Syracuse Financial Professional Granted $25,000 From Northwestern Mutual To Support GiGi’s Playhouse

Originally published by Northwestern Mutual on February 24, 2024

SYRACUSE, N.Y. February 27, 2024 /3BL/ - Northwestern Mutual is celebrating the outstanding volunteerism of its financial professionals through its annual Community Service Awards (CSA) program. This year, 16 financial advisors and representatives were recognized for their transformational impact on the communities they serve, totaling $295,000 in grants to nonprofits nationwide. Local Syracuse resident Heather Mulye, investment operations coordinator at Northwestern Mutual – Syracuse, has been named a 2024 Most Exceptional Community Service Award winner, receiving a $25,000 grant for GiGi’s Playhouse.

“At Northwestern Mutual we believe in putting people first. This value is highlighted through our dedicated financial advisors who are not only building better tomorrows for their clients, but also for their communities,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Through their philanthropic work, our advisors are donating their time and talents to help local nonprofit organizations.”

GiGi’s Playhouse is committed to changing how the world views Down syndrome by educating the public and empowering individuals and families affected by it. By providing free programs focused on education, therapy and career development, GiGi’s Playhouse is supporting families and encouraging acceptance for all. As a volunteer, Mulye often leads activities like GiGiFIT classes and serves as a parent advocate on the board of managers. She also acts as a resource for families and was the lead chair for its 5K run event this past year, helping to raise $48,000.

“After my daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome, I searched for local resources and found the incredible community at GiGi’s Playhouse,” said Mulye. “This organization is driven solely by donations and with the Syracuse location growing in popularity, it’s clear that more classes and spaces are needed. Northwestern Mutual’s grant from its Community Service Awards program will help make this expansion possible.”

Now in its 29^th year, Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation and Community Service Awards program, has donated nearly $7 million to nonprofits supported by financial professionals in their communities across the country.

Learn more about Heather Mulye and her volunteer efforts with GiGi’s Playhouse here.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation 
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $400 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual 
Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $570 billion of total assets being managed across the company's institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, nearly $35 billion in revenues, and $2.2 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory

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For further information, contact:
Jennifer Erickson, 1-800-323-7033
[email protected]