Steve Popper leads SPMB’s Financial Officer Practice, one of the country’s premier executive search practices for CFOs and senior finance leaders. Since launching the practice in 2007, he has advised investors, boards, and CEOs on more than 400 CFO appointments for public companies and venture capital- and private equity-backed businesses across software, fintech, healthtech, consumer technology, and sustainability.
Steve is trusted by many of the world’s leading investment firms—including Sequoia Capital, Accel, Andreessen Horowitz, IVP, Warburg Pincus, KPCB, and Spectrum Equity—to recruit the financial leaders who help companies navigate their most consequential moments: scaling for growth, raising capital, preparing for an IPO, driving operational transformation, and creating long-term enterprise value.
His work extends well beyond filling executive roles. Steve serves as a strategic partner to boards, CEOs, and investors on finance leadership, helping clients define what great looks like, assess leadership against the demands of the business, and identify executives capable of leading through the next stage of growth. His pattern recognition, built over hundreds of CFO searches, gives clients a unique perspective on both proven market leaders and the next generation of exceptional finance talent before they become widely known.
In addition to CFOs, Steve recruits the finance executives who build and strengthen world-class finance organizations, including leaders across Accounting, FP&A, Investor Relations, Tax, Treasury, Audit, and Compliance. He also advises boards on the recruitment of Audit Committee members, helping companies strengthen financial oversight and governance as they scale.
Outside of work, Steve can usually be found riding the roads and trails of Marin County, experimenting in the kitchen, or searching for birds with binoculars in hand. A lifelong music enthusiast with an appreciation for everything from jazz and classical to jam bands, he’s also a devoted (and perpetually optimistic) Mets and Knicks fan and the proud father of three daughters.
Steve earned a B.S. with honors in Biology and Humanities from the State University of New York at Albany.
Functional Focus:
- CFO
- Accounting
- FP&A
- Investor Relations
- Board (Audit Committee)
- Tax, Audit, Compliance
Contact an SPMB executive search leader today.
What’s the most non traditional job you’ve ever had?
I worked as a cold-calling door-to-door salesman in NYC, selling gourmet cheese and charcuterie to chefs at high-end restaurants. Toughest clients ever!
What sports star would you most like to meet?
Muhammad Ali. Hands down. My parents made my sisters and I aware of his heroism as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, even before we ever saw him in the ring. He’s always been a hero of mine.
Which band would you love to tour with?
I’m dating myself with this answer but… Jimi Hendrix and the Band of Gypsies or Led Zeppelin. Hard to say which of those bands had more fun on tour, but I’m certain that both of them did!
