Darling J Lie Nielsen
Financial Advisor|CLTC®
Professional
In her first year in the business, Darling qualified for Northwestern Mutual's Pacesetter First 40 and Pacesetter Second 60 Awards. Nationally, only 11% of new Financial Representatives qualify for the First 40 Award, and less than 2% qualify for the Second 60 Award as these are the highest measure of consistency and sales excellence within Northwestern Mutual. Darling parlayed her early success into a number one ranking in the Southern Region among First and Second Year Financial Representatives.
In 2005-2015 Darling qualified for Million Dollar Round Table and since 2016 has qualified as a Life Member. MDRT is an international organization representing the Top 1% of financial professionals who have demonstrated exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. In addition, Darling has earned the National Quality Award which recognizes persistency and performance from 2006 to 2010 as well as the NAIFA Quality Award in 2011-2018.
In 2013 and 2015-2020, Darling achieved the company's distinguished accolade of Forum, a professional accomplishment reserved for Financial Advisor accounting for the Top 3% in production nationally. Since the founding of the Northwestern Mutual Forum recognition in 1998, Darling is the 1st Hispanic Female Under 40 and the Only Hispanic Female from 2017 to 2022 at the top segment of Northwestern Mutual's field force.
From 2004 – Present, Darling was ranked among the Top 20 Northwestern Mutual Women Financial Representatives in Premium and Life Insurance Face Amount.
In 2017, she was recognized as the Women's Philanthropist of the Year through Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.
Darling is also involved with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and has a strong foothold in the community as a stakeholder and donor to many charitable organizations.
Education
University of Florida – Finance & Economics (B.S.B.A.-Cum Laude)
Awards and Recognition
- Million Dollar Round Table Qualifying Member 2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2011-2015
- MDRT is the premier association of financial professionals. MDRT status designation is granted for one year and members must apply every year to continue their affiliation with the MDRT
- Million Dollar Round Table Qualifying/Life Member 2016-2018, 2021-2022
- National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Quality Award 2011-2015, 2017-2018
- Award recognizing commitment to excellence in service to clients and industry
- National Quality Award 2006-2010
- Award recognizing persistency and performance
- National Sales Achievement Award 2006
- Award recognizing performance
Here are my areas of expertise
Financial Planning
Insurance Protection Strategies
Life Insurance Strategies
Retirement Planning & Income Strategies
Education Planning & Funding
Disability Planning
Multigenerational Planning
Estate Planning
Lending a hand in my community.
As part of Northwestern Mutual, I'm proud to help accelerate the search for better childhood cancer treatments while supporting families undergoing treatment, and survivors from late effects. Here are some of the organizations we partner with:
Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Names Darling Lie-Nielsen Businesswoman Philanthropist of the Year-2017
A well-deserved honor was bestowed on Darling Lie-Nielsen, a stalwart and benevolent sponsor and contributor to programs supporting children, healthcare professionals and cultural affairs. Nominated by the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation as their choice for “Philanthropist of the Year,” Darling was selected by a formidable committee of community, civic leaders of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. An advocate for children in a myriad of ways, Darling has and remains a sponsor of many activities at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, including providing much needed funding for nurses and physicians. She founded the “Distinguished Nursing Lecture Series in 2014,” a much-anticipated event that takes place in November each year.
Ahoy ther me pirate harties, we’re setting sail back-to-school
With the Lie-Nielsen family as captain of ship on this glorious voyage, the crew of 30 kids and 40 parents set sail for a back-to-school pirate adventure like no other. With treasure crafting of pencil totes for the new school year; a buccaneers lunch; an exploration of the Miami Children’s Museum with a pirate curator in tow; storytelling by “Peter the Pirate” and dance party finale for all ye mates, the kids had a blast and the parents, too. The day was filled with enchantment and treasures for all. And as we disembarked from our incredible journey and exploration, it was time to cherish these memories, and share stories at “show and tell” in the new school year.
