Board Director Emilio De Stefano

Emilio De Stefano is CEO and Managing Director at De Stefano & Co. An experienced executive and Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng), Emilio has two decades of industry experience across a variety of industry sectors including defence, oil & gas, water and infrastructure. Having practiced in organisations ranging from start-ups to large, multi-national corporates, in both technical and executive leadership roles, Emilio has an innate knowledge and understanding of people, culture, leadership, business and what it takes to succeed in any environment.

Emilio has Bachelor level qualifications in engineering and management and has undertaken numerous postgraduate programs including a Master of Engineering in Military Systems Integration, the Defence Industry Leadership Program, the AICD Company Directors Course and an Executive Program at the prestigious Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Prior to establishing De Stefano & Co in 2015, Emilio spent four years in the role of General Manager at a leading South Australian manufacturer, which saw the company experience record year-on-year growth, become a key player nationally and win two prominent awards in 2014 and 2015, including the national Manufacturers’ Monthly Endeavour Award in the category of Business Transformation. The first 7 years of his career were spent in Electronic Warfare working for BAE Systems Australia and Tenix Defence Electronic Systems Division.

Emilio is also a Past Chairman of the Institution of Engineering & Technology SA&NT Local Network, a past member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FACCI) Aerospace, Defence & Aviation (ADA) Sub-Committee, a member of the Industry Leaders Fund (ILF) and a 2021 InDaily 40 Under 40 award recipient.

Emilio was elected to the Board in October 2025.