Skip to main content

Columbia Business Monthly

Top Work Places #2 Small Company - NorthWestern Mutual Life Insurance

May 03, 2018 01:47PM ● By Makayla Gay

By Makayla Gay


  The most important investment NorthWestern Mutual Life Insurance makes is in its employees. The financial representatives at the firm have so much invested in every client served, they’re like independent business owners. NorthWestern Mutual creates the best work environment: employees work for themselves, but never by themselves. Financial representatives receive comprehensive learning, development, and support to build thriving careers as independent business owners so that hard work is rewarded with opportunities for growth and exceptional income potential. Employees have the backing of a 160-year-old company, effective services to help families and businesses achieve financial security, and an experienced team to help guide and grow business. The firm also has a stellar internship program that brings talent into the pool and gives interns proper training and career development.

“For me, there is nothing more rewarding than helping NorthWestern Mutual employees discover their talents, personality, and strengths and challenge them to maximize those to directly serve their clients,” said Chad Dowdy, managing director.

At NorthWestern Mutual, people are the power, and diversity makes that power even greater. The firm offers employees a culture of inclusion and respect, which applies the collective ideas, opinions, and creativity of a diverse workforce to the solutions clients need.

“All NorthWestern Mutual wealth advisors must have an entrepreneurial spirit and the desire to control their own destiny instead of someone else defining it for them,” said Dowdy. “Each person’s unique talents and skills are welcomed and fresh ideas and distinct perspectives are appreciated as a better way to meet goals.”

Each year, NorthWestern’s foundation, employees, and financial representatives donate time, talent, and financial support to make a positive difference in the community, such as supporting research to fight childhood cancer.

The company’s culture, quality of work, and successes have been possible because employees at all levels of the organization add their unique perspectives to help solve a problem, serve a client, or manage a project. NorthWestern shows that when employees feel empowered to their share strengths, companies grow, evolve, and become stronger.