Meet Insight Financial
Our Partnership aggregates over 100 years of combined experience. We are all practiced, highly credentialed professionals who enjoy strong relationships with our existing clients. As a team we have industry leading experience in working with a multitude of clients from various fields. These include but are not limited to hedge fund managers, physicians, attorneys and corporate executives. Supported by the financial strength of Northwestern Mutual representing virtually all carriers and asset managers.

Aaron Bernthal
Aaron is a founding member of Insight Financial, established in 2011. He began his financial planning career in 2000 after graduating from McGill University with a finance major and Bachelor of Commerce Degree. At the age of 24, Aaron became one of the youngest advisors with Northwestern Mutual to attain CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional certification. He is also a Chartered Life Underwriter®, the insurance profession’s oldest standard of excellence. He is a Wealth Management Advisor, a title held with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company and is a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC maintaining securities Series 7, 6 and 63 registrations, as well as NY life and health licenses.
Insight Financial’ s primary objective is to focus on the client and provide a remarkable client experience, Aaron is dedicated to this mission. He works with highly successful professionals in diverse industries crafting and executing personalized financial plans. Aaron has found the most rewarding part of his career to be forming deep relationships with his clients.
Outside of the office, Aaron has partnered with a charity called Hope for The Warriors, an organization founded to provide care and hope to post 9/11 service members and their families. He offers financial planning free of charge, regardless of who they are. In addition, Aaron recently joined the board of a charity called Hunger Free America.
Aaron resides in Port Washington, NY with his wife Danielle and their two children Ella and Liam. He enjoys playing basketball, golf, tending his garden, and traveling the world.
Insight Financial’ s primary objective is to focus on the client and provide a remarkable client experience, Aaron is dedicated to this mission. He works with highly successful professionals in diverse industries crafting and executing personalized financial plans. Aaron has found the most rewarding part of his career to be forming deep relationships with his clients.
Outside of the office, Aaron has partnered with a charity called Hope for The Warriors, an organization founded to provide care and hope to post 9/11 service members and their families. He offers financial planning free of charge, regardless of who they are. In addition, Aaron recently joined the board of a charity called Hunger Free America.
Aaron resides in Port Washington, NY with his wife Danielle and their two children Ella and Liam. He enjoys playing basketball, golf, tending his garden, and traveling the world.
Wealth Management Advisor
646-366-6569
(646) 366-6569
CFP®

Brian J Boder
Brian joined Northwestern Mutual straight from his college campus in 1999. His interest had been piqued during a prior internship and he knew that working in sales was something he wanted to pursue. He was drawn to Northwestern Mutual upon learning of the value proposition of always putting the client first and being able to offer quality products. He is a Founder of Insight Financial as a Financial Advisor. He has his securities Series 7, 6 and 63 registrations, as well as NY life and health licenses. Through his personal commitment and dedication to lifelong learning, Brian has worked hard to establish a reputation as a respected professional. He believes strongly in diversifying his practice between risk management, asset accumulation, and estate planning solutions.
He realized with his chosen career he could help individuals and their families while also making a positive impact on the world. Brian thrives in helping families, employers, and employees build and sustain long term wealth with his integrative, holistic approach. His mission is to help people create a plan through fostering the realization of dreams and the alignment of prudent, insightful financial knowledge with their specific goals. He strives to create a relationship of trust and integrity, focused exclusively on his client's priorities. Ultimately, delivering financial plans that anticipate families’ needs, preparing them for today and for their future.
Brian actively supports the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation through event organization and his generous donations. He shares the vision, along with the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, that through funding childhood cancer research a cure will be found.
Brian is a graduate of James Madison University with a BBS in Finance. A resident of Greenlawn, New York, on Long Island, with Katherine and their four children who he loves spending time with. He is an avid sports fan, golf enthusiast, he frequents the beach and enjoys travel and trying different New York restaurants.
He realized with his chosen career he could help individuals and their families while also making a positive impact on the world. Brian thrives in helping families, employers, and employees build and sustain long term wealth with his integrative, holistic approach. His mission is to help people create a plan through fostering the realization of dreams and the alignment of prudent, insightful financial knowledge with their specific goals. He strives to create a relationship of trust and integrity, focused exclusively on his client's priorities. Ultimately, delivering financial plans that anticipate families’ needs, preparing them for today and for their future.
Brian actively supports the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation through event organization and his generous donations. He shares the vision, along with the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, that through funding childhood cancer research a cure will be found.
Brian is a graduate of James Madison University with a BBS in Finance. A resident of Greenlawn, New York, on Long Island, with Katherine and their four children who he loves spending time with. He is an avid sports fan, golf enthusiast, he frequents the beach and enjoys travel and trying different New York restaurants.
Financial Advisor
646-366-6598
(646) 366-6598
https://www.facebook.com/100427475217747
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianboder/

