Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the New Orleans office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Avril Habetz
MBA, CLF®, CLU®, LUTCF®, ChFC®
Managing Partner
Avril Habetz is a highly accomplished business professional and the newly announced Managing Partner/CEO for Northwestern Mutual of Louisiana & Mississippi. With over two decades of experience in the financial industry, she holds a range of prestigious qualifications, including an MBA, CLF®, CLU®, LUTCF®, and...
Avril Habetz is a highly accomplished business professional and the newly announced Managing Partner/CEO for Northwestern Mutual of Louisiana & Mississippi. With over two decades of experience in the financial industry, she holds a range of prestigious qualifications, including an MBA, CLF®, CLU®, LUTCF®, and ChFC®. Avril has extensive knowledge regarding recruiting, training, delivering financial security, or leading others. Her goal is to challenge and support advisors and representatives to become the best version of themselves both professionally and personally. As she transitions from Managing Director to Managing Partner/CEO, her mission is to develop distinguished financial professionals who positively impact the lives of their clients and communities through financial planning and risk management. Avril is committed to achieving this mission by helping others to achieve their fullest potential and strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives.
Stuart Cestia is proud to serve as Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual of Louisiana- Lafayette. Stuart has been associated with Northwestern Mutual since 1997 and as Managing Director, he will continue to be a part of a network of specialists offering a wide array of products. A native of New Iberia, Stuart...
Stuart Cestia is proud to serve as Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual of Louisiana- Lafayette. Stuart has been associated with Northwestern Mutual since 1997 and as Managing Director, he will continue to be a part of a network of specialists offering a wide array of products. A native of New Iberia, Stuart received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Finance, from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Currently, Stuart serves on the Board of Directors for the Coastal Conservation Association.
Ted Harless began working for Northwestern Mutual in 1992 and currently serves as the Managing Director for Northwestern Mutual- Lake Charles. As the Managing Director, Ted is responsible for recruiting and training Financial Representatives, managing the office and selling financial service products.
In 2011, Nicholas started his leadership path when he was appointed District Director of Northwestern Mutual-New Orleans. As District Director, he was responsible for attracting, developing, and retaining successful financial representatives in order to grow a large, high-performance unit within the network office...
In 2011, Nicholas started his leadership path when he was appointed District Director of Northwestern Mutual-New Orleans. As District Director, he was responsible for attracting, developing, and retaining successful financial representatives in order to grow a large, high-performance unit within the network office while continually growing an integrated personal practice. After several years of leadership and success, he was appointed Managing Director of the Ridgeland, MS office. As Managing Director, Nicholas leads the performance growth and distribution in the Ridgeland area. His focus includes recruiting and developing financial representatives, managing the office, and advising his existing and future clientele.
As Managing Director for the Greater Baton Rouge area, Ben has proven success in leading advisors through strategic planning, relationship management, and problem-solving. There are few careers where you can leverage your skills and talents to bring substantial joy, confidence, and peace of mind to your clients...
As Managing Director for the Greater Baton Rouge area, Ben has proven success in leading advisors through strategic planning, relationship management, and problem-solving. There are few careers where you can leverage your skills and talents to bring substantial joy, confidence, and peace of mind to your clients while creating significant freedom and opportunity for your family and your team. Ben is not only blessed to be in that career himself but also has the unique opportunity to invite others to do the same.
Jeremy serves as a trusted financial advisor and Growth & Development Director in our Shreveport office. His team strives to bring his client's ambitions and aspirations to life, both personally and professionally, through our premiere financial planning experience. Additionally, he has the opportunity to lead...
Jeremy serves as a trusted financial advisor and Growth & Development Director in our Shreveport office. His team strives to bring his client's ambitions and aspirations to life, both personally and professionally, through our premiere financial planning experience. Additionally, he has the opportunity to lead and mentor other advisors in the Shreveport area to further the impact made in our network.
