Meet our Insurance Experts
Yoel Y Bodek CEO Michael Schwartz President Strategy Hill Shaindy Goldman Associate Vice President of Marketing Isaac Deutsch Account Executive Rachel Fried New Business Admin Rachel Varon New Business Admin/Case Manager Heather Sprague Medical Underwriting Consultant Aaron Tierney Compensation/ Contracting Kris Dushaj Head of Case DesignYoel Yitzchok Bodek, Insurance Advisor Advocate Founding CEO Yoel Bodek founded Brokers Central as a managing agency in 2009 with the goal of making insurance producers more successful. With more than 17 years of insurance and financial services experience, Yoel is known for his ability to see the big picture. He has an innate understanding of how financial products work together to solve clients’ business, financial security, and wealth accumulation goals. With an in-depth understanding of disability and long-term care insurance products, as well as small business and estate planning strategies, Yoel helps producers increase service and loyalty within their books by integrating sophisticated and thoughtfully-designed financial solutions. Those who collaborate with Yoel will tell you that he is a curious, genuine, highly accessible, and creative individual. While financial planning fads come and go, Yoel remains strongly committed to supporting every client’s long-term financial objectives through his work with the broker community. While Yoel brings extensive experience to the table, he also has relationships with the industry’s highest performers and foremost experts and he calls on those resources as needed to address his broker network’s complex needs as they arise. Yoel completed the Certified Financial Planner program with The American College. He also completed the Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification. He resides in Rockland County with his wife Rachel and their twin sons. Yoel is an avid supporter of CSB Care, and is the founder and facilitator of the annual csbEnvision conference the largest annual national conference of its kind for Jewish insurance professionals. Contact Yoel and discover a true advocate for your business success!
Michael Schwartz President Strategy Hill Michael Schwartz is the President of Strategy Hill, the premier division of Brokers Central. As the division’s name implies, Strategy Hill is focused on helping brokers solve complex financial challenges. Problem-solving is Michael’s forte. His unique understanding of the market, carriers, and products, combined with his past record of success, make him uniquely qualified to help you decipher the best plans of action. From personal wealth perpetuation and special needs arrangements to tax strategies and business succession, Michael brings valuable insights and expertise. He cares about the human element of insurance, and he wants to help you creatively accomplish your clients’ goals. “I never try to fit a person to a specific product,” he says. “It’s important to start with the client and the problem to be solved, and then to review all the options available to find the best fit,” he explains. Given his background, it’s no wonder that Michael understands the value of a good fit. Before entering the insurance industry nearly a decade ago, he worked in the garment business. As CEO of a large organic apparel company, he oversaw product development, customer acquisition and business management. After Michael sold his business and transitioned to a career in financial services, he worked as a financial planner for Northwestern Mutual, gaining expertise in life, disability, and long-term care insurance, as well as estate planning and business owners’ policies. He subsequently worked for two New York brokerages, as a brokerage director and director of strategic planning. In those roles, he recruited and managed agents and agencies and built variable annuity practices from the ground up. Most recently, he founded his own brokerage, Strategy Hill. In 2018, he joined forces with Yoel Bodek, bringing Strategy Hill under the Brokers Central umbrella, with the goal of expanding the combined firm into new markets and reaching even more brokers. “I’m impressed with the platform of support available at Brokers Central – from underwriting and case support to compensation and incentives, Yoel has built systems that equip brokers for success,” he explains. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University. He lives in New Jersey’s Bergen County with his wife and two children. When he’s not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family, competing on three ice hockey teams, and car racing.
Shaindy Goldman Associate Vice President of Marketing In the past, Shaindy has served as the event coordinator for CSB Envision, a philanthropic insurance event founded and co-sponsored by Brokers Central to raise funds for CSB Care. Now, Shaindy has expanded her scope of service, joining Brokers Central as the Associate Vice President of Marketing. In this role, Shaindy provides concierge service to priority insurance brokers; onboards new insurance brokers; manages in-force business, and leads corporate marketing efforts. She works closely with the Brokers Central team to architect company growth. She also ensures that advisors are equipped with the tools and support they need to maximize their success. With more than 20 years of business experience, Shaindy brings a wide range of capabilities to her new position. Over the years, she has developed strong proficiency in the areas of event planning, project management, marketing communications coordination, customer service, and accounting. Shaindy’s colleagues will tell you that she is a team player – someone who gets along with everyone and goes the extra mile to ensure expectations are exceeded. She is also creative and impeccably organized, with strong attention to detail. Contact Shaindy for tools and tips to fuel your business success!
