Planning Team

Chris joined Northwestern Mutual in 2008 after a successful career as a Regional Sales Director for the Southwestern Company. Chris is a 6-time member of Northwestern Mutual’ s FORUM – which recognizes the top 2% of all advisors across the nation. Chris is a frequent speaker and trainer for Northwestern Mutual advisors, and he leads seminars throughout hospital systems educating medical residents and fellows on financial planning.

Chris grew up in Mukwonago, WI and he is a graduate of Marquette University. Chris and his wife Christina have two sons, Luke and Leo. They live in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Milwaukee. If Chris is not in his front yard throwing pass patterns to his boys, he most likely can be found watching the Chicago Bears (no one is perfect), enjoying “Up North” in the summer, or traveling. Chris and Christina have a large extended family with 22 nieces and nephews, whom they love spending time with.

Chris has earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL® designations as well as his Series 7, 6 and 63 FINRA investment licenses.

When asked about what he loves most about his career at Northwestern Mutual, Chris shared “I’m most energized by helping successful people understand the trajectory of their financial lives and encouraging those who are on track, to spend their life living.”

Scott started his career at Northwestern Mutual as a College Financial Representative in 2003. In 2004 Scott transitioned to a full-time role as a Financial Advisor and built a successful practice until Co-Founding Structura Financial Partners with Chris Fugman in 2020. Over the last 15+ years, Scott has earned numerous advisor awards and industry accolades. Scott is a frequent speaker and trainer for Northwestern Mutual advisors and leads financial planning seminars for local businesses and hospital systems, educating medical residents on financial planning.

Scott grew up in Waukesha and currently resides in Pewaukee with his wife Breann and their daughter Gracie. Scott attended the University of Wisconsin Madison for three years before beating his second bout of cancer. After years of treatment, Scott completed his degree in Finance and Investments from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Scott has earned his WMCP®, RICP®, CLTC® designations as well as obtaining his Series 7, 6 and 63 FINRA investment licenses.

Outside of the office, Scott loves to travel with his family and friends. Scott is an avid golfer and has a ‘bucket list’ goal to play the top 100 courses in the country. Scott is a huge sports fan and proud season ticket holder for the Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers. Gracie keeps Scott and Breann busy as they’ve recently become club volleyball parents and will be travelling the Midwest to watch Gracie and her team.  They also enjoy her basketball games and acting performances – she loves to perform and isn’t scared to sing/dance/act in front of hundreds of people!

When asked about what he loves most about his career at Northwestern Mutual, Scott shared “I’m passionate about helping people achieve their goals and I’m humbled that our clients allow us to be an integral part of their financial and professional lives and put the trust in our team to deliver financial peace of mind. I’m eternally grateful for joining Northwestern Mutual and being part of a company and culture that delivers strength, stability and security for everyone we work with.”

Brian started with Northwestern Mutual in 2004 as a Financial Advisor and transitioned over to a successful advisory team to lead portfolio research and trading in 2005. Brian joined Structura Financial Partners Co-Founder Chris Fugman in 2013 to lead and develop their advisory and wealth management practice. In his current role with our team, Brian heads the research and direction of our portfolio construction and works side-by-side with many of our clients helping them plan for their financial goals.

Brian grew up in Muskego and currently lives in Vernon with his wife Tracy and their son Keeghan and daughter Sophia along with their labradoodle Danny. Brian received a degree in Psychology from Carroll University and has achieved his RICP® CLU® ChFC® CLTC designations. In addition, Brian has his Series 7, 6 and 63 FINRA licenses.

Outside of the office, Brian loves to read non-fiction books and study the stock market. He considers himself a student of the market ever since he became hooked on investing when he played the stock market ‘game’ for a high school class. He was fascinated by the graphs and charts in financial publications and researching financial statements.

