Neal Sample

CXO, Milwaukee, WI

Neal Sample was most recently EVP & Chief Information Officer and leads the Technology function at Northwestern Mutual. His key areas of accountability include technology strategy (architecture, infrastructure and cloud services, engineering and customer success); data and analytics; enterprise information risk and cybersecurity; digital workplace solutions; and the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute.

Sample previously served in key executive leadership roles at American Express, including President, Enterprise Growth, where he leveraged emerging technologies to reach new customers and geographies, expand mobile and online payment services, and foster inclusion for clients poorly served by traditional financial systems.

Sample received his MS and PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University. He also received a BA and MS in Computer Science from the University of Wyoming. Additionally, he completed a post-doctoral research fellowship with the CIA Office of Research and Development. Sample is currently on the Business Advisory Committee of the Lubar School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, serves on the Board of Wellfield Technologies, is the Vice Chair on the Board of the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, and is an advisor to several startups.