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Our Team
Matt Brightman joined New York Life in 2006. He qualified for Council* for three years before becoming a Partner in 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he earned the Leading Partner award, and in 2013 he was promoted to Senior Partner. Matt became an Executive Partner in 2020 and was recognized as the #1 Executive Partner in the country that same year. In 2025, he stepped into the role of Managing Partner.
Matt met his wife at New York Life in 2007, and she continues to run her own practice with the firm. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, their daughter, and close friends.
*Council is an annual company recognition program based on agent production from July 1 - June 30.
Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, I’ve always valued strong community roots and meaningful relationships. After earning my degree in Finance & Real Estate from Florida State University in 2007, I moved to the Boston area—a place I've proudly called home ever since.
I began my career in the financial services industry in 2008 and joined New York Life in 2010 as a Financial professional. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to help individuals and families navigate their financial goals with confidence and clarity. In 2019, I took on the role of Partner, where I continue to mentor and support financial professionals in building impactful careers of their own.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, hitting the golf course, and cheering on anything Florida State or Boston sports. Whether it’s strategizing for the future or celebrating a big win, I bring the same passion and dedication to everything I do.
Diego Goncalves Pereira is a Partner at New York Life, where he leads one of the top-producing advisor teams in the United States across the entire organization. His role centers on recruiting, developing, and mentoring financial professionals, driving performance excellence, and building scalable, high-performance teams.
Before joining New York Life, Diego earned a degree in Business Administration and built a successful entrepreneurial career, founding and managing multiple companies with more than 140 employees under his leadership. This experience shaped his disciplined leadership style and strong operational mindset.
Although no longer acting as a personal advisor, Diego remains actively involved in field leadership, working alongside his team in client meetings, case strategy, and professional development.
Richard Santos is a seasoned financial professional and Partner at New York Life Insurance Company, bringing over 12 years of experience to his clients and team. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, Richard is dedicated to helping individuals build secure financial futures while mentoring the next generation of advisors through New York Life’s career development program.
He began his career in 2012 as a Financial Services Professional, where he developed deep expertise in insurance solutions and wealth strategies. His consistent performance earned him promotions to Associate Partner and then to Partner in 2020. In his current role, Richard focuses on guiding driven individuals—especially within the Latino community—toward successful, independent careers in financial services.
Richard holds the FSCP® (Financial Services Certified Professional) designation and studied at North Shore Community College. As a native Portuguese speaker, he connects authentically with diverse clients, offering tailored support to families from a range of cultural backgrounds. His bilingual ability and commitment to service make him a trusted advisor in the growing Latino market.
Outside of his professional life, Richard is a devoted family man, religious leader, and avid traveler. He enjoys exploring new places and building meaningful relationships, both in his personal and professional life. His work is guided by faith, integrity, and a passion for empowering others.