In this episode, Greenbook’s Karen Lynch sits down with Sarah Snudden, Head of US Consumer Insights at JDE Peet’s, for a lively conversation spanning career journeys, coffee obsession, and cutting-edge AI innovation. Sarah shares how her path led from Clorox and Seventh Generation to premium beverage insights at JDE Peet’s, and how she’s using AI agents to explore white space innovation and generate impactful product names.

They also unpack key takeaways from IIEX North America, including the evolving role of emotion in insights, why AI must serve research—not define it—and how industry connections fuel continuous learning. A must-listen for insight pros navigating fast-changing tech and business needs.

Key Discussion Points:

• Sarah’s career evolution from Clorox to Keurig to JDE Peet’s and her passion for premium coffee brands like L’OR and Tea Forté
• Using AI agents for innovation: how One Strategy Studio’s modular model helps identify white space and accelerate naming
• The changing conversation around AI in research: moving from hype to practical use cases
• Takeaways from IIEX North America, including standout sessions, trends, and why human insight still matters
• Advice for researchers ready to experiment with new tools: start small, focus on outcomes, and skip the tech jargon

• JDE Peet’s
• One Strategy Studio
• IIEX North America

Many thanks to Sarah Snudden for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.