Ava Toro
Marketing Researcher
About
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">My name is Ava Toro, and I’m a Senior Global Insights Analyst and the Lead of Networking for Black People Reddit (BPR), but that's just part of my story. At my core, I'm a researcher dedicated to uncovering narratives and drivers that help brands effectively engage with their target audiences. I firmly believe in the transformative power of insights and research to reveal the intersectionalities between brand objectives and consumer interests, unlocking unique sources of value and translating findings into actionable strategies and methodologies. Most research answers the WHAT, but my passion lies in exploring the WHY. I partner with businesses to interpret these underlying motivations, giving brands not only a blueprint to connect with audiences but also an authentic way to tell their stories.</p> <p>Originally from Fayetteville, a small town in Georgia, I grew up primarily in Tyrone—an area that felt rural yet closely-knit, with all our schools conveniently clustered together. Growing up, my idea of success was earning $100,000 to $200,000 a year in a secure government job. This represented the pinnacle of achievement in my community. However, as I grew older, I began to see a world beyond the traditional paths. One of my favorite personal reflections is that if I could tell my younger self what I do today, she would undoubtedly wonder, "How in the world did we get here?"</p> <p>As a Black Southerner, I was often taught that certain paths—like becoming a lawyer, doctor, or postmaster—were safer and more straightforward. Fortunately, I had parents who encouraged me to see beyond the safe routes, understanding that the safest path doesn't always yield the richest rewards—it yields predictable results. Throughout college and through my involvement with my sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and my business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, I was fortunate to expand my network, broaden my perspective, and embrace opportunities that weren't neatly paved. These experiences taught me not only to forge my own path but to clear the way and bring others along on the journey.</p>
Brands
Intel
IBM
General Motors
Samsung
Google
Wendy's
McDonald's
NAPA Auto Parts
Brewers Association