John Wright, II

CEO and Managing Partner John Wright leads Northwestern Mutual Goodwin, Wright, a premier financial planning security firm located in Atlanta, Georgia, known for its strong culture and top-tier talent development. A visionary leader, he focuses on attracting, growing, and equipping future leaders while overseeing multiple offices. Renowned for his transformative leadership, he teaches the program he developed The Art of Attraction nationally and is set to release his book, Recruiting to Retain – A Principle-Centered Strategy to Win the War for Talent, further shaping the future of leadership and business growth. Since 1885, Northwestern Mutual has helped clients build comprehensive financial plans, combining investments to grow wealth with insurance to protect it. Under John’s leadership, Northwestern Mutual Goodwin, Wright oversees more than $63 billion in life insurance protection and has expanded its investment arm nearly 20x since 2005, with a 16% compound annual growth rate. This steady growth has earned the firm recognition as one of the nation’s leading integrated financial planning firms. John believes building a business goes beyond transactions—it’s about relationships. He values the trust, collaboration, and loyalty that come from genuine, in-person connections. Committed to his team’s growth, he provides opportunities and resources to support their development both within and beyond Northwestern Mutual. He is especially proud of his leadership team and advisors for their work ethic, commitment to excellence, and mutual respect. Year-over-year, John is recognized as one of Atlanta’s “Most Admired CEOs and “Most Influential Leaders”. Giving back is a core value for John and his team. Their generosity has supported countless charities, from funding childhood cancer research to supporting veterans. He and his team also founded IMPACT Day, an annual day of service on Martin Luther King Day honoring Dr. King’s legacy. To date, this annual day of service has led to thousands of volunteer hours, $250,000 in donations for students and families in need, and dozens of scholarships—creating a lasting community impact.