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

Josh Oertli is the Managing Director of the Edina office at Northwestern Mutual. He’s been with NM since 2004 and took on the role of Managing Director in 2013. Josh offers expert guidance – from managing current financial success to protecting and preserving assets over time – and works with a network of...
Josh Oertli is the Managing Director of the Edina office at Northwestern Mutual. He’s been with NM since 2004 and took on the role of Managing Director in 2013. Josh offers expert guidance – from managing current financial success to protecting and preserving assets over time – and works with a network of specialists to provide his clients with customized recommendations for their futures. Josh and his wife Tina live in Edina with their two sons, Adrian and Bobby. Josh enjoys coaching the kids in basketball and helping them perfect their golf swings!
Travis Oertli
Chief of Staff
Travis is the Chief of Staff for Josh Oertli in the Edina office. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in business management. He spent the majority of his career in operations management with Target and Minnetonka Moccasin prior to making the move to the financial services world. In his...
Travis is the Chief of Staff for Josh Oertli in the Edina office. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in business management. He spent the majority of his career in operations management with Target and Minnetonka Moccasin prior to making the move to the financial services world. In his spare time, Travis enjoys camping, mountain biking and attending Timberwolves games with his wife, Renee, and two boys, Reid and Alex.

Kayla VandenBosch
Director of Operations
Kayla is the Director of Operations for Edina and has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2013. She began working as an Associate Financial Representative and transitioned to manage the office team including the Sales Execution Team program, which offers administrative support to new advisors. Kayla is responsible...
Kayla is the Director of Operations for Edina and has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2013. She began working as an Associate Financial Representative and transitioned to manage the office team including the Sales Execution Team program, which offers administrative support to new advisors. Kayla is responsible for daily office operations, including technology, general onboarding, and compliance needs. Kayla and her husband, Ed, live in Lakeville, MN with their two kids, Greyson and Kinsley. They spend most of their free time with the kids— enjoying new parks and trails.

Joey Kronzer
Director of Development
Joey spent his formative years growing up in Duluth, MN. After graduating high school, he attended St. Olaf college where he captained the Ole tennis team. Upon completion of his undergrad, Joey moved to the Twin Cities to complete his master’s degree in Kinesiology, with a focus in sport and exercise psychology...
Joey spent his formative years growing up in Duluth, MN. After graduating high school, he attended St. Olaf college where he captained the Ole tennis team. Upon completion of his undergrad, Joey moved to the Twin Cities to complete his master’s degree in Kinesiology, with a focus in sport and exercise psychology from the University of Minnesota. In his spare time, you can find Joey working on his house in Eden Prairie or spending time with his wife, Britta, and dog, Teddy.
Alexa Diercks
Recruiter
Alexa grew up in Lakeville, MN and attended Apple Valley High School and was on the AVaire Dance Team. After that, she graduated from The College of Saint Scholastica with a major in Marketing and a minor in Management. Alexa is a recruiter for Northwestern Mutual Edina. In her spare time, you’ll find her outside...
Alexa grew up in Lakeville, MN and attended Apple Valley High School and was on the AVaire Dance Team. After that, she graduated from The College of Saint Scholastica with a major in Marketing and a minor in Management. Alexa is a recruiter for Northwestern Mutual Edina. In her spare time, you’ll find her outside with friends and family, hunting and fishing, or cheering on Wisconsin sports (Go Packers, Badgers, and Bucks!).

Valerie Bombard
Marketing Coordinator
Val joined the team in the fall of 2022 the Marketing Coordinator after being with Northwestern Mutual – Edina since 2021. Val helps bring creative ideas to life and handles all scheduling for the teams’ clients. Most weekends in the summer, Val and her boyfriend Ryan enjoy heading up to the lake and spending...
Val joined the team in the fall of 2022 the Marketing Coordinator after being with Northwestern Mutual – Edina since 2021. Val helps bring creative ideas to life and handles all scheduling for the teams’ clients. Most weekends in the summer, Val and her boyfriend Ryan enjoy heading up to the lake and spending time with family!

John is the College Unit Director in our Edina office as well as a 3rd year Financial Advisor. As College Unit Director, John mentors and coaches our interns to help ensure their success. Outside of the office, you can find John teaching fitness classes at ALTR or spending time with his partner, Laura, and her...
John is the College Unit Director in our Edina office as well as a 3rd year Financial Advisor. As College Unit Director, John mentors and coaches our interns to help ensure their success. Outside of the office, you can find John teaching fitness classes at ALTR or spending time with his partner, Laura, and her dog Gladys. John is very reliable. You can always count on him to be wearing his North Face vest, even on the hottest day of the year!
Samuel Peterson
B.S.
Operations Lead
Sam grew up as the middle child of 3 boys in Aitkin where he played three sports—baseball, basketball, and football. He spent most of his childhood outside hunting, fishing, dirt-biking, and even driving snowmobiles to school. Sam graduated from Northwestern in the Twin-Cities, where he played baseball for before...
Sam grew up as the middle child of 3 boys in Aitkin where he played three sports—baseball, basketball, and football. He spent most of his childhood outside hunting, fishing, dirt-biking, and even driving snowmobiles to school. Sam graduated from Northwestern in the Twin-Cities, where he played baseball for before joining Northwestern Mutual. In the role of SET Coordinator, Sam is learning more about finance and helping others grow their businesses.