Isaac Deutsch Account Executive When brokers need help finding the right product for a client, they turn to Isaac Deutsch. Whether they’re looking for something specific or aren’t quite sure what they need, Isaac can help them find the perfect fit. Isaac is an experienced insurance industry professional with a knack for details. He uses his expertise in life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance to assist brokers in finding the right solutions for their clients. This isn’t always a simple matter. Some people have complex needs as well as issues that can impact underwriting, but Isaac is always willing to go the extra mile for clients. “No job is too big,” he says. “I’ll turn over every stone.” He likes to present a full picture of all options and possibilities, giving clients the ability to select the best product for their needs. In the end, he wants the same thing brokers and their clients want – good results. He’s satisfied when they’re satisfied. Contact Isaac for service that exceeds your expectations!
Rachel Fried New Business Administrator/Case Manager At Brokers Central, Rachel has one main goal: to make sure clients get the best rates and coverage. As the new business administrator, she handles the back-office work, which includes policy processing from start to finish. When needed, she provides a preliminary or informal report. Rachel acts as the contact between the agent and the carrier throughout the underwriting process. Because her work involves multiple parties, communication is key, and she makes sure everyone is kept in the loop at all steps in the process. She enjoys the challenge of the insurance industry, which combines multiple factors: medical and financial issues, but also a personal story. When insurers sell policies, they’re selling protection, and she’s happy to be part of that process. There’s also a great deal of problem-solving in her work, which is when her knack for out-of-the-box thinking really pays off. Before joining Brokers Central, Rachel worked in a human resources and professional development position. There, she refined the communication and organization skills that allow her to excel in her current work. She’s very driven and loves being able to see the results of her efforts when the right policy is secured. Contact Rachel for assistance with your new business today!
Rachel Varon New Business Admin/Case Manager Rachel Varon likes to see things through from start to finish. She processes new business applications and gets approval from the various carriers with which Brokers Central does business. Her goal is to make the process go as fast and smoothly as possible, and she won’t rest until the policy is in force. To help everything run efficiently, good communication is key. Rachelcan be counted on to get back to agents and carriers in a timely fashion and to keep everyone in the loop. She also recognizes the importance of kindness. “Be nice to people,” she says. “It makes it easier for people to want to work with you.” The insurance industry attracted Rachel for two reasons. First, she enjoys helping people. Second, she enjoys learning about new things. With so many different carriers and policy details, every day at Brokers Central is interesting. Contact Rachel for assistance with your new business today!
Aaron Tierney Head of Compensation and Contracting Aaron Tierney processes Compensation and Contracting for Brokers Central. Aaron grew up in Hebron, CT and now resides in South Windsor, CT with his wife and growing family. Aaron attended RHAM High School before earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an Operations concentration from Eastern Connecticut State University. Aaron started his insurance career with MassMutual in 2017 where he focused on outside carrier appointment and relationship processing. In 2018, he moved to a consultant role where his focus was primarily on the compensation payout to MassMutual Advisors and Brokers. Before transitioning to Brokers Central in 2022, Aaron played a large part in MassMutual’s role out of their new Strategic Distributors channel where his sole focus was aiding the field in understanding the compensation and appointing process. Outside of work, Aaron is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking and mountain biking with friends and family. He also finds joy in handyman work, primarily through home renovation projects, and now offers his skillset to friends and family as a productive hobby. Contact Aaron.
Kris Dushaj Head of Case Design
Kris Dushaj is the Head of Case Design at Brokers Central. He brings over 20 years of professional experience to his position, including over 15 years in insurance, at agencies representing some of the biggest names in the industry. Kris has deep knowledge of all product types and can help brokers find exactly what they need. Having worked as an insurance broker, Kris knows how it feels to be on the other end of the table. “It’s extremely important to me that I serve brokers with urgency and efficiency at all times,” he explains. “This is no different than how I expected to be treated when I was an agent.” In the past, Kris also worked in operations, banking, and sports marketing, so he has a lot of life perspectives and he’s an agile problem solver. Personable and approachable, Kris is known for contributing to a positive environment with humor and laughter. Contact Kris
