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.
Gustavo Cueto
Chief Operations Officer
Gustavo F. Cueto is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Supervision Offer of the Network Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Gustavo has a personal passion for serving the Enterprise and the community. Gustavo attended Instituto Tecnológico de Orizaba in Mexico, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration...
Gustavo F. Cueto is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Supervision Offer of the Network Office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Gustavo has a personal passion for serving the Enterprise and the community. Gustavo attended Instituto Tecnológico de Orizaba in Mexico, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and minor in Computer Science. He later immigrated to the United States and joined Northwestern Mutual in 2001. He's held a variety of key positions at the corporate office and now at the network office. Gustavo and his wife, Jana, currently live in the Forest Hills area with their 2 daughters.
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.
Stephanie Collier's first goal is to learn and understand what is important to you and how you envision your future. To create your plan, Stephanie will discover your vision for the future, your mission in life, and your personal financial philosophy. Your vision is unique and as such, requires a unique approach...
Stephanie Collier's first goal is to learn and understand what is important to you and how you envision your future. To create your plan, Stephanie will discover your vision for the future, your mission in life, and your personal financial philosophy. Your vision is unique and as such, requires a unique approach to build and attain it.
Ashley Palace
Executive Director of Recruitment
Ashley Palace, originally from Grand Rapids Michigan, is the Executive Director of Recruitment. She works with all areas of recruitment in the West Michigan area. Her deep passion for helping people connect to their life’s work is most fulfilled in her work with high caliber career changers. She graduated...
Ashley Palace, originally from Grand Rapids Michigan, is the Executive Director of Recruitment. She works with all areas of recruitment in the West Michigan area. Her deep passion for helping people connect to their life’s work is most fulfilled in her work with high caliber career changers. She graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana with her Bachelors in Communication and Marketing. She officially joined Northwestern Mutual in Colorado Springs February of 2019 where she spent 3 years and became Northwestern Mutual's Recruiter of the Year in 2020 before joining the Grand Rapids officially in January of 2022.
Lynn Clay
Chief Supervision Officer
Lynn started the Investment Operations for the Network Office in 1986. As the Supervisor for the Network Office, her role is to act as a change agent in a highly regulated industry. Lynn’s responsibilities are to monitor the day to day sales and service activities of supervised persons, to make sure of compliance...
Lynn started the Investment Operations for the Network Office in 1986. As the Supervisor for the Network Office, her role is to act as a change agent in a highly regulated industry. Lynn’s responsibilities are to monitor the day to day sales and service activities of supervised persons, to make sure of compliance with the applicable regulations, and to manage risk for the Network Office. An alumnus of Grand Valley State University, Lynn previously worked for several banks in three different states prior to joining NM. Lynn spends her free time with her 2 children and 3 grandchildren, gardening and on home construction projects.
Killeen Dillon
Director of Training and Development
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
FSCP®
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.
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.
Aaron began his career at NM in 2017 out of the Grand Rapids office as a financial advisor. He lives in Rockford Michigan with his wife, Shelby, and daughter, Isla. Aaron focuses his career working with families who have a passion to create generational wealth and financial independence in all stages of life....
Aaron began his career at NM in 2017 out of the Grand Rapids office as a financial advisor. He lives in Rockford Michigan with his wife, Shelby, and daughter, Isla. Aaron focuses his career working with families who have a passion to create generational wealth and financial independence in all stages of life. When he is not at work, Aaron spends time playing strategy games, rock climbing and exploring new breweries around town.