Banking · Technology · Education
Solve the Problem & Move Forward Confidently
Identifying root causes, untangling knots, and building frameworks in emerging or challenged spaces and technologies.
About Stephanie
Stephanie Houser is who you call when you're ready to move forward. She's a problem solver who identifies root causes and builds a plan for success within 2–12 weeks, giving emerging and troubled spaces clarity when efficiency in solving the problem matters as much as the solution itself.
With over a decade of experience at Fortune 500 companies, leading emerging technology and risk initiatives, Stephanie has spent her career arriving in spaces before they became urgent—Identity & Access Management before regulators demanded it, Operational Excellence before it became a competitive differentiator, and AI and its associated governance before most organizations knew they needed it. She builds the frameworks, trains the teams, manages and improves data, and leaves things measurably better than she found them so you can be set up for success and even BAU in a way that scales.
Beyond her corporate work, Stephanie's problem-solving and building strategies carry over into writing, education, and other businesses. She's a published author, songwriter, educator, and founder, and her pursuits reflect the same core capability she brings to every professional challenge: taking what's complicated and making it clear.
How Stephanie Adds Value
Within the first 2-4 weeks she begins identifying root causes and defining the plan needed to move forward. She asks the hard questions, pushes for transparency, finds where there are gaps in consistency, data-driven decisioning, and long-term strategy, focuses on finding efficiencies, and expects those around her to do the same. After 3-6 quarters together, you'll have a solidly steered ship, a plan to go BAU or scale, and a plan in place of how to manage risk, address outliers, handle objections, and stay the course. Whether it's building out new technology, creating or improving processes, training teams and leaders, or addressing culture, she untangles the knots you have in front of you and gets you on solid ground.
If that sounds like someone you'd want in the room, reach out and connect.
Areas of focus
- AI & Technology & Data Governance
- Emerging Tech Risk & Regulatory Compliance
- Framework Design & Scalable Systems
- Platform & Process Transformation
- Product Strategy & 0-1 Development
- Team Building & Organizational Excellence
Data-Driven Results
Tech Investment Governed
Executive leadership across data and technology: $10M Microsoft Copilot deployment, $25M vendor contract, and $4.9M+ in enterprise platforms.
Emerging Spaces Led
Drove development, education, and scaling of data, tech, and adoption in Identity & Access Management, Operational Excellence, and AI — each before they were mainstream and urgent
Platform Growth in One Year
Grew the Microsoft Copilot AI internal Platform as a Service technology 150% by shifting to a self-service model for federated teams & improving operational transparency.
Board · Speaker · Advisor
From conference stages to board and advisory roles, Stephanie brings the same practitioner discipline — build the framework, clarify the path, educate, and make it easier for everyone to move forward.
Designed and published governance framework distinguishing automatic approvals, submission requirements, and prohibitions
Created financial reporting infrastructure and both quarterly and annual stakeholder communications.
Where I Add Value
- Technology Strategy & Scaling
- Platform & Process Transformation
- Operational Risk
- Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
- Leadership, Culture, & Talent Development
- AI & Emerging Tech Governance
Speaking Topics
Breakfast Leadership Podcast
The Real Reason You Haven't Reached Your Goals Yet — Why fear rooted in layoffs is now the biggest barrier keeping people and businesses from moving forward. Why unrealistic timelines, fueled by social media highlight reels, cause people to quit before real traction happens. The difference between chasing virality and building lasting visibility. Why shiny object syndrome derails long-term strategy, using a cruise liner turn as a metaphor for staying the course. Why attention spans have dropped from just over two minutes in 2004 to roughly 47 seconds today, and what that means for leaders. Why personal development starts with empathy, admitting mistakes, and spotlighting others rather than seeking credit.
Watch the episodeFortune 500 Company Disability Network
Disability advocate and speaker for two consecutive years, framing the importance of education, awareness, and support.
Executive Women's Forum (EWF)
'Is the CISO Responsible?' A practitioner framework for influence, trust, and getting critical ideas heard in complex organizations based on three key elements: Marketing, Education, and Delivery.
Past Engagements
- Breakfast Leadership PodcastSpeaker2026
- Disability Network EventSpeaker2026
- Disability Network EventSpeaker2025
- Executive Women's ForumSpeaker2019
