Stefanie Kyles is a global executive with CEO and board-level experience. Trained and accomplished in sophisticated legal, securities, and international transactions, she possesses a rare combination of entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a world-class technical skill set. Stefanie has devoted her career to developing a depth of knowledge across business operations, strategic planning, negotiation, corporate law, finance, and execution. With this background and her innate ability to connect with people of all cultures, Stefanie excels at stepping into new situations to quickly identify the issues, opportunities, and risks and to chart clear paths to growth.

A shipping industry veteran, Stefanie began her career after law school as an attorney with Norton Rose in Athens, Greece where she was recognized for her ability to handle complex matters in corporate and asset finance. Stefanie returned to the U.S. in 2005 following several foundational years abroad. She initially joined Jefferies & Company as Vice President of Investment Banking and specialized in public equity transactions in the marine transportation sector. Stefanie was later recruited by Poten & Partners, one of the world’s most prestigious brokerage and consulting firms in the international oil, gas, and shipping markets. She served as General Counsel for nearly a decade and developed and led the investment banking division, Poten Capital Services as President.

In 2015, Stefanie was sought out to lead John A. Vassilaros & Son, Inc. as 4th generation CEO, President, and Director amidst an unanticipated succession crisis. Known as Vassilaros Coffee, this NYC icon has focused on roasting and distributing quality coffee to thousands of food service establishments since 1919. Stefanie left her long career in shipping to salvage the coffee roasting and real estate businesses founded by her great-grandfather a century ago. Over five years, she painstakingly rehabilitated and restructured the family’s operating assets, unlocking multigenerational value.

Today, Stefanie heads the family office she established for real estate assets and serves as Trustee. She is a mentor and guest speaker at Cornell Business School Smith Family Business Initiative. She remains an advisor to Poten and Partners.