About Steve

Master facilitator of leadership learning equipping the next generation of leaders to serve globally

Steve Boehlke has worked for more than 30 years with youth, managers and top corporate executives around the world to inspire integrity and authenticity in leadership.

He currently serves as Senior Advisor to the African Leadership Group, an affiliated ecosystem of institutions which share a common vision: transforming Africa by developing and connecting a new generation of ethical, entrepreneurial leaders. He is also a faculty member of African Leadership University School of Business where he facilitates leadership learning in the Pan-African MBA program as well as other executive education initiatives. He has worked closely with the founders of African Leadership Academy based in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the past eight years.

As an accomplished consultant, facilitator, and speaker, Steve’s message is simple: leadership is born from having the courage to be who you are. His own professional journey has taken him from youth minister, founder of a non-profit organization, and Assistant Dean of Students at Princeton University early in his career to establishing a successful global leadership development consulting practice, SFB Associates, Inc. As founder and president of SFB Associates, Steve led a diverse group of consultants for more than two decades to optimize leadership effectiveness in multinational corporations. His corporate clients have included Bank of Montreal, Cargill, ExxonMobil, General Mills, HP, Medtronic, Merck & Company, and Nestlé, among others.

Steve is now applying his extensive experience working with top tier leaders in multi-national corporations to support visionary change agents in diverse global settings. In addition to his work with African Leadership Group, Steve is committed to coaching and mentoring young leaders whether social entrepreneurs, educators, or talented professionals still searching for their calling. For example, he has recently designed and facilitated a distinctive cross-cultural leadership program for volunteers with the Greater Twin Cities United Way who are in the early stages of their business careers.

Steve is the author of the book, 50 Lessons on Leading for Those with Little Time for Reading, which captures in simple but powerful metaphors the essence of leadership that anyone can choose to put into practice.

Whether applying his leadership lessons to students at Africa Leadership University, scientists attending a collaboration conference at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, or faculty and staff at the Dalton School, NYC, Steve has a gift for applying intuition and skillful inquiry to inspire people to lead with greater awareness of themselves and their world. He asks the difficult questions by which excellent leadership grows and develops.

Steve is a graduate of Princeton University, the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and Princeton Theological Seminary. He anchors his professional life with time and space for his personal passions: running, adventure travel, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren. Steve resides with his wife, Mary, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“Steve’s message of creativity in large, bureaucratic organizations is timely and is essential to unlock innovation.“
– Steven Gonzalez, Deputy Advanced Planning Office
NASA/Johnson Space Center