Brian also loves spending time with his family, golfing and coaching select baseball in the spring and summer. When asked about what he loves most about his role, Brian mentioned “I love helping our clients plan for their future and teach them about portfolio construction, our advisory process and how we can more efficiently position their investments to achieve their goals.”

Elle has been in the financial service industry her entire career. Since 2007 Elle has worked with Northwestern Mutual in various roles, from mutual fund operations to compliance and supervision. In 2013 Elle and her family moved to Richmond, Virginia to lead the compliance and supervision department for a Northwestern Mutual office. Upon returning to Milwaukee in 2015 to be closer to her family, Elle worked in compliance for the Holter Financial Group of Northwestern Mutual. In 2017, Elle made the move to work as the Director of Investments for what is now Structura Financial Partners. She is incredibly detailed and organized and a perfect fit for her role where she manages the operations and customer service for all of our investment clients.

Elle grew up in Milwaukee and currently resides in Waukesha with her husband TJ and son Tristan. When Elle works from home, her cat Sheba is always by her side, often announcing her presence when Elle is on conference calls. Elle has her Series 7, 6, 63 & 24 FINRA investment licenses as well as her life and accident and health licenses.

Elle loves playing with Tristan and having dance parties at their house. She loves music and going to concerts with friends and family. Elle plays the electric violin and is very creative making custom wire wrapped & beaded jewelry.

When asked about what she loves most about her role, Elle mentioned “There is always something new, I love learning and every day is different. I also enjoy getting to know our clients and helping them with their investment planning – making a difference is a wonderful feeling.”

Jacob started with Northwestern Mutual in May 2013 as a College Financial Representative. Jacob worked as a Financial Advisor until 2015 before moving to Milwaukee to join Structura Financial Partners as a Support Advisor. In his role, Jacob works closely with clients scheduling appointments and supporting our advisors with integral research, planning and operational support.

Jacob’s father served 21 years in the United States Air Force, so travel was a big part of his youth. While Jacob has lived in places such as Germany, Georgia and Illinois, his deepest roots are in the Chippewa Falls, WI area where he graduated from Stanley-Boyd High School. Jacob married his high school sweetheart Alaina on the same beach in St. Thomas, USVI in 2017 that he proposed to her on a couple years prior. They live in Wauwatosa with their two Labradoodles, Diggle & Cena.

Jacob attended the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire where he earned degrees in Accounting and Finance as well as being a member of the wrestling team. Jacob has his Series 7, 6 and 63 licenses. Jacob loves to travel, go to concerts and support anything and everything WI sports.

When asked what he loves most about the work we do, Jacob said “We are at the center of many of our clients’ financial lives. A properly constructed plan allows for one to accomplish goals and make memories with those they care about most. It is an honor our clients put their trust and faith in our team to take care of their family.”

Karen started with Northwestern Mutual in 2017 – prior to joining our team, Karen was a district sales manager for various retailers. In her current role with our team, Karen works with clients to help them navigate the insurance underwriting and application process. Karen also provides client policy service, billing support and general operational assistance to our entire office and staff.

Karen grew up in Racine, WI and currently lives in Brookfield with her husband Bob, daughter Izzy.  She also has three step-kids; Colin, Neal and Marie. Karen attended The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she earned her degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Karen has her life, accident & health licenses as well as her Series 6 & 63 FINRA licenses.

Outside of the office, Karen loves spending time with her family and friends. She is fortunate to have her parents, one brother and two sisters who live in the Midwest. Being close has allowed them to watch their kids grow up together and stay tight as a family. Karen enjoys working out every day before coming to the office, reading fictional crime novels and is an avid Wisconsin Badgers football fan. 

When asked about what she likes the most about her role on the team, Karen mentioned “I love being part of a team that is passionate about helping people plan for an amazing future. I take pride in making sure that my part of the servicing process is seamless for our clients.”

