Ellen Hopper

Ellen Hopper currently serves as Vice President of Distribution Performance at Northwestern Mutual, a position held since 2017, where full performance accountability for the Central region is managed. In this role, Ellen leads a team focused on recruiting, advisor development, business practice enhancement, sales plan achievement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the organization's regulatory framework. Prior experience includes serving as Principal of Distribution Performance at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company from 2010 to 2017, Chief Operations Officer at Northwestern Mutual from 2004 to 2010, and Assistant Director at Strong Capital Management from 1996 to 2004. Ellen holds educational credentials from Alverno College, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and completed coursework at The Wharton School's Securities Industry Institute between 2013 and 2015.