Connex—September 10, 2025

Joe Hopper | President, Versta Research

Joe Hopper, Ph.D., is president of Versta Research, a marketing research and public opinion polling firm that focuses on design, strategy and insight. He has served on the board of the American Marketing Association (AMA) in Chicago as Vice President of Market Research. Prior to Versta Research he did research in the academic world as a faculty member at the University of Chicago and the National Opinion Research Center (NORC).

Samantha Susi | Asst. Vice President & Senior Client Solutions Manager | Robert Half

Samantha Susi leads the Account team at Robert Half’s Marketing and Creative practice across Illinois. She is a member of the $1 Million Dollar Club and has expertise in marketing talent trends, compensation benchmarks, and career progression strategies. As an active AMA Chicago chapter member, she serves on the Membership Committee and has held key volunteer roles including Manager of Member Engagement and Manager of Volunteers. With her unique position at the intersection of marketing talent acquisition and industry trends, Sam brings firsthand insights into how professionals can leverage salary data and market research for career advancement, retention strategies, and successful job transitions.