Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Carlsbad office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
David Balfour was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He graduated from the University of Kentucky on a jazz performance scholarship. David graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance, and completed pre-med education required to attend medical school. After...
David Balfour was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He graduated from the University of Kentucky on a jazz performance scholarship. David graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance, and completed pre-med education required to attend medical school. After applying to several medical schools, David decided to develop a health and wellness business with his family instead of pursuing a career in surgery. In 2011, David became a client of Northwestern Mutual. Shortly afterward, he began studying to build his own career as a Certified Financial Planner professional and joined the Carlsbad Northwestern Mutual team in 2014 where he specializes in working with young families as well as those within ten years of retirement. Liesa joined his team to work beside him. David’s has four children, Payton, Jaxson, Andersen and Hudsen. They enjoy amusement parks, all Kentucky sports, Chargers football and Maple Leafs hockey.
Liesa Balfour
Director of Campus Selection
Liesa Balfour is the Director of Campus Selection and has carried multiple titles over the past several years with Northwestern Mutual, beside her Husband, David Balfour. She holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Broadcasting Communications from the University of Central Oklahoma. She has eight years of experience...
Liesa Balfour is the Director of Campus Selection and has carried multiple titles over the past several years with Northwestern Mutual, beside her Husband, David Balfour. She holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Broadcasting Communications from the University of Central Oklahoma. She has eight years of experience working in the Marketing Tech space in San Diego and Los Angeles. She specialized in Email Marketing campaigns and was credited with increasing online sales by an average of fifty percent for companies such as Lululemon, True Religion, 7 for all Mankind, Spy Optics, to name a few. Developing strong relationships is the foundation of Liesa’s professional and personal life. Outside of the office, she coaches for the Sage Creek Dance Company, and is heavily involved in her four children’s (ages seventeen to seven) extracurricular activities.
Aiden Cox was born and raised in Salt Lake City valley in Utah. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to serve as an Intelligence Specialist. In lieu of his primary job, he was selected as a Marine Security Guard to serve overseas at American embassies and consulates. In 2019, Aiden completed...
Aiden Cox was born and raised in Salt Lake City valley in Utah. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to serve as an Intelligence Specialist. In lieu of his primary job, he was selected as a Marine Security Guard to serve overseas at American embassies and consulates. In 2019, Aiden completed his active-duty contract and relocated to Boston, Massachusetts to study for his Bachelors in Business Administration. During his time at Northeastern University, Aiden actively participated with organizations such as the Student Veterans Organization, Entrepreneurs Club, and NUImpact. In 2021, Aiden graduated from Northeastern University and returned to San Diego where his family had moved. Aiden was referred to Northwestern Mutual spring of 2021 and is now the Director of Development for the Carlsbad office. During his free time, Aiden frequently travels to other countries, scuba dives, snowboards, hikes, and other outdoor activities.
John Prata
Sales Execution Team Leader
John Prata is the Sales Execution Team Lead at Northwestern Mutual in Carlsbad, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge in finance, marketing, and economics, acquired through a triple major at Gonzaga University in 2019. Prior to his current role, John honed his expertise as an Operations and Associate Financial...
John Prata is the Sales Execution Team Lead at Northwestern Mutual in Carlsbad, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge in finance, marketing, and economics, acquired through a triple major at Gonzaga University in 2019. Prior to his current role, John honed his expertise as an Operations and Associate Financial Representative alongside a Northwestern Mutual Advisor. This hands-on experience has prepared him to excel in the financial services industry. Outside of work, John's passions revolve around staying active and engaged in his community. You'll often find him engaged in various sports activities, including basketball, volleyball, and golf, as he believes in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, John finds fulfillment in his church community, where he actively participates and fosters meaningful connections. Recently, he embraced a new chapter in his life by relocating to San Marcos with his wife, Julia, embracing change and new opportunities with enthusiasm.