Stefanie Wilson is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Luminair, a consultancy founded seven years ago from what she describes as a ‘wild leap of faith’.
To date, Luminair has created almost $1 billion in economic impact for their client regions and has recently become a B Corp – an internationally recognised certification for best-practice in social and environmental impact performance.
We sat down with Stefanie to find out more about Luminair and her journey as a Queensland female founder.
What inspired you to start your business?
There’s quite a funny story about how Luminair started. I like to say Luminair is the result of a desire to create a positive ripple effect as an economic strategist, met with equal parts of a tad too much determination and of course, a wild leap of faith.
In the early days, Luminair was founded on a desire to do things differently. When Luminair was just me, I was entirely dedicated to the creation of commercially viable strategies that provided economic benefit, but didn’t come at the expense of people or planet.
I used to joke that I was using my strategic powers for good, instead of evil. Strategy being used as a force for good is a concept that I’ve never grown tired of. I didn’t tire at the start, even when I was working 20 hours a day, and seven years later I am even more in love with Luminair than the day I started.
As Luminair has matured, we have become a little more articulate. We now describe Luminair as a team of macro thinkers, consultative pioneers and smart strategists, designing a future that looks after people, planet and prosperity.
What milestones have you reached?
Our work can be seen within all levels of government, in ASX-listed companies, in social enterprises, and even within the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Proposition.
The latest milestone that we have reached is one that we are ready to share with the industry but also with the world. We want leaders to know that we are creating a transformed economy that looks after people, planet and prosperity. The exciting thing for us is that this model is now greeted with curiosity and excitement, rather than the fear and trepidation of yesteryear.
What business achievements are you most proud of to date?
The consistent application of our values in Luminair’s growth strategy, customer selection and project management practice, is certainly not for the faint hearted.
However, I also love that we walk our own talk. We have created almost $1 billion in economic impact for our client regions, however as a company we have also been audited as part of our B Corp Certification, for positive social and environmental impact.
We transform economies for a sustainable future.
We transition government and business toward circular economy.
As a founder, how could I not be proud of who we are and what we have achieved?
What’s your advice for other female entrepreneurs and businesses starting out on their entrepreneurship journey?
Surround yourself with brilliance. Remain grounded in your values. This is how we can all be part of the change we want to see in the world.
