Join the Winning Team at Dorner District - Northwestern Mutual (NM)!
Are you an athlete at heart with a passion for teamwork and competition? Bring your sports background to a dynamic career as a Financial Advisor with Dorner District - Northwestern Mutual!
Why Current and Former Athletes Thrive Here:
We appreciate the strengths and mindset athletes often bring to a professional environment—habits like discipline, a competitive spirit, and a drive to grow. The career path we offer provides structure, coaching, and support while allowing for personal ownership and independence. Here’s why this environment may feel like a strong fit for those with an athletic background:
- Coaching-Focused Support System: Many who join our firm value being surrounded by people invested in their development. Our approach includes access to an Activity Coach, Client Building Coach, Performance & Mindset Coach, and Technology Coach, along with weekly opportunities for mentorship, skill-building, and accountability. While we don’t manage people, we do offer guidance and leadership for those who are coachable and motivated to improve.
- Resilience and Focus: Athletes are familiar with pushing through challenges, staying committed, and maintaining long-term focus—qualities that can be helpful when navigating new opportunities or building something of your own.
- Goal-Oriented Approach: Setting and working toward goals is second nature to most athletes. That mindset often translates well in a career where goal-setting and progress tracking are part of the day-to-day rhythm.
- Discipline and Priority Management: Athletes learn to balance intense schedules early on. Rather than focusing on time management, we talk about priority management—because everyone gets the same 1,440 minutes in a day. How those minutes are invested can make a meaningful difference.
- A Balance of Support and Independence: This is a team-oriented culture in many ways—there’s shared learning, encouragement, and connection. At the same time, many people here value the independence the career offers. It’s a unique mix of collaborative energy and personal responsibility that can feel familiar to those coming from competitive sports.
Our thriving offices are located:
- 301 North Neil Street, Suite 501, Champaign, IL 61820
- 102 South East Street, Bloomington, IL 61701
- 410 Fayette, Peoria, IL 61602
Follow this link to hear more David Hamilton's career change from a sports agent into client advising at NM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3uTkmG9YtY
Meet some of our local team, many who have excelled in athletics:
Kurt Dorner, Managing Director:
- Time with NM: 22 years
- Prior to: Spent 7 years in Big 8 Accounting and Benefit Consulting. Later became the first hire at a tech startup, where he was part of the leadership team that grew the company to 200 employees over 10 years.
- Passionate About: Enjoys adventures with his wife and family, especially the energy of the ocean, mountains, big cities, college sports, and live music. Dedicated to mental and physical fitness, aligned with his purpose: to teach, train, and inspire people to compete for what’s possible today and enjoy the moments along the way.
Jennifer Ronk, Director of Selection:
- Time with NM: 4 years
- Prior to: Built a career in the NBA and NFL, focusing on premium services and sales—courtside seating, club seats, and suites.
- Passionate About: A proud wife and mom to two young children. Passionate about faith, family, and holistic health. Committed to creating a life that’s grounded, grateful, and well-balanced.
Bradley Behrens, Co-Founder and Wealth Management Advisor, Behrens & Brown Wealth Management:
- Time with NM: 13 years
- Prior to: Began as an intern in college and has been with NM ever since. Before that, worked in landscaping and lawncare sales during college.
- Passionate About: Helping others reach and enjoy financial security. Outside of work, Brad enjoys time with his wife and three kids, is active in his local church, and loves spending time with his 10 nieces and nephews.
Nick Ryba, Financial Advisor:
- Time with NM: 4 years
- Prior to: Spent over 10 years in corporate account management and consulting roles—4 years in logistics and 6 years in the medical device industry. Developed skills in interpersonal communication, problem-solving, time management, and customer service that now help him connect with and support his clients.
- Passionate About: Very family-oriented and enjoys spending quality time with his wife and son. They love traveling, attending sporting events, discovering new restaurants and breweries, and maximizing time with friends and extended family.
Key Responsibilities: As a Financial Advisor, your primary role will be to engage with clients to understand their comprehensive financial needs, providing personalized guidance to help them achieve their financial protection and planning goals. You will design and implement tailored strategies that safeguard clients' assets, income, and overall financial well-being, ensuring their long-term security. Regularly reviewing and updating clients' financial plans and insurance policies to reflect any changes in their circumstances or goals will be crucial to ensure continuous protection. Additionally, you will cultivate a robust network of clients through referrals, active community involvement, and professional associations.
Qualifications: We prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in finance, business, or a related discipline. While prior experience in insurance, financial services, or business development is beneficial, it is not mandatory. Successful candidates will possess excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, strong analytical skills, and the capability to build lasting client relationships. We welcome individuals from business development-oriented organizations with uncapped earnings potential, including those from Medical Device, Education (teachers, administrators), Logistics, Solar, Payroll Services, Tech Business Development, Real Estate, Auto Rental and others. You will be required to obtain state insurance licenses, with training provided and sponsorship considered.
Benefits: You will have continuous access to training and development programs, with sponsorship for advanced certifications to enhance your expertise. We offer a lucrative compensation structure including performance-based incentives and unlimited earning potential. You will receive extensive support from a dedicated planning team, marketing resources, and experienced mentors. Enjoy the flexibility to design a work schedule that aligns with your personal and professional goals. Most importantly, you will play a pivotal role in helping individuals and families secure their financial future, making a lasting difference in the community.
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI. Kurt Dorner is a General Agent of NM and not in legal partnership with NM, or its subsidiaries.
