
Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Louisville office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.

J. Daniel Rivers
CFP®, ChFC®, WMCP®, RICP®
Managing Partner
For more than thirty-five years, I have been committed to serving clients in the financial planning industry. I have held the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification since 1995. My entire career has been with Northwestern Mutual, first in my native South Carolina and the last two decades in...
For more than thirty-five years, I have been committed to serving clients in the financial planning industry. I have held the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification since 1995. My entire career has been with Northwestern Mutual, first in my native South Carolina and the last two decades in Kentucky. As Managing Partner of Northwestern Mutual-Louisville, my current mission is to "grow leaders" who lead teams of talented individuals passionate about helping good people build a great quality of life. Our advisors serve our clients as trusted advisors through financial education, counseling, and world-class product solutions. We are committed to excellence in our work with our clients and the communities we serve.

Sophia Fischer is the Chief Development Officer for the Louisville Network Office. Sophia is committed to the ongoing development and support of our Financial Advisors and Representatives. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and University of Louisville MBA Graduate Program, Sophia is dedicated to ongoing...
Sophia Fischer is the Chief Development Officer for the Louisville Network Office. Sophia is committed to the ongoing development and support of our Financial Advisors and Representatives. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and University of Louisville MBA Graduate Program, Sophia is dedicated to ongoing personal and professional development.

Chris Brice
Chief Culture Officer
Chris Brice leads our leadership training programs in support of our financial advisors and their teams. Chris also oversees our community engagement and cultural initiatives across our office. Chris received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Duke University before pursuing a career in education and later...
Chris Brice leads our leadership training programs in support of our financial advisors and their teams. Chris also oversees our community engagement and cultural initiatives across our office. Chris received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Duke University before pursuing a career in education and later sales/account management. Chris began his career at Northwestern Mutual as the Chief Marketing Officer and in 2015 accepted the role of Chief Development Officer. With their two children pursuing their own careers, Chris and his wife Sarah remain actively involved in the community through various volunteer and leadership roles.

Meg Gatti
Chief Experience Officer
Meg Gatti serves as the Chief Marketing and Experience Officer and works with the financial advisors within Northwestern Mutual to ensure the individuals and families we work with receive the best experience possible. Meg believes financial planning should feel liberating, not anxiety-ridden and as such she works...
Meg Gatti serves as the Chief Marketing and Experience Officer and works with the financial advisors within Northwestern Mutual to ensure the individuals and families we work with receive the best experience possible. Meg believes financial planning should feel liberating, not anxiety-ridden and as such she works to make sure others know the positive impacts financial planning can bring to people.

Michael Bush is the Managing Director of the Hurstbourne district office in Louisville, KY. An alumnus of St. Xavier High School and Bellarmine University, Michael is committed to serving the Louisville community and its residents. He is not only passionate about helping families and businesses with their financial...
Michael Bush is the Managing Director of the Hurstbourne district office in Louisville, KY. An alumnus of St. Xavier High School and Bellarmine University, Michael is committed to serving the Louisville community and its residents. He is not only passionate about helping families and businesses with their financial planning needs but also growing and developing other financial advisors and representatives to meet the needs of the community. Michael and his wife Suzanne reside in Anchorage with their two children. Both are former collegiate athletes and remain actively involved with their schools, sports, and overall fitness. In addition, they enjoy giving back to their community through numerous community organizations and programs.

Tommy Morris
CLF®
Chief Supervision Officer
Tommy is our Chief Supervision Officer working to educate our Advisors on how to comply with the many rules and regulations in the financial services industry. In addition, his oversight provides valuable protection to our clients. Tommy believes that our Advisors serve their clients the best when they get to...
Tommy is our Chief Supervision Officer working to educate our Advisors on how to comply with the many rules and regulations in the financial services industry. In addition, his oversight provides valuable protection to our clients. Tommy believes that our Advisors serve their clients the best when they get to know them deeply enough to provide them with a comprehensive financial plan that guides the Advisor/client relationship. Tommy is a graduate of The University of Kentucky with over 25 years working in the financial services industry as a Portfolio Manager, Wealth Management Advisor, and Chief Supervision Officer.

