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 the Striano Financial Group in 2012 working out of the Palm Beach Gardens Office. Originally from Pittsburgh and an alum of Indiana University, Ian has achieved numerous company awards, including the prestigious Forum recognition, which is achieved by a small percentage of all advisors....
Ian started his career with the Striano Financial Group in 2012 working out of the Palm Beach Gardens Office. Originally from Pittsburgh and an alum of Indiana University, Ian has achieved numerous company awards, including the prestigious Forum recognition, which is achieved by a small percentage of all advisors. Ian became a District Director in 2018 and since then has recruited and developed some of the top new advisors in the nation. In his free time, Ian enjoys spending time with his family, fishing in Jupiter-inlet, and boating. Ian is married to Bridgid, and together they have three wonderful children.
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.
Adam’s mission is to provide leadership by inspiring clients to actively engage in financial planning backed by the strength of Northwestern Mutual. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Sara and his beautiful daughters Mariah and Malia. He cherishes the time he has with his extended family...
Adam’s mission is to provide leadership by inspiring clients to actively engage in financial planning backed by the strength of Northwestern Mutual. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Sara and his beautiful daughters Mariah and Malia. He cherishes the time he has with his extended family and enjoys trying new foods and drinking good wine. As a former UCLA athlete, he supports his fellow Bruins by going to UCLA football and baseball games. Adam also enjoys supporting the Lakers, Dodgers, and Cowboys in their respective season. The Simon family loves to vacation in Lake Arrowhead, Mammoth, Coronado Island, and their local beaches.
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.
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 Operations Officer
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.
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.
Boris Kostadinov
Director of Supervision
As Chief Growth & Supervision Officer, 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...
As Chief Growth & Supervision Officer, 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.