Over time, Stephanie shifted into account management because she wanted to understand the full lifecycle of the work, what happened before a project reached her and what happened after it left her screen. That curiosity and drive led her into operations, where she eventually took on the role of Operations Manager for the Lexington facility, overseeing roughly 150 employees and navigating significant industry consolidation. When Magna Graphics was being acquired by Worldcolor, she moved into sales in 2002, becoming the primary contact for East Coast textbook publishers.

When Quad then acquired Worldcolor in 2010, Stephanie relocated to the Chicago suburbs as a single mother of a five and seven year old. Quad’s support during that transition became deeply meaningful to her, and she has been with the company ever since. Today, she serves as VP of Strategic Growth, heading up growth for all of Betty’s content at scale, content production and creative services.

Approach to growth and opportunity

Stephanie’s philosophy centers on authenticity, what she calls staying “true to her brand.” Early in her career at Quad, she established a rapport with Rob Quadracci by being honest and direct, something she continues with leaders today. That commitment to candor earned her the informal title of “truth teller,” a role that leaders like Julie Currie and Rachel Winer publicly acknowledge and value.

She brings humility and respect to every interaction, emphasizing the essential contributions of teams in manufacturing, creative and production. Her operations background gives her a deep appreciation for the people who bring Quad’s work to life, and she often highlights their efforts during internal calls and leadership panels. Stephanie is also passionate about guiding interns and early career employees, encouraging them to ask deeper questions, consider what comes next and learn how to navigate a large, complex organization.

One of her proudest recent achievements was helping secure and transition over $3 million in work for a major client by launching a new studio in Austin. She and the team quickly built a fully operational space that began shooting within weeks, a rapid turnaround that impressed the client and demonstrated Quad’s ability to move at the speed of opportunity.

Mentors and influences

Stephanie has found critical mentors who shaped her career. Leaders like Brian Hickey and Julie Currie trusted her expertise and encouraged her to embrace her influence. Julie, in particular, has pushed Stephanie to recognize her own power, reminding her that she has earned the authority to say “no” when needed.

Her relationship with Rachel Winer has been transformational. Stephanie describes Rachel’s leadership as career changing, noting that Rachel combines mentorship, empathy and partnership in a way that allows Stephanie to bring her fullest self to her work. She also credits Andrea St. Thomas as a longtime guide whose example taught her how to navigate client relationships and leadership challenges with confidence and clarity.

Advice for new employees

Stephanie’s advice is grounded in honesty; be humble, collaborative and curious. She stresses that Quad is a large organization with many interconnected teams, and new employees must learn how to navigate those dynamics. She encourages candidates and new hires to ask meaningful, informed questions, to understand where their work fits within the larger company and to avoid entitlement. As she often tells interns and candidates, you must put in the work, build relationships and show respect for the people who were here before you.

She also reminds newcomers that Quad may be public, but it remains a family owned company at its core. Relationships, respect and collaboration matter, and employees who embrace those values will find long term opportunity.

Making a difference at Quad

Stephanie takes pride in being seen as a partner, not just a vendor, by her clients. She builds relationships founded on transparency, never “selling smoke,” as she puts it and her clients trust her because she openly communicates what Quad can and cannot do. This honesty has helped her grow long standing partnerships and win new business.
Her ability to listen, guide and advocate for both clients and internal teams has made her a respected leader who strengthens Quad’s position across key accounts.

Why Quad?

For Stephanie, Quad has been more than a workplace, it has been a lifeline. When she relocated as a newly single parent during the Worldcolor acquisition, Quad supported her through enormous personal transition. She often says that her children “were raised by Quad,” having grown up attending company events, watching her career evolve and eventually becoming part of the company themselves. Her younger son interned in Quad’s first finance internship program, creating a full circle moment that reflects how deeply the company is woven into her family’s story.

That loyalty goes both ways. Stephanie feels the company has stood by her through difficult times, supported her growth and given her the opportunity to lead meaningful, high impact work. It’s that sense of family, stability and mutual investment that continues to make Quad home.