Steve began his career in media at Young & Rubicam in 1975. In 1977 Grubbs joined BBDO, one of the world's largest and most prestigious advertising agencies, and rapidly rose through the ranks. He was appointed director of National TV Buying and Program Development in 1986. In 1995, Steve was named a member of the board of directors of BBDO and one year later was elected executive vice president. Former chairman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies' Network TV committee, Grubbs serves on the board of directors of the Advertising Information Services. He is also a two-time winner of the annual Mediaweek "Media All-Stars" Award. One of the most respected authorities on television in the United States, he is frequently called on as an industry speaker and media commentator, often quoted in USA Today, Sports Illustrated, and The Wall Street Journal. Grubbs holds a B. A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and currently resides in Darien, CT with his wife, Anne.

"Spirituality is a personal, experiential search for Truth, and the SKSF enables this search," says Grubbs. "I'm constantly amazed by the work of these young people—they're well organized and highly motivated," he adds, noting such endeavors as the international, student-produced spiritual journal, The Symposium; a public event series; retreats; and weekly meetings. "And what's driving them is not the urge to strike it rich in the latest Internet IPO. I am honored to join their advisory board."

Grubbs also has praise for SKSF Executive Director, Augie Turak: "He's probably the most unique individual I've ever met...and I've had the opportunity to meet many of the rich, the famous and the renowned." Turak and Grubbs first met when students at Hotchkiss Preparatory School. "Augie has an uncanny ability to establish an immediate rapport with people and see right through to their souls. New York is full of businessmen who know everything about money and nothing about life. But when I want advice about anything really important, I turn to Augie."

Turak notes that 1999 has been a year of incredible growth for the nonprofit. "With our tenth-anniversary event series, Collisions with the Infinite, we've had a chance to look back and see how far we've come. Back in '89, only a few students, inspired by a lecture I'd given at NC State, seemed serious about finding out who they really were. Being a spiritual seeker was a lonely venture in those days." Turak adds that the tide has turned, however, and points to efforts such as the national Education as Transformation conference at Wellesley, which the SKSF attended last year. There he met hundreds of educators, administrators, and students from universities across the country who were interested in starting programs similar to the SKSF's. "It has been truly gratifying to have people from UMass Boston to the University of Denver ask us for help in getting started. Having Steve on our advisory board will allow us to continue to grow and serve this community."

Mary Alice Scott, Program Director for the SKSF agrees. "Steve's a stand-up guy, a serious thinker, and a good friend to the SKSF. His sincerity and real-life wisdom will make him a valuable addition to our advisory board."

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The Self Knowledge Symposium Foundation (SKSF) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging people to consciously develop their own personal, moral and spiritual values and to live according to them. The SKSF has been praised as "the hottest thing happening in higher education today" by Dr. William Willimon, Dean of Duke University Chapel, ranked by Newsweek as one of the top ten preachers in the English-speaking world, and author of the The Search for Meaning. At the forefront of the national interest in spirituality, the SKSF creates experiential learning programs and social contexts within which people can explore the deeper questions in life, developing intellectual understanding and personal character in a quest for the life worth living. The SKSF advises the SKS campus groups, sponsors a non-student discussion group, and co-sponsors meetings, lectures, retreats and The Symposium spiritual journal. For more information, visit www.selfknowledge.org.