Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the San Jose office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Kate Michaels
CLF®, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®
Managing Partner
Kate’s focus is to lead and inspire change while empowering people to achieve their true potential. She does this by attracting skilled and diverse individuals to the firm and providing the training and support that they need to best serve their clients and communities. As a managing partner at Northwestern...
Kate’s focus is to lead and inspire change while empowering people to achieve their true potential. She does this by attracting skilled and diverse individuals to the firm and providing the training and support that they need to best serve their clients and communities. As a managing partner at Northwestern Mutual, Kate has coached dozens of advisors to achieve significant career milestones such as membership in the Million Dollar Round Table and regional leadership roles. Over the years, Kate and financial advisors in her unit have helped thousands of families and business execute financial plans. In addition to her role at Northwestern Mutual, Kate has served on the board of directors for You Can’t Fail, Inc.. She also has led a chapter of the St. John Fisher Alumni Association and was the past chair for the Women’s Fund of Central New York. Northwestern Mutual also recognized Kate with the coveted Community Service Award for her work with Dress for Success.
A local Californian, Doug grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains and later moved to New York while attending Columbia University, where he played football for four years. After completing his degree, Doug spent the next four years working with Northwestern Mutual in New York. After moving home to California, he then...
A local Californian, Doug grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains and later moved to New York while attending Columbia University, where he played football for four years. After completing his degree, Doug spent the next four years working with Northwestern Mutual in New York. After moving home to California, he then joined the San Jose agency, of which he is a proud leader today. Doug is married to his wife Tamara. Together, they have three young children. In his free time, Doug enjoys spending time with his extended family, golfing, travel, and wine making.
Nicknamed “Peter,” Young Woo is one of our emerging leaders. As a Financial Advisor and District Director in the San Jose Network office, Peter provides expert advice to his personal clientele in addition to mentoring new advisors helping them reach their financial potential. Peter joined the financial services...
Nicknamed “Peter,” Young Woo is one of our emerging leaders. As a Financial Advisor and District Director in the San Jose Network office, Peter provides expert advice to his personal clientele in addition to mentoring new advisors helping them reach their financial potential. Peter joined the financial services industry in 2020. Prior to that, he attended Menlo College in the Bay Area and graduated with a BA in Marketing. He also wrestled at the collegiate level where he learned how to work hard and overcome adversity. Peter enjoys spending time with his Fiancé Marisol and puppy Leo, traveling, eating good food, and playing basketball with friends.
In her dual role as Financial Advisor and GDD, Natalie is leading the change in financial services through her mentorship as more diverse individuals begin to serve as leaders. She played a pivotal role in establishing the local LGBTQ+ and Ally Council at the firm. This pioneering council advances cultural awareness,...
In her dual role as Financial Advisor and GDD, Natalie is leading the change in financial services through her mentorship as more diverse individuals begin to serve as leaders. She played a pivotal role in establishing the local LGBTQ+ and Ally Council at the firm. This pioneering council advances cultural awareness, education, and support for diverse employees. Natalie was born and raised in San Jose, CA and earned her bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual San Jose, she worked in for various accounting firms in New York and the Bay Area. She is a member of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley, and Northwestern Mutual's Pride Field Advisory Group. She currently resides in San Jose still with her partner, Justyne, their cat (Arlo) and dog (Milo). Outside of running her practice, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, camping, and travel.
Michal holds an associate degree from Mission Valley College. Michal specializes in helping young families and tech professionals achieve financial peace of mind. In addition, he has helped in training, development, and mentorship of the newest advisors at the firm. Michal is married to his wife Gina, who works...
Michal holds an associate degree from Mission Valley College. Michal specializes in helping young families and tech professionals achieve financial peace of mind. In addition, he has helped in training, development, and mentorship of the newest advisors at the firm. Michal is married to his wife Gina, who works in administration. Together they share three wonderful children.
Matt focuses on holistic financial planning and enjoys getting to know each client and their specific goals. This allows him to build a strong financial plan based off who they are and what they want to accomplish. Whether it is investments, insurance, or all around retirement planning, Matt would love to build...
Matt focuses on holistic financial planning and enjoys getting to know each client and their specific goals. This allows him to build a strong financial plan based off who they are and what they want to accomplish. Whether it is investments, insurance, or all around retirement planning, Matt would love to build a financial plan for you and be there every step of the way as we move into the future.
Tamara Miller
CLF®
Development Coach
Tamara has been with Northwestern since 2005. She specializes in the development of new advisors and champions the strategic growth and evolution of the San Jose Team. She has a BA degree from Sonoma State and her Chartered Leadership Fellow through the American College. In her free time, Tamara enjoys spending...
Tamara has been with Northwestern since 2005. She specializes in the development of new advisors and champions the strategic growth and evolution of the San Jose Team. She has a BA degree from Sonoma State and her Chartered Leadership Fellow through the American College. In her free time, Tamara enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. She enjoys traveling, fishing, spectating their children's athletic events, and spending time with extended family. Tamara is also passionate about supporting and volunteering with Alex's Lemonade Stand, and the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Michael Lee
Chief Supervision Officer
Mike was born in S. Korea but grew up in Palau and Guam before moving to the U.S. He attended the University of San Francisco for both his Bachelors and Master’s degrees. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Mike worked as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. He was attracted to our firm because of our strong...
Mike was born in S. Korea but grew up in Palau and Guam before moving to the U.S. He attended the University of San Francisco for both his Bachelors and Master’s degrees. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Mike worked as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. He was attracted to our firm because of our strong reputation in the financial services industry. As our Compliance Officer, Mike works closely with advisors to ensure they are running a compliant practice by conducting file reviews, monitoring communications with clients and prospects, and discussing rules and regulations. Mike has four sisters and is the middle child. In his spare time, he enjoys camping with his family, watching football games with his son, and spending time at the gym.