Get to know our leadership team

Leadership at the Lake Elmo office is dedicated to doing good for our clients, employees and community.

Photo of Managing Director Sarah Walter

Sarah Walter

Managing Director

Sarah Walter began her career with Northwestern Mutual as a post grad in 2003 as a Financial Representative in Edina, MN. Sarah initially joined the Minneapolis Network office and Mark Heurung’s team in 2007 as the Director of Training and found her true passion in leadership, coaching, and development in this role. In the years that followed, Sarah became the Director of New Financial Representative Development and then the Development Officer. A trailblazer by nature, Sarah grew to become the Minneapolis Agency’s first ever Chief Growth Officer, supporting the work and needs of career advisors and their teams. In 2020, Sarah took another leap, she helps the leadership team drive results in recruiting, internship, advisor productivity, and leadership development. Sarah is excited and energized about her latest appointment as the Managing Director of the Lake Elmo district.
Photo of Director of Operations Debbie Blattner

Debbie Blattner

Director of Operations

Debbie Blattner joined the Woodbury office of Northwestern Mutual in April 2004. As Director of Operations her primary focus is to oversee the office so that it is running smoothly and efficiently. Debbie is licensed in life, accident and health insurance. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Debbie worked for Cargill for 10 years. Debbie lives in Hastings with her husband Justin and their two children, Whitney and Luke. She enjoys being active outdoors and reading.
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Michelle Lindorff

Director of Recruitment

Michelle joined Northwestern Mutual as the Director of Recruitment in 2024 after holding positions in management centered around development. Currently residing in Hudson, WI, she is originally from The Yarra Valley, a wine region an hour from Melbourne, Australia. After completing a Commerce degree at Swinburne University, she decided to follow her worldly curiosities and started travelling. She enjoys traveling internationally as well as playing tourist in her own city, seeking out the best food and wine combinations. You can find Michelle outdoors, hiking, camping, kayaking, and snowboarding.
Photo of Sales Execution Team Associate Julie Whittaker

Julie Whittaker

Sales Execution Team Associate

Julie came to Northwestern Mutual from the real estate industry in 2022. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls in 2020 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Outdoor Adventure Education, she spent some time working in title insurance before joining the Lake Elmo District Office as the SET Associate. When she’s not at work, Julie likes to spend her time outside hiking with her dog Rae, snowboarding, climbing, and camping, at her lake cabin in Alexandria, MN doing some fishing, or curled up with a good book.

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