Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO - Northwestern Mutual

Krista Brookman is a business leader with a propensity for transforming innovative ideas into action. With extensive experience spanning corporate, nonprofit, and public service sectors, Krista excels in leading cross-functional teams to develop and implement enterprise growth initiatives that significantly impact stakeholders.

Her accomplishments include being named one of the "Top 50 Women Leaders of Wisconsin" in 2024 and receiving a "Forty Under 40" award from The Business Journal of Greater Milwaukee in 2013. She was also recognized as a "Changemaker" by the White House's United State of Women and selected by Run for America to participate in their programs to cultivate the next generation of U.S. Congressional candidates.

In 2015, Krista co-founded the TEMPO Women's Affinity Alliance, a pioneering cross-company initiative aimed at uniting women's employee resource groups within the Milwaukee business community. In her role as the President of the Mequon-Thiensville School District Board of Education in 2017, she successfully guided the district through a significant $55.7 million referendum facilities project.

Krista has delivered keynote speeches, moderated panels, and conducted workshops for Fortune 100 companies, and was invited to present at the Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her insights and expertise have been featured in numerous publications, including Fast Company, Milwaukee Magazine, and InHerSight magazine.

Currently, Krista serves on the Board of Directors for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) and is a member of the United Way Women United Council. In 2023, she co-chaired City Year Milwaukee's annual gala. Additionally, she is a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, an exclusive research community for business professionals. Her past leadership roles include chairing Marquette's Institute for Women's Leadership Advisory Council and serving on the boards of the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, Milwaukee Women Inc, and TEMPO Milwaukee, among others.

Krista's commitment to empowering teams and driving impactful initiatives continues to shape her career and contributions to the community.

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