Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Downers Grove office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Ryan Kramer
CLU®, ChFC®, CLF®
Managing Partner
Ryan began his career with Northwestern Mutual as a college intern in 1997. In the spring of 1998. he graduated with a B.S. in Marketing from Illinois State University. Throughout his time at Northwestern Mutual, Ryan has held roles in each level of the leadership track, gaining rich experience at every capacity...
Ryan began his career with Northwestern Mutual as a college intern in 1997. In the spring of 1998. he graduated with a B.S. in Marketing from Illinois State University. Throughout his time at Northwestern Mutual, Ryan has held roles in each level of the leadership track, gaining rich experience at every capacity of the business. On June 1st, 2015, Ryan became the Managing Partner of Northwestern Mutual Chicagoland. Ryan lives in Elmhurst, IL with his wife, Jennifer and three children, Kasen, Kinsley, and Kadence. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and giving back to his community.
Kris is Chief Development Officer and District Director for Northwestern Mutual Chicagoland. Prior to that, Kris spent over 12 years working in Northwestern Mutual's Home Office in Milwaukee. Kris' mission is to help each individual person achieve their personal and professional goals. He received a Bachelor of...
Kris is Chief Development Officer and District Director for Northwestern Mutual Chicagoland. Prior to that, Kris spent over 12 years working in Northwestern Mutual's Home Office in Milwaukee. Kris' mission is to help each individual person achieve their personal and professional goals. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with emphasis on Finance from Marquette University in 2002 and currently resides in Wheaton, IL.
Scott began his career with Northwestern Mutual as a college representative in 1984 while attending ISU. After graduating with a B.S. Degree in Marketing, he joined full time and in 1987 became the Managing Director in Schaumburg. Scott has two adult children, Megan and Matt. Besides spending time with family,...
Scott began his career with Northwestern Mutual as a college representative in 1984 while attending ISU. After graduating with a B.S. Degree in Marketing, he joined full time and in 1987 became the Managing Director in Schaumburg. Scott has two adult children, Megan and Matt. Besides spending time with family, Scott enjoys golf and travel.
In 2001, Trent began his career as a College Financial Representative while attending the University of Northern Iowa. He graduated in 2002 with a BS in Finance and moved to Chicagoland to begin his full-time career as a Financial Representative. Trent’s vision is to maintain a balance of impacting lives through...
In 2001, Trent began his career as a College Financial Representative while attending the University of Northern Iowa. He graduated in 2002 with a BS in Finance and moved to Chicagoland to begin his full-time career as a Financial Representative. Trent’s vision is to maintain a balance of impacting lives through his own practice, while consistently bringing in new talent to represent the company and community that we serve. Trent is married to Shea and they reside in Park Ridge, IL with their three daughters, Reece, Claire, and Lauren. They are avid golfers, boaters, and travelers.
I am a proud Chicagoan and Illinois State University grad, married with 2 boys. My mission is to help individuals, families, and business owners to achieve financial security. I aim to become a trusted professional to my clients and live at the center of their lives. My promise is to always do the right thing...
I am a proud Chicagoan and Illinois State University grad, married with 2 boys. My mission is to help individuals, families, and business owners to achieve financial security. I aim to become a trusted professional to my clients and live at the center of their lives. My promise is to always do the right thing and live with no regrets while impacting people’s lives.
Lori Ham
CMP
Chief Marketing Officer
Lori has worked with Northwestern Mutual for the past 19 years. During her tenure, she has held a variety of roles: Human Resources, Marketing, Events, and Philanthropy. She is passionate about our unique planning process, our firm's culture, and the impact we have in the community. As part of her volunteer efforts,...
Lori has worked with Northwestern Mutual for the past 19 years. During her tenure, she has held a variety of roles: Human Resources, Marketing, Events, and Philanthropy. She is passionate about our unique planning process, our firm's culture, and the impact we have in the community. As part of her volunteer efforts, she is involved with the following charitable organizations: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Feed My Starving Children and Ready, Set, Ride. Lori is a proud wife to John and mother to Julia and Brianna.
Anna Nelis
Chief Supervision Officer
Eric is a Growth & Development Director and Financial Advisor at NM Chicagoland. In his role on the leadership team, Eric airds in the growth, and development of financial representatives. Eric is a proud husband to Cathy and father to his sons, Aiden and Anderson. He currently resides in the suburbs of Chicago...
Eric is a Growth & Development Director and Financial Advisor at NM Chicagoland. In his role on the leadership team, Eric airds in the growth, and development of financial representatives. Eric is a proud husband to Cathy and father to his sons, Aiden and Anderson. He currently resides in the suburbs of Chicago with his family. Eric is also fluent in Korean and participates in Korean networking groups.
