{"id":41231,"date":"2025-07-29T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/?p=41231"},"modified":"2026-04-21T11:35:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T09:35:44","slug":"life-after-tesla-and-apple-matthew-stephanos-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/life-after-tesla-and-apple-matthew-stephanos-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Life after Tesla and Apple: Matthew Stephano\u2019s story"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 4<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/matthew-stephano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matthew Stephano<\/a> made the decision to step away from high-performance roles at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tesla.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tesla<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apple<\/a>, it wasn\u2019t burnout\u2014it was curiosity. Curiosity about people, purpose and about what it means to be a truly global leader. That same curiosity took him to the <a href=\"https:\/\/emba.brown.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IE Brown Executive MBA<\/a> and on to a job in procurement leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s find out why he made the switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-choose-the-ie-brown-executive-mba\"><strong>Why choose the IE Brown Executive MBA?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before starting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/ie-brown-executive-mba-degree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IE Brown Executive MBA<\/a>\u2014which comprises of online learning and residential periods\u2014Matthew had spent over six years working in &#8220;cushy Silicon Valley jobs&#8221;. A supply chain manager, Matthew took part in long hours of tough decision making at Tesla, before going on to lead projects with real impact on Apple&#8217;s carbon footprint and accessibility goals. &#8220;I\u2019ll forever be grateful to my colleagues at Apple and particularly at Tesla for taking a chance on a very green kid from the Midwest,&#8221; says Matthew. &#8220;[With Tesla] I always got to leave the office feeling like we were making a difference in the world&#8217;s transition a sustainable future. My time at Apple was no different.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There came a point, though, where it felt like a change of direction was necessary. So Matthew started looking into executive education. &#8220;Amongst the numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/why-get-an-mba-15-reasons-why-masters-degrees-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Executive MBA programs<\/a> out there, the IE Brown Executive MBA stood out to me for its global perspective, creative hybrid format and its world-class reputation,&#8221; he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-i-was-particularly-attracted-to-the-executive-mba-program-for-the-opportunity-to-grow-alongside-peers-with-10-20-years-in-the-workforce-and-to-learn-from-their-wealth-of-experience\">&#8220;I was particularly attracted to the Executive MBA program for the opportunity to grow alongside peers with 10-20+ years in the workforce and to learn from their wealth of experience.&#8221;<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"41350\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/working-in-procurement-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/working-in-procurement-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/working-in-procurement-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/working-in-procurement-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/working-in-procurement-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/working-in-procurement.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/ie-brown-executive-mba-faculty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IE Brown Executive MBA<\/a> was an opportunity for Matthew to develop his leadership skills among a diverse cohort. With the chance to trade life lessons with top professionals through a curriculum devised by leading institutions\u2014IE University and Brown University\u2014the choice was clear. Matthew took a step back from the breakneck pace of innovation and got back to studying again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-getting-the-best-out-of-the-ie-brown-executive-mba-curriculum\">Getting the best out of the IE Brown Executive MBA curriculum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For 15 months, Matthew enjoyed a rigorous part-time program which he initially completed alongside full-time work. The coursework delved into core business disciplines like finance, marketing and operations, while also emphasizing inclusive leadership, strategic foresight and the role of business in driving social impact and sustainability. The curriculum is an almagamation of two perspectives: <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/IE_Business_School\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IE Business School<\/a>&#8216;s expertise on the marketplace, and Brown University&#8217;s insights on the humanities. By its conclusion, graduates are adept at using business as a force for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The program is also unique because of its blended nature; it combines online classes five in-person residential sessions in Madrid, Providence and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/cape-town-week-how-the-ie-brown-executive-mba-drives-positive-entrepreneurial-change\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cape Town<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-for-matthew-one-of-the-program-s-most-powerful-moments-found-him-in-south-africa\">For Matthew, one of the program&#8217;s most powerful moments found him in South Africa.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" data-id=\"41349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/procurement-jobs-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/procurement-jobs-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/procurement-jobs-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/procurement-jobs-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/procurement-jobs-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/procurement-jobs.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;My team was welcomed with open arms into the homes and businesses of a local youth rugby team,&#8221; says Matthew. &#8220;Busy Bee RFC is the oldest all black rugby club in South Africa and in a lot of ways serves as the heart and soul of its Langa Township community. Despite minimal financial resources, shared facilities and vastly inferior equipment to its competitors, the club manages to compete through sheer determination and love of the game. Being able to engage with this community even for a short period of time and to make strategic recommendations that make a real impact to children\u2019s health, education, and purpose is one of the most important things I\u2019ve ever been a part of.