As an accomplished creative leader, Stefan brings over 15 years of experience in branding, marketing, and user-centered design in the form of UI/UX, product design and packaging, digital/web, SaaS design and development, and print design and production for both B2B and B2C across a wide range of industry verticals.
He effectively leads people in the achievement of outstanding results—having assembled and led talented cross-functional teams of designers, developers, marketing experts, and business professionals in the creation of world-class, award-winning work—including an Emmy.
Stefan has become particularly adept at initiating and nurturing lasting relationships with colleagues, clients, and vendors through his charismatic demeanor and magnetic personality. He’s a persuasive presenter who is comfortable speaking in front of senior executives and key stakeholders—able to influence them by clearly articulating complex ideas and proposing effective solutions for the achievement of specific goals.
Because of his background as an entrepreneur and business leader, Stefan possesses a rare combination of real-world experience, creative and technical skills, industry knowledge, and business acumen that gives him a unique perspective in creative problem-solving. His foundation in design and leadership, paired with a unique blend of creative marketing experience, has enabled him to guide the delivery of many successful creative solutions for industry-leading organizations by aligning their business goals with the needs of their customers.
Seasoned professional—over 15 years of product, service, and experience design.
Inspiring leader of people—proven experience building, developing, and leading cross-functional teams and driving best practices in the achievement of great things.
Innovative creator—solutions for B2B and B2C spanning a myriad of unique business and creative challenges for startups to Fortune 100s across a diverse range of industries.
Articulate communicator—highly developed written and verbal communication, presentation, and storytelling skills, deft in articulating complex ideas and proposing effective solutions for the achievement of specific goals.
Influential presenter—proven track record of success in presenting to and influencing team members, senior management, and key stakeholders.
Intelligent, creative, and technically inclined with a knack for simplicity—critical thinker with a strong design sense, technical aptitude, and an instinct for making things simple.
Organized doer—effective manager of multiple simultaneous projects resulting in the achievement of exceptional outcomes completed within established timelines and budgets.
Strategic thinker with the ability to roll up sleeves and execute—developer and driver of integrated design concepts, with the ability to balance high-level, holistic reasoning with detail-oriented solutions through hands-on execution and delivery.
Versatile and experienced—high degree of technical aptitude in a range of design disciplines and production processes, including branding and brand strategy; graphic design for print and print production; UI/UX for web/digital/software design and development; and industrial design and product development with an understanding of various materials and manufacturing processes.
Proficient and a quick learner—advanced proficiency and expert-level skills with Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and a variety of other design and business applications, plus prototyping techniques, development methodologies, and the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems and approaches.
Led marketing and design operations for market leader in digital cutters for the custom picture framing industry. Responsible for department management, budgeting, team leadership, customer communication, market research, marketing initiatives and advertising campaigns through multiple channels—web, video, social, blog, email, print, direct mail, magazine, paid search, trade shows and events. Also contributed in the areas of product design and development, product packaging, and customer education.
Generated over $550k in revenue within the first 3 days following the launch of a completely transformed corporate brand and trade show experience.
Developed and launched a new subscription-based customer service and support program designed to increase the company’s total annual revenue by over 17% within the first 3 years while simultaneously saving the company millions in support costs.
Created a brand new revenue stream through the development of a completely reimagined eCommerce website experience designed to feature digital content for sale.
Increased visibility and customer preference by applying strong branding and consistency to the entire family of products through new visual styling and a design aesthetics overhaul of the entire product line.
Established framework to track and measure the effectiveness and ROI of all marketing initiatives for continuous evaluation and optimization of marketing budget and programs to save costs and maximize revenue.
Managed and led brand strategy and creative vision for a multi-disciplinary boutique creative agency consulting with clients ranging from Fortune 100s to startups. Work focused on the development of innovative solutions to design challenges for B2B and B2C in the areas of: branding, web design, eCommerce, UI/UX for physical and digital products including SaaS, product packaging, marketing materials, and branded environments.
Generated a 300% increase in sales within the first month following the launch of a completely transformed brand and e-commerce experience for one of the largest hosting companies in the world.
Developed innovative approaches to solving clients’ big challenges through strategy, ideation, and refinement into finished go-to-market solutions for industry-leading organizations such as: ESPN, Fluke Networks, Intellian, Luly Yang Couture, Microsoft, The Planet, T-Mobile, Varolii, Xbox, Xfinity Arena, UW Medicine, and YMCA representing several billion dollars in revenue.
Key contributor in the design, development, and launch of several SaaS-based software products over multiple Agile development cycles.
Mentored and developed the talents of young professionals who later became impact team members at leading companies including Boeing, Disney, ESPN, Microsoft, REI, Starbucks, and T-Mobile.
Led a multidisciplinary team in the development of award-winning work, including an Emmy for the design and development of an interactive online feature for ESPN that was recognized in the “Outstanding New Approaches—Short Format” category at the 30th Annual Emmy Awards show in New York City.
Managed all business operations and contributed to product design and development efforts for a SaaS startup focused on providing turn-key, custom-designed website solutions with an integrated content management platform and built-in SEO functionality for small and mid-sized businesses and non-profit organizations.
Spurred company growth from just a handful of users to hundreds of subscription-based customers.
Provided strategic guidance in the design, development, and marketing of SaaS-based solution built on Amazon’s AWS platform.
Managed all day-to-day business operations, including financial oversight and team management.
Contributed market insight, creative direction, and thought leadership in the areas of user experience, product design, business development, customer engagement, and user satisfaction over multiple Agile development and release cycles.
Facilitated the eventual sale of the company.
One of only twelve applicants accepted into the prestigious WWU Industrial Design program the first year applying. Frequently named to WWU Dean's List throughout education. Active in IDSA and intramural sports.
Graduated 3rd in a class of 445 graduates. Member of the National Honor Society, a leader in student government, and a recipient of the Scholar-Athlete Award (football and soccer). Selected to serve on the Nordstrom Fashion Advisory Board.
Successfully completed an 8-month intensive training program designed to develop leadership qualities by acquiring an understanding of the critical issues affecting our region, plus the leadership and stewardship capabilities necessary to affect positive change and strengthen the local community.
Volunteer work:
Online Marketing Consultant, Washington Rush Soccer Club
Digital Design & Online Marketing Consultant, Home 4 Home
Branding & Design Consultant, The Garfield Community Project
Branding, Design & Marketing Consultant, Pilchuck Soccer Alliance
Head Coach, Pilchuck Soccer Alliance FORCE Select Program
Assistant Coach, Fuerza Futebol Clube
Head Coach, Lake Stevens Soccer Club
Designer—creatively inspired by architecture, furniture design, and things that move (cars, boats, and planes).
Master builder—the kid in him still likes building things with Lego.
Technophile—fascinated by Arduino, 3D printing, augmented reality, the Internet of things and the seemingly endless possibilities for interaction between hardware and software. Also, admittedly has a bit of a crush on Alexa and Siri.
Movie buff—owns every Bond, Bourne, and Mission Impossible movie there is.
Sports fanatic—particularly soccer and football, and very competitive.
Premier youth soccer coach—nationally licensed by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF).
Avid snowboarder—and AASI-certified snowboard instructor.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”