Stephan is a trusted strategist and consultant to some of the world's most renowned firms and organizations. Decades of hands-on experience allow him to architect impactful brand and digital experiences that drive business transformation.
Stephan's work sits at the intersection of brand strategy, digital experience, and organizational change — where the stakes are high, the right path forward isn't always obvious, and the quality of the thinking in the room makes all the difference. He specializes in helping senior leaders take control of their narrative, make well-reasoned decisions about their organizations' futures, and build brands that create lasting competitive advantage.
// VERTICAL MINDS
Vertical Minds is Stephan's consultancy — founded after nearly three decades leading ICVM Group, an acclaimed web design and digital agency serving professional services firms. It is a deliberately small, senior-level practice built to give clients something the traditional agency model rarely delivers: direct, undivided access to the most experienced person in the room. Working with a select number of clients at any given time, his advisory work spans brand strategy, website strategy and user experience, pre-project planning, thought leadership development, and brand and communications strategy for mergers, acquisitions, and organizational transitions. For organizations that want more than a project, Stephan is available as a Fractional Chief Brand Officer — embedded within the leadership team as an ongoing strategic partner, protecting and strengthening the brand while helping leadership make smarter, more confident decisions over time.
Stephan's industry experience spans law, financial services, consulting, technology, healthcare, private education, nonprofits, and action sports — as well as early-stage companies working to define or compete on their market identity from day one. He is a particular resource for veterans of Big Law and other blue-chip professional services firms who are striking out on their own and must build a credible, competitive brand presence quickly against established players.
Stephan is also a resource for organizations navigating mergers, acquisitions, and significant structural transitions — some of the most consequential and time-sensitive moments a brand will ever face. When two entities come together, leadership needs to move quickly to establish a unified narrative, align stakeholders, and reintroduce the combined organization to the market before uncertainty fills the void — and before the opportunity to define the story on their own terms slips away.
// BOARD & ADVISORY
Stephan currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Peconic Community School, an independent school offering accessible, progressive education from Early Childhood through Grade 8. He is interested in board and advisory roles where his experience in brand strategy, communications, digital infrastructure, and executive leadership can contribute to long-term organizational growth and good governance.
// PERSONAL
Based on the North Fork of Long Island, Stephan values time with family and friends, along with surfing, skiing, and being outdoors as much as possible.
Stephan's work sits at the intersection of brand strategy, digital experience, and organizational change — where the stakes are high, the right path forward isn't always obvious, and the quality of the thinking in the room makes all the difference. He specializes in helping senior leaders take control of their narrative, make well-reasoned decisions about their organizations' futures, and build brands that create lasting competitive advantage.
// VERTICAL MINDS
Vertical Minds is Stephan's consultancy — founded after nearly three decades leading ICVM Group, an acclaimed web design and digital agency serving professional services firms. It is a deliberately small, senior-level practice built to give clients something the traditional agency model rarely delivers: direct, undivided access to the most experienced person in the room. Working with a select number of clients at any given time, his advisory work spans brand strategy, website strategy and user experience, pre-project planning, thought leadership development, and brand and communications strategy for mergers, acquisitions, and organizational transitions. For organizations that want more than a project, Stephan is available as a Fractional Chief Brand Officer — embedded within the leadership team as an ongoing strategic partner, protecting and strengthening the brand while helping leadership make smarter, more confident decisions over time.
Stephan's industry experience spans law, financial services, consulting, technology, healthcare, private education, nonprofits, and action sports — as well as early-stage companies working to define or compete on their market identity from day one. He is a particular resource for veterans of Big Law and other blue-chip professional services firms who are striking out on their own and must build a credible, competitive brand presence quickly against established players.
Stephan is also a resource for organizations navigating mergers, acquisitions, and significant structural transitions — some of the most consequential and time-sensitive moments a brand will ever face. When two entities come together, leadership needs to move quickly to establish a unified narrative, align stakeholders, and reintroduce the combined organization to the market before uncertainty fills the void — and before the opportunity to define the story on their own terms slips away.
// BOARD & ADVISORY
Stephan currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Peconic Community School, an independent school offering accessible, progressive education from Early Childhood through Grade 8. He is interested in board and advisory roles where his experience in brand strategy, communications, digital infrastructure, and executive leadership can contribute to long-term organizational growth and good governance.
// PERSONAL
Based on the North Fork of Long Island, Stephan values time with family and friends, along with surfing, skiing, and being outdoors as much as possible.
Stephan's work sits at the intersection of brand strategy, digital experience, and organizational change — where the stakes are high, the right path forward isn't always obvious, and the quality of the thinking in the room makes all the difference. He specializes in helping senior leaders take control of their narrative, make well-reasoned decisions about their organizations' futures, and build brands that create lasting competitive advantage.
// VERTICAL MINDS
Vertical Minds is Stephan's consultancy — founded after nearly three decades leading ICVM Group, an acclaimed web design and digital agency serving professional services firms. It is a deliberately small, senior-level practice built to give clients something the traditional agency model rarely delivers: direct, undivided access to the most experienced person in the room. Working with a select number of clients at any given time, his advisory work spans brand strategy, website strategy and user experience, pre-project planning, thought leadership development, and brand and communications strategy for mergers, acquisitions, and organizational transitions. For organizations that want more than a project, Stephan is available as a Fractional Chief Brand Officer — embedded within the leadership team as an ongoing strategic partner, protecting and strengthening the brand while helping leadership make smarter, more confident decisions over time.
Stephan's industry experience spans law, financial services, consulting, technology, healthcare, private education, nonprofits, and action sports — as well as early-stage companies working to define or compete on their market identity from day one. He is a particular resource for veterans of Big Law and other blue-chip professional services firms who are striking out on their own and must build a credible, competitive brand presence quickly against established players.
Stephan is also a resource for organizations navigating mergers, acquisitions, and significant structural transitions — some of the most consequential and time-sensitive moments a brand will ever face. When two entities come together, leadership needs to move quickly to establish a unified narrative, align stakeholders, and reintroduce the combined organization to the market before uncertainty fills the void — and before the opportunity to define the story on their own terms slips away.
// BOARD & ADVISORY
Stephan currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Peconic Community School, an independent school offering accessible, progressive education from Early Childhood through Grade 8. He is interested in board and advisory roles where his experience in brand strategy, communications, digital infrastructure, and executive leadership can contribute to long-term organizational growth and good governance.
// PERSONAL
Based on the North Fork of Long Island, Stephan values time with family and friends, along with surfing, skiing, and being outdoors as much as possible.