Spotlighting NM’s Employees: How David is Building What’s Next

These days, technology is changing the way we work. And that’s no different here at Northwestern Mutual.  

Just ask David, a lead technical program manager who has built his career around bringing teams together to turn complex technological work into meaningful solutions for our business. All while making an impact at a company and in a community that has long felt like his home.  

What is your role at NM? 

I’m a lead program manager, more specifically, a technical program manager. My role is about connecting the technical work to the bigger picture. I partner with our engineering teams to understand expectations, break down complex work, and help ensure the final solution delivers what we set out to accomplish. 

In a large organization like NM, people bring different perspectives and priorities to the same work. I help teams align on what success looks like and continuously improve how we deliver across 22 teams.  

Can you tell us about your career journey? 

I’m a Milwaukee native, so I was already very familiar with Northwestern Mutual. Before joining NM, I worked in professional services and became the 11th employee at a small consulting firm. I left the firm in 2016 to create more space for my family, but my career took an unexpected turn. 

My connection to NM began through an innovation initiative called Reverse Pitch. Instead of entrepreneurs pitching ideas to the company, NM shared an opportunity with entrepreneurs, who then organized into startup teams to develop potential solutions. I initially expected to consult on the initiative, but I ultimately helped guide a group of entrepreneurs as they became a startup and built a solution. It was a unique opportunity to connect NM with Milwaukee’s startup community. 

How did your career continue to evolve once you joined NM? 

After Reverse Pitch, I moved into work supporting a retirement distribution product. The idea gained momentum through a hackathon that our team won, which led to initial funding and, eventually, a product in production. Working on a small team gave me the opportunity to take on a wide range of responsibilities and learn through experience. That work helped prepare me for the role I have today, supporting planning and delivery across multiple teams and helping people move complex solutions forward together. 

What advice would you give someone beginning their career at Northwestern Mutual? 

Use your lunch hour to meet people, particularly colleagues you may usually see only on a screen. Those conversations help build genuine relationships and give you context that can make you more effective in your work. 

Find trusted people who can offer different perspectives, help you think through career decisions, and encourage you to fully explore an opportunity before deciding whether it’s right for you.  

Interested in learning more about our employees? Watch the testimonials from the people who create our culture.