Putting
people first.
Get to know our leadership team
Leadership at the Grand Rapids office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.
Joe Dierks
CLU®, CLTC®
Managing Partner
Joe Dierks is the Managing Partner of the Network Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan has been serving the Grand Rapids community since 1865. Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan is on our way to 100 advisors and representatives with district offices Portage, Grand Haven, East...
Joe Dierks is the Managing Partner of the Network Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan has been serving the Grand Rapids community since 1865. Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan is on our way to 100 advisors and representatives with district offices Portage, Grand Haven, East Lansing and multiple other offices across West Michigan. Joe attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and joined Northwestern Mutual in January 2001 as a college intern. Joe fell in love with the entrepreneurial opportunity and became a full time Financial Representative in June 2001. Since then, Joe has achieved numerous industry awards as an advisor, such as the Million Dollar Round Table, and has lead many teams throughout the country. Joe and Rachel currently live in Grand Rapids with their 4 children.
Ryan is a Financial Advisor, and the Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual in Grand Haven, Michigan. He is an alumnus of Western Michigan University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sales & Business Marketing (B.B.A.). Ryan began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2008 and earned his Certified...
Ryan is a Financial Advisor, and the Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual in Grand Haven, Michigan. He is an alumnus of Western Michigan University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sales & Business Marketing (B.B.A.). Ryan began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2008 and earned his Certified in Long Term Care (CLTC) professional designation in 2015.
Sharon is a Financial Advisor, and the Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual in Portage, Michigan. Sharon attended Western Michigan University. Sharon began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2006. She has earned Pacesetter 1st 40, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum honors with the company. Sharon is married...
Sharon is a Financial Advisor, and the Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual in Portage, Michigan. Sharon attended Western Michigan University. Sharon began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2006. She has earned Pacesetter 1st 40, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum honors with the company. Sharon is married to Mike and they live in Portage with their four wonderful children.
Larry is a Financial Advisor and Managing Director in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Larry is an alumnus of Calvin University where he graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration. He began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 1986 and earned his Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter designations....
Larry is a Financial Advisor and Managing Director in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Larry is an alumnus of Calvin University where he graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration. He began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 1986 and earned his Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter designations. He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife Dawn and 3 children Kelly, Alex and Maria.
Christina is the Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual of East Lansing, Michigan. She is an alumnus of Michigan State University. GO GREEN! After graduation, Christina began her career with Northwestern Mutual in late 2007 where she started as a receptionist in the Grand Rapids office. Because of her journey...
Christina is the Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual of East Lansing, Michigan. She is an alumnus of Michigan State University. GO GREEN! After graduation, Christina began her career with Northwestern Mutual in late 2007 where she started as a receptionist in the Grand Rapids office. Because of her journey at NM, Christina believes that we should all dream big and that anything is possible! Christina’s mission is to inspire others to achieve their dreams and become the best version of themselves. In her spare time, she values time with family and friends, and her dog Buffy.
Melissa Naber
Director of Operations
Lynn Clay
Chief Supervision Officer
Brian Howard
Associate Director of Supervision
Brian believes we succeed by combining our unique talents toward common goals. After graduating with honors from the University of Michigan, he joined Northwestern Mutual in West Michigan to help financial professionals navigate the network of overlapping, intermeshing regulatory jurisdictions and keep client...
Brian believes we succeed by combining our unique talents toward common goals. After graduating with honors from the University of Michigan, he joined Northwestern Mutual in West Michigan to help financial professionals navigate the network of overlapping, intermeshing regulatory jurisdictions and keep client goals foremost in their practices. With more than twenty years of experience at NM, Brian doesn’t have all the answers, but he’d love to help you find them. Brian enjoys guitars, coaching youth soccer and playing with his family.
Killeen Dillon
Centralized Financial Security Director
The Granddaughter of a retired Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor, Killeen has been deeply rooted in the business her entire life. She is passionate about helping new financial representatives recognize the tremendous opportunity this career offers and believes that at Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan we...