Miami Children's Hospital
a. The Lie-Nielsen family welcomes everyone to their “Back to School” pirate adventure. b. Exploring the “Summer Games c. Look what I found in my “goody” bag! d. “Peter the Pirate” captivates the kids with his storytelling. e. Dad, I think we caught the big one. f. Mom helps her little one with her back-to-school craft. g. A dance party like to other. h. I’m having a blast! i. Wow these are heavy…
Together for the Children Happy Faces, Happy Nurses, Happy Children
During Nurses Week at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Darling Lie-Nielsen delivered “Happy Faces” gift boxes chocked full of “goodies” to the nursing stations in recognition of these unsung heroes. Her message included a gift card that read, “A nurses smile is healing and the best medicine for our kids. Thanks for all you do!” Darling was also the Nurses Week Awards sponsor that saluted several nurses for their outstanding contributions to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital throughout the year. Each winner received a letter from Darling, acknowledging their achievement and contributions to pediatric nursing.
TOGETHER FOR THE CHILDREN
Bringing together Miami’s finest to ensure that every child receives lifelong health, hope and happiness at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is the mission of the Wine, Women and Shoes event organizers and all those that support it. Darling Lie-Nielsen and Northwestern Mutual have supported and sponsored Wine, Women and Shoes, benefiting the Miami Children’s Health Foundation with passion for more than three years.
Darling (fifth from the left) hosts a “Premier” table at the Wine, Women and Shoes luncheon and fashion show.
There is nothing more important to Darling as a mother of three young children, than to ensure their health and safety. She feels passionate about making sure that all kids, those who are well and those who are sick with catastrophic illnesses have access to the best medical care available. Darling has found that same passion and commitment in the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and the Miami Children’s Health Foundation. “Being a part of the Together for the Children campaign, a beneficiary of the Wine, Women and Shoes flagship event each year, is heart warming and rewarding for me, said Darling Lie-Nielsen.”
A Lie-Nielsen Family Wild Safari Holiday Extravaganza
The children of Darling Lie-Nielsen’s clients were treated to a jammed pack day of fun at the Miami Children’s Museum just before Christmas. More than 30 children made safari masks of their favorite jungle friends, took a docent-led tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ™ Educational Exhibit and other museum exhibits, watched a “live” and captivating performance of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and busted a move at a dance party with the Grinch cast and Museum mascot MiChiMu. With children and parents wearing props from the photo booth, families were given a snapshot or two as a keepsake and memory of this wild safari extravaganza and holiday party. With a goody bag full of treats for each child, a nap was in order for the little ones and time to dream about lions, tigers and bears.
Lions, tigers and bears… Oh my!
a. Latasha Hines smiles at her daughter sporting her giraffe disguise b. I am showing my daddy some of my best moves! c. The Lie-Nielsen family wishes you and yours a very happy holiday! d. A pint size construction zone giant, says “Hey kids, safety first.” e. Four year old John Connor says, “Please meet the Northwestern Mutual Oscar winning performers" f. We are busting our best dance moves gangnam style…
Darling's team gives guest speaker Renee Thompson a warm Northwestern Mutual welcome at the first Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Distinguished Nursing Lecture.
With an emphasis on building lasting relationships, Darling's team gives guest speaker Renee Thompson a warm Northwestern Mutual welcome at the first Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Distinguished Nursing Lecture.
Sweet Dreams and a Cure, too!
Our three-year-old, John Connor, was snoring with the roar of a “pint-size” lion cub. We set out to find treatment for our child at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Departments of Otolaryngology (Leonardo A. Torres, M.D.) and Pulmonology (Tarig Muzamil Ali-Dinar, M.D.). Soon after, we received the great news that our child would be fine. During the follow-up visits, we learned that he was cured and relieved of childhood sleep apnea. We also felt compelled to heighten the awareness of this condition to help other parents.
Meet my heroes!
