I am an interdisciplinary researcher, writer, and educator with experience spanning social sciences, health policy, land rights, and marketing. I work across academia, policy, and industry to translate complex ideas into accessible writing and practical interventions. I’m multilingual (English, Spanish, Portuguese) and have been published in Foreign Policy. I have been honored with the Beinecke Scholarship, Gates Millennium Scholarship, and QuestBridge National College Match among other recognitions, reflecting my commitment to rigorous scholarship and public engagement.

Helena Silva-Nichols

I am an interdisciplinary researcher, writer, and educator with experience spanning social sciences, health policy, land rights, and marketing. I work across academia, policy, and industry to translate complex ideas into accessible writing and practical interventions. I’m multilingual (English, Spanish, Portuguese) and have been published in Foreign Policy. I have been honored with the Beinecke Scholarship, Gates Millennium Scholarship, and QuestBridge National College Match among other recognitions, reflecting my commitment to rigorous scholarship and public engagement.

Available to hire

I am an interdisciplinary researcher, writer, and educator with experience spanning social sciences, health policy, land rights, and marketing. I work across academia, policy, and industry to translate complex ideas into accessible writing and practical interventions.

I’m multilingual (English, Spanish, Portuguese) and have been published in Foreign Policy. I have been honored with the Beinecke Scholarship, Gates Millennium Scholarship, and QuestBridge National College Match among other recognitions, reflecting my commitment to rigorous scholarship and public engagement.

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Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
Portuguese
Advanced
Chinese
Advanced
French
Beginner

Work Experience

Remote Creative Marketing Specialist at Koalendar
September 1, 2025 - Present
Develop and execute data-driven marketing campaigns, increasing qualified leads and user engagement through digital content, email automation, and social media strategy. Collaborate with product, sales, and design teams to craft brand messaging, launch new features, and optimize go-to-market initiatives using performance analytics.
Independent Higher Education Writing Consultant at Bright Future Education
September 1, 2017 - Present
Provide comprehensive instruction in research, academic, and creative writing across all stages of the writing process. Manage 4–8 clients concurrently; implement timelines and strategic materials to navigate overlapping deadlines and produce high-quality final products.
Translator / Interpreter at Auditaccount Gabinete Empresarial, LDA
May 1, 2025 - August 1, 2025
Prepared high-fidelity written translations of legal documents (contracts, court filings, affidavits) and performed real-time interpretation (hearings, depositions) across Portuguese, English, and Spanish.
Reading Specialist at Ignite! Reading
March 1, 2023 - February 1, 2024
Supported K–8 students with identified reading deficits through direct instruction and progress monitoring, grounded in Science of Reading methodology.
ESS Coordinator & Compliance Support Specialist at Picasso Education
July 1, 2022 - March 1, 2023
Delivered special education services for 9–12th grade students with disabilities; coordinated IEP, MET, and 504 meetings; monitored student files and collected data on intervention efficacy.
Operations & Education Support Coordinator at El Centro Chicano y Latino, Stanford University
September 1, 2018 - August 1, 2019
Collaborated with community members and Stanford organization leaders to develop interventions addressing spatial needs, accessibility, and educational efficacy of the community center.
Community Consultant at Soluciones Comunitarias Nicaragua – Social Entrepreneur Corps
June 1, 2017 - September 1, 2017
Coordinated and provided community consulting services to empower small businesses and families across Nicaragua; completed foundational training in social entrepreneurship.
Content Writer / Columnist at Xenon Health
June 1, 2019 - December 1, 2019
Produced research and technical articles on medical and healthcare topics; collaborated with editorial staff through drafting and revision cycles.
Editor at Contexts – Stanford Undergraduate Research Journal
September 1, 2017 - June 1, 2018
Collaborated with editorial team and authors to revise and polish journal submissions.
Creative Marketing Specialist (Remote) at Koalendar
September 1, 2025 - Present
Develop and execute data-driven marketing campaigns, increasing qualified leads and user engagement through digital content, email automation, and social media strategy. Collaborate with product, sales, and design teams to craft brand messaging, launch new features, and optimize go-to-market initiatives using performance analytics.
Community Consultant at Soluciones Comunitarias Nicaragua, Social Entrepreneur Corps
June 1, 2017 - September 30, 2017
Coordinated and provided community consulting services to empower small businesses and families across Nicaragua; completed foundational training in social entrepreneurship.

Education

MS at Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2026
MAT at University of Southern California
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022
BA at Stanford University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2020
MS – Sociology at Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2026
MAT – Education at University of Southern California
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022
BA – Sociocultural Anthropology, with Distinction at Stanford University
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2020

Qualifications

Beinecke Scholarship
March 1, 2019 - June 4, 2026
Gates Millennium Scholarship (GMS)
February 1, 2016 - June 4, 2026
RMHC/HACER National Scholarship
May 1, 2016 - June 4, 2026
QuestBridge National College Match Scholar
December 1, 2015 - June 4, 2026
Donald Kennedy Environmental Stanford in Government Fellowship
February 1, 2018 - June 4, 2026
Beinecke Scholarship
March 1, 2019 - June 4, 2026
Gates Millennium Scholarship (GMS)
February 1, 2016 - June 4, 2026
RMHC/HACER National Scholarship
May 1, 2016 - June 4, 2026
QuestBridge National College Match Scholar
December 1, 2015 - June 4, 2026
Donald Kennedy Environmental Stanford in Government Fellowship
February 1, 2018 - June 4, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Healthcare, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization