MassMutual: Celebrating 25 Years of Chamber Membership
By Leslie Rivera, Staten Island Chamber
For 25 years MassMutual has been part of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, building relationships with local families, businesses, and fellow Chamber members while helping clients plan for their financial futures.
MassMutual, or Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, is a national financial services company founded in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1851. Locally, the firm’s Staten Island presence has evolved over the years, including through MassMutual’s acquisition of the former MetLife Premier Client Group in 2016.
Since that transition, the Staten Island team has continued to assist clients with insurance needs, investments, retirement planning, and other financial services. The firm also provides financial literacy education for small business owners and helps employers implement benefits for their employees, including 401(k) plans and group benefits.
Following the transition from MetLife, Braken Fiore joined Lee, Nolan & Koroghlian and became Managing Director in 2017. He recalls the importance of establishing a strong local identity while building relationships already in place.
"We started with a vision to build our Staten Island firm into somewhere we can cultivate meaningful relationships with the community. We've worked hard to earn the trust of our clients and our community members, and it's been a blessing to become so ingrained in the soil of Staten Island thanks to the partnerships we've built throughout the years."
While working with and for Staten Islanders, MassMutual has nurtured strong bonds with local businesses, non-profits, and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce through their strong commitment to community service. In particular, the firm is actively engaged with first responders and their families.
"Staten Island is a borough of city workers – including firemen, police officers, and the families that stand behind them. These families often require specialized attention and services.” In response, Fiore established two MassMutual subgroups - BlueWealth and RedWealth – which provide dedicated services specifically for those groups.
Every year, Fiore serves on the Chamber's FDNY Valor and NYPD Officer of the Year Awards committees. Both events bring FDNY and NYPD leadership, businesses, and community members together to celebrate the heroic actions of the respective departments.
The firm’s long-term membership continues to bring forth new opportunities for prospective clients. "The Chamber has presented us the chance to network with other professionals across industries and basically leverage those partnerships and skillsets in serving our clients and business owners. Humbling yourself is a key part of personal and professional growth, and that comes from being in community with others that can push you to succeed."
Today, we celebrate their legacy as a 25-year member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce!
