10 Northwestern Mutual legal leaders
Ray Manista, Executive Vice President - Chief Legal Officer & Public Affairs at Northwestern Mutual, is one of ten Northwestern Mutual legal leaders listed here, alongside people who hold vice president counsel and assistant general counsel roles at the company. A reader can learn how legal leaders work at Northwestern Mutual from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Brenda Stugelmeyer
LinkedInExperience: Vice President - Real Estate Counsel · Northwestern Mutual
Brenda Stugelmeyer has been Vice President - Real Estate Counsel at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee since April 2012. Brenda Stugelmeyer was Assistant General Counsel at Northwestern Mutual (2005–2012) and a Partner at Quarles & Brady LLP (1998–2005), and the profile headline gives the current title as Vice President-Real Estate Counsel at Northwestern Mutual.
Eric Bolander
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel - Real Estate Investments · Northwestern Mutual
Eric Bolander has been Assistant General Counsel - Real Estate Investments at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee since June 2021. Eric Bolander was Legal Director (2016–2021) and Senior Group Counsel (2015–2016) at Johnson Controls, and an Attorney at Godfrey & Kahn (2007–2015), and the profile lists commercial transactions, litigation and disputes as areas of work.
Jordan McGurk
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel - Institutional Investments · Northwestern Mutual
Jordan McGurk has been Assistant General Counsel - Institutional Investments at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee since May 2021. Jordan McGurk was an Associate at Jones Day (2016–2021), a Summer Associate at Kirkland & Ellis (2015) and a Judicial Intern at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois (2014).
Joseph Herriges
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel · Northwestern Mutual
Joseph Herriges has been Assistant General Counsel at Northwestern Mutual in the Milwaukee area since January 2026, and the profile describes corporate legal work focused on institutional investment transactions. Joseph Herriges was an Associate Attorney at Ropes & Gray LLP (2022–2026) and Husch Blackwell (2018–2022).
Luke Schaetzel
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel - Data & Technology · Northwestern Mutual
Luke Schaetzel has been Assistant General Counsel - Data & Technology at Northwestern Mutual in the Milwaukee area since February 2026, and the profile lists technology contracting, privacy and cyber security compliance, AI governance and data use work. Luke Schaetzel was an Associate at Benesch Law (2021–2026) and a Law Clerk at Northwestern Mutual (2019).
Marina McKenzie
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel - Insurance Products & Operations · Northwestern Mutual
Marina McKenzie has been Assistant General Counsel - Insurance Products & Operations at Northwestern Mutual in the Milwaukee area since November 2023. Marina McKenzie was Legal Advisor/Senior Manager - Claims at HNI Risk Services (2016–2023), Assistant General Counsel at AF - Group (2012–2016) and an Attorney at Zurich North America (2010–2012).
Michael Murphy
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel · Northwestern Mutual
Michael Murphy has been Assistant General Counsel at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee since July 2024, and the profile describes in-house legal advice on registered investment products. Michael Murphy was Senior Counsel at Invesco (2021–2024) and at BMO (2014–2021), and an Associate at Vedder (2010–2014) and at Chapman and Cutler LLP (2006–2010).
Monica Riederer
LinkedInExperience: Vice President - Digital & Enterprise Operations Counsel · Northwestern Mutual
Monica Riederer has been Vice President - Digital & Enterprise Operations Counsel at Northwestern Mutual in the Milwaukee area since July 2021, and the profile says the role leads a team of technology lawyers. Monica Riederer was Assistant General Counsel (2017–2021 and 2012–2015) and Director - Strategic Planning & Consulting (2015–2017) at Northwestern Mutual, and a Partner at Hansen Reynolds LLC (2011–2012).
Patrick Bodden
LinkedInExperience: Assistant General Counsel · Northwestern Mutual
Patrick Bodden has been Assistant General Counsel at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee since April 2025. Patrick Bodden was Vice President - Advanced Planning (2020–2025), Senior Director - Advanced Planning (2017–2020) and Senior Attorney - Advanced Planning (2014–2017) at Northwestern Mutual, and an Attorney at von Briesen & Roper, s.c. (2012–2014).
Ray Manista
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President - Chief Legal Officer & Public Affairs · Northwestern Mutual
Ray Manista has been Executive Vice President - Chief Legal Officer & Public Affairs at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee since February 2018, and the profile describes the role as chief legal and public affairs officer and secretary of the company. Ray Manista was Senior VP, General Counsel & Secretary (2008–2018), Vice President - Corporate Planning (2006–2008) and Vice President - Litigation Counsel (2004–2006) at Northwestern Mutual.
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Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How did you organize legal support for the business areas you advised?
- 02What did you learn about balancing regulatory requirements with business speed at an insurer?
- 03What would you do differently if you were setting up your legal team again?
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