The Granddaughter of a retired Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor, Killeen has been deeply rooted in the business her entire life. She is passionate about helping new financial representatives recognize the tremendous opportunity this career offers and believes that at Northwestern Mutual of West Michigan we make our lives and our clients lives better . Starting her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2011 she has held a variety of roles in new business, coaching, training and development. As a certified coach and trainer she fosters a culture of high expectations and believes strongly that when we do what we do well, we change lives forever. Killeen resides in Ada with her husband, where they are actively involved in the Grand Rapids Polo Club. She enjoys spending her free time at the family farm, with friends, traveling, cooking, running, and all things Ada.
Julie Cooper
Director of Client Relations
Julie began her career with Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Representative in 2009. She earned the Bronze and Silver honors with the company in her time as a Financial Representative. Julie took a few years away and came back home to Northwestern Mutual in July 2020 as the Director of our Client Relations...
Julie began her career with Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Representative in 2009. She earned the Bronze and Silver honors with the company in her time as a Financial Representative. Julie took a few years away and came back home to Northwestern Mutual in July 2020 as the Director of our Client Relations Center. Julie works with a team of advisors to help bridge the gap between the promises that were made to our clients to those promises being kept. Julie’s battle cry is: Everyday may not be good, but see the good in every day. Julie is married to her husband Paul, they live in Alger Heights on the southeast side of Grand Rapids and love being a part of this great city. They have 4 grown children between them and 1 granddaughter with a second on the way this fall.
Leanne McWain
Director of Campus Selection
Leanne started in March 2020 as the Director of Campus Recruitment in Grand Rapids, MI. She loves getting to make a positive impact on college students and help them find direction on their dream career. She went to Aquinas College where she ran cross country and track, and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelors of...
Leanne started in March 2020 as the Director of Campus Recruitment in Grand Rapids, MI. She loves getting to make a positive impact on college students and help them find direction on their dream career. She went to Aquinas College where she ran cross country and track, and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, with Concentrations in Marketing and Human Resources. Then she continued her education by graduating with her Masters of Science in Strategic Human Resource Management from Saint Joseph’s University in 2021. In her free time she loves to spend time running, hiking, camping, cooking, baking, and hanging out with her family. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
My mission is to empower and energize my clients to achieve financial security by building lasting relationships built on high Christian values, integrity and holistic planning. This begins with a comprehensive discovery process, followed by personalized recommendation using both insurance and investment products,...
My mission is to empower and energize my clients to achieve financial security by building lasting relationships built on high Christian values, integrity and holistic planning. This begins with a comprehensive discovery process, followed by personalized recommendation using both insurance and investment products, all of which is updated annually with each client and backed by Northwestern Mutual.
I aim to be a strategic partner who can help you achieve your goals. The best part of my job is working closely with individuals, families and business owners to develop plans that provide structure to their financial lives. After developing an understanding of who you are and what you want, we will work together...
I aim to be a strategic partner who can help you achieve your goals. The best part of my job is working closely with individuals, families and business owners to develop plans that provide structure to their financial lives. After developing an understanding of who you are and what you want, we will work together to provide a clear vision for your future.
Alexander previously served in the United States Air Force where he developed the three core values he lives and serves with a commitment today: - Integrity First. Holding himself to be a person of integrity, courage and conviction. - Service before self. Professional duties take precedence over personal desires. -...
Alexander previously served in the United States Air Force where he developed the three core values he lives and serves with a commitment today: - Integrity First. Holding himself to be a person of integrity, courage and conviction. - Service before self. Professional duties take precedence over personal desires. - Excellence in all he does.
Jake is on mission to develop life-long relationships with his clients while providing them with expert advice on their financial plans through humility and ferocious resolve. As a team, Jake and his clients create actionable plans specifically tailored to his client's wants and needs and together they implement...
Jake is on mission to develop life-long relationships with his clients while providing them with expert advice on their financial plans through humility and ferocious resolve. As a team, Jake and his clients create actionable plans specifically tailored to his client's wants and needs and together they implement recommendations to ensure those client's goals are met. “As a Financial Representative for Northwestern Mutual, I have an incredible opportunity to make a larger than life impact on my community, friends and family” - JRC
