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Sorry if it has already been asked, but what do you call someone who gives ideas/suggestions? At a business meeting or a group discussion, for example.

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  • Do you mean an employee of the company? Or an outside person brought in for that purpose?
    – childofsoong
    May 14 '16 at 10:09
  • @childofsoong An employee of the company, to be specific.
    – Kappa
    May 14 '16 at 10:30
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    That's an "idea person", if the suggestions are frequent and reasonably on-target. This is a commonly-used descriptor in US business.
    – Hot Licks
    May 14 '16 at 12:04
  • Uninspiring though it may seem, in everyday usage this is simply a "contributor" or a "participant." Especially in a meeting where ideas are directly solicited, sharing them is the intended contribution or form of participation. No need for a fancy word.
    – James D
    Feb 28 at 5:55
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One of my pet hates, but no-one said that neologisms are unacceptable even if I'd scrub out my mouth with wire wool rather than use this one in real speech:

Ideator

A person who creates productive ideas, a conceptualist

One who ideates; one who holds or generates an idea, or synthesizes a concept

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ideator

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ideator

"Ideation". I ask you. Mutter, mutter, grumble.

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  • This sounds to me like a non-gender-specific version of "idea man/woman" which I was thinking of. Thanks for expanding my vocabulary (even if you hate the word)!
    – childofsoong
    May 14 '16 at 10:50
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Idea Woman

idea man

a person with an unusual capacity for visualizing and formulating new techniques, approaches, products (MW)

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I'd call such a person an innovator.

A person who introduces new methods, ideas, or products.
‘he was one of the great innovators in jazz’

Reference:
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/innovator

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One who suggests could be called a proposer, nominator, or advocate. I suggest or propose that we elect someone to provide a denotation for one who suggests.

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In group dynamics, a Plant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Role_Inventories#Plant

Plants are creative, unorthodox and generators of ideas. If an innovative solution to a problem is needed, a Plant is a good person to ask.

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Someone who suggests an idea could be called a suggester. The word is attested in the OED, but as it is subscriber only, you shall have to take my word for its existence.

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What about 'advisor '

Meaning from Google dictionary : a person who gives advice in a particular field.

And also 'counsellor' : an experienced and trusted adviser

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