Ann Fitzsimons, BS, MBA

Experience

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  MORPACE International

  May 1984 - Feb 1985

  Market Research Analyst

  Entry-level Marketing Research Analyst for a full service custom quantitative and qualitative Marketing Research firm which specialized in political polling, ad campaign evaluations, financial institutions, among others.

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  The Clorox Company

  Jan 1985 - Jan 1987

  Market Research Analyst

  Progressed from Research Analyst to Senior Research Analyst on some of the company's largest brands like HIdden Valley Ranch, Clorox Bleach, and Kingsford Charcoal.

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  Kraft General Foods

  Jan 1987 - Jan 1989

  Associate Research Manager

  At Kraft Foods, I was promoted from a Senior Market Research Analyst to an Associate Research Manager on some of the company's key core food businesses (e.g., Parkay Margarine, Kraft Mayonnaise, New Products) in addition to researching several acquisition brands. In these roles, I was responsible for all marketing research activities--primary and secondary--for these businesses.

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  Vlasic Foods

  Jan 1989 - Jan 1991

  Market Research Manager

  Progressed to Manager of Marketing Research from a Senior Research Analyst, which included being responsible for all consumer insights activities and marketing research budgets relative to the company's flagship business--the Pickles Strategic Business Unit.

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  Consumer Market Analysts

  Jan 1989 - Jan 1989

  Vice President

  Managed key account projects for this small supply-side marketing research vendor to the telecommunications, banking, and other service-based industries.

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  ConsumerThink Inc.

  Feb 1991 - now

  Marketing & Consumer Insights Consultant

  I am a respected council to numerous corporations utilizing my extensive background in marketing, consumer insights, and marketing research to deliver action-oriented results that are strategically targeted through qualitative and quantitative research, new product research, and ideation and innovation techniques. My over 30 years in marketing and research provide me with the invaluable ability to anticipate client needs and mine motivating consumer insights, both which aid in client's strategic development processes. I have worked in, and consulted with, marketing research firms for some of the country’s premier Fortune 500 companies, while serving numerous other large and small firms in my own consulting practice. This background enables me to utilize a wide variety of techniques in qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, among both adults and children, to provide a more insightful exploration of consumers’ reactions and feelings so I can be their voice back to my clients.Specifically, I have expertise in a wide range of marketing, marketing research, strategic planning/innovation and consulting services, including communications research, idea generation/strategic innovation sessions, statistical market modeling, new product development and planning, and public opinion attitude studies, among others. I also apply this skill set to aid Management Investment Firms in due diligence of CPG and service-related companies. I am extending my research skill set into the world of pediatric palliative/hospice care as I craft some much needed research to provide validation of the types and levels of supportive care and programs these littlest patients and their families need to navigate these healthcare journeys with a medically-complex or dying child. Show less

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  Compassionate Passages, Inc.

  Dec 2001 - Dec 2010

  Co-Founder & Associate Director

  I helped co-found Compassionate Passages, a non-profit whose mission it is to be the family voice for supportive pediatric end-of-life care via advocacy, education, and research. During my time with Compassionate Passages, I presented at several national pediatric palliative/hospice care conferences, wrote on the topic of better supportive care for these families, and conducted research to aid in communication of tough topics like death and dying with and for these children and their families.

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  National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

  Jan 2009 - now

  NHPCO Children's Pediatric Palliative Services Advisory Council and e-Journal Committee Member

  The Pediatrics Advisory Council provides strategic guidance to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) related to pediatric hospice and palliative care. Activities include: a quarterly E-Journal, Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care educational offerings, Pediatric Standards of Care for Hospice Programs and other pediatric resource development initiatives. I am currently a member of the Pediatrics Advisory Council, and Member of the e-Journal, a quarterly publication sent to over 3,500 inter-disciplinary healthcare professionals (e.g., Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers, Chaplains, Child Life Specialists, etc.). I have also contributed to this publication, as well as solicited leaders in the field for articles on relevant topics. This publication can be found at: https://www.nhpco.org/palliative-care-overview/pediatrics/chipps-pediatric-e-journal/ . Show less

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  University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center

  Sept 2011 - Apr 2016

  Patient & Family Advisory Board Co-Chairperson

  The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center created a Cancer Patient & Family Advisory Board in 2011. The Board was comprised of 12+ Patient Advisors working in partnership with faculty/staff toward the integration of the patient/family voice into all Cancer Center activities and operations. The Board created four Committees, each focused on a different part of the patient care experience, including: Education and Communication, Improving Outpatient Care, Improving Inpatient Care, and Patient & Family Support and Education.I served as the inaugural Patient/Family Co-Chair for two terms, as well as the Chair of the Inpatient Care Committee during my tenure on this Board.I also attended to conferences focused on harnessing the power of the patient and family voice through the Institute of Patient and Family-Centered Care while on this Board. Show less

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  American Academy of Pediatrics

  Sept 2011 - now

  Affiliate Member on Section on Hospice & Palliative Medicine

  Member of this Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section which strives to ensure that all children with hospice and palliative care needs and their families have access to and receive the highest possible quality of care regardless of where they live. Participate in this Section as a family member and Patient Advocate. More info on this AAP Section can be found at: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/Committees-Councils-Sections/Section-on-Hospice-and-Palliative-Medicine/Pages/About-Us.aspx. Show less

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  Here4U, Inc.

  Oct 2012 - now

  Executive Director/Founder

  As Executive Director of this 501(c) non-profit collaborative partnership of parents and healthcare professionals who care for medically-complex or chronically ill children, my responsibilities include driving us toward our vision of (1) Creating a supportive care website and online community for families of chronically or seriously ill children which will be a "safe place" for education, idea exchange and intimate conversations; and (2) Conducting much-needed broadscale quantitative research to give voice to what these families and their children need so they can receive the type of supportive, family-centered care that they deserve. Our website is: www.here4U.net to learn more about our important initiatives. Show less

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  University of Michigan School of Nursing

  Jul 2018 - now

  Nursing Innovation Portfolio Manager/Innovation Consultant & Coach

  Working with a group of amazing University of Michigan School of Nursing Innovators--faculty and students--to help create a pathway to market for their much needed product/service/programmatic offerings and interventions designed to add value to health care delivery, the patient/family experience or outcomes, or the nursing profession itself. The ideas can be for the social public good and also be (but they don't have to be) commercially viable/profitable, but they do have to have impact. As part of the HiiP Team, I/we strive to provide comprehensive professional support, propelling health care innovations forward and advancing health for all through consulting, coaching, and connecting. Show less