Helen Stergius

As Chief Content Officer at HFS Research, Helen makes sure HFS content is clear and compelling. She collaborates with the HFS leadership team and analysts to shape the company’s editorial direction. On any day, she might be sharpening a high-stakes report, coaching an analyst on how to land a tougher argument, or working with marketing and design to push HFS insights into new formats.

Helen also leads the firm’s push to optimize content for generative engines (GEO), structuring HFS research to be found, surfaced, and cited as enterprise buyers increasingly turn to LLMs for answers. She works alongside HFS analysts and colleagues on using AI to do sharper work and reclaim time.

Helen brings more than 30 years of experience in editing, publishing, research, software, and engineering. Prior roles include Editorial Lead at HFS, Project Lead at Toloka, owner of Digital Word, LLC, and Developmental Editor at Manning Publications, plus earlier engineering and systems roles in the automotive and defense industries.

Helen holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Maryland and a BS in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech. She lives in Colorado, where she bikes, skis, hikes, and reads; tries to learn to watercolor, cello, ice skating, and new languages; and admires a growing collection of unplayed board games.