Work and Education

Brad Stewart joined Northwestern Mutual in 1988 as an intern while finishing his degree in Finance and Economics at Indiana State University. Brad learned the values of hard work and discipline during college while earning a varsity letter in football and being involved in Indiana State University’s student government. After graduating from college, he moved to the Michiana community and has been serving clients in the area since 1988. During his career in the financial services and wealth management industry, he has earned the professional designations of Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and the Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP®). He has served Northwestern Mutual in several capacities, such as Life Specialist, Estate and Business Planning Specialist, and as Managing Director of the of the Mishawaka, Indiana District Office from December 2010 through May 2021.

Examples of client groups that Brad specializes in include the following:

• 1st and 2nd generation business owners
• Estate planning market
• Retirement distribution market
• Wealth management
• Families and closely held businesses needing strategic tax planning

Personal

Brad and his wife Kim have two teenage children. They have been residents of Elkhart County since 1988 and are actively involved with Pleasant View Church and enjoy supporting many other nonprofit organizations.

Brad is based out of our Mishawaka location.

Work and Education

Ryan joined Northwestern Mutual in 2017 after spending the prior decade working in the institutional money management space. Ryan has a passion for helping individuals, families, and businesses realize and protect their unique vision of financial security and success.  He oversees the design, implementation, and review of many our clients’ financial plans, insurance strategies, and investment portfolios. Ryan is an alumnus of Indiana University – Bloomington and holds the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation, awarded in 2017.

Ryan works well with many types of clients, including:

• Business owners focused on exit or succession planning
• Businesses looking to retain and reward key employees
• Retirees and pre-retirees concerned with income distribution planning
• High net worth families needing guidance on multi-generational wealth transfer
• Tax-conscious investors
• Corporate and non-profit investment committees

Personal

Ryan and his wife Mao live in South Bend with their three children. Outside of work, he serves as Treasurer for the United Youth Theatre non-profit organization, stays active by working out and playing golf, and has a passion for music.

Ryan is based out of our Mishawaka location.

Nikki joined Northwestern Mutual in 2019 and serves as the Operations Manager for our Mishawaka office. She is a graduate of Earlham College where she earned a degree in Theatre Arts. Nikki is licensed in Life, Health, and Variable Life insurance and is securities licensed with Series 6 and 63.

How can Nikki help you?

• Assist clients through insurance applications, underwriting, and policy delivery process
• Assist with scheduling client appointments for Brad Stewart and Ryan Dix
• Input and update personal information for your client file

Nikki works in our Mishawaka location.

How can Kyle help you?

• Customize a financial plan according to your needs and goals
• Answer any questions regarding your financial plan
• Modify your plan due to life events and explain what effect these events had on your plan

Kyle works in our Mishawaka location.

How can Renee help you?

• Onboarding of new investment clients by setting up Brokerage, Advisory, or Trust investment accounts
• Helps to process account transfers, IRA rollovers and mutual fund trades
• Assist with client billing, insurance and investment account inquiries and service
• Assist in the process of claims

Renee works in our Mishawaka location.