OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Hermann Rojas

Partner

Hermann Rojas migrated to the United States at the age of ten with his mom and two older sisters in search of the American Dream. Coming from a low-income environment, Hermann dedicated his early years to his studies in Southern California as a way to open opportunities for him and his family. Hermann has a bachelor’s degree in International Business from San Diego State University. Professionally, Hermann has been part of the leadership team to three top 500 companies. His passion for helping others and contributing to his community has opened up this tremendous opportunity to match his talents with one of the strongest, most financially secure companies in the industry. Hermann is involved in the community through different organizations working together with others to make the community a better place for future generations. Today, Hermann is living that dream; married to his beautiful wife Leilani and father to his two sons Franco and Cazador. After joining us in December 2017 and being a succesful agent, Hermann became a Partner in 2020. He went on to be recognized as Partner of the Year in his first year.

Maria Ruiz

Partner

Maria Ruiz immigrated to the United States at the age of 3, growing up in Ramona, California. As the first in her family to earn a degree, she has always been driven by a deep passion for helping others, particularly within her community.

Maria's professional journey began in the hospitality industry, but her desire to make a more profound impact led her to transition into the insurance industry in 2002, after moving to the Inland Empire. Her bilingual background and personal experiences of navigating complex systems in a second language fuel her commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, understands the importance of financial protection.

In 2010, Maria became a licensed Property & Casualty agent, and it was during this time that she discovered her true calling in life insurance. Joining New York Life in March 2020, Maria quickly established herself as a trusted advisor, helping countless families and small business owners protect their hard-earned assets and plan for the future.

Maria's achievements are a testament to her dedication and expertise. Among her numerous accolades are the Career Life Success Award, Career Life Producer Award, and Career Life Achiever Award. She has consistently been recognized as a top performer, earning honors such as Executive Council¹ (2021, 2022, 2023) and Quality Council (2024). She was named the Inland Empire New Org Agent of the Year in 2022 and 2023.

Maria takes great pride in mentoring others, guiding many to achieve their own success as licensed agents. This desire to help others in their professional growth has led to her transition to Associate Partner in 2024.

Outside of her professional life, Maria is a proud mother of four children and the devoted owner of Mochi, a French Bulldog rescue. She remains passionate about continuing her mission to help others and is eager to share the opportunities she has been blessed with at New York Life.

Jakob Braun

Director of Recruiting

Born in Kazakhstan, Jakob’s family moved to Germany when he was seven years old. Consequently, he grew up in the Hamburg metro area, where he attended college and made his first steps in the financial services industry. Following a study abroad program, which marked his first-ever visit to the United States, he was captivated by the American way of life and soon decided to return to further his education. He came to the United States in 2011 and never left.

Before joining New York Life in 2017, Jakob worked in consulting and taught college courses while working on his Ph.D. in Business Administration at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Being around the company for roughly a decade through family ties has allowed him to build relationships with agents and managers nationwide, and has taught him what it takes to be successful in the company and industry. His primary responsibilities focus on growing the New York Life family in the Inland Empire by working closely with our Managing Partner in the selection and development of new agents.

Patricia Rudd

Development Manager

Born and raised in Riverside, Patricia is an Inland Empire native. She graduated with a BA in Communication Studies from California State University, San Bernardino in 2002. Patricia has held various positions in Sales and Business Development before coming to New York Life in 2015. She achieved Executive Council¹ in 2017 and became a Registered Representative and Established Agent in 2018. In addition to her own professional career with New York Life, Patricia has been around the NYL family all her life as her father has held different roles as a development manager, product consultant and recently as a Senior NYLIC since 1974. Patricia lives in Riverside with her husband Michael and their two children, Logan and Madelyn. She is excited to help develop the careers of new agents as well as support the Inland Empire Office as a whole.

Teketha Woods

Onsite Service Leader

Teketha joined New York Life in 2023 as an Agent Assistant and Agent, where she quickly became known for her commitment to clients, operational excellence, and collaborative spirit. She brings over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry as a loan processor, where she supported underwriting teams and developed her strong belief that exceptional customer service is the foundation of every successful client relationship.

She earned her degree in Digital Communications and Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University, combining strategic insight with a people-first approach—an ideal match for her new leadership role overseeing service delivery and team support.

A Southern California native, Teketha has lived in Riverside for the past three years. She’s been happily married to her husband Tim, a Navy veteran, for over 30 years, and they have four children. The Woods family enjoys dining out, biking, and outdoor adventures—especially getaways to Las Vegas, a favorite spot for Teketha and Tim.

Monique Baltierra

Onsite Service Specialist

Monique brings a unique blend of operational expertise, customer service, and creative experience to her new role. She most recently spent three years at Route 30 Brewing Company, where she managed events, ran social media, and oversaw food and beverage operations. Before that, she served as a Claims Specialist with Premier Claims Management, handling insurance claims for Lloyd’s of London — developing her sharp attention to detail and client support skills.

Monique holds a degree in Applied Arts from Concordia University Irvine, graduating in 2013. She is focused on improving service workflows, supporting our teams behind the scenes, and helping create smooth, efficient daily operations.

Outside of work, Monique enjoys a full and active life with her husband Aaron, an LAPD officer, and their son Bronson. As a family, they love to travel, attend Angels baseball games, support Bronson at his Little League and Cub Scouts activities, and try new restaurants. Monique also enjoys vintage shopping and discovering unique local spots.