Elisa Hecht CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC®, WMCP®
Wealth Management Advisor
Elisa Hecht
Elisa started her career with Northwestern Mutual in 1991 as a college intern and joined Insight Financial in 2015. She earned the title of Wealth Management Advisor in 2011 and currently became a WMCP® Wealth Management Certified Professional with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. Elisa is a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC maintaining securities Series 7, 6, and 63 registrations, as well as NY life and health licenses. Elisa is a Chartered Financial Consultant® and a Chartered Life Underwriter®. She also holds the certification of CLTC®, which provides her the foundation and expertise to guide her clients through concerns associated with potential challenges related to longevity and solutions to protect the client as well as their family.
Elisa’s focus is to develop lifelong relationships with her clients, work together and build meaningful, sound financial plans. Through listening, she learns of the client’s personal economic vision as well as their concerns and creates a unique strategy that provides a solid roadmap to guide them into the future.
Elisa is a graduate of Lehigh University, where she majored in Economics. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Elisa resides in Sands Point, NY, with her husband, Robert, and their two daughters, Jenna and Carly. She loves to ski and play tennis.
Elisa’s focus is to develop lifelong relationships with her clients, work together and build meaningful, sound financial plans. Through listening, she learns of the client’s personal economic vision as well as their concerns and creates a unique strategy that provides a solid roadmap to guide them into the future.
Elisa is a graduate of Lehigh University, where she majored in Economics. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Elisa resides in Sands Point, NY, with her husband, Robert, and their two daughters, Jenna and Carly. She loves to ski and play tennis.
Wealth Management Advisor
646-366-6596
(646) 366-6596
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisa-hecht-0424873/
CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC®, WMCP®

Ross Levine
Ross joined Northwestern Mutual in 2012 after spending the prior 15 years in healthcare sales. Northwestern Mutual is in his blood, as his dad has been an Advisor with the firm since 1971. Ross made the switch to financial services because he always had a passion for helping people and he felt he could make more of an impact in this field. He quickly understood that although people may be doing certain things for their financial future, such as contributing to their employer-sponsored 401K, very few had an actual plan which often exposed them and their families to catastrophic risks. Ross also realized people did not know if their savings strategies would be sufficient to meet their retirement goals. By creating a financial plan, Ross helps people visualize their future and create a clear path to helping them achieve their goals.
Having switched industries, Ross initially focused on education by quickly obtaining his life and health licenses, as well as his securities series 6 and 63. Most recently in 2020, Ross obtained the Certified Financial Planner ™ (CFP ®) designation. As a CFP® Professional, he is enhancing the impact he is having on his clients as he is quickly becoming the center of their financial lives. He does this while focusing on building a relationship of trust, integrity, competence, and diligence.
A graduate of Indiana University, Ross currently lives in Plainview, New York with Michele and has 2 daughters. Emma is a competitive dancer and Sydney is a figure skater. He takes great pride in watching them compete.
Having switched industries, Ross initially focused on education by quickly obtaining his life and health licenses, as well as his securities series 6 and 63. Most recently in 2020, Ross obtained the Certified Financial Planner ™ (CFP ®) designation. As a CFP® Professional, he is enhancing the impact he is having on his clients as he is quickly becoming the center of their financial lives. He does this while focusing on building a relationship of trust, integrity, competence, and diligence.
A graduate of Indiana University, Ross currently lives in Plainview, New York with Michele and has 2 daughters. Emma is a competitive dancer and Sydney is a figure skater. He takes great pride in watching them compete.
Financial Advisor
516-454-5258
(516) 454-5258
https://www.facebook.com/1129490497062352
https://x.com/RossLevine_CFP
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-levine/
CFP®, ChFC®

Nicole Danielle Berkey
Nicole's goal is to help her clients identify their financial goals and develop personalized plans to help achieve those goals. She specializes in comprehensive financial planning for her clients by building long lasting relationships and consistently updating their plan as their life changes.
Financial Advisor
516-454-5245
(516) 454-5245
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-berkey-60452983/
About Me
Address
Designations