Left-to-right: Dr. Al-Dinar, Dr. Telischi and Dr. Torres Moved to help these professionals and other children, Northwestern Mutual - Fort Lauderdale shared our vision. Together, we set out to sponsor the Otolaryngology Grand Rounds academic program, an important effort at the University that exists to promote continuing and postgraduate education. More recently, my husband John and I were invited by the Otolaryngology Department Chairman, Fred F. Telischi, M.D., to an intimate, inspiring, and special gathering of grateful parents, families, and generous donors, hosted by A.J. Acker who is a supporter of the Department’s Children’s Hearing Program. We remain touched by these accomplished professionals and the contributors who support them.
University of Miami - Miller School of Medicine
Left-to-right: Lyle and Oliver Stern, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom, UM Otolaryngology Chairman Dr. Fred Telischi, Darling and John Lie-Nielsen
Gifts from the Heart
Never too far removed from her birthplace of Nicaragua and the needs of the impoverished in the country, Darling enjoys giving back. Celebrating with over 500 guests, Darling and her husband John Lie-Nielsen attended the recent American Nicaraguan Foundation Emerald Gala. On this night, the people of Nicaragua were first and foremost. Supporters of ANF came together for a single purpose: to lift the spirits of those less fortunate with gifts from the heart, raising over $1 Million dollars.
Childhood story comes to life on the “big” stage
The popular storybook favorite, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” came to life on the stage of the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center. The event was sponsored by Northwestern Mutual The Miami Group and benefitted the International Kids Wonderfund. Darling and her Northwestern Mutual colleagues served on the Planning Committeet. The wide-eyed children sitting on the edge of their seats had more than a final current call. The IKF children and their families, along with the families of The Miami Group Managing Director Chuck Downs and the other Financial Representatives, were treated to a VIP reception of “Cookies & Milk” with the cast and set of The Very Hungry Caterpillar following the performance. It was an ovation encorperformance that can only be told through a child’s eyes and voice.
Cuban American CPA Association
Darling Lie-Nielsen and her colleague Wealth Management Advisor Rich Goodman, JD, CFP® began a relationship with the Cuban American CPA Association (CACPA) by supporting the organization’s annual summer get-away and forensic accounting seminar in Marco Island, Florida: the annual CACPA and Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) golf tournament: annual CACPA Gala and Installation Dinner, and the annual Scholarship Dinner, including the creation of the Northwestern Mutual Becker Scholarship Award for aspiring and eligible accountants preparing for the Certified Public Accountant examination.
The Power of the Purse
For the past two years, Darling and her colleague Kristin Francisco have been proud corporate sponsors of The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade’s hallmark annual event, The Power of the Purse. With more than 1,000 people in attendance, the event honors and recognizes its grantee partners who benefit from the organization’s fundraising. The Women’s Fund’s mission is to empower women and girls through advocacy and funding for innovative initiatives that build equality, foster social change, and create community partnerships. Founded in 1993, the Women’s Fund has awarded more than $3 million in grants to more than 400 unique agencies, touching the lives of more than 60,000 people.
Dade County Bar Association - 4,500 Members Strong
Celebrating over 100 years of service to the legal community, the Dade County Bar Association is the largest voluntary bar association in Florida with more than 4,500 members. Darling has supported and served as presenting sponsor for many DCBA sanctioned events, including monthly membership luncheons. Northwestern Mutual remains a proud and engaged advocate to the members of the DCBA, their practices, families and friends.
How Northwestern Mutual helps you live the life you want.
When people feel better about their money, good things happen—they become more confident and feel more secure. For more than 160 years, Northwestern Mutual has helped people achieve the financial flexibility they need to live more and worry less.
Being a mutual company means Northwestern Mutual reports to its clients, not Wall Street. They don't believe in chasing fads or taking undue risk for short-term gains. Instead, they take a long-term approach—both in the way we help people plan to reach their goals, and in the way they do business. This has served their clients (and mine) well through all kinds of economic ups and downs, including wars, recessions, even the recent pandemic.
It's why I'm happy to be part of a company that's in it for the long-haul and prioritizes clients over profit.