Luke impacts our firm in two ways: providing financial security to his clients and is a Field Director on our leadership team.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, I have an immense pride in where I came from. I am a retired Division 1 college baseball player who applies my determination and hard-working demeanor to my practice. Now, I'm attacking the issues that are relevant to so many people. My mission is to give everyone we...
Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, I have an immense pride in where I came from. I am a retired Division 1 college baseball player who applies my determination and hard-working demeanor to my practice. Now, I'm attacking the issues that are relevant to so many people. My mission is to give everyone we work with the freedom to do what they want with their life.
Devon Hempe
Chief of Staff
Laura Menolascino
Recruiter
As a Recruiter for Northwestern Mutual Chicagoland, Laura oversees the selection process for financial representative candidates. She aims to connect with business minded, self-starting and entrepreneurial professionals. By introducing our firm and culture, she is able to showcase the values we live by here at...
As a Recruiter for Northwestern Mutual Chicagoland, Laura oversees the selection process for financial representative candidates. She aims to connect with business minded, self-starting and entrepreneurial professionals. By introducing our firm and culture, she is able to showcase the values we live by here at Northwestern Mutual Chicagoland. Laura then helps these individuals identify their goals to find their best career fit. Laura graduated from Western Illinois University with a BS in Fashion Merchandising. She is Mom to two energetic boys, Joey and Luca, a self-proclaimed foodie & yoga enthusiast. Laura enjoys staying active and being outdoors.
Michelle Norton
Recruiter
For Michelle, recruiting goes beyond helping you make your next career move. She aims to learn your story and discover your skillset; ultimately equipping you to make a career decision that is best for you. Our firm’s values are abundance, integrity, loyalty, growth, and culture. Here at Northwestern Mutual...
For Michelle, recruiting goes beyond helping you make your next career move. She aims to learn your story and discover your skillset; ultimately equipping you to make a career decision that is best for you. Our firm’s values are abundance, integrity, loyalty, growth, and culture. Here at Northwestern Mutual Chicagoland, we always aim to live by these; both in and out of the office. Michelle will introduce you to our culture to give you a feel for what it’s like to be a part of our NM family. She graduated with a B.A. in Communication Arts & Psychology from North Park University in 2018. This background allows her to help council and steer you in a direction that corresponds with your career aspirations. Michelle enjoys staying active. In her free time, she loves to dance and skates for the Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew.
Rebecca Feeley
Recruiter
Becky is a Recruiter in the Downers Grove office of NM Chicagoland. She walks candidates through the selection process - building relationships and helping identify their professional goals. Her passion for making an impact in people’s lives drives her to guide others to find their purpose. A conversation with...
Becky is a Recruiter in the Downers Grove office of NM Chicagoland. She walks candidates through the selection process - building relationships and helping identify their professional goals. Her passion for making an impact in people’s lives drives her to guide others to find their purpose. A conversation with Becky will allow you to better understand what it means to work in financial services. She is local to the Chicagoland area, where she lives with her husband, twin boys, and daughter. In her free time, she likes to attend sporting events and is part of the Peloton community.
Kimberly Hargis
Director of Internship Development
As the Director of Internship Development, Kim’s mission is to coach and lead students during their Financial Representative Internship. Ultimately her goal is to impact the community through service and leadership. Kim plays an integral role in developing the next generation of leaders at Northwestern Mutual...
As the Director of Internship Development, Kim’s mission is to coach and lead students during their Financial Representative Internship. Ultimately her goal is to impact the community through service and leadership. Kim plays an integral role in developing the next generation of leaders at Northwestern Mutual Chicagoland. She has a passion for helping students grow personally and professionally by instilling our core values of abundance, integrity, loyalty, growth, and culture. Kim attended the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where she received her Bachelors In Education and Human Services. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts and Broadway musicals as well as traveling and trying new restaurants.
Rebecca Eilers
Internship Development Officer
As the Internship Development Officer, Rebecca oversees all activities related to sourcing top talent throughout Chicagoland. Her mission is to build relationships on campus and help young professionals gain real-world experience. Ultimately, Rebecca's goal is to guide students as they decide to make their transition...
As the Internship Development Officer, Rebecca oversees all activities related to sourcing top talent throughout Chicagoland. Her mission is to build relationships on campus and help young professionals gain real-world experience. Ultimately, Rebecca's goal is to guide students as they decide to make their transition from the classroom to the workplace. She helps them identify their career goals to determine if our internship program is the best mutual fit. Rebecca graduated from the University of Illinois in 2015 and began her career in both retail and third party staffing, which lead to her competitive drive and love for recruiting. She currently lives in Lincoln Park and on the weekends you can find her exploring the city with friends.