10 Sep The Faces Behind Fluent: Stefanie Cousins
As part of Fluent Research’s 20th anniversary, we’re continuing to highlight the people whose experience, ideas, and perspectives have helped shape Fluent. This week, we’re featuring Stefanie Cousins, Vice President, Marketing and Communications.
Stefanie’s connection to Fluent began with a familiar project. Having worked on the U.S. marketing of the documentary Girl Rising, she was delighted to discover that Fluent had evaluated the film’s impact. She joined the team in 2021 and now helps bring Fluent’s work, expertise, and perspectives to audiences across our website, social media, and beyond.
Her background in journalism gives her a particular appreciation for research: asking thoughtful questions, listening closely, and making sense of what people share.
Get to know Stefanie in our latest staff profile, including her experience working with Barbara Walters, her favorite novel, and how she unwinds outside of work.
1) Stefanie, what inspired you to join Fluent Research?
I first learned about Fluent from my friend Allison Caplovitz. When I looked at the website, I was delighted to find that Fluent had evaluated the impact of the Girl Rising documentary. Because I worked on the marketing of that film in the U.S, I immediately felt a connection to Nellie and Fluent.
2) What’s your role at Fluent, and what does a typical day look like for you?
My role at Fluent is Vice President, Marketing and Communications. I’m responsible for the way we market our brand and communicate about ourselves externally and internally. No two days are the same. Read below!
3) How has Fluent evolved since you joined?
Fluent has grown quite a bit since I joined in 2021. Our staff has more than doubled since then!
4) Stefanie, what’s one thing you’ve learned about research that surprised you?
Before I joined Fluent, I knew that research played an important role in the things we use everyday. However, I wasn’t aware of the depth, breadth, care, and thoughtfulness of the work. Research makes a lot of sense to me. The research process of developing questions, conducting interviews, analyzing the data, and writing a report is quite similar to the work I used to do as a journalist.
5) What’s your favorite part of working at Fluent?
I love that no two days are ever the same. In the morning, I could be writing blog posts and working on social media. In the middle of the day, I may be designing new web pages and developing content. By the afternoon, I could spend time collaborating with a researcher on a new strategy for promoting our research.
6) What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
I spent many years working in journalism as a news magazine producer at media outlets like ABC News, The New York Times, NPR, and PBS. Some of the pieces I worked on over the years brought important issues to light. I’m most proud of the stories we produced about international child abduction, shaken baby syndrome, and the challenges recently discharged military veterans face in the VA system.
For several years, I worked at ABC News 20/20, where I had the honor of working closely with Barbara Walters on a number of stories, including her interviews with Monica Lewinsky and Michael J. Fox. I was also a member of the team that produced her broadcast from Paris for ABC’s 2000 Millennium Day Broadcast, which won a Peabody Award.
7) Stefanie, if you could have dinner with any public or historical figure, who would it be and why?
I would actually like to have dinner with my great grandmother. Though she wasn’t famous, she lived a long life that allowed her to witness nearly 100 years of history. She spoke several languages, escaped antisemitism in Eastern Europe as a teenager, cooked and baked amazing food that I still remember today, and loved her family fiercely.
Since she passed away when I was 11 years old, I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know her well. As I got older, however, I discovered that we have a lot in common, including our love for baking, cooking and knitting. About 20 years ago, I traveled to Eastern Europe to find the town where she lived before she came to the U.S and learn more about my family’s ancestry. I have so many questions that I would love ask her.
8) What’s a book, movie, or podcast you’d recommend to everyone?
I love to read books, but I also love to listen to them. Driving and cooking provide me with the best times to do it. My favorite genres are popular literary novels, historical fiction, and memoir. For this question, however, I’m leaning into my days as an English major in college.
My all time favorite book that I read in college was Middlemarch by George Eliot (aka Mary Ann Evans). Even though Eliot wrote the book in 1870 (under a man’s name in order for publishers to take her work seriously), Middlemarch feels modern. The novel’s ordinary characters have complex internal lives, frustrations with marriage and ambition, and moral dilemmas. Even though I love so many other 19th century novels, this one stands out among the pack. Eliot was ahead of her time. It’s a very long book, but I promise you it’s worth it!
9) What’s your go-to productivity hack?
I find the best way for me to be productive is to listen to Spotify focus music on noise canceling headphones and turn off the notifications on my phone.
10) What does Fluent’s 20th Anniversary mean to you?
Twenty years is a long time to maintain and grow a business. I’m proud to celebrate this milestone with Nellie and the rest of the staff.
11) What’s one word you’d use to describe Fluent Research? Why?
Thoughtful. Our staff is insights driven, relying on research that focuses heavily on truly understanding people.
12) What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
I enjoy cooking dinner for my family after work while listening to a book or podcast. I especially like trying out new recipes on them!
13) If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I want to go to Peru to hike the Inca trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu. This trip would combine my love for hiking, history, and exploration.
14) What’s your favorite snack or drink to have while working?
I don’t tend to snack while I’m working, but I do drink a lot of water during the day.
15) Stefanie, what’s a hobby or activity you’re passionate about outside of work?
I am passionate about being active: hiking, going on long walks, and taking yoga and Pilates classes. I also love to knit, cook, and bake for family and friends.