Mark joined our team in 2021 after spending 16 years at Northwestern Mutual’s home office. During his tenure there, Mark held a series of roles that resulted in a host of valuable skills and experiences that he brings to our firm. His responsibilities included a variety of Program Management roles that delivered on significant corporate initiatives. Additionally, as Assistant Director of the Financial Planning and Consulting Team, Mark provided training and consultations to advisors across the NM network on financial planning and client experience tools.

Mark grew up in Wisconsin and currently resides in Lisbon with his wife of 38 years, Karen. Together they are the proud parents of 3 children who have given them the joy of 6 grandchildren – 4 girls followed by two grandsons. Mark earned his degree from Carroll University and has received his CFP®, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC® designations. He also has his Series 7 FINRA license.

In his free time, Mark is an avid distance runner and has competed in 23 marathons – including 3 in Boston!  He also enjoys woodworking and there always seems to be a home renovation project on his list. Both Karen and Mark enjoy camping – often in Door County and are dedicated to their volunteer work together that is often focused on hunger related needs in our communities.

When asked about what he most loves about the work we do, Mark said “I love being part of a team that understands the value of a financial plan, has the talent and experience to develop a plan that is relevant to each client and their respective aspirations and goals, and has the proven ability to bring the plan to life through implementation and servicing that helps clients reach their goals.”

Penny joined Northwestern Mutual in 2007 first as a Financial Advisor before moving over to lead operations and client service for Structura Financial Partner Co-Founder, Scott Mila. Penny has since provided over 12 years of support and advice to thousands of clients by helping with plan design, insurance underwriting and client billing and policyowner support. Penny loves getting to know clients and their stories and is passionate about giving ‘phenomenal client service.’

Penny grew up in Elmhurst, IL and currently resides in Oconomowoc with her husband of 34 years, Randy. Penny and Randy have a daughter Jennifer who lives in Virginia and is a recent Navy veteran. Penny received her bachelor’s degree from Alverno College and her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

Penny and Randy love to travel, they enjoy seeing the world and going on adventures from seeing Machu Picchu in Peru or the Great Pyramids in Egypt. Together they have visited 45 countries and hope to have a chance to visit more. They both love spending time with friends and enjoying great food and wine!

When asked about what she loves most about the work we do, Penny mentioned “I am passionate about providing our clients with the highest level of service possible. I love the fact that I can interact with our clients and have had the pleasure of getting to form so many wonderful relationships with them and my coworkers. Being able to represent a great team and wonderful company makes me feel very fulfilled.”

Lois joined Northwestern Mutual in 1991 with Tolan Schueller & Associates. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Lois spent five years as an auditor for a large public accounting firm. In 2016, she joined with Structura Financial Partners Co-Founder, Chris Fugman. In her current role, Lois works on complicated insurance cases and plan design for corporate owned and advanced planning insurance policies. Lois has serviced many of the same accounts and clients for nearly 30 years!

Lois grew up in Watertown and now lives in New Berlin with her husband Lee and three children Erin, Amy and John. Lois attended the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater where she received her degree in Accounting. Lois is a CPA as well as having earned her CLU and ChFC designations.

Outside of work, Lois and her family love watching the children’s sports and musical performances. Her daughter Erin is a singer, Amy plays the flute and John plays tennis and volleyball. Lois would be remiss if she didn’t mention that her family is known throughout her community for their decadent chocolate chip cookies!!

When asked about what she enjoys most about her role on our team, Lois mentioned “I love problem solving – either by providing reasons for obtaining insurance or explaining options for currently owned insurance. I love digging into the details.”

Mona is a Milwaukee native and started with Northwestern Mutual 15 years ago in our corporate office. She has held various leadership roles throughout her career. Before starting with Structura Financial Partners, Mona worked closely with top offices around the country coaching advisors and implementing development plans with leading Managing Partners. Mona works with our team to create efficient operations and develop client appreciation events and marketing strategies. She has always had the ability to thrive as an operations leader in a busy environment but also loves developing others so they can be their best.

