Northwestern Mutual appoints Kate Michaels as Syracuse district director

DeWITT, N.Y. — Northwestern Mutual announced it has appointed Kate Michaels as the first woman to serve as district director for the company’s Syracuse–area office.

In her new role, she will oversee about 20 financial representatives and lead her team to provide guidance and planning services for clients.

Michaels began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2008 in Rochester. She has provided leadership to many staff members through recruiting as well as mentoring representatives as they support clients in providing a range of personalized financial-planning services

“Kate is breaking barriers for future female leaders, and it’s not a surprise given her history as a trailblazer within our company,” Paul Dodd, managing partner at Northwestern Mutual’s Syracuse–area office, said in a news release.

In January 2018, the company honored Michaels with a community service award in recognition of her “outstanding volunteer leadership and dedication to charitable organizations.”

A native of Bergen, New York, Michaels received a bachelor’s degree in communications from St. John Fisher College in 2008. Currently, she serves on the board of directors for Dress for Success in Rochester and is on the national board for the American College of Financial Services. In addition, she is a part of the Leadership Council of the Women’s Fund of Central New York. Michaels also holds the CLF (chartered leadership fellow) designation through the American College of Financial Services. She resides in Manlius with her husband, Ryan.

Northwestern Mutual says it has been serving the Syracuse community for 138 years. Its local office is situated at 34 Aspen Park Blvd. in the town of DeWitt.

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Photo credit: Northwestern Mutual