Best and Brightest: Alex Dahlstrom

Alex Dahlstrom

Financial Adviser

Northwestern Mutual

Greenville

Age 31

I am a Certified Financial Planner and financial adviser with Northwestern Mutual, where I serve approximately 350 clients across the country by helping individuals, families, and business owners create comprehensive financial plans that align with their goals and values. After earning both a B.S. and M.S. in economics from Clemson University, I dedicated my career to combining technical expertise with meaningful relationships to help others achieve financial confidence. My long-term goal is to expand my impact by helping more families and business owners build lasting financial security while continuing to develop educational and philanthropic initiatives that create opportunities for others. In 2025, I founded the Pink Dolphin Foundation to support acts of kindness, business education, and scholarships throughout the Upstate. Giving back means using my time, talents, and resources to serve others, whether through charitable leadership, mentoring students, speaking on financial literacy and leadership, or supporting faith-based and arts organizations. I believe true success is measured not only by professional achievement but by the positive impact we leave on our communities.

Favorite Quote and Why: John 3:30 “He must increase; I must decrease.” – John the Baptist. I prayed this one line before every phone call I made my first year in the business while shaking with anxiety. Every time the shaking would stop, and I would let God come through me to help whoever it was on the other line. Today, I pray this before every interaction to remind myself that whatever comes out of my mouth that is good is from Jesus and anything else is just me holding myself back.

Definition of a Successful Leader: A successful leader is someone who has power, but uses it to bless others in an effort to lift them to new heights. Even if those heights may be higher than where the leader currently sits.

Advice to 18-Year-Old Self: For my 18-year-old self I would say, get a better sense of humor. Laughter has been one thing that has kept me going whenever life has thrown curveballs. With this in mind there is always something in each moment that can bring a smile to someone’s face if we look hard enough.