Growing up exploring the ravines of Toronto, Stefan nurtured a curiosity for botanical knowledge and land-based learning that led to a career in the visual arts. After nine years of exhibiting and working across diverse media, Stefan redirected his interests toward realizing community projects and understanding successful planting design.

Stefan received his Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from the University of Guelph and a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Toronto. He was named a Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation Regional Scholar in 2021 and was awarded the Heather M. Reisman Gold Medal and the CSLA Award of Excellence for his thesis. As a graduate mentor at Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag, an Indigenous Youth and Elder-led program based in Ontario, Stefan developed an enthusiasm for cultivating landscape literacy in others. Stefan joined MVVA in 2022.