Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Irvine office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Shawn has an intrinsic desire to impact individuals in a positive way. He is confident in the future, and has an optimism that carries his attitude at all times. Over his 30-year career with Northwestern Mutual, Shawn has shared this energy with others, building a culture wherein people are inspired to achieve...
Shawn has an intrinsic desire to impact individuals in a positive way. He is confident in the future, and has an optimism that carries his attitude at all times. Over his 30-year career with Northwestern Mutual, Shawn has shared this energy with others, building a culture wherein people are inspired to achieve transformational growth, personally and professionally. Through his continuous mentorship, Shawn hopes to leave behind a legacy of trusted advisors, who, in turn, are helping their clients achieve transformational growth. Shawn received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. He is a member of GAMA, the American Association of Advanced Life Underwriters, and NAIFA. Shawn currently resides in Corona Del Mar, California. He is an avid tennis player, traveler, and Pilates enthusiast. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his four children - Nicholas, Chloe, Madeleine, and Aidan.
Alex aspires to create an environment where entrepreneurs can receive mentorship, hone their strengths, and become experts in the field. As the firm's Development Officer, he leads recruitment initiatives, productivity systems, training curriculums, and mentorship programming. Alex began his career with Northwestern...
Alex aspires to create an environment where entrepreneurs can receive mentorship, hone their strengths, and become experts in the field. As the firm's Development Officer, he leads recruitment initiatives, productivity systems, training curriculums, and mentorship programming. Alex began his career with Northwestern Mutual as a college intern in December of 2011, while working towards his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California. In conjunction with building his planning practice, Alex graduated with dual degrees in International Relations and Business Administration. In 2014, Alex took on his first leadership role as Assistant District Director, helping facilitate training and development to drive growth and productivity for new financial advisors. Later in 2016, as a Recruiting Field Director, Alex and his team led the company that fiscal year. In 2019, Alex moved to Orange County and resides in Newport Beach with his wife Paris.
Didi Kovacs
MBA
Chief of Staff
Didi Kovacs is an influential businesswoman and community leader. She is passionate about fostering new relationships and empowering financial advisors and representatives to overcome obstacles and achieve their highest potential. In her current role as Chief of Staff in the Northwestern Mutual - Irvine District...
Didi Kovacs is an influential businesswoman and community leader. She is passionate about fostering new relationships and empowering financial advisors and representatives to overcome obstacles and achieve their highest potential. In her current role as Chief of Staff in the Northwestern Mutual - Irvine District Office, Didi leads efforts in growth, development, and strategic planning. Didi bodes several hats from her 11-year tenure with Northwestern Mutual. In 2010, she served as Executive Assistant to Shawn Mackey, Managing Director in the Irvine District Office. She quickly transitioned into the Director of Development role and continued to assist Shawn with complex reporting, forecasting and budgetary transactions. As the Director of Development, Didi engaged in business coaching and led the training, development, and sales execution teams.
Daniel has built the foundation of his personal practice as a Financial Advisor on education and empowerment. It is his resolute belief that educated clients empower themselves to take appropriate action to secure their financial future. As Growth & Development Director, Daniel’s role is to attract and develop...
Daniel has built the foundation of his personal practice as a Financial Advisor on education and empowerment. It is his resolute belief that educated clients empower themselves to take appropriate action to secure their financial future. As Growth & Development Director, Daniel’s role is to attract and develop new professional talent to support our rapidly-expanding firm. Daniel joins our team following in his family’s legacy. His mother and step father were wealth advisors for Morgan Stanley for over 35 years before retiring in 2021. Daniel graduated from the University of South Carolina with Dean’s List honors while completing dual degrees, a B.A. in Psychology and a secondary degree in Education. Daniel and his wife Isabella now live in Southern Orange County with their two girls and are typically found at the beach enjoying the SoCal weather and sun.
Not only is Ryan a committed Financial Advisor, he also plays a crucial role on the leadership team. In his role as Field Director, he is responsible for mentoring interns participating in Northwestern Mutual’s competitive, nationally recognized internship program. He helps interns develop the skills necessary...
