The incredible Stephanie Ayala is Wevise’s January 2026 Volunteer of the Month. As Chief of Staff, Stephanie plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role that helps keep the Wevise focused, aligned, and forward-moving during a very busy and exciting time.
Stephanie works directly with Wevise’s Board President, serving as a “right-hand Swiss Army knife.” She supports leadership across a wide range of initiatives, such as optimizing existing resources and team structures, as well as helping with strategic proposals.
Similar to many of Wevise’s dedicated volunteers, Stephanie’s motivation for joining the team is deeply personal.
She worked on client acquisition for Dutch shipbuilder, which built yachts for clients such as Steve Jobs. From there, she went to business school and got a master’s degree in marketing, plying her trade due in large part to a “love of people and business.” But getting to this point was not easy. As she began navigating a transition into a new industry, she did so largely on her own. She had no mentors and her professional network was nonexistent. The process felt isolating at times. Reflecting on that experience, she recognizes how impactful it would have been to have access to a mentorship community like Wevise.
“If I had known about the chance to participate as a mentee with Wevise, I would have had some good mentorship in that experience and maybe would not have felt so alone in my decision making and and trying to navigate my career steps,” she said.
“That’s why the mission resonates so strongly with me. There are so many people who have awareness and ambition, but don’t know what steps to take or don’t have a network to lean on. Mentorship makes a huge difference.”
Outside of Wevise, Stephanie currently works as a Chief of Staff in the real estate investment industry. Though not traditionally labeled as “tech,” she sees technology as embedded in every industry, including her own. “There’s no single path into a Chief of Staff role. What matters is the experience you bring and how you can support an organization’s most important priorities.”
Stephanie is based in Miami enjoys connecting with volunteers across time zones and learning what motivates people to give their time and expertise. The opportunity to engage with a wide array of people gives her the energy and verve that clearly comes across when talking with her.
That energy extends to her life outside of work. She’s looking forward to a trip to Greece later this year. And her adventurous spirit recently saw her brave Bolivia’s infamous North Yungas Road, known also as the “Death Road,” a thrilling, terrifying and unforgettable experience where she mountain biked on a pathway that once claimed more than 100 lives per year. She’s a proud cat owner – her cat, Elvis, is named after Elvis Presley (and looks absolutely fabulous below).
Stephanie’s dedication, perspective, and passion for the Wevise cause embody the spirit of our volunteer community. We’re grateful for her leadership and proud to celebrate her as our January Volunteer of the Month.
