Steve Rudnik
MILWAUKEE,—Wipfli, a leading accounting and advisory firm, has added Steve Rudnik as head of corporate development and will lead Wipfli’s mergers and acquisitions strategy and execution.
M&A remains a cornerstone of Wipfli’s growth strategy, and its partnership with New Mountain Capital has accelerated opportunities to expand through acquisitions. Rudnik will support the firm’s strategic plan by advancing growth objectives, enhancing client experience and elevating how the firm operates at scale.
Rudnik brings extensive experience building and leading M&A programs. Prior to joining Wipfli, he served as co-head of M&A at Hightower Advisors, one of the largest wealth management firms in the country. During his tenure, he oversaw more than fifty M&A deals and helped establish a team of more than fifteen professionals to support a sustainable, scalable M&A engine. Earlier in his career, Rudnik spent a decade in Ernst & Young’s audit practice.
“Steve’s experience building and scaling an M&A program will be a strong asset as we continue to execute on our growth strategy. His track record and leadership will help us expand our capabilities and better serve clients as we pursue strategic opportunities,” said Kurt Gresens, CEO at Wipfli.
“Wipfli has a clear commitment to growth and a strong platform to build from,” Rudnik said. “I’m excited to join the firm and lead corporate development to execute opportunities that expand the value we deliver to clients.”
Rudnik will be based in Wipfli’s Chicago‑Lincolnshire office.