Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez’s parents, the Swiss expatriate Max Kienle and his wife Zelda Aragon, founded Philux in the Philippines over 40 years ago, starting as a small furniture business with just two carpenters. Today, Philux is considered to be one of the great standard-bearers of Filipino design—a luxury label of Filipino furniture made by Filipino craftsmen. Kienle-Gonzalez’s leadership has been key to the company’s success, especially over the past half-decade, which saw Philux transform into a modern furniture maker and a well-regarded lifestyle brand. She entered the family business in 2009 working in sales and marketing, and in 2018, was named managing director and COO.

Apart from her work at Philux, Kienle-Gonzalez has also been a media personality, a host, and a well-known public figure online. She is married to port and container shipping executive Christian Gonzalez and together they have three beautiful daughters.