Meet the Co-Chairs

Elyssia Clark

Elyssia is Executive General Manager, Customer, Insights and Marketing at Benetas, a Victorian based not-for-profit aged care provider. Elyssia leads a diverse portfolio including Marketing, Sales, Customer Centre, Insights & Communications teams. She has extensive experience leading cross-functional teams in the financial services, technology and aged care sectors across a range of disciplines, including strategy, product, communications, customer service, marketing and data analytics. Elyssia started her career in market research, working both locally and overseas, and is a former Board Member of the Research Society. She holds a Masters in Strategic Marketing, a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science (Social Statistics) and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Media. With a career built on turning insights into action, Elyssia’s aim as Co-Chair is to help create a conference experience where people walkaway feeling inspired, better informed, and optimistic for the future.

Andrew Therkelsen

Andrew Therkelsen has over 25 years of experience working in research across Australia and the UK. He has held senior leadership roles in small, medium, and large research agencies, including The Leading Edge and GfK, where he was Head of Qualitative and Director of Social and Commercial Insights. Since 2016, Andrew has been the Managing Director of The Lab Insight & Strategy’s Sydney office. 

Andrew is passionate about the future of research and the evolving role it plays in business and society. He is particularly interested in how we can combine human intuition with advances in technology and cultural understanding to uncover deeper, more actionable insights. 

He is a committed contributor to the research community, having served on the boards of the Association of Qualitative Research (AQR) and the MRS. He is also a regular speaker at industry conferences, and a guest lecturer on Behavioural Science at Macquarie Graduate School of Management. 

As Co-Chair of The Research Society’s 2025 Annual Conference, Andrew is focused on curating a program that challenges the status quo, showcases innovation, and celebrates the power of research to make a real impact. 

He is driven by a vision for a bold, creative, human but tech forwards research industry—fit for the future and ready to lead.

Lily Adams

Lily Adams is a Senior Insights Consultant and Planet 30 Lead at Sprout Strategy, where she brings a sharp strategic lens and a deep passion for human-centred research. With a strong foundation in qualitative methodologies, Lily is known for her ability to uncover rich insights that drive meaningful outcomes for clients and communities alike. 

In 2024, Lily was honoured as the Young Researcher of the Year, a recognition of her innovative thinking, collaborative spirit, and commitment to advancing the research industry. 

Lily is a graduate of the Mark Ritson Mini MBA in Marketing and is deeply invested in the future of the industry. As Planet 30 Lead, she champions the voices of emerging researchers and creates pathways for young talent to thrive. Her work is grounded in empathy, curiosity, and a belief that research can be a powerful force for good. 

Now serving as Co-Chair of the Human Insights Conference for The Research Society, Lily is excited to help shape the future of insights in Australia. She brings energy, inclusivity, and a forward-thinking mindset to every initiative she leads.