Steve Schillo was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He completed his undergraduate and graduate education at Carnegie Mellon University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics and a Master of Science in Public Management and Policy Analysis from the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management.

Steve started his professional career as the Budget and Research Officer and Assistant Director of Finance for the City of Pittsburgh. In 1983, he assumed the position of City and School Treasurer and Deputy Director of Finance for the City of Pittsburgh.