Cultivating Culture: One Employee’s Impact on Northwestern Mutual
What makes us special is our culture. We are proud of the community we have built—one of respect, integrity, and belonging. As the world around us continues to change, we as a company look for new ways to grow.
This type of cultural transformation could not happen without employees like Ruth.
“I’m so proud of this company for remaining true to its values for more than 160 years,” says Ruth. “While our core values haven’t changed, how we express those values and bring them to life does change and transform, which is how it should be.”
As an art and workspace consultant, Ruth manages NM’s art collection and art program and focuses on workspace change management. She works on both sides of the workspace equation: She creates a vibrant, inspirational work environment through different art pieces, while also finding ways in which our employees can be successful through their workspace.
Through this role, Ruth has managed to find different ways of expressing NM’s culture and values through art experiences and the environment on our campuses.
Building community and culture
Ruth’s career journey at NM has allowed her to take part in many memorable projects that have had a significant impact on our campus experience.
From welcoming people back to campus after the pandemic and to showcasing artwork from local and national fine artists, she has had the unique opportunity of working with teams across our organization to incorporate NM’s culture and values into every project she touches.
By being able to blend her passion for the art world with her communication skills and business acumen, Ruth has been able to help build a community here at NM, while also helping to transform our company in ways that support our goals and values.
Follow the vision, not the path
When she took over the art program, Ruth knew that to be successful in this role she would need to challenge the status quo. As she looked for inspiration, Ruth focused on a key Northwestern Mutual value: Go above and beyond what has been done before.
With that in mind, Ruth started to develop art programs and lead tours of our Milwaukee and New York campuses that enable our employees to learn more about the stories and inspiration behind the artwork.
These programs and tours have not only educated us about NM’s culture but also helped us gain a deeper understanding of what it means to work for a company that prioritizes its employees and the physical space in which they work.
“We want people to feel reflected in the environment and to use the art that surrounds us to build meaningful connections. The artwork compliments the design of our space and sends signals about the care and the thought that we put into every inch of our campuses,” says Ruth. “And because artwork is very personal, it prompts people to connect to each other and Northwestern Mutual in ways that are authentic and meaningful to them on their own terms.”
Ruth’s dedication has helped create spaces that not only inspire creativity and collaboration but also foster a deep sense of community and belonging. Her journey at NM is a great example of how our employees are essential in transforming our culture and expressing our values.