Steve Willeke, CPA, CFO

Steve Willeke brings more than 35 years of financial leadership experience to the LiftBridge team, with a background spanning consumer products, insurance, and public accounting.

Before joining LiftBridge, Steve served as EVP & CFO of Dorel Juvenile Group’s North American operations, a $350M consumer products business. As a key member of the executive team, he drove consistent financial outperformance, led cost optimization initiatives, and developed strategies to navigate complex regulatory environments—including tariff mitigation efforts that generated millions in savings.

Earlier in his career, Steve held multiple leadership roles at Conseco / CNO Financial Group, including CFO of the Life Insurance Division, where he led SEC reporting, improved financial reporting across acquired entities, and strengthened financial infrastructure. He began his career at Price Waterhouse, building a strong foundation in audit and accounting.

At LiftBridge, Steve works within the firm’s SBIC practice, supporting funds with financial oversight, operational improvement, and strategic guidance. He partners with fund managers to strengthen reporting processes, navigate regulatory requirements, and drive disciplined financial performance across their portfolios.

Steve holds an MBA in Finance from Indiana University and a BS in Accounting from Ball State University and is a CPA (Indiana).

Outside of work, Steve enjoys life with his wife, Carolyn, and their two sons. He’s a devoted Pacers, Reds, and Colts fan and enjoys golf, biking—including completing the 158-mile RAIN ride across Indiana—and time with his golden retriever, Willow.