From Intern to CFO: Kevin Lewis Leads Through Legacy, Change and Purpose

Growing up in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Lewis considered several universities before visiting campus. During a presentation in Rockwell Hall, a professor opened the shades, pointed toward downtown Pittsburgh and told prospective students that the city was their playground from a business perspective.

The moment stayed with him.

“When you combine the academic reputation of Duquesne with the opportunity of being in a city-based university that has a close relationship with employers in the region, attending Duquesne was an obvious choice,” Lewis said.

Today, Lewis serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Tubular Solutions at U. S. Steel. He recently played a central role in one of the most significant corporate transactions in the company’s history. Yet even as his responsibilities have grown, Lewis remains grounded in the values that first drew him to Duquesne nearly two decades ago.

A Foundation for Leadership

Lewis credits Duquesne with giving him more than a business education. It gave him a framework for ethical decision-making, leadership and navigating uncertainty.

“My education at the School of Business prepared me from a leadership and ethics standpoint to make values-based decisions in a very complicated world,” he said.

As a student, Lewis was active in Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity that connected him with alumni, expanded his network and introduced him to other business disciplines. His Duquesne experience also shaped his personal life. Lewis said that if it were not for his college roommates, he would not have met his wife.

“Everything really does lead back to the University in some form or fashion,” he said.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double major in finance and sports marketing, Lewis chose to continue at Duquesne through the MBA program. Evening classes allowed him to balance graduate studies with the start of his career at U. S. Steel.

“I felt like I got a great undergraduate education, and I didn’t really see a need to go anywhere else,” he said. “Duquesne allowed me to focus on my education while accelerating my professional ambitions.”

From Student Internship to Corporate Leadership

Lewis’ relationship with U. S. Steel began through a campus recruiting event. He secured an internship with the company as an undergraduate student and never left.

Nearly 20 years later, he has risen from intern to CFO, a journey shaped by determination, curiosity and continuous learning.

“My advice to students is to be a sponge. Learn and absorb as much information and experience as possible because that creates a perspective about the business that you’ll carry with you forever.”

That mindset proved especially valuable as Lewis helped lead U. S. Steel through its acquisition by Nippon Steel, a historic partnership intended to preserve the 125-year legacy of U. S. Steel while supporting its future through significant investments in U. S. steelmaking.

Throughout the transaction, Lewis helped coordinate efforts among company executives, board members, investment bankers, attorneys, regulators and employees. The process required steady leadership, active listening and strategic decision-making during a period of uncertainty.

“We started every meeting with our code of conduct,” Lewis said, referring to U. S. Steel’s S.T.E.E.L. principles: Safety First, Trust and Respect, Environmental Stewardship, Excellence and Accountability, and Lawful and Ethical Conduct.

For Lewis, those principles reflect the values-based leadership he developed at Duquesne.

Protecting Legacy, Investing in the Future

The transaction secured billions of dollars in investment to modernize U. S. Steel facilities, including major operations in Western Pennsylvania.

“This was really about protecting the business and protecting the people,” Lewis said. “There were thousands and thousands of workers and families counting on the outcome.”

Among the projects that excite him most is the planned modernization of U. S. Steel’s Mon Valley facilities, an investment Lewis believes will help ensure the region’s steelmaking operations remain competitive for future generations.

“We have 125 years of success behind us,” he said. “But I truly believe the next chapter is going to be our best chapter.”

Giving Back to Duquesne

While helping lead one of Pittsburgh’s most iconic companies, Lewis remains closely connected to his alma mater.

As a member of the Investment Strategy Institute Advisory Council, he helps shape opportunities for future business students. He also reminds students that finance careers extend far beyond Wall Street and investment banking.

“There are a lot of exciting finance-related roles inside companies that students aren’t always aware of,” he said.

That connection expanded in spring 2026, when U. S. Steel partnered with the School of Business as the corporate client for the Strategic Management Capstone, a course taken by all undergraduate business students. Students developed recommendations for an existing strategic challenge facing the company: evaluating potential locations and strategies for a future steel mill investment.

“The students really dug in,” Lewis said. “The level of engagement, research and quality of the recommendations impressed everyone involved.”

Leading Through Service

Lewis describes his leadership style as servant leadership, rooted in humility, teamwork and purpose.

“I’m here to help accelerate progress, remove obstacles and make the organization better than I found it,” he said.

In May 2026, Lewis received the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business Young Alumnus Achievement Award, an honor he called one of the most meaningful recognitions of his career.

For today’s students, his advice is simple: Be a sponge. Be authentic. And never underestimate the power of values-driven decision-making.