Teray Stephens
CEO & Chief Strategist
Ms. Stephens is a respected executive, strategist, marketer and fundraiser who enjoys working with entrepreneurs and institutions, as well as global corporations. She has provided leadership and services in a variety of sectors with a specialty in entertainment/media/communication, sustainable/green, real estate, women-owned and start-ups, high tech and not-for-profit.
Ms. Stephens had an illustrious ten year career at Xerox Corporation where she received awards and accolades each year for her marketing, sales and management 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 sourcing & fundraising, packaging, strategic business development & marketing, and venture consulting).
As a private investment banker, Ms. Stephens worked with capital sources around the world including Morgan Stanley, CSFB, Hong Kong Shanghai Bank and Bank of America. As a senior business advisor and 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 activities during recent years have included: interim CEO and executive management, strategic business development and marketing, fundraising, new product development, event/convention production for entertainment, real estate, women-focused enterprises, sustainable/green, and not-for-profit entities. She is currently developing a 1000 acre sustainable destination location in Southern California; co-developing a new platform and multi-media production about the life of a prominent international woman politician; and speaking/consulting on women owned and startup businesses, leadership, ‘going green’ and raising financing.
Ms. Stephens has a long-standing commitment to philanthropic work and women. She is the President of the California board of the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC), VP of Board Development on the National NWPC board, and sits on the Board of Advisors for Branding Iron Worldwide. She was the Chairperson of the Board of Advisors for Global Communications, chaired the Membership Committee at The Regency Club, and has held board positions or been active in Women of Los Angeles, Women in Film, the United Nations Environmental Programme, The National Association of Female Executives, Los Angeles Venture Association, and Junior League among others. She has also been an adjunct University professor, teaching MBA courses in Marketing, Organizational Behavior and Case Study.
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.