Kristinia Dupuy
Chief Supervision Officer
Kristinia Dupuy has worked for Northwestern Mutual Louisiana/Mississippi for 17 years and holds the Chief Supervision Officer position for the firm. She is originally from the upstate New York but after graduating with a BA in Management from the University of New Orleans in 2006 she set up roots in Metairie,...
Kristinia Dupuy has worked for Northwestern Mutual Louisiana/Mississippi for 17 years and holds the Chief Supervision Officer position for the firm. She is originally from the upstate New York but after graduating with a BA in Management from the University of New Orleans in 2006 she set up roots in Metairie, Louisiana. In her role as CSO she works closely with financial advisors & staff to ensure the best interest of our clients are put first along with the implementation, training, and oversight of policies & procedures of our company and regulatory entities.
Anjea Vindel
Chief Growth Officer
Anjea oversees the development of our network’s veteran advisors within the territory of Louisiana and Mississippi, specifically working with business growth and succession planning. Anjea has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2003 and has succeeded in a variety of roles including Director of Client Relations,...
Anjea oversees the development of our network’s veteran advisors within the territory of Louisiana and Mississippi, specifically working with business growth and succession planning. Anjea has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2003 and has succeeded in a variety of roles including Director of Client Relations, Technology Coach, and Director of Training and Development. She is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans where she achieved her Master of Business Administration.
Katy Simpson
Chief Marketing Officer
Katy has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2015 and is the Chief Marketing Officer for Louisiana and Mississippi. She has always had a passion for enhancing the client experience and for developing tools that demonstrate the value a firm brings. In her role with our firm, Katy handles all of our digital marketing,...
Katy has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2015 and is the Chief Marketing Officer for Louisiana and Mississippi. She has always had a passion for enhancing the client experience and for developing tools that demonstrate the value a firm brings. In her role with our firm, Katy handles all of our digital marketing, social media, client materials and ensures our firm's brand is in alignment with our mission, values, and vision.
Christine Hunger
Executive Assistant
Christine Hunger oversees the day-to-day operations of our firm and oversees the office managers across our eight offices throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. She is our new business and POS liaison to Home Office. Additionally, she is the executive assistant to our Managing Partner, Avril Habetz, MBA.
Lindsay Mudd
MBA
Director of Business Development
Lindsay serves as our Development Officer, driving the success of leaders and new financial advisors in their client-building businesses through elite business development programs. Fostering best practices of a sustainable business model for a long-term and thriving career.
Amanda Roark
Associate Director of Development
Amanda is our Associate Development Officer of New Advisor Development. She is passionate about growth and inspiring others to achieve their full potential. Amanda is responsible for educating and developing new advisors and overseeing their training and development from the start. Her unwavering commitment to...
Amanda is our Associate Development Officer of New Advisor Development. She is passionate about growth and inspiring others to achieve their full potential. Amanda is responsible for educating and developing new advisors and overseeing their training and development from the start. Her unwavering commitment to assisting others in achieving success drives her to provide the necessary tools and resources to ensure new advisors are fully equipped to thrive in their roles.
Jordyn Eaton
Associate Director of Development
As the Associate Development Officer for College Marketing and Development, Jordyn is responsible for the tactical execution of sustainable systems in recruitment and selection, conversion, productivity, training, and development for our network's award-winning internship program. Locally, she oversees the campus...
As the Associate Development Officer for College Marketing and Development, Jordyn is responsible for the tactical execution of sustainable systems in recruitment and selection, conversion, productivity, training, and development for our network's award-winning internship program. Locally, she oversees the campus engagement, brand promotion, recruitment and selection, and development programs for our New Orleans and Gulfport internship units. In her time as an Associate Development Officer, she has helped to implement proven strategies for building a pipeline of new financial advisors produced directly from our internship program. The mission for her unit is to provide students the opportunity to learn how to build a business through our reputable business and client-building models, lead themselves by pushing the boundaries of personal and professional growth, and impact others through the hands-on work that we do in our program.