Our Leaders

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
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
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
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 Javeri Gokhale
Executive Vice President
Chief Strategy Officer, President of Retail Investments and Head of Institutional Investments
Aditi Javeri Gokhale holds executive accountabilities for the company's strategy to drive growth, competitiveness, and relevance. In addition, she leads teams that oversee more than $570 billion in company and client assets. She is also accountable for NM Future Ventures along with digital disruptor, Wyshbox.
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John M. Grogan
Executive Vice President
Chief Insurance Officer
John M. Grogan is responsible for the strategy and performance of the company's insurance businesses. This includes overall leadership of product development and innovation, product line performance, risk selection standards, and underwriting.
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Ronald P. Joelson
Executive Vice President
Chairman, Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company (NMIMC)
Ronald P. Joelson shares his extensive investment experience, expertise and insights through a range of engagements with Northwestern Mutual's more than 9,000 sales professionals and their clients.
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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
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
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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Jeff Sippel
Executive Vice President
Chief Information Officer
Jeff Sippel is executive vice president and Chief Information Officer of Northwestern Mutual. In this role, Sippel leads an organization of more than 1,700 employees that are responsible for the company's technology architecture, infrastructure and cloud services, reliability, service support, and information risk and cybersecurity.
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David P. Hollander
Retired Principal, Global Insurance Sector Leader, Ernst & Young, LLP
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John E. Schlifske
Chairman, President and CEO The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.
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Aarti S. Shah
Retired Senior Vice President – Chief Information and Digital Officer, Eli Lilly and Company
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Mary Ellen Stanek
Managing Director and Director of Asset Management Robert W. Baird & Co.
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