Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Washington office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Leo Tucker
Managing Partner
Leo Tucker began his career with Northwestern Mutual 30 years ago. Early in his career, he quickly distinguished himself as a leader with a thriving team as Field Director and Managing Director in Florida. Prior to his tenth year, he accepted a role with Northwestern Mutual's Home Office in Milwaukee as the Assistant...
Leo Tucker began his career with Northwestern Mutual 30 years ago. Early in his career, he quickly distinguished himself as a leader with a thriving team as Field Director and Managing Director in Florida. Prior to his tenth year, he accepted a role with Northwestern Mutual's Home Office in Milwaukee as the Assistant Regional Director, a position that prepares talented candidates for Managing Partner Assignments. In 2003, Tucker was appointed the Managing Partner in Washington DC and in his time with the firm, it has tripled in both size and production. Leo currently serves on the board of The Tiger Woods Foundation, The American College, and the Washington Area Women's Foundation. Leo’s fundraising efforts on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society led him to receive the 2013 Man of the Year honor for the LLS National Capital Chapter and in 2012, Leo was listed as one of Washington DC’s Top 25 Minority Business Owners.
Heather is a Managing Director for the DC office of Northwestern Mutual. In this role she is responsible for leading the horizontal growth of the enterprise. Heather creates the systems to enhance, track, and measure the results of recruiting and development of under 5-year financial representatives. Key responsibilities:...
Heather is a Managing Director for the DC office of Northwestern Mutual. In this role she is responsible for leading the horizontal growth of the enterprise. Heather creates the systems to enhance, track, and measure the results of recruiting and development of under 5-year financial representatives. Key responsibilities: Manage horizontal growth – recruiting and selection, leadership development, college marketing, and early productivity.
Kevin Chadwick began his affiliation with Northwestern Mutual as an intern in 1999 before graduating from college the following year and embarking on his career. In 2001, Kevin started dual roles as a financial representative and in leadership as a College Unit Director. In that role, Kevin helped to recruit,...
Kevin Chadwick began his affiliation with Northwestern Mutual as an intern in 1999 before graduating from college the following year and embarking on his career. In 2001, Kevin started dual roles as a financial representative and in leadership as a College Unit Director. In that role, Kevin helped to recruit, build, and develop the office's internship program. After doing that for two years, Kevin became a Unit Director where he helped to recruit and develop full-time representatives to the Texas Financial Group-Dallas. In 2011, Kevin was chosen to be the Managing Director in Austin, TX. There, he led a team of financial professionals who were serving others and making an exponential impact and influence in the Austin area. In 2016, Kevin received the opportunity to make a bigger impact in the Washington D.C. area to be in the same role. Kevin Chadwick now lives in Vienna, VA with his wife Courtney, son Kevin Jr., and daughter Laila.
Veronica began her career in 2011 as a college intern. In her first year, she ranked in the top 1% of all the college interns in the country. After graduation she became a full-time advisor in Washington, DC. She has taken on several leadership roles throughout her career. Veronica currently serves as Managing...
Veronica began her career in 2011 as a college intern. In her first year, she ranked in the top 1% of all the college interns in the country. After graduation she became a full-time advisor in Washington, DC. She has taken on several leadership roles throughout her career. Veronica currently serves as Managing Director in Rockville, Maryland and is focused on growth and development of financial advisors. Veronica is passionate about diversity and inclusion and has contributed to both local and national DE&I strategies for the organization. Veronica graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at University of Maryland, College Park, in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in Finance. Veronica is Peruvian and Salvadorian and is one of seven siblings. She grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Her dad is her biggest cheerleader. She enjoys spending time with her puppy Romeo, working out, traveling, food, music, and spending time with her family & friends.
Originally from the Midwest, I moved to Northern Virginia to grow my business with Northwestern Mutual. My focus is on helping individuals, families and small businesses create strong financial plans to help meet their goals and ensure their future success. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my wife and three...
Originally from the Midwest, I moved to Northern Virginia to grow my business with Northwestern Mutual. My focus is on helping individuals, families and small businesses create strong financial plans to help meet their goals and ensure their future success. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my wife and three kids, cooking, volunteering in the community, and supporting the Green Bay Packers.
