SAINT PAUL, Minn., Sept. 12, 2018 – The Marketing Research Education Foundation (MREF) has announced the addition of two seasoned research executives to its board of directors: Susan Waltman, Ipsos global president, and Tim Urmston, founder and CEO of Seek Company. The addition of Waltman and Urmston brings the total number of board members to seven.
Susan Waltman joined Ipsos in 2008 as SVP, U.S., Ipsos Understanding UnLTD. She was promoted to global president in 2010 and has a current scope covering strategic partnering clients across 85 countries. She has a nearly 30-year career in research, innovation, marketing and general management spanning consumer goods and health care. Previously, she worked for P&G, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ConAgra Foods and Coca-Cola. Waltman has a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Alabama.
“I am thrilled to join the MREF and help advance their mission in educating children worldwide,” says Waltman. “I look forward to working with the other board members to gain recognition for the foundation and help provide resources and funding for children’s education.”
Tim Urmston started Seek Company in 2000 after spending seven years with Procter & Gamble as a product researcher. As founder and CEO of Seek Company, Urmston has made it his mission to help companies immerse themselves into the lives of consumers to gain better insights. Along with research experience, he has over a decade of volunteer experience, starting a church on the West Side of Cincinnati and acting as a coach and teacher for the Taylor High School football program. Urmston has an MBA from Xavier University.
“The MREF is a natural fit for me,” says Urmston. “My passion lies in education and I’m happy to be a part of an organization that advocates for children to receive the best possible education, no matter their economic background.”