Hi 👋, I’m Stephen. I build brands that earn attention 👀, design products that people trust 🛡️ & create experiences that connect 🫱🏻🫲🏽. I love ❤️ what I do.
What drives me
I design to improve people’s lives. That starts with understanding how people think and feel, testing early and often, and approaching challenges from new perspectives.
I care about clarity, emotional connection, and long-term value. Good design works. Great design connects. Craft and taste matter.
How I lead
I lead with calm and clarity. I give teams structure to stay focused and freedom to explore. My role is to ask the right questions, align stakeholders, and create space where design talent can thrive.
Design at scale
I see design as both craft and capability. It should spark emotional connection for customers and create measurable value for the business.
To make that possible, I build systems and governance that scale design across teams and products, turning vision into an operating model that endures.
Always learning
I stay curious and close to the work. I support teams directly while encouraging collaboration and openness. Great design comes from shared ownership and the willingness to see from every perspective.
A few places I have been.
CIBC. Director of Experience Design
At CIBC I led the creation of True North, the bank’s first enterprise design system, and scaled design into a strategic capability across mobile and web platforms. I guided a 60+ person team, introduced governance and operating models that aligned design with business priorities, and embedded practices that accelerated delivery and improved consistency across every channel. My work transformed design from fragmented efforts into a unified system that supported millions of customer interactions and strengthened the brand’s digital presence.
●▲■
Therefore. Executive Creative Director.
At Therefore I served as Executive Creative Director and Principal Designer, guiding both strategy and hands-on design for clients in fintech, education, and technology. I worked closely with the CEO and leadership team to refine the company’s brand, elevate its design practice, and deliver digital experiences that combined strong storytelling with technical execution. My role balanced setting a clear creative vision with staying close to the craft, ensuring the work was both strategically aligned and exceptionally executed.
●▲■
Bond Brand Loyalty. Executive Creative Director.
As Executive Creative Director at Bond I partnered with leading organizations across financial services, automotive, retail, and travel to shape how their brands engaged with customers. I led large multidisciplinary teams, guiding strategy and creative direction across digital platforms, loyalty programs, and experiential marketing. My role was to help clients articulate their stories in ways that built stronger connections with customers, strengthened brand equity, and delivered measurable business impact.
●▲■
Wattpad. Creative Director.
As Executive Creative Director at Wattpad I led brand design, communications, and strategic partnerships during a period of significant growth. I guided the redesign of the Wattpad brand and shaped creative campaigns that strengthened its global presence in collaboration with entertainment and publishing partners. My role was to ensure the brand expressed its unique voice consistently across channels while building partnerships that extended Wattpad’s reach and impact in the marketplace.
●▲■
TAXI. National Creative Director TELUS.
As National Creative Director at TAXI I led all advertising, communications, and experiential work for TELUS across Canada. I directed multidisciplinary teams to deliver fully integrated campaigns, shaping a consistent brand voice across broadcast, digital, and live experiences. My role was to set the creative vision, partner with TELUS executives, and ensure the work built meaningful connections between the brand and millions of customers nationwide.
My specs & feeds
My approach to design
How I make great products
Why I am a great Design Leader
Continue browsing most recent work.