Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Los Angeles office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Matthew Plocher
Managing Partner
Matt’s leadership efforts focus on growing advisors and representatives, growing leaders, and changing the face of the field. Under his leadership, our Network Office, comprised of districts in Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Irvine, Manhattan Beach, and Las Vegas, has led the country for several consecutive...
Matt’s leadership efforts focus on growing advisors and representatives, growing leaders, and changing the face of the field. Under his leadership, our Network Office, comprised of districts in Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Irvine, Manhattan Beach, and Las Vegas, has led the country for several consecutive years in new advisor productivity. Matt got off to a record-breaking start with Northwestern Mutual as a college intern in 1991, when he led all interns in the country in new client acquisition. After finishing school, he moved from Kentucky to St. Louis to start his full-time career with the company. In 1996, Matt began his leadership journey as a College Unit Director, opening his first office in 1999 as a Managing Director and in 2002 he accepted the role of Chief Development Office for the St. Louis Region. By May 2011, Matt moved to Los Angeles to help serve the largest, least tapped market in the country as Managing Partner. He continues to serve in this role today.
When a childhood friend introduced him to Northwestern Mutual, James discovered a place where he could truly lead and inspire people. Nearly a decade later, he has developed and influenced dozens of new financial representatives and advisors, while maintaining a successful practice. As a Wealth Management Advisor,...
When a childhood friend introduced him to Northwestern Mutual, James discovered a place where he could truly lead and inspire people. Nearly a decade later, he has developed and influenced dozens of new financial representatives and advisors, while maintaining a successful practice. As a Wealth Management Advisor, James has impacted the lives of hundreds of clients, striving to build lasting bonds and human connection in a world of uncertainty. As a leader and Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual's downtown Los Angeles office, he upholds the utmost standards of success within the larger district office in the country. James' leadership philosophy focuses on high standards of education and integrity, enabling his team to put the clients' needs first while building his legacy of talented, educated, and dedicated financial advisors and representatives.
Juan is energized by his leadership roles and has consistently set a standard for excellence in his own practice and beyond. Currently, Juan retains his responsibilities as the Managing Director of the West Los Angeles office while serving as the Chief Development Officer for the network office at large, which...
Juan is energized by his leadership roles and has consistently set a standard for excellence in his own practice and beyond. Currently, Juan retains his responsibilities as the Managing Director of the West Los Angeles office while serving as the Chief Development Officer for the network office at large, which includes offices in Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Irvine, Las Vegas, and Manhattan Beach. As the CDO, Juan manages the horizontal growth of the network office through recruiting and selection, leadership development, college marketing, and early financial representative productivity. Juan is a sought-after speaker both industrywide and nationwide. His professional successes can be measured by the impact he has had and continues to have on his clients’ lives as well as those of the financial advisors in his firm. Under his leadership, Northwestern Mutual-West Los Angeles has been named one of the “Best Places to Work” by the Los Angeles Business Journal every year since 2016.
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.
Josh is a committed leader, focused on building a strong foundation for the future of Northwestern Mutual Manhattan Beach. He started his career with the company as a Financial Representative, and after an impactful first year in the business, Josh took an accelerated path to leadership and was appointed Managing...
Josh is a committed leader, focused on building a strong foundation for the future of Northwestern Mutual Manhattan Beach. He started his career with the company as a Financial Representative, and after an impactful first year in the business, Josh took an accelerated path to leadership and was appointed Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual’s Manhattan Beach office. Before joining Northwestern Mutual, Josh built a successful career working at a friend’s family business, a furniture wholesale company. During his time there, Josh’s efforts in brand building, the management of sales channels, and the establishment of teams and operations systems helped grow the company from a small domestic family business with 18 employees to a major international player with presence in over a dozen foreign markets and over 100 employees.
Will is driven by the ability to help others reach their full potential. He believes that with stronger, better financial advisors, our positive impact on the community can multiply. Will oversees strategy and development efforts for the Las Vegas office while maintaining a lively wealth management practice. He...
Will is driven by the ability to help others reach their full potential. He believes that with stronger, better financial advisors, our positive impact on the community can multiply. Will oversees strategy and development efforts for the Las Vegas office while maintaining a lively wealth management practice. He is focused on high standards of education and integrity, enabling him to put his clients' needs first and simultaneously build a network of talented, educated, and dedicated financial advisors and representatives. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Will practiced commercial litigation as an attorney for eight years. Will earned his B.S. from Rice University in Houston, Texas and later received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Boyd Law School at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Will was born and raised in Henderson, Nevada. He spent most of his life in the Las Vegas area and currently resides in Henderson with his wife, Ashley, and two sons, Hudson and Greyson.
Amber Romo is the Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual’s location in Ontario, California. She has been instrumental in the continued mentorship, development and attraction of talented Financial Advisors. A career changer, she left behind a lucrative position in the entertainment industry to make a greater...
Amber Romo is the Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual’s location in Ontario, California. She has been instrumental in the continued mentorship, development and attraction of talented Financial Advisors. A career changer, she left behind a lucrative position in the entertainment industry to make a greater impact on people’s lives. Over the past five years, she served as a Field Director and a Growth and Development Director for Northwestern Mutual in Downtown Los Angeles, leading a sub-district of 13 advisors. She has also led the firm in achieving record breaking performances in new advisor productivity. Amber has blazed the path in leadership for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry and has focused heavily on recruiting diverse advisors to better reflect the markets we serve.
Sadie Albis
Chief Growth Officer
The daughter of a retired Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor, Sadie has been deeply rooted in the business since the age of five. She is driven by helping people achieve their professional and personal visions. Sadie is a strong advocate of women's rights and workplace empowerment and often serves as a voice...
The daughter of a retired Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor, Sadie has been deeply rooted in the business since the age of five. She is driven by helping people achieve their professional and personal visions. Sadie is a strong advocate of women's rights and workplace empowerment and often serves as a voice for women in the field. She is part of a national Women's Leadership Group and leads the Women's Council in our Network office.
Fred Chang
Chief Financial Officer
With a background in Corporate Finance, Fred leads the organization’s efforts in financial management, business planning, strategy and analytics. In his role, he works closely with company leaders and top advisors to employ strategic business efforts. These efforts include benchmarking analysis, business growth...
With a background in Corporate Finance, Fred leads the organization’s efforts in financial management, business planning, strategy and analytics. In his role, he works closely with company leaders and top advisors to employ strategic business efforts. These efforts include benchmarking analysis, business growth projection, and P&L consultations. Fred earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, with a concentration in Finance, from the University of Southern California. He later received his Master’s in Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual in 2011, Fred worked as an investment banker for Bank of America Securities, where he advised on equity and debt financing and M&A works.
Chau Klemm
CLU®, ChFC®, MBA
Chief Operations Officer
Chau is driven by her aspiration to be an influential businesswoman and community leader. She is passionate about creating a world-class financial services platform specializing in planning and wealth management. Over her 25-year career, Chau has instigated and developed a number of strategic services dedicated...
Chau is driven by her aspiration to be an influential businesswoman and community leader. She is passionate about creating a world-class financial services platform specializing in planning and wealth management. Over her 25-year career, Chau has instigated and developed a number of strategic services dedicated to growing productive advisors and professional teams. She oversees all centralized services, encompassing financial planning and investments, technology, and talent acquisition. She is also seasoned in financial services industry regulation, compliance and corporate risk management.
Jessica Ormandy
Chief Marketing Officer
Jessica's mission is to help advisors deepen their footprint in the community while strengthening relationships with their top clients. With over 15 years of expertise in marketing and business development, Jessica serves as a key member of the team, providing strategic direction and guidance on marketing, branding,...
Jessica's mission is to help advisors deepen their footprint in the community while strengthening relationships with their top clients. With over 15 years of expertise in marketing and business development, Jessica serves as a key member of the team, providing strategic direction and guidance on marketing, branding, and media relations efforts, as well as client experiences and special events. Prior to joining the financial services industry, Jessica served as Director of Marketing at several notable law firms, where she fostered the development and implementation of strategic practice group plans for attorneys, and supported partners with planning and preparation for business development meetings with key clients and prospects. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications, with a concentration in Public Relations, cum laude, from Boston University.
Rebecca Itzen
Leadership Development Officer
Becky is passionate about helping individuals cultivate an increased self-awareness, realize their goals and achieve their highest potential. As the Leadership Development Officer, Becky specializes in coaching and guiding advisors and staff to achieve optimal success as they launch and build their career. She...
Becky is passionate about helping individuals cultivate an increased self-awareness, realize their goals and achieve their highest potential. As the Leadership Development Officer, Becky specializes in coaching and guiding advisors and staff to achieve optimal success as they launch and build their career. She fosters an office culture of optimal performance and camaraderie, and is an advocate for positive psychology and its implications for personal and professional success.
Michelle Lorenzi
Chief Recruitment Officer
Michelle is driven by her mission to build collaborative relationships and coach others to success. She is energized by making impact in our organization. She leads our talent acquisition department at Northwestern Mutual Los Angeles, specializing in career-changer talent. She and her team work diligently alongside...
Michelle is driven by her mission to build collaborative relationships and coach others to success. She is energized by making impact in our organization. She leads our talent acquisition department at Northwestern Mutual Los Angeles, specializing in career-changer talent. She and her team work diligently alongside our top financial advisors to attract and develop top performers from a variety of industries including medical device sales, banking, entertainment, law and hospitality. Michelle is energized by interactions with hard-working, ambitious individuals, who are thirsty for growth and seeking a culture of career equity.
Matthew Alfano
Chief Supervision Officer
As Chief Supervision Officer, Matt aims to empower advisors to grow and succeed while maintaining a defined risk appetite. Matt is energized by working with advisor teams to review business practices and help them better serve clients as well as providing a foundation and training for advisors just starting in...
As Chief Supervision Officer, Matt aims to empower advisors to grow and succeed while maintaining a defined risk appetite. Matt is energized by working with advisor teams to review business practices and help them better serve clients as well as providing a foundation and training for advisors just starting in the business. Before Northwestern Mutual, Matt was on the Investment Risk & Analytics team at J.P. Morgan in New York, where his role was primarily focused on client suitability, developing limits for client concentrations in particular asset types and specific products within an investment account. Matt moved to California after being on the east coast for most of his life. He enjoys spending time with his two little girls, Marlowe and August, and his amazing wife, Maggie. Because Matt loves to learn a little bit about everything, he has a collection of hobbies to show for it, including working as a self-taught carpenter, electrician, and plumber on the rebuild of his new home.