Henry Helgeson 

Henry Helgeson serves as the associate administrator for the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington. In this capacity, he leads global communications strategy, public engagement, branding, media relations, and digital enterprise projects across all NASA centers. As a senior advisor to the administrator and other executive leadership, he directs all aspects of internal and external communications, maximizing the broadest potential reach to highlight NASA’s work in human spaceflight, science, and research and technology.  

Helgeson is a proven business leader who has founded and operated several businesses, bringing more than 25 years of strategic leadership, risk management, procurement, contract negotiation, and more to the role. Previous key positions include founder and CEO at Spectre Capital; CEO at BlueSnap; president of Integrated Solutions at TSYS, and founder and CEO at Cayan.  

By leveraging best practices from the private sector and success in executing complex projects, Helgeson will drive operational communications excellence in alignment with Ignition and other agency initiatives.  

In addition to multiple board and advisory roles, Helgeson is the recipient of numerous industry awards and is a frequent speaker at events like SXSW. He also is a licensed private pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours.  

Helgeson holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Marist University.