Yext recently welcomed Wendi Sturgis back to the company as Senior Vice President, International. She has spent over two decades leading technology and e-commerce companies through rapid change, including senior roles at Yahoo!, Oracle, and Gartner, and CEO tenures at cleverbridge and Yext Europe. Notably, Wendi played a pivotal executive role during Yext's formative early growth years, helping build and establish its European footprint, and has an impressive technical background, too, from Georgia Institute of Technology.
As AI transforms how consumers search and engage, Wendi is a strong addition to the leadership team to help brands stay ahead. We sat down with her to learn more about her career, her view of the market, and how she plans to help European brands thrive.
Q: You've held senior roles at Yahoo!, Oracle, Gartner, and served as CEO at both cleverbridge and Yext Europe. How have those experiences shaped your leadership style?
Across those roles, I've experienced multiple stages of growth and transformation that have ultimately taught me the importance of being both strategic and hands-on. Having a vision and sticking to it is critical, but it's so important to stay close to customers and teams, too. I'm customer-obsessed and a practical leader who wants to also be on the ground. Staying curious and building diverse, empowered teams are principles that continue to guide how I lead Yext today.
Q: If there's a common thread throughout your career, what is it and how does it guide you today?
My career has spanned some of the most seismic shifts in technology, and one constant has been helping companies not just keep up but set the pace. I'm driven by the challenge of helping organizations anticipate change and turn emerging technologies – whether it's cloud, ecommerce, or today's AI shift – into a real competitive advantage.
Q: What drew you back to Yext at this moment in the company's growth?
Two things stood out to me. First, Yext has always been ahead of the curve on where search and digital experiences are headed. The knowledge graph and building data repositories for algorithms were an early focus of the company, which is now proving to be invaluable in the age of AI search. This kind of forward thinking inspires and excites me, anticipating what brands need next.
The second thing that drew me back is the major inflection point the market is at. AI search has now become so influential in driving growth, protecting reputation, and customer loyalty that it is a CEO and CMO mandate. Joining Yext now gives me the opportunity to help customers across EMEA seize this opportunity and shape the next chapter of digital transformation.
Q: What is your vision for Yext in EMEA, and where do you see the greatest opportunities?
Europe is a fascinating, diverse market that I've worked in for many years. It's also a market that rewards a thoughtful, long-term approach. For me, I want Yext to be a trusted partner to enterprises across the region, helping them harness AI search to drive measurable growth and customer loyalty. It's about deepening relationships with CEOs, CMOs, and Chief Digital Officers, so they understand the business transformation AI search can drive, not just marketing impact.
We are already strong in the UK and see huge growth opportunities in France, Germany, and Italy. By combining Yext's technical innovation with a local, customer-centric mindset, I'm confident we can expand our impact and help more brands stay ahead in this next era of digital.
Q: Which industries in EMEA are best placed to benefit from AI search right now?
Retail, travel, and financial services are already showing how AI search can boost conversion rates and customer satisfaction, but in reality, the benefits are wide-reaching. Every sector that relies on accurate, fast answers, from healthcare to public services, has huge potential to transform how they engage with customers and employees, alike.
Q: You've long been an advocate for diversity in technology. How does that shape your plans for Yext?
Building diverse teams is essential for innovation. Different perspectives spark better ideas, and I want Yext EMEA to be a place where talent from all backgrounds can thrive and contribute to the next wave of AI-powered experiences.
Discover how Yext can help your brand stay ahead: https://www.yext.com/platform/scout