Debra Davidson
Chief Operating Officer
Debra serves as the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of the Client Relations, working with Staff, Clients, and Advisors to ensure our clients continue to receive the service they expect and deserve. She employs the idea of servant leadership to insure smooth operation whether it involves staff, processes,...
Debra serves as the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of the Client Relations, working with Staff, Clients, and Advisors to ensure our clients continue to receive the service they expect and deserve. She employs the idea of servant leadership to insure smooth operation whether it involves staff, processes, or service for clients and advisors. Her background has been primarily in the insurance and investment arena during which time she earned her licensing and a BS and MSM from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Elizabeth Greer
Chief Recruitment Officer
Elizabeth Greer is the Chief Recruitment Officer for the Louisville Network Office. Being a part of a close-knit Northwestern Mutual work-family her whole life has given her a deep understanding of the impact of our work. Her mission is to help good people build great quality of lives through career opportunities...
Elizabeth Greer is the Chief Recruitment Officer for the Louisville Network Office. Being a part of a close-knit Northwestern Mutual work-family her whole life has given her a deep understanding of the impact of our work. Her mission is to help good people build great quality of lives through career opportunities with our network office. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s Business School and a proud Delta Gamma Fraternity alumna. Most recently, she took on a new role as “mom” to her son, Theodore. When she isn’t in the office, she and her husband, Jeff, are planning their next vacation, strolling through a local park, or spending time with their families.

Adam Ellis is the Managing Director in Bowling Green, KY. Adam Ellis has lived in Kentucky his entire life, growing up in Russell Springs, KY. He attended college at the University of Louisville, finishing up his collegiate and football career at Eastern Kentucky University. Adam joined Northwestern Mutual in...
Adam Ellis is the Managing Director in Bowling Green, KY. Adam Ellis has lived in Kentucky his entire life, growing up in Russell Springs, KY. He attended college at the University of Louisville, finishing up his collegiate and football career at Eastern Kentucky University. Adam joined Northwestern Mutual in 2007 and have been helping families across Kentucky ever since. One of Adam's greatest passions is giving back and helping people. He enjoys spending time with family, helping out in the community, and all outdoor activities. Adam and his wife, Whitney are proud parents of three children- Landri, Livy, and Huck. As a family they love spending weekends together in the community and traveling as much as possible.

Christian Schnabel is the Managing Director in our Lexington KY office. Christian loves being a resource to his clients and to the team of financial advisors and representatives in his office. Whether it's connecting personally or professionally, Christian believes that we are more successful as a team. He oversees...
Christian Schnabel is the Managing Director in our Lexington KY office. Christian loves being a resource to his clients and to the team of financial advisors and representatives in his office. Whether it's connecting personally or professionally, Christian believes that we are more successful as a team. He oversees the development and hiring of financial advisors and representatives in the area in addition to providing financial planning for families and business owners. While Christian has a long career in finance, he began his leadership role and financial planning practice at Northwestern Mutual in 2013. He holds his undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and his MBA from Wake Forest. Christian and his wife Elizabeth have two sons who are actively involved in Lacrosse and other activities around town.

Josh Miller is the Managing Director of the Evansville IN district office. While beginning his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2006, Josh's experience with the company goes much farther back when his father held the same leadership role in the organization. Josh prides himself on creating a inclusive culture...
Josh Miller is the Managing Director of the Evansville IN district office. While beginning his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2006, Josh's experience with the company goes much farther back when his father held the same leadership role in the organization. Josh prides himself on creating a inclusive culture for financial representatives and advisors to thrive. Josh is married with three children. When not at the office supporting his team, he enjoys spending time on the golf course, traveling, outdoor activities and boating with the family.

James Ashburn
Leadership Development Officer

We help people find the confidence and clarity to make their dreams a reality. The process begins by identifying where you are today and developing a personalized plan to get you where you want to be in the future. We work to ensure you have the knowledge to understand your plan and the ability to make conscious...
We help people find the confidence and clarity to make their dreams a reality. The process begins by identifying where you are today and developing a personalized plan to get you where you want to be in the future. We work to ensure you have the knowledge to understand your plan and the ability to make conscious day to day decisions to keep you on track for long term success.