Not only is Ryan a committed Financial Advisor, he also plays a crucial role on the leadership team. In his role as Field Director, he is responsible for mentoring interns participating in Northwestern Mutual’s competitive, nationally recognized internship program. He helps interns develop the skills necessary to perform the full duties of a financial advisor. Since taking on this role in January 2018, his internship groups have placed in the top five out of 220 offices nationwide. Ryan received his bachelor's degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Biology and Geography from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Ryan spent his first four years after school working for Sunrun, a provider of residential solar energy, and later ran his own franchise solar business.
Taylor Volpe
Director of Career Development
Taylor is a skilled communicator who values deep connections with others. As the Director of Career Development, Taylor inspires talented, driven individuals, who are looking to make a career change and align with a Fortune 100 company, to join our business. She works closely with the Managing Director and Field...
Taylor is a skilled communicator who values deep connections with others. As the Director of Career Development, Taylor inspires talented, driven individuals, who are looking to make a career change and align with a Fortune 100 company, to join our business. She works closely with the Managing Director and Field Directors to foster career longevity, provide strategic coaching, and nurture a culture of success in the office. Taylor builds and sustains high-level, quality relationships in the community and in our office to promote the Northwestern Mutual career, generate referrals, and develop centers of influence. She also manages the transition process for candidates offered a contract. Taylor is a graduate of Colgate University with a degree in Educational Studies. Prior to joining our company, Taylor worked as a technical recruiter. During her free time, Taylor enjoys staying active, playing hockey with her fiancé and brothers, taking dogs on walks and hikes, and playing golf.
Maya Azimioara
Assistant Director of Recruitment and Development
Maya is part of Northwestern Mutual’s recruiting team. She serves as the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Development, supporting full-time recruiting efforts to attract, recruit, select and contract Financial Representatives. Her focus is sourcing and maintaining a steady pipeline, coordinating and conducting...
Maya is part of Northwestern Mutual’s recruiting team. She serves as the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Development, supporting full-time recruiting efforts to attract, recruit, select and contract Financial Representatives. Her focus is sourcing and maintaining a steady pipeline, coordinating and conducting interviews, directing candidates through the selection process, and working closely with our D’s. Before becoming part of the Northwestern Mutual team, Maya worked in business development for an international hunger relief organization. She’s proud of the fact that during covid, she received her master’s degree in social justice in one year while working full-time. She has a passion for building relationships, advocacy, and mental health awareness. She is first generation Romanian and enjoys traveling to see her family there when she can. She lives in Huntington Beach with her girlfriend and fur children and loves reading non-fiction, doing yoga, and being by the beach.
Phoebe Hertz
B.A.
Director of Development
Phoebe serves as the Client Experience Manager in the Irvine Northwestern Mutual office. She plays an important role within the organization which includes working directly with advisors and clients, directing the contracting & licensing process, and assisting with operations and career development of advisors....
Phoebe serves as the Client Experience Manager in the Irvine Northwestern Mutual office. She plays an important role within the organization which includes working directly with advisors and clients, directing the contracting & licensing process, and assisting with operations and career development of advisors. She is passionate about helping others and enjoys supporting advisory teams in order to perform at the best of their capabilities. Before joining Northwestern Mutual, Phoebe began her career in business with Subzero/Wolf at the corporate headquarters in Madison, WI. Prior to this, she had spent time working in an all-male Forensic Psychiatric Institute after graduating with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin. Phoebe’s genuine interest in working with people and desire to work among elite goal setters led her to her current role and decision to join the Northwestern Mutual team.
Whether it's financial planning for your personal life or business planning for your multi-million-dollar company, my team in Irvine, CA is here to help. Let us be an educational resource to help you better understand what financial planning can do for you. We serve families and businesses in all 50 states. I...
Whether it's financial planning for your personal life or business planning for your multi-million-dollar company, my team in Irvine, CA is here to help. Let us be an educational resource to help you better understand what financial planning can do for you. We serve families and businesses in all 50 states. I welcome the opportunity to speak with you today.
