Clarissa Ortiz

About Clarissa Ortiz

I am an adaptive and strategic business leader with experience in successfully leading an organization through change in order to achieve its desired growth objectives. I have a diverse track record of delivering lasting business results and solving complex challenges in both the financial services and media industries, as well as in the non-profit sector. I am the type of leader that is actively unearthing open questions and making strategic connections in order to help move my organization and team forward. I\'m particularly skilled at strategic planning and execution, including using research, data and insights to shape an organization\'s growth agenda. As a leader, I\'m able to effectively manage both the breadth and depth needed to drive a strategy forward in order to create successful business outcomes. I\'m also an exceptional developer of talent and leader of teams, but can also effectively influence across an organization and across competing business interests. And my continued thirst for personal learning and growth, while also having an impact on others both contribute to what motivates me as a leader.

Experience

1. Vice President and Chief of Staff - Office of the CEO

   Northwestern Mutual

   Nov 2024 — Present · Milwaukee, WI, US

   I currently lead the Office of the CEO for Tim Gerend (President, CEO and Chairman of the Board) and am a member of Northwestern Mutual\'s Enterprise Leadership Group. In an increasingly complex business environment, I serve as a thought partner and strategic advisor to Tim, as well as other senior leaders across the organization. I help steer and have a hand in enterprise strategic planning and strategy development, facilitate how to evolve the company\'s operating model, support leadership team development, oversee critical initiatives and priorities, and support key company decisions, particularly lateral decisions that span across functions and domains. I also lead a team responsible for the operations of the Office of the CEO to ensure efficient business processes and decision-making.

Education

• SMU Cox School of Business

  Corporate Executive Development Program, Business

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  BS/BS, Broadcast Journalism/Spanish

  2002 — 2006

• Lubar College of Business

  MBA

  2007 — 2011