Born and raised in Chicago, Steve brings nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and is recognized as a top performer nationwide. He has been named by Forbes (2022–2025) as one of the Top 50 Financial Security Professionals in Illinois, and he hosts the radio show “Protecting Your Assets” every Saturday at 8:00 AM on AM 560, where he shares practical guidance to help families make confident financial decisions.
Steve also hosts dinner seminars—live, educational events where guests enjoy a great meal, meaningful conversation, and clear, real-world insights on navigating financial choices as they approach and move through retirement.
At his core, Steve is driven by a personal mission: helping people build lasting financial security so they can enjoy retirement without the fear of running out of money—and create a meaningful legacy for the people they love. He earned his degree in Finance & Accounting from Northern Illinois University and holds a Black Belt in Karate, reflecting the discipline and focus he brings to every client relationship.
Steve founded WilSave Financial in 2005, inspired by a defining moment in his own family’s life. In 1998, his father—who had built significant wealth—was heavily invested in the technology market. When the tech bubble burst, his father lost 90% of his life savings. After his father passed away in 2003, Steve stepped in to help his mother manage what remained and began seeking professional guidance. He quickly realized that much of the advice he encountered felt one-size-fits-all. He knew families deserved better—clearer guidance, smarter strategies, and a plan built around their life.
Since then, WilSave has helped more than a thousand individuals and families move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Steve believes every client’s situation is unique, and that’s what he values most: listening closely, solving real-life challenges, and helping people feel steady, protected, and genuinely supported.
Vivina is WilSave, Inc.’s Medicare, Health, and Life Benefits Advisor. Her approach is simple: listen first, then guide. She takes time to understand each client’s goals, timeline, family responsibilities, and concerns around taxes, healthcare costs, and long-term care.
Clients value Vivina for the qualities that matter most in long-term planning: she is calm, kind, and thorough. She explains options in plain language, compares strategies thoughtfully (never “product-first”), sets clear expectations, and follows through from start to finish—including ongoing reviews as life changes. She coordinates the details with care so clients feel supported, well-informed, and confident in the plan they choose.
Vivina holds a master’s degree in Computer Science and previously led large-scale system implementation projects at a top-five management consulting firm—bringing structured, strategic thinking to complex decisions. Outside of work, she loves being in nature and previously volunteered at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium as a presentation diver, educating visitors from underwater.
Oliver is our Accounts Specialist at WilSave Financial. He supports clients by coordinating asset transfers and handling a wide range of service requests with accuracy, follow-through, and care.
Before joining WilSave, Oliver worked at a financial firm as a life insurance associate, helping clients find the right coverage in a way that was simple, efficient, and affordable. He came to WilSave to broaden his knowledge in the financial services industry—and because he’s motivated by work that truly matters: helping people protect their retirement futures and ensuring our clients feel well supported.
Outside the office, Oliver enjoys spending time with his kids, playing pickup basketball with friends, and traveling whenever he can.
Heather serves as our Executive Assistant and Marketing Manager, playing an essential role in supporting executive leadership while keeping our day-to-day operations and marketing initiatives running smoothly. She manages scheduling, communications, and project coordination with care and precision, and she also supports our marketing efforts through content organization and campaign coordination.
What truly sets Heather apart is the heart she brings to the office. She genuinely loves our clients—and they love her right back. Many clients stop in simply to catch up with Heather and our team about what’s happening in their lives. That kind of connection is part of who we are: we treat our clients like family, and Heather is the kind of person who will step in without hesitation to help someone in need.
Heather holds an associate degree in Business Administration/Business Management. She’s also a devoted mom of two and has previously served as a foster mother—an experience that reflects her deep compassion and steady presence. Outside the office, you’ll often find her spending quality time with her kids and discovering new, fun things to do around the Chicagoland area. At home, she’s surrounded by her own little “crew”: two cats, Ash and Tora, and a rescued pit bull named Bella Star.
Stephen has been in the financial industry for more than 40 years and has helped thousands of families and individuals with trusted financial guidance. His passion for serving others—and his strong work ethic—have distinguished him throughout his career.
Steve holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations from The American College and has been a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) for 40 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Northern Illinois University in 1972, where he served as co-captain of the NIU football team and still holds a record for five rushing touchdowns in a single game.
Raised in Huntley, Illinois, Steve has been married to his wife, Carol, for 47 years. They have three children and six grandchildren: Brian and Jen Goehl (with children Cole and Avery) of Carmel, Indiana; Stephanie and Paul Kobialko (with children Ty and Tessa) of Frankfort, Illinois; and Andrew and Shala (with children Leni and Silas) of Seattle, Washington.
Lina's title with WilSave Financial is Associate Advisor. It's her responsibility to assist Steve with client meetings and applications, provide client services including withdrawals, allocation changes, death claims, RMDs, and lifetime income elections, and manage and maintain Swivel CRM.
Originally from China, Lina graduated from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics with a BS in Economics, and then came to the U.S. to pursue a master's degree in economics. Lina worked as an agent and Registered Representative at New York Life and MassMutual for 9 years. She now uses that extensive experience in financial services to help service clients with their needs here at WilSave. Lina enjoys the experience of working on a team: everyone in the office is very professional and performs their roles well. At WilSave Financial, we're dedicated to helping our clients achieve their financial goals.
When she's not working, Lina enjoys folk arts and crafts, cooking, outdoor activities, and traveling with her family and friends. She currently lives in Hoffman Estates, and is a dedicated wife and a mother to three daughters. The family also has 4 cats (Gabi, Socks, Sammy, and Sage) and a dog (an Australian Shepherd named Ollie).
