Develop People
Adapt feedback and mentorship to how each person grows.
Own The Outcome
Share the wins. Take responsibility when things don't go as planned.
Create Clarity
Set clear direction and expectations, and set the team up for success.
Build Trust
Get to know the person before managing the work.
Creative Culture
I believe strong creative teams are built on trust, clarity, and mutual respect. Before jumping into the work, I take time to understand the people I'm working with: what motivates them, how they communicate, how they prefer to receive feedback, and what helps them do their best work. That becomes especially important when leading teams across different locations and cultures. Curiosity goes a long way.
I also believe a leader should set the tempo. I come to projects prepared with schedules, initial direction, assets, and a clear path forward, but I don't see myself as being above the team. I'll jump into the work when it helps, whether that's coaching a design, building components, creating variations, or handling production tasks so the team can stay focused on the bigger creative challenge.
I want designers to have ownership of their ideas and the confidence to defend them. I'll provide direction based on my experience and instincts, but a great idea doesn't need to come from me. When someone sees another path worth exploring, I'll support it and present it with the same enthusiasm as my own. A win for someone on the team is a win for all of us.
Mentoring has been part of my approach since I began teaching guitar early in my career. Working one-on-one with students ranging from kids to adults taught me that people learn, communicate, and respond to feedback differently. I still approach creative leadership the same way: understand the person, meet them where they are, and help them get where they want to go.
What Colleagues Say
Ana Luiza Souza
Senior Content Designer, TELUS Digital
Steve embodies the qualities of a true leadership role model. He brought an incredible openness to aligning workflows, building trust, and setting the team up for success. He has a unique ability to demonstrate the strategic value of design while creating meaningful alignment across teams. Most importantly, he built deep trust with the McClatchy team and clearly demonstrated the tangible ROI of design work.
Luiza Allgayer
Design Director, TELUS Digital
Over six months, I partnered with Steve as a co-director on a complex design project for a client. He led the team with empathy and clarity during periods of change, fostering strong collaboration and alignment. His storytelling skills and confident client presentations were key to engaging stakeholders and moving the work forward.
Erica Wasserman
Senior Copywriter
I was lucky enough to work for Steve for more than five years. During that time, Steve's leadership helped our department deliver outstanding results for the company--he has exceptional communication skills, project management experience, and an impressive ability to bring out the best in his team. It was a pleasure working in such an upbeat and productive environment.
Kanika Chadha
Analytics, Product & Client Strategy
Steve consistently demonstrated both creative and technical expertise, but what set him apart was his commitment to ‘design by data.’ He always sought to understand how his designs were performing, adjusting based on data rather than relying solely on aesthetics. Even in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, Steve remained focused on delivering high-quality results while fostering a supportive culture for the team.
Chris Narine
Digital Experience Lead
During my time as a Senior Designer at Weichert, working alongside Steve, I gained valuable new skills and deepened my expertise as a creative professional through his mentorship. Now, as a manager, I often reflect on the advice he gave me and apply it to guide my own team.
Raghav Karkera
UX Designer at Amazon (AWS)
I had the pleasure of working with Stephen at Weichert, where he was an outstanding Creative Director. His mentorship was key in my early career, teaching me how to present designs to leadership and clarify requirements. Stephen’s feedback and attention to detail consistently elevated our projects, making him an invaluable collaborator.