Adam Probolsky is the President of Probolsky Research, a minority- and women-owned market and opinion research firm that provides strategic public opinion insights for corporate, government, nonprofit, and election clients nationwide. Under Adam's leadership, the firm has operated for over 30 years and achieved significant recent growth, conducting research projects for clients ranging from municipalities in Texas to major metropolitan economic forecasts. Adam's background in politics began at age 17, and his expertise combines extensive experience in public policy with a forward-looking approach to technology, including the integration of AI and automation into research workflows.

Social media can make it feel like everyone is shouting the same opinion, but the loudest voices are rarely the full picture. When leaders rely on that noise to understand what people think, what are they missing?

Adam Probolsky believes social media sentiment is not the same as actual public opinion. Drawing from his experience in public opinion research, he explains that most people do not publicly share their views online, and those who do often represent a very specific, biased subset of the population. For leaders, that means social media can be useful information, but it should never be mistaken for representative data.

In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Adam Probolsky, President of Probolsky Research, to discuss why social media often distorts public opinion. They explore why leaders misread online feedback, how representative polling reveals a clearer picture, and why gut instinct should not be disguised as data. Adam also talks about how AI is changing research workflows.

Devon Hayes is the Co-founder of Elevation Marketing, a Denver-based digital marketing agency specializing in smart, data-driven marketing for contractors and home service businesses. Under her leadership, Elevation Marketing has built a strong reputation for long-term client retention and results-driven strategies, with most clients working with the agency for over five years. Devon brings a unique blend of technical expertise from her background in the Navy and deep experience in SEO, digital strategy, and client education, recognized for her practical approach and clear communication style.

From coordinating missions at sea to navigating the chaos of a growing business, some careers take unexpected turns that shape how we handle change. What does it really take to move from structured routines to boldly stepping into uncertainty and innovation?

According to Devon Hayes, a veteran of the Navy turned marketing agency co-founder, the key lies in embracing flexibility and curiosity. She recalls confidently tackling every challenge head-on early in her career, only to realize that building repeatable systems and processes saves more time than improvising. This mindset shift — seeing obstacles as learning opportunities rather than setbacks — has been central to her growth and ability to guide her team through change.

In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Devon Hayes, Co-founder of Elevation Marketing, to discuss moving from military precision to business leadership, navigating costly hiring mistakes, and leveraging AI as a tool rather than a threat. Devon also shares insights on mindset shifts that turn challenges into opportunities.

Alison Tierney is the Director of Inclusive Business Partnerships for the Pacific Mountain West region at WSP in the U.S., a global engineering and professional services firm specializing in complex infrastructure and environmental projects. At WSP, Alison fosters strategic partnerships and community-centric collaboration, supporting diverse businesses and advancing the company's global reach of 80,000 employees and its industry-leading inclusion initiatives. With over 20 years of experience across engineering, consultancy, and digital marketing, she combines business leadership with a passion for purpose-driven impact, bridging the gap between large organizations and small business partners.

Breaking into large organizations isn't usually about having the best capabilities or the perfect pitch. More often, success comes down to understanding how big companies operate, building trust over time, and staying committed long after the first conversation ends. So what does it really take for a small business to earn a seat at the table with major organizations?

According to Alison Tierney, a seasoned professional who has spent decades helping businesses build strategic partnerships and grow sustainably, the answer is patience. She explains that winning work with large organizations is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring years of relationship-building, consistent follow-through, and finding advocates within the organization who can champion your value.

In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Alison Tierney, Director of Inclusive Business Partnerships at WSP in the U.S, to discuss how small businesses can successfully build relationships with large organizations and position themselves for long-term growth. They explore why patience is critical, how relationship-building creates opportunities, and the advantages small firms bring through agility and responsiveness.