESY

Philanthropic Company of the Year

Tanya Pinto

Everyday Hero

Since The Marketing Research and Insight Excellence Awards were founded in 2019 by Quirk's Media, the MREF has contributed two categories: the Philanthropic Company of the Year and the Everyday Hero Awards. The winner of the 2025 MREF Philanthropic Company of the Year award is BEESY. The winner of the 2025 MREF Everyday Hero award is Tanya Pinto.

The Philanthropic Company of the Year award recognizes a marketing research company that leads by example in terms of time and financial efforts given to their community.

BEESY is an insights-based professional services company, purpose-built to leverage deep applied behavioral science expertise to deliver greater commercial impact. Founded in 2018 by Elys Roberts, BEESY helps top health care and biopharma companies market more effectively by harnessing behavioral science to better understand and impact customer decision-making and behavior.

BEESY supports global efforts to tackle the root causes of poverty and create lasting solutions. The organization’s long-term vision has always been to scale its impact as it grows. BEESY also supports smaller organizations like the Niños Felices orphanage in the Dominican Republic by raising money for school supplies and English classes. BEESY proudly partners with industry charities like the MREF to help students from underserved communities.

The Everyday Hero award recognizes a researcher who is making a difference in and outside of their community but who may not be getting the accolades they deserve.

Tanya Pinto, a researcher at Microsoft and founder of Baal Dan Charities, is a dedicated humanitarian making a profound impact on vulnerable children worldwide. Through Baal Dan, she has provided food, education, and shelter to over 10,000 children in more than 12 countries. Her passion for service began with volunteering for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, shaping her lifelong commitment to philanthropy.

Pinto works tirelessly behind the scenes, fundraising, managing grants, and ensuring aid reaches those who need it most while excelling in the insights industry. She also inspires colleagues and the research community to give back. Pinto exemplifies the spirit of the MREF Everyday Hero Award, demonstrating that true leadership is about service, compassion, and action.

Past Winners

2024: