Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Orange County office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Ian Gordon
Managing Partner
Ian started his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2012 working out of the Palm Beach Gardens Office in Florida. Originally from Pittsburgh and an alum of Indiana University, Ian has achieved numerous company awards, including the prestigious Forum recognition, which is only achieved by a small percentage of...
Ian started his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2012 working out of the Palm Beach Gardens Office in Florida. Originally from Pittsburgh and an alum of Indiana University, Ian has achieved numerous company awards, including the prestigious Forum recognition, which is only achieved by a small percentage of all advisors. Ian became a District Director in 2018 and was successful in recruiting and developing some of the top new advisors in the nation. In early 2023, Ian was appointed Managing Partner of Northwestern Mutual- Orange County in Newport Beach, Ca. In his free time, Ian enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and boating. Ian is married to Brigid, and together they have three wonderful children; Truett, Steele and Ace.
Sanjay serves as the Managing Director of our Anaheim Hills office. He grew up in Orlando, Florida (Orange County) before relocating to Orange County in Southern California. He graduated from the University of Florida with an accounting degree. He started his career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen...
Sanjay serves as the Managing Director of our Anaheim Hills office. He grew up in Orlando, Florida (Orange County) before relocating to Orange County in Southern California. He graduated from the University of Florida with an accounting degree. He started his career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young and was in corporate finance with Office Depot before joining Northwestern Mutual in 2019. He enjoys golfing, traveling, spending time with his daughter Ari and all things FLORIDA GATORS!
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.
Jennifer Rosales
Chief Financial Officer
Jenny has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2015. Her first role was in the home office in field consulting. She then moved to Orange County in 2019 to be CFO for the Newport Beach agency. Her experience includes work in public accounting for privately held businesses as well as financial planning and strategy...
Jenny has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2015. Her first role was in the home office in field consulting. She then moved to Orange County in 2019 to be CFO for the Newport Beach agency. Her experience includes work in public accounting for privately held businesses as well as financial planning and strategy for both publicly traded and small businesses. This collective experience provides the skillset necessary to support the firm’s financial strategy and accounting in addition to helping advisors grow their businesses. Jenny graduated from University of Wisconsin with majors in both accounting and finance and holds a CPA license. She and her family have been enjoying the transition from Wisconsin to California weather and have taken up hiking and beach visits.
Dawn Murphy
CLF®, CASL®
Chief Growth Officer
Dawn started with Northwestern Mutual in 2000. Throughout her career she has served on advisory committees and has been invited to be part of national leadership groups. She is passionate in her role as Chief Development Officer in working with advisors and representatives to maximize their goals. Dawn graduated...
Dawn started with Northwestern Mutual in 2000. Throughout her career she has served on advisory committees and has been invited to be part of national leadership groups. She is passionate in her role as Chief Development Officer in working with advisors and representatives to maximize their goals. Dawn graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a BA in Business Administration and pursued a role in the insurance industry and the positive impact this industry can have on families given her own family story. She is married to Mike Murphy, and they have two children Emma and Liam.
Kimberly Riccabona
Director of Operations
Kimberly currently manages the operational functions for Northwestern Mutual Orange County’s Network Office. She previously held the role of Director of Special Events at the Hoag Hospital Foundation, where she managed the strategic development and execution of over 40 annual events and built strong relationships...
Kimberly currently manages the operational functions for Northwestern Mutual Orange County’s Network Office. She previously held the role of Director of Special Events at the Hoag Hospital Foundation, where she managed the strategic development and execution of over 40 annual events and built strong relationships with key stakeholders. Before her tenure at Hoag Hospital Foundation, Kimberly spent ten years at Bloomingdale’s, overseeing marketing and events for the eleven Bloomingdale’s stores on the west coast. Her career also includes ten years in New York City working at two prominent public relations agencies, where she specialized in PR, marketing, strategy, and communications for several luxury brands. Born in Newport Beach and raised in Irvine, Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Southern California. She lives in Costa Mesa with her husband, Dominic, their son, Beau, and their Goldendoodle, Rocco.
Boris Kostadinov
Director of Supervision
As Director of Supervision, Boris aims to empower advisors to grow and succeed while maintaining a defined risk appetite. Boris 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 Director of Supervision, Boris aims to empower advisors to grow and succeed while maintaining a defined risk appetite. Boris 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.
Bianca Earp
Director of Financial Planning
Chelsea McLane
Director of Marketing
Chelsea provides support with several marketing initiatives, including event planning and logistics, flyers, target market sponsorships, advertising, marketing collateral and decks, vendor research, media relations, and marketing training. Chelsea brings to the table her interpersonal and communication skills,...
Chelsea provides support with several marketing initiatives, including event planning and logistics, flyers, target market sponsorships, advertising, marketing collateral and decks, vendor research, media relations, and marketing training. Chelsea brings to the table her interpersonal and communication skills, along with her passion for people. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she earned her B.A. in Fashion Merchandising.
Allison Engel
Assistant
Executive Sponsor of the Women’s Field Association