Dean's Advisory Council

Nikki Zolkos, '03

Nicole Zolkos is a financial advisor and catalyst for financial change at Northwestern Mutual.

Nicole’s unique gift is connecting her client’s goals to a meaningful action plan. Her business background is extensive and diverse, including leading the New Tampa and Clearwater offices as a Managing Director, the Westshore office as the District Director, teaching at the collegiate level, and being a leader of a unique non-profit enterprise. Nicole earned her M.A. and her B.A. from the University of South Florida and her CLU, ChFC, CLTC, and RICP from American College.

During the eleven years of Nicole’s career at Northwestern Mutual she has been elevated to the Managing Director position and has been an award year recipient each year. Additionally, she has earned other numerous accolades including Pacesetter 40, Pacesetter 60, life impact award, achievement award, and leadership growth award. She was a featured national speaker at the Northwestern Mutual Women Connect Symposium, the managing director annual conference, Working Women’s State Conference, Sharp Heels Summit, and recently was a contributor in Pregnancy Magazine, The Skimm, Marie Claire, and the Business Journal. She was also a featured guest on the nationally syndicated radio show, Mom Talk.

Nicole is a lifelong learner and change agent. She is the founder and former President of Ekhos, founder and advisory board member for the Women’s Field Association, previous chair of the Committee Action Committee benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and currently chairs the Inclusion Council board as well as sits on the philanthropy committee for the Athena Society. Among many other philanthropic efforts. In 2015 and 2018 she was named Tampa Bay’s Businesswoman of the Year and Be More Awards.