Mona and her husband Chad live in Brookfield with their 3 children Alexis, Blake and Ciara. They are extremely active in various activities and Mona loves that their house has become the main hangout for their kids and all their friends.

Mona is a fitness enthusiast, whether it be Orange Theory, rowing, running, TRX or being a certified Pilates instructor – she is always moving and staying healthy. Mona is passionate about wellness – both mind and body. If she’s not working out, you’ll find her watching her kids’ activities, reading a good suspense book and is an admitted Disney fanatic.

When asked what she loves most about the work we do, Mona said “I love the fact that we have an impact in some way shape or form on each person we meet… while we won’t work with everyone, at a minimum, we may ask a question that has them consider their goals, think about their future and leave our meeting better educated. For those we do work with, the fact that we help people realize their dreams and goals is incredibly motivating and fulfilling.”

Kate started her career at Northwestern Mutual in early 2020. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual and Structura Financial Partners, Kate worked in various management and operation roles with local and national financial firms in the Greater Milwaukee area. Within our team, Kate helps to process client trades and withdrawal requests, open new accounts, assist clients with rollovers from former 401(k) and IRA plans and provide overall client service and support.

Kate grew up in West Allis and currently lives in Waukesha with her husband Brian and daughters Elise and Regan. Kate earned a degree in Economics from Carthage College.

Kate and her family enjoy the outdoors where she loves to kayak, hike and garden. She also volunteers with First Stage Theatre Group in Milwaukee. Kate and Brian enjoy travelling and heading to concerts, especially when its Brian’s band playing ‘the gig.’

When asked about what she loves most about her role, Kate said “I enjoy learning client’s stories – where they come from, what they did to arrive at today and the motives that fuel their financial goals – whether it’s retirement, college education planning or saving for a first house. This is what makes the work so interesting.”

Chuck earned an Economics Degree from Northwestern University and MBA from the UWM Lubar School of Business. He has spent his entire career in Milwaukee working in the Capital Markets arena. This includes 28 years with the former M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank Foreign Exchange and Investment Division. 

Chuck and his wife Amy are competitive swimmers and reside in Thiensville. Amy is a professional Interior Designer with Connelly Interiors in Mequon. Their son Nick and Daughter Allie are Homestead High School graduates and State Champion swimmers. Nick is a recent Northwestern graduate and part of the Mercury Racing Division in Fond du Lac. Allie graduated from the University of Kentucky and is earning her Masters degree at Northwestern in Sports Administration. Chuck & Amy are also vintage wooden boat enthusiasts and enjoy traveling to shows across the Midwest. 

Ed has over 20 years of experience managing equity portfolios, conducting investment research and providing asset allocation strategies.  He has an analytical background combined with extensive experience in domestic and international equity research.

Ed previously held the role as Senior Portfolio Manager with Next Generation Wealth Management.  At Next Gen he was responsible for the development and implementation of asset allocation strategies utilizing model portfolios for a diverse group of clients.  He also was responsible for initial and ongoing investment research, client communications and investment proposals.

Prior to Next Gen, Ed developed his expertise as a portfolio manager with Manulife Asset Management, Optique Capital and Johnson Asset Management managing in excess of $1.7 billion dollars for institutional and individual clients. While with these groups, he was instrumental in managing domestic large and small cap equity portfolios and led the development of the team’s international small cap strategies.

Ed is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) and member of the Milwaukee CFA® society. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse majoring in Finance and Accounting. In addition, Ed currently serves on the board of the Kenosha Museum Foundation and Finance Committee.

Ed grew up in Kenosha and resides in Racine with his wife Cheryl, and their two children.  His daughter keeps him very busy with her synchronized skating team and golf tournaments.  Ed and his son enjoy cycling and mountain biking together around the country.  Ed and Cheryl prefer camping in the Northwoods over glamorous hotels for vacations.  At home, he enjoys spending time with his two dogs, Jozi & Jenni, backpacking and participating in local triathlons with friends.