Stephen is an Emeritus Board Member for the Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS). Before joining Meng Peeps National Executive Search, Stephen began his executive search career as a Partner in Heidrick & Struggles' Education and Nonprofit Practice. This followed a decade's service as founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health. He also served for two years as Chairman of its Board of Directors. During his tenure with the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, Stephen served also as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Woodmark Group, a consortium of Chief Development Officers at North America's twenty-two premier children's hospitals. Earlier in his career, Stephen spent over twenty years in higher education, assuming increasingly senior executive roles at Stanford University. For his collective service on the University's behalf, he was honored with the Kenneth B. Cuthbertson Award for exceptional service, Stanford's highest distinction for non-faculty members. He was also appointed a University Fellow.