Mesa Lewchalermwong
CLF®
Chief Financial Officer
Mesa Lewchalermwong is the Chief Financial Officer for Northwestern Mutual's Washington, D.C. office. She is responsible for the financial management of the firm in support of the overall strategic direction. Mesa also consults with advisors on building generational practices through ensembling and succession...
Mesa Lewchalermwong is the Chief Financial Officer for Northwestern Mutual's Washington, D.C. office. She is responsible for the financial management of the firm in support of the overall strategic direction. Mesa also consults with advisors on building generational practices through ensembling and succession planning. She was a founding member of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council and chairs the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Affinity Group. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her family.
Elizabeth Wolf
CLF®
Chief Marketing Officer
Liz Wolf has worked with Northwestern Mutual for more than 20 years. She joined Northwestern Mutual's Washington, D.C. office in 2003 and currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, she develops network office strategy and implements local marketing efforts. Liz earned her BA from Villanova University...
Liz Wolf has worked with Northwestern Mutual for more than 20 years. She joined Northwestern Mutual's Washington, D.C. office in 2003 and currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, she develops network office strategy and implements local marketing efforts. Liz earned her BA from Villanova University and her CLF designation from The American College. She and her family are passionate travelers, having visited more than 30 countries. Liz is also a wine enthusiast and recently earned her Level One Sommelier Certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Megan Benitez serves as the Chief Development Officer for Northwestern Mutual DC. Megan started with NM at our K Street Office in 2016 after graduating with a degree in Interpersonal Communication from George Mason University, where she was a member of the women's D1 soccer team. In her role as Chief Development...
Megan Benitez serves as the Chief Development Officer for Northwestern Mutual DC. Megan started with NM at our K Street Office in 2016 after graduating with a degree in Interpersonal Communication from George Mason University, where she was a member of the women's D1 soccer team. In her role as Chief Development Officer, she is responsible for creating and managing the systems the firm uses enhance, track, and measure results around advisor development. Megan is particularly passionate about ensuring a strong deliverable for ongoing education, obtaining designations, and refining business development skills that are essential to prepare advisors for long term success. Megan resides in Arlington, Virginia, and enjoys being active, finding DC's hidden gem food and coffee spots, and supporting the Washington Capitals!
Karen Franco
Chief Operating Officer
Karen Franco currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Northwestern Mutual DC. Before joining Northwestern Mutual in 2022, she spent 10 years working in the public non-profit sector with healthcare institutions and federal partners such as the USDA and HRSA. Over the past several years she has worked...
Karen Franco currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Northwestern Mutual DC. Before joining Northwestern Mutual in 2022, she spent 10 years working in the public non-profit sector with healthcare institutions and federal partners such as the USDA and HRSA. Over the past several years she has worked with a diverse portfolio of organizations on quality assurance, evaluation, program management, and compliance practices. She deeply understands the value of elevating necessary and much needed voices at decision-making tables. Karen currently resides in Northern Virginia with her family.
Ashley Reed
Chief of Staff
As the Executive Assistant to Managing Partner Leo Tucker in the Northwestern Mutual DC office; Ashley works behind the scenes to plan firm events, and actively ensures the firms priorities are aligned while collaborating and promoting our culture along with our Executive Leadership team. In 2010, Ashley began...
As the Executive Assistant to Managing Partner Leo Tucker in the Northwestern Mutual DC office; Ashley works behind the scenes to plan firm events, and actively ensures the firms priorities are aligned while collaborating and promoting our culture along with our Executive Leadership team. In 2010, Ashley began her career with a Northwestern Mutual firm based in Dallas before she joined the Northwestern Mutual DC firm in 2012. She served the Agency in a variety of roles related to the firm's growth and development before joining the Executive Leadership Team in 2016. Ashley grew up in the vineyard packed region of Sonoma County, California and she received her undergraduate degree from Sonoma State University. Ashley pursues her passion for the outdoors by competing in triathlons, specifically swimming and maintaining her garden at home in Springfield, VA with her husband, Morgan.