Associates

Richard Saka

Financial Representative

Richard joined Northwestern Mutual after graduating from Florida International University with a degree in Business Administration. In his short career with Northwestern, Richard has accomplished what many Financial Representatives work toward over an entire career. In 2004, he became a Million Dollar Round Table qualifier, a mark of distinction in the industry.  He has retained this qualification through 2009.

Richard was recognized nationally by Northwestern Mutual as the #2 Second-Year Financial Representative in 2005 and the #1 Third-Year Financial Representative in 2006. In 2006, 2007, and 2008, Richard also qualified for the Northwestern Mutual Forum, which places him in the top 4% of the company's field force.

Darling J. Lie-Nielsen, CLTC

Financial Representative

Darling joined Northwestern Mutual Financial Network after graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance and Economics. Darling specializes in Business and Personal Needs Analysis.

In 2004, Darling was the #1 First-Year Financial Representative in the Southern Region of Northwestern Mutual. Again in 2005, she finished #1 out of all Second-Year Financial Representatives in the Southern Region. She has also qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table (2005, 2006, and 2008) and was a Northwestern Mutual Pacesetter First 40 qualifier in 2004 and a Pacesetter Second 60 qualifier in 2005. For the 2007-2008 awards year, she was ranked among the Top 20 Women Financial Representatives in Premium and the second ranked Women in Life Insurance Face Amount.

Darling is also actively involved with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and the Cuban American CPA Association (CACPA).

Ricardo Ludert, CLTC

Field Director

Ricardo came from a direct business-to-business sales career prior to joining Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. Determined to make a greater impact on people's lives, Ricardo decided on a career change. Wanting an organization with a stellar reputation and a long history of doing the right thing for clients, Northwestern Mutual was the logical choice. He joined The Miami Group in August of 2005. In his four years with Northwestern Mutual, Ricardo has achieved great success.  In his first six months with the company, he qualified for Pacesetter First 40 and was a Million Dollar Round Table qualifying member in 2006 and 2007. He was also the #1 First-Year Financial Representative in the Southern Region in 2006 and the #1 Second-Year Financial Representative in 2007.

In an effort to encourage others to achieve similar success in their careers, Ricardo joined The South Florida Group's Leadership Team this year as the Miami office's Field Director.  In this role, he dedicates time each week towards the mentoring and development of new Financial Representatives.

Ricardo is a Green Room Society member of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and is a member of the "Chairman's Circle" of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.

 

Kristin N. Francisco

College Unit Director

Kristin began her career as an intern with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network while obtaining her BBA in International Finance and Marketing at the University of Miami. Upon graduation, she became a full time Financial Representative. 

In 2006, Kristin qualified as a top 10 college intern in Northwestern Mutual's Southern Region. She also qualified for Northwestern Mutual Pacesetter First 40, an accomplishment that only 11% achieve nationally. In 2007, Kristin was chosen by Northwestern Mutual to be featured on the MTV U program "A Day in the Life," where she shared her successes and experiences as a Financial Representative with students at colleges and universities around the country. Kristin's passion for the company's internship program inspired her to get involved in leadership, and earlier this year she became the Miami office's College Unit Director.

As a Green Room Society member of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, a Trustee member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer for the International Kids Fund, Kristin is dedicated to making an impact in the community.

Justin D Saka

Financial Representative

Justin came to Northwestern Mutual with an extensive background in sales. He worked for several years within his family's local business, then became a Sales and Project Director for a marketing & promotions firm. During this time, he also studied business at Florida International University in Miami. In 2006, Justin made the decision to join the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and began his career as a Financial Representative. 

In his first 6 months as a full-time financial representative, Justin qualified for Pacesetter First 40, a strong indicator of a future of success and an accomplishment that is achieved by only 11% of new Northwestern Mutual financial representatives nationally. Today, he helps his clients in the areas of Personal Needs Analysis and Asset and Income Protection.

Justin is also dedicated to giving back to the community and being involved. He spends much of his free time at his Synagogue and is an active member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).

Jonathan S Chea

Financial Representative

Jonathan began his career as a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual after relocating to Miami, FL in 2007.  Prior to joining the NMFN team, he worked for several years in sales and customer service and earned a BBA in Management from the University of Texas. Jonathan was introduced to Northwestern Mutual while investigating entrepreneurial career opportunities in the financial services field. He was attracted to the company’s strong reputation and wide variety of products and services. Today, Jonathan helps his clients achieve financial success in the areas of Personal and Business Needs Analysis.

During his first year with the company, Jonathan qualified for Northwestern Mutual’s prestigious Pacesetter First 40 award and was The South Florida Group’s #2 First-Year Financial Representative. 

Jonathan also enjoys giving back to the South Florida community.  He is actively involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters and spends much of his free time at his local church.

 

Whitney B Ditlow

Financial Representative

Whitney began her career as an intern with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network while obtaining her BBA in Finance at the University of Miami. She was impressed by the company’s focus on long-term client relationships and was excited about a career helping others achieve financial security.  Upon graduation in 2008, Whitney became a full time Financial Representative. She currently helps clients work towards achieving their financial goals through Personal Needs Analysis and Asset and income Protection.

Whitney is an active member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and enjoys giving back to the community through local charity events.  She also values time spent outside of work with family and friends.

 

Akiva Zweig

Financial Representative

Alejandro Hurtado

Financial Advisor
alex.hurtado@nmfn.com