Chief recruitment officer seeks to impact others, community

April 16, 2019

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Kristin Hoefert, chief recruitment officer and executive director of recruitment for Northwestern Mutual and recent winner of the Rising in Excellence award from Sales & Marketing Executives of Sioux Falls.

Name: Kristin Hoefert

Hometown: Watertown

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I was living on the West Coast but moved back to the Midwest to be closer to family.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

When I moved back to the Midwest, I did not plan to stay permanently. I was certain I would eventually move back to the Pacific Northwest. It was apparent within a short time that Sioux Falls is a unique and remarkable community. Our economy is booming, our entertainment options are abundant, our quality-of-life attractions rival larger cities, and we have a dynamic downtown. Those characteristics, partnered with the “small-town” feel and the kindness and generosity of the community and its leaders, make Sioux Falls the place I want to raise my family.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

It is hard to pick a favorite. I love my job. I LOVE the people. I love my company. If I had to pick one, I would say the impact I have on others and our community. In my role, I have the opportunity to introduce people to a career that can change their lives. Then, the work they do changes the financial lives of Northwestern Mutual clients. I have the opportunity to develop others into their best selves and make an impact in our community through philanthropic efforts. Impact is my biggest driver.

How did you get connected to your industry?

Jess Jasso, our chief development officer, recruited me while I was trying to recruit her.

Describe Northwestern Mutual in three words.

Impact, purpose and integrity.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

I am passionate about civic engagement, workforce development and pediatric cancer causes. For the past year, I have chaired Northwestern Mutual – Sioux Falls’ philanthropy board, which was created to further engage our teams in the commitment to the company’s childhood cancer program. Last year, our region organized over 30 childhood cancer events, raised over $65,000 for the cause and won a national Race for Research award.

I am also committed to workforce development and civic engagement causes, which is why I serve on the steering committee for the Young Professionals Network of Sioux Falls, am a presenter for Dress for Success, serve on the business advisory board for Augustana University and am an ambassador for the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

Trader Joe’s.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Personally: I will have a 9- and a 10-year-old, so there are many baseball games, swim meets and soccer matches in my future.

Professionally: Northwestern Mutual is my home. In five years, I plan to continue excelling in my current role as the executive director of recruitment and grow our recruitment, marketing and philanthropic programs for this region. I hope to add some additional consulting clients and increase my speaking engagements with Northwestern Mutual firms around the country. Our firm has been tremendously successful in the last three years. In five years, I want Northwestern Mutual to be known as the best place to work and the best place to do all financial planning.

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Chief recruitment officer seeks to impact others, community

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Kristin Hoefert, chief recruitment officer and executive director of recruitment for Northwestern Mutual.

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