Steven Harris, right, interviews RBC member David Steward of World Wide Technology.

Some of the St. Louis region’s most creative minds are part of the RBC’s Young Professionals Network Leadership 100. But who are they and how are they helping to shape a stronger St. Louis?

That’s what we’ll address in our new regular blog series, “Meet the YPN Leadership 100.” Over time, we’ll introduce you to members of our YPN community who are providing exceptional leadership, service, culture and innovation to our area.

Our first featured YPN Leadership 100 member is Steven Harris. Steven is a partner at RubinBrown LLP who concentrates on client account management and provides auditing, tax and consulting services. Steven has a B.S. in accounting from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and is involved with many area organizations, including the National Association of Black Accountants, Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis and the St. Louis Language Immersion School.

Learn more about Steven in our interview below!

You wear many hats. How would you introduce yourself to a new YPN member?
Steven Harris, partner in charge of the Entrepreneurial Services Group at RubinBrown LLP and chair of the Young Professional Network steering committee.

What do you enjoy about belonging to organizations like YPN?
There are so many things I enjoy about belonging to YPN, but my top three are:

• the opportunity to be associated with some of the most talented and diverse individuals in this region
• the events and programs delivered by the RBC and YPN
• having access to so many prominent leaders in this region

Describe a favorite project that you’re currently working on.
We have three projects the YPN is currently working on that I am excited about:

• Growing our membership to 2,000 members. I truly believe the YPN provides so many opportunities for young professionals. Growing the membership is the best way to share the benefits and resources with other young professional in our region.
• The launch of YPN University and the partnership we have developed with St. Louis Diversity Initiative – Fellows Program to facilitate a professional development series focused on career and personal development.
• Our community service initiative with the United Way — the Imagination Library. This is a great program to help promote early childhood development. We are providing a variety of ways for YPN members to become engaged through giving donations or volunteering to read to kids.

What are your first few destinations when an out-of-town friend visits?
The Arch, Sweetie Pie’s… and we typically don’t make it to the third stop after a good meal from Sweetie Pie’s.

What’s one St. Louis tradition that everyone must experience?
Our food, especially in the Hill, Central West End, Clayton, Downtown or Loop neighborhoods. We have some great restaurants in our city. I always make sure my out-of-town friends experience some of the fine tastes within St. Louis!

Why should someone base their business in St. Louis?
There so many opportunities in St. Louis. I truly feel like the region’s leaders are
dedicated to creating an environment that embraces young professionals and provides
great experiences for achieving success and growth.

Final thoughts?
This is an exciting time to be a young professional and and even better time to be a
member of YPN. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Like everything else in life, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it! If there is anything I can do to make your experience better, email me at steven.harris@rubinbrown.com!

Stay tuned for the next installment of “Meet the YPN Leadership 100!”