ANASTASIA GABRIEL
Award-winning author. Cultural researcher. Change agent.
“What makes Dr. Gabriel's voice so contagious and affecting is her crystal clarity in seeing things both as they are and as they should be—a much-needed perspective for the times.
Nick Susi
Executive Director of Strategy, dotdotdash
Meet Dr. Gabriel.
Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel is a cultural theorist, researcher, and devout disruptor of the status quo, known for her precision in excavating hidden narratives shaping culture. Her work aims to deconstruct the obvious and unsettle the familiar, compelling us to confront what goes unspoken. Dr. Gabriel holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from Duke University, having specialized in the study of U.S. culture and social identity.
Drawing on theory and practice—most recently leading insights at Reddit—she advises organizations on societal and consumer trends, translating what’s "now" and what’s "next" in culture into strategic roadmaps that drive relevance, innovation, and growth.
Dr. Gabriel is a widely regarded cultural commentator who has spoken on global stages, such as the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and Advertising Week. Her insights on current events have been featured in publications like Forbes, The New York Times, WSJ, and Teen Vogue.
Dr. Gabriel is the award-winning author of Cultural Intelligence for Marketers (2024), which explores how brands can stay ahead of the curve and positively shape the future of business and society.
As seen in:
Cultural Intelligence for Marketers
Brands not only reflect culture but actively shape societal norms and values. Move beyond performative marketing and drive the cultural conversation.
“Groundbreaking work.”
— Dr. Joan Ball, Associate Professor of Marketing, St. John’s University
WINNER: 2024 International Book Awards
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WINNER: Goody Business Book Award 2024
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WINNER: NYC Big Book Award 2024
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FINALIST: National Indie Excellence Awards 2024
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FINALIST: American Book Fest Best Book Awards 2024
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HONORABLE MENTION: Readers' Favorite Book Awards 2024
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WINNER: 2024 International Book Awards — WINNER: Goody Business Book Award 2024 — WINNER: NYC Big Book Award 2024 — FINALIST: National Indie Excellence Awards 2024 — FINALIST: American Book Fest Best Book Awards 2024 — HONORABLE MENTION: Readers' Favorite Book Awards 2024 —
Clients
Hire me for:
Cultural Foresight & Strategy
Trends, foresight, cultural research, consumer intelligence, social listening, and opportunity mapping.
Speaking & Workshops
Keynotes, talks, panels, interviews, workshops, continuing education, guest lectures, and custom trainings.
Public Leadership
Personal brand development, public voice and positioning, writing for influence, social strategy.
“Every academic who goes into the industry fantasizes about transforming businesses with their unique knowledge. Dr. Gabriel will be one of the rare few who pulls it off.”
— Dr. Andrew Cohen, Strategy Director, Media.Monks
Past Work
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NIKE
How are new cultural ideas reshaping athleticism?
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HINGE
How do Gen Z think about connection and intimacy?
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DISNEY
What cultural codes are shaping how people experience luxury?
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AMERICAN EXPRESS
How can brand storytelling better represent the people we serve?
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COTY
What will the next generation of scent experiences look like?
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FUJIFILM
How do digital natives view the experience of film photography?
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ULTA BEAUTY
How can we better understand nuanced definitions of beauty?
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BACARDI
How are entertainment trends shaping our category?