Chris Stephens

Growing Teams and Companies that Transform Challenges into Opportunities

Chris Stephens is the Managing Partner at Empatic & Co, a firm focused on helping organizations navigate change through a people-centric approach. He has over 15 years of experience in transforming companies via design and technology, working closely with teams and leaders to address complex challenges and develop impactful products and services.2

Professional Background

Early Career: Chris began his career as a permanent officer in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) before transitioning to various roles in government and consulting. He served as the National Executive Director for a national sporting organization during the bidding for the 2000 Sydney Olympics and later returned to Defence to manage significant programs.1
Defence Sector: His work included negotiating contracts and overseeing international defense cooperation programs. He held senior advisory roles to Chiefs of Defence Force and Navy, focusing on capability investment and governance policies.1
Entrepreneurship: In 2019, he co-founded Glengarry Advisory and Meet The Chiefs, which provide strategic advice to private enterprises on business development and government relations. These firms aim to bridge connections between private sectors and government agencies.1

Skills and Expertise

Chris specializes in:

Change Management: Utilizing human-centered design to facilitate organizational transformation.
Strategic Consulting: Offering insights on governance, procurement, and risk management.
Team Leadership: Building high-performing teams that drive business growth.2

Personal Interests

Outside of his professional life, Chris is an avid sailor, golfer, and accomplished glider pilot. He resides in Canberra with his partner, Karin, and they have a blended family of six children.1