Who is Mandy Moreno from Jeopardy? Meet the Social Psychologist, Consumer Insights Executive and Former Roller Derby Star

Mandy Moreno is an American social psychologist, consumer insights executive, researcher, fitness coach, and former competitive roller derby athlete based in Brooklyn, New York. Throughout her diverse career, she has combined expertise in psychology, human behavior, consumer research, and athletic performance to help organizations better understand how people think, make decisions, and interact with products. Her professional journey has taken her from university classrooms to Fortune 500 companies, while her interests outside work have made her a respected figure in New York’s roller derby and fitness communities.

With a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and years of experience leading consumer research for major brands, Moreno has built a reputation as an expert in behavioral science and market insights. In June 2026, she fulfilled a lifelong ambition by appearing as a contestant on Jeopardy!, later describing the experience as a dream come true and praising both the show’s staff and her fellow contestants.

An Academic Foundation in Psychology

Mandy Moreno’s career has always been rooted in a fascination with human behavior. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Evansville, where she distinguished herself both academically and as a campus leader. During her undergraduate years, she served as President of the Association of Latino Students and worked as a Resident Assistant in both Powell Hall and the Village Apartments, demonstrating leadership alongside her studies.

She continued her education at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, earning a Ph.D. in Social Psychology. Her graduate training focused on understanding how individuals think, behave, and interact within social environments, providing a scientific foundation that would later shape every stage of her professional career.

Early in her career, Moreno entered academia as a tenure-track psychology instructor at Hudson County Community College. She taught courses including Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Lifespan Development while serving as co-adviser to both the Psi Beta Honor Society and the Psychology Club.

Teaching allowed her to share complex psychological concepts with students while continuing to develop expertise in research methods, human behavior, and social cognition.

Building a Career in Consumer Insights

After leaving academia, Moreno successfully transitioned into consumer research, applying psychological principles to understand purchasing decisions, customer preferences, and human behavior.

She first joined Consumers Union as a Survey Research Associate, where she designed, managed, and analyzed surveys supporting Consumer Reports and ShopSmart magazine. Her work also contributed to broader consumer advocacy initiatives by providing reliable research into products and services used by millions of Americans.

Moreno later became Insights Manager at Social Media Link, a word-of-mouth marketing company, where she directed large-scale quantitative research projects and helped clients better understand customer engagement and brand perception.

Following that experience, she established her own consumer research consulting practice. Working with organizations across media, retail, entertainment, sports, and technology, she provided expertise in survey design, behavioral analysis, consumer insights, and research strategy.

Her consulting work reinforced her reputation as a specialist capable of translating psychological research into practical business insights.

Leading Consumer Research for Major Global Brands

Moreno entered a new phase of her career in 2019 when she joined International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), one of the world’s largest fragrance and ingredient companies.

As Consumer Insights Manager, she designed sophisticated consumer testing programs for fragrances used in products such as shampoos, conditioners, body washes, deodorants, and other personal care items. Her research combined numerous methodologies, including ethnographic observation, home-use testing, sensory evaluation, concept testing, usage and attitude surveys, online research, and central location testing.

Her role required balancing scientific rigor with practical product development, helping research teams understand how consumers experienced fragrance products in everyday life.

In February 2024, Moreno joined Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits as Senior Manager of Consumer Insight. In this leadership position, she oversees consumer research initiatives for one of the largest wine and spirits companies in the United States, helping guide product development, branding, marketing, and long-term business strategy through behavioral research and consumer analytics.

Today, she is recognized as an expert in qualitative research, quantitative research, UX research, consumer analytics, product testing, insight generation, and human behavior.

From Roller Derby Competitor to Fitness Advocate

Outside of her corporate career, Mandy Moreno became well known throughout New York City’s roller derby community under the skating name “Dainty Inferno.”

She competed for Bronx Gridlock, one of the home teams within Gotham Girls Roller Derby, during the sport’s rapid growth in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Roller derby combines speed, strategy, teamwork, and physical endurance, and Moreno quickly established herself as both a competitive athlete and an enthusiastic ambassador for the sport.

Beyond competing, she frequently spoke with journalists and media outlets about changing public perceptions of roller derby. Rather than viewing it as entertainment or spectacle, Moreno consistently emphasized the athleticism, discipline, and competitive skill required to participate at a high level.

Her advocacy helped highlight women’s full-contact sports as legitimate athletic competition, with her work receiving attention from publications including the New York Daily News and Getty Images.

Promoting Strength Training and Body Neutrality

Moreno’s passion for fitness extended beyond roller derby into coaching and strength training.

She earned CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and CrossFit Mobility Trainer certifications, along with CPR/AED certification, allowing her to coach athletes while combining physical training with her expertise in psychology.

Drawing upon her academic background, Moreno has focused much of her coaching on helping women overcome psychological barriers surrounding fitness, body image, and strength training. Rather than emphasizing appearance, she promotes body neutrality, confidence, functional strength, and long-term health.

Featured by publications including Refinery29, she has challenged common misconceptions that weightlifting makes women “too bulky.” Instead, she encourages individuals to pursue fitness goals that reflect personal well-being rather than societal expectations.

Her ability to integrate psychology with physical training has made her a respected voice in conversations surrounding women’s health, motivation, and self-confidence.

A Lifelong Learner on Jeopardy!

Mandy Moreno’s diverse background made her a natural fit for Jeopardy!, a competition that rewards intellectual curiosity across numerous fields.

Appearing on the show in June 2026 fulfilled what she described as a lifelong dream. Following the experience, Moreno expressed gratitude toward the production team and fellow contestants, praising the welcoming atmosphere and the friendships formed during filming.

Her appearance reflected a career built upon curiosity, learning, and continual personal growth. Whether researching consumer behavior, teaching psychology, coaching athletes, or competing on national television, Moreno has consistently demonstrated a passion for understanding people and sharing knowledge with others.

Mandy Moreno Quick Facts