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-honing-skills-for-procurement-leadership\">Honing skills for procurement leadership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Matthew gained a distinctive blend of skills from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/executive-positions-in-business-ie-brown-executive-mba\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IE Brown Executive MBA<\/a> that have reshaped his approach to leadership and collaboration. For one, he learned the crucial difference between managing within a traditional hierarchy and leading without a fixed framework. This taught him to leverage his unique strengths while learning from others, fostering self-confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome\u2014an invaluable skill in any high-performance setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-program-s-integration-of-rigorous-business-training-with-a-strong-emphasis-on-the-humanities-gave-matthew-a-broader-more-nuanced-perspective\">The program\u2019s integration of rigorous business training with a strong emphasis on the humanities gave Matthew a broader, more nuanced perspective.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"41351\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/leading-procurement-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/leading-procurement-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/leading-procurement-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/leading-procurement-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/leading-procurement-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/leading-procurement.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This combination deepened his understanding of leadership beyond just strategy and operations. Now, Matthew better appreciates the human and ethical dimensions that influence decision-making and organizational culture. The exposure to diverse managerial styles within his talented cohort pushed him to step outside his comfort zone and develop greater adaptability and emotional intelligence. This would ultimately became very useful for his role in procurement leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Matthew\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/mba-in-madrid-ie-business-school\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">experience in Madrid<\/a> further expanded his worldview, immersing him in a rich cultural and intellectual environment that complemented his academic growth. In fact, the city helped inspire Matthew for a relocation to New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-life-after-the-ie-brown-executive-mba\">Life after the IE Brown Executive MBA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For Matthew, the path beyond the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/ie-brown-executive-mba-advantages-for-career-growth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IE Brown Executive MBA<\/a> began with a bold detour: a year-long sabbatical exploring over 30 countries with his wife. During this time, he developed his understanding of leadership through unique encounters\u2014Sherpas in the Himalayas, tradesmen in Morocco, priests in Europe: \u201cLeading with empathy isn\u2019t just good business\u2014it\u2019s good humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now based in Auckland at Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Matthew is channeling that global perspective into sustainable innovation in procurement leadership. With a focus on procurement strategy, he\u2019s applying lessons from the program to real-world challenges, such as reducing scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. His role combines operational efficiency with plans for long-term environmental and social impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, for those considering the program, Matthew has a key piece of advice: lean into discomfort. \u201cGrowth happens when you\u2019re not the smartest person in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns banner h-banner banner-b is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading banner-title\" id=\"boost-your-career-with-our-master-in-management\">Become a top professional with the IE Brown Executive MBA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"banner-content\">From supply chain management to procurement leadership, craft the right path for yourself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button banner-btn\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/business-school\/programs\/masters\/master-in-customer-experience-innovation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Growth happens when you&#8217;re not the smartest person in the room.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":41538,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[335,1084],"tags":[451,481,482,483],"class_list":["post-41231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-admissions-programs","category-program-insights","tag-business-school","tag-ie-brown-executive-mba","tag-leadership-and-talent-development","tag-masters"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Shifting to procurement leadership: Matthew Stephano&#039;s story<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From supply chain management to procurement leadership, find out how Matthew Stephano made the switch after working at Tesla and Apple.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/life-after-tesla-and-apple-matthew-stephanos-story\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Life after Tesla and Apple: Matthew Stephano\u2019s story\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From supply chain management to procurement leadership, find out how Matthew Stephano made the switch after working at Tesla and Apple.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/life-after-tesla-and-apple-matthew-stephanos-story\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Uncover IE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-29T10:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-21T09:35:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ie.edu\/uncover-ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/procurement-leadership.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1375\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Benjamin Bridson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Benjamin Bridson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" 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