Teray Stephens
CEO & Chief Strategist
Ms. Stephens is a respected leader, strategist, fundraiser, speaker and trainer with proven management and marketing skills. She has worked with entrepreneurs and institutions around the world, specializing in the entertainment & media, sustainable/green, early stage & start-ups, women-oriented businesses, political and nonprofit sectors.
Ms. Stephens had an illustrious career at Xerox Corporation where she received numerous awards for her marketing, sales, management and training performance. She has served as a senior advisor/consultant to Fortune 1000 and entrepreneurial companies. She was a founding partner of Phoenix Partners (a private investment-banking boutique) and served as CEO of Entertainment Financial Services, Stephens Group Holdings and Invision Group (capital fundraising, strategic business development, marketing & venture consulting).
As a private investment banker, Ms. Stephens worked with capital sources including Morgan Stanley, CSFB, Hong Kong Shanghai Bank and Bank of America. As a senior business advisor/consultant in the entertainment industry, Ms. Stephens worked with Twentieth Century Fox, Jim Henson Productions, NHK, Tokyo Broadcast System, Disney, Sony Music and Columbia Pictures, as well as smaller entertainment companies.
Ms. Stephens’ recent years activities have included: Fundraiser, President & CEO (business & nonprofit), Strategic Business Development, Sustainable/Green Initiatives, Political Consulting/Advisor and Speaker/Trainer on Leadership & Fundraising. Her current projects include the creation and development of a large sustainable destination location in Southern California, Investor Relations for a leading edge technology/software company, and President of a premiere woman’s, non-profit organization. She is also presenting her popular seminar “Getting to Yes! How to ask for and get money for your campaign, business, or cause”.
Ms. Stephens has a long-standing commitment to philanthropic work and women. She is the 1st Vice President for the National Women’s Political Caucus National board and immediate past President of the National Women’s Political Caucus of California. She sits on the Board of Advisors for Angels in Waiting, has served on the Board of Advisors for Branding Iron Worldwide, was the Chairperson of the Board of Advisors for Global Communications, chaired the Membership Committee at The Regency Club, and been a leader in Women in Film, the United Nations Environmental Programme, The National Association of Female Executives, Los Angeles Venture Association, and Junior League among others.
Ms. Stephens received high praise from students as an adjunct University professor, utilizing her ‘real-world’ experience to teach MBA courses in Marketing, Organizational Behavior & Case Study. She has also led over 100 workshops & seminars for political, non-profit and business organizations – with a focus on leadership, motivation and providing tools that can be immediately used and implemented to achieve results.
Ms. Stephens has been recognized for her career and philanthropic work with special honors and awards. Among others, she received a commendation from the County of Los Angeles for her “outstanding community service and leadership”, was chosen for several Who’s Who including “Who’s Who in Female Executives”, and has been recognized by several women’s organizations including Junior League, the National Women’s Political Caucus and NOW. She was featured in Chief Executive Magazine; is a keynote speaker on entrepreneurship, leadership and fundraising; and has been interviewed for numerous TV, radio and online programs.
