Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the West Hartford office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Dante Pizzuti
CLU®, CLTC®, RICP®
Managing Partner
Dante grew up in upstate New York in the city of Binghamton. He went on to graduate from the University of New York, Binghamton, with a bachelor’s degree in Leadership Development & Business. His family consists of his wife, Andrea, and their three children. Dante enjoys spending time with his family, traveling,...
Dante grew up in upstate New York in the city of Binghamton. He went on to graduate from the University of New York, Binghamton, with a bachelor’s degree in Leadership Development & Business. His family consists of his wife, Andrea, and their three children. Dante enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, biking and reading. Dante's charge in West Hartford as Managing Partner includes recruiting and developing representatives to serve Connecticut and Massachusetts. Dante oversees three District Network offices in Hartford, CT, New Haven, CT and Springfield, MA.
Corey joined NM in 2001 as a College Intern while attending Western New England College. After graduating, he joined as a full-time Financial Representative, and has since spent time in many different areas including Investment Compliance. In his role as Managing Director, he recruits and mentors new Financial...
Corey joined NM in 2001 as a College Intern while attending Western New England College. After graduating, he joined as a full-time Financial Representative, and has since spent time in many different areas including Investment Compliance. In his role as Managing Director, he recruits and mentors new Financial Advisors and Representatives in the Downtown office. Corey resides in Suffield with his wife Erin and 3 children.
Alexander Abraham strives to be the best financial representative for his clients every day. His daily goal is to be an asset to every person, family or business that crosses his path while also creating an impact in and out of work. Alex's will work with anyone and everyone but specializes with Families, Business...
Alexander Abraham strives to be the best financial representative for his clients every day. His daily goal is to be an asset to every person, family or business that crosses his path while also creating an impact in and out of work. Alex's will work with anyone and everyone but specializes with Families, Business Owners, and Medical Workers.
Jen Vitas, a Wisconsin native raised in Muskego, holds a Bachelor of Science with a management emphasis from Carroll University. As a dedicated mother of three, she cherishes moments with her children and finds joy in outdoor activities, swimming, attending concerts, and exploring her extensive travel bucket list....
Jen Vitas, a Wisconsin native raised in Muskego, holds a Bachelor of Science with a management emphasis from Carroll University. As a dedicated mother of three, she cherishes moments with her children and finds joy in outdoor activities, swimming, attending concerts, and exploring her extensive travel bucket list. Passionate about empowering others to achieve their dreams, as Chief Development Officer, Jen collaborates with senior leadership to foster growth and development of those within the agency. Thriving in a role she genuinely loves, she takes immense pride in witnessing the growth and success of those around her.
James Finlay
Chief Recruitment Officer
Jim Finlay serves at the Chief Recruitment Officer for Northwestern Mutual in the Pizzuti Agency Network Office in West Hartford. and works closely with the Managing Partner and the Leadership team to assists in the agency’s talent acquisition and growth strategies. Jim has been involved with full-time and internship...
Jim Finlay serves at the Chief Recruitment Officer for Northwestern Mutual in the Pizzuti Agency Network Office in West Hartford. and works closely with the Managing Partner and the Leadership team to assists in the agency’s talent acquisition and growth strategies. Jim has been involved with full-time and internship recruiting for more than nine years. Prior to Northwestern Mutual, Jim had a long and successful NCAA collegiate coaching career in the sport of Men’s Lacrosse. The majority of Jim’s coaching career was spent at the NCAA Division I level, coaching at academic institutions such as Harvard University, Brown University, and University of Notre Dame. In his free time, Jim enjoys time on the farm raising cattle, mules and running his two English Labrador Retriever’s, Hurricane and Mojo. In the summer, he can be found attending various country music shows and vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Amanda Meskell
Director of Internship Development
Amanda Meskell, raised in Enfield, Connecticut, holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Westfield State University and also, pursued her MBA at the University of Hartford. Currently residing in Suffield, Connecticut, Amanda shares her life with her husband, Tommy. Outside the professional realm,...
Amanda Meskell, raised in Enfield, Connecticut, holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Westfield State University and also, pursued her MBA at the University of Hartford. Currently residing in Suffield, Connecticut, Amanda shares her life with her husband, Tommy. Outside the professional realm, Amanda finds joy in spending time with family and friends, as well as expressing her passion for dance through teaching and choreography. As the Director of Internship Development and Recruitment at Northwestern Mutual's West Hartford and New Haven office, Amanda is deeply dedicated to her role. She derives immense satisfaction from witnessing interns evolve into full-time financial advisors, making each day in her job a source of fulfillment and joy.
John Baker
CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, MBA, MSM
Director of Supervision
John grew up and resides in East Hartford, CT. He is a graduate of Albertus Magnus College New Haven CT with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master’s of Science in Management. John is a Charter Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant...
John grew up and resides in East Hartford, CT. He is a graduate of Albertus Magnus College New Haven CT with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master’s of Science in Management. John is a Charter Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). His family consists of his wife Donna and their four children. In his down time, John enjoys golfing and fishing and is a good soul to all. As Director of Supervision, John supports the Manager Partner in shaping the culture of compliance in the 005.
Dante Pizzuti
RICP®
Chief Operations Officer
DJ has been with Northwestern Mutual for over 8 years and in that time has operated within and supervised numerous departments in the West Hartford office. Currently he works on elevating the Financial Representative experience working with our office’s Sales support, Investment support, Supervision, Marketing,...
DJ has been with Northwestern Mutual for over 8 years and in that time has operated within and supervised numerous departments in the West Hartford office. Currently he works on elevating the Financial Representative experience working with our office’s Sales support, Investment support, Supervision, Marketing, Event, and Development teams. As well he hires for and advises on long term staffing needs for our office. When not at work DJ enjoys spending time with his family, working on his personal hobbies, and taking part in outdoor activities such as hiking.
Courtney Ossolinski
Director of Finance
Michael Stanton
Recruiter
Mike grew up in the small town of Cheshire, Connecticut then later moving to Worcester, Massachusetts and now living locally in West Hartford, Connecticut. He went on to graduate from Assumption University with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication and a minor in Sport Management. He is recently...
Mike grew up in the small town of Cheshire, Connecticut then later moving to Worcester, Massachusetts and now living locally in West Hartford, Connecticut. He went on to graduate from Assumption University with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication and a minor in Sport Management. He is recently married to his wife, Lauren. Mike enjoys playing golf when he can as well as traveling and hanging out with his puppy, Milo. Mike’s role in West Hartford is to bring in new talent for our Financial Representative positions to serve in our West Hartford office.