Our Leaders

John E. Schlifske photo — John Schlifske

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

John E. Schlifske is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Mutual, and is a member of the Board of Trustees. Schlifske joined Northwestern Mutual as an investment specialist and later led a variety of the company's investment operations as well as different parts of its business operations.
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Souheil Badran photo — Souheil Badran

Executive Vice President
Chief Operating Officer

Souheil Badran has responsibility for insurance and investment operations as well as the Enterprise Operational Performance Center of Excellence.
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Michael G. Carter photo — Michael G. Carter

Executive Vice President
Chief Financial and Risk Officer

Michael G. Carter oversees the company's financial management functions and enterprise risk management. His responsibilities encompass corporate controllers, financial management, budgeting, financial planning and analysis, actuarial, investment risk and risk management.
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Timothy J. Gerend photo — Timothy J. Gerend

Executive Vice President
Chief Distribution Officer

Timothy J. Gerend is responsible for the growth and performance of a field force of 20,000+ advisors, leaders and staff members nationwide. He works with enterprise partners to maintain a healthy and strong field system delivering comprehensive plans that combine life insurance and investment solutions in support of clients' financial goals.
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Aditi J. Gokhale photo — Aditi Javeri Gokhale

Executive Vice President
Chief Commercial Officer and President, IPS

Aditi Javeri Gokhale oversees the growth and performance of the company's investment products and services business which holds nearly $150 billion of client retail assets, in addition to corporate strategy, marketing, and communications focused on differentiating the Northwestern Mutual brand and its products in the marketplace.
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John M. Grogan photo — John M. Grogan

Executive Vice President
Chief Product and Innovation Officer

John M. Grogan is responsible for the strategy and innovation of the company's insurance products and risk standards, as well as broader innovation investments into adjacent and disruptive markets through Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures funds.
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Ronald P. Joelson photo — Ronald P. Joelson

Executive Vice President
Chief Investment Officer

Ronald P. Joelson oversees management of the company's $235+ billion general account investment portfolio, which is made up of public and private bonds and equities, preferred stock, commercial mortgage loans and real estate equities. The general account portfolio supports the company's surplus and its insurance and annuity products.
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Raymond J. Manista photo — Raymond J. Manista

Executive Vice President
Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, and Secretary

Raymond J. Manista is responsible for the company's law and public affairs activities including law, compliance/best practices, government relations, governance and board relations. Ray also oversees the Northwestern Mutual Foundation and strategic philanthropy efforts.
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Christian W. Mitchell photo — Christian W. Mitchell

Executive Vice President
Chief Customer Officer

Christian W. Mitchell is responsible for leading Northwestern Mutual's client experience. Christian's accountabilities include shaping and guiding the company's planning philosophy and experience, the digital products that support our customers and field force, and the customer analytics that inform our strategies for improving their experience.
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Don J. Robertson photo — Don J. Robertson

Executive Vice President
Chief Human Resources Officer

Don J. Robertson is responsible for the company's employee experience and he leads the Human Resources organization, as well as teams that manage the company's campuses, events and employee digital experience.
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Neal J. Sample photo — Neal J. Sample

Executive Vice President
Chief Information Officer

Neal J. Sample is responsible for the company's information technology strategy and performance, ensuring systems and technology align to current and forward-looking corporate business strategies.
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Board of Trustees

John N. Balboni

Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
International Paper Co.
Nicholas E.
Brathwaite

Co-Founder and Partner
Riverwood Capital
David J. Drury

Founding Partner
WING Capital Group

P. RUSSELL HARDIN

President
Robert W. Woodruff Foundation
HANS HELMERICH

Chairman
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
Dale E. Jones

President and
Chief Executive Officer
Diversified Search LLC

David J. Lubar

President and CEO
Lubar & Co.
Randolph W. Melville

Retired Senior Vice President
Frito-Lay, North America
JAIME MONTEMAYOR

Chief Digital and Technology Officer,
General Mills

Anne M. Paradis

Retired Chief Executive Officer
MicroTek, Inc.
John E. Schlifske

Chairman, President and CEO
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.
Aarti S. Shah, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President - Chief Information and Digital Officer,
Eli Lilly and Company

MARY ELLEN STANEK

Managing Director and Director of Asset Management
Robert W. Baird & Co.
S. SCOTT VOYNICH

Managing Partner
Robinson, Grimes & Company, PC
RALPH A. WEBER

Founding Member
Gass, Weber, Mullins, LLC

BENJAMIN F. WILSON

Chairman
Beveridge & Diamond, PC
Juan C. Zarate

Chairman and Co-founder
Financial Integrity Network