Carolyn Saunders
Carolyn graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a BA in History and holds an MBA in Management from Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business.
Carolyn began her career in finance at Goldman Sachs where she was a Compliance Officer in the Fixed Income division. Subsequently, she worked to help establish the Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. After taking some extended time to raise her family full time, she took on the role of Controller for a start-up venture.
Carolyn is passionate about helping individuals and families navigate their futures through insurance and planning as a bulwark against uncertainty. While the team works to provide a comprehensive platform for our clients, Carolyn is primarily focused on investments and operations.
Carolyn is originally from Los Angeles, California and has been in the New York Area for over 25 years. She has served on the Executive Committee of REACH Prep as well as the Parent Associations of both the Brunswick School and Greenwich Academy. Carolyn enjoys: tennis, anything by the beach and spending time with her husband and four children.
Carolyn began her career in finance at Goldman Sachs where she was a Compliance Officer in the Fixed Income division. Subsequently, she worked to help establish the Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. After taking some extended time to raise her family full time, she took on the role of Controller for a start-up venture.
Carolyn is passionate about helping individuals and families navigate their futures through insurance and planning as a bulwark against uncertainty. While the team works to provide a comprehensive platform for our clients, Carolyn is primarily focused on investments and operations.
Carolyn is originally from Los Angeles, California and has been in the New York Area for over 25 years. She has served on the Executive Committee of REACH Prep as well as the Parent Associations of both the Brunswick School and Greenwich Academy. Carolyn enjoys: tennis, anything by the beach and spending time with her husband and four children.
Investment Operations Associate
212-819-1800
(212) 819-1800
MBA, B.A.

Danielle Lyerly
Danielle graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2019 where she pursued a double major in Business Administration and Psychology. After starting her career in Risk Advisory Services with KPMG, Danielle transitioned to pursue her passion of Financial Planning by beginning a career with Northwestern Mutual in April 2022.
Danielle manages operations for Insight Financial. She currently holds her New York life insurance license. She teaches Financial Literacy to high school and elementary school children through programs like MoneyThink and Junior Achievement. Her focus is to develop her knowledge in financial literally in order to help clients build their financial strength.
Danielle currently resides in Westchester, NY. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, kickboxing, working out, spending time with friends and family, reading and travel.
Danielle manages operations for Insight Financial. She currently holds her New York life insurance license. She teaches Financial Literacy to high school and elementary school children through programs like MoneyThink and Junior Achievement. Her focus is to develop her knowledge in financial literally in order to help clients build their financial strength.
Danielle currently resides in Westchester, NY. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, kickboxing, working out, spending time with friends and family, reading and travel.
Investment Operations Associate
212-819-1800
(212) 819-1800
B.S., B.A.

Katie Taddei
Katie joined the Insight Financial team in February of 2020 with an expertise in integrated marketing, retail advertising, events, video and social production.
She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2016, with a major in Human Communications. Katie was born and raised in sunny South Florida, but always knew New York would one day be home and where she would ultimately pursue her career.
She is driven by high integrity and to make an impact with the knowledge she has acquired working alongside top executives and prominent brands within the advertising/marketing sector. Katie is eager to utilize and transfer her background in to the finance world, maintain and enhance the clients experience, while building long-lasting and meaningful relationships with each client.
She enjoys yoga, horseback riding, fishing and spending as much time as possible with her golden retrievers.
She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2016, with a major in Human Communications. Katie was born and raised in sunny South Florida, but always knew New York would one day be home and where she would ultimately pursue her career.
She is driven by high integrity and to make an impact with the knowledge she has acquired working alongside top executives and prominent brands within the advertising/marketing sector. Katie is eager to utilize and transfer her background in to the finance world, maintain and enhance the clients experience, while building long-lasting and meaningful relationships with each client.
She enjoys yoga, horseback riding, fishing and spending as much time as possible with her golden retrievers.
Director of Client Relations and Marketing
212-819-1800
(212) 819-1800

Gabrielle Pilla
Gabrielle interned for Northwestern Mutual during the summer of 2013 and started working on the Insight Financial team that September.
She works in the areas of new insurance business coordination and policy owner services. Gabrielle holds her Life, Accident, and Health Insurance license.
Gabrielle is a graduate of Berkeley College in 2011, where she studied Business Management. She grew up in the Bronx but now resides with her boyfriend in a co-op in New Rochelle in Westchester County. She enjoys photography and spending time with her family and friends.
She works in the areas of new insurance business coordination and policy owner services. Gabrielle holds her Life, Accident, and Health Insurance license.
Gabrielle is a graduate of Berkeley College in 2011, where she studied Business Management. She grew up in the Bronx but now resides with her boyfriend in a co-op in New Rochelle in Westchester County. She enjoys photography and spending time with her family and friends.
Associate Financial Representative
646-366-6595
(646) 366-6595

Michelle Weathers MBA, B.S.
Director of Insurance Operations and Services
Michelle Weathers
Michelle is an Insurance Operations Manager, with extensive experience in the financial industry of over 20 years. Her goal is to provide exceptional client service.
Prior to joining Insight Financial, working with and Elisa Hecht, she worked as owner/entrepreneur of Pioneer Design and Construction, developing and supervising high-performing teams dedicated to successfully exceeding goals and increasing the revenue base.
She enjoys spending time with her family, streaming Netflix and singing with in her church choir.
Prior to joining Insight Financial, working with and Elisa Hecht, she worked as owner/entrepreneur of Pioneer Design and Construction, developing and supervising high-performing teams dedicated to successfully exceeding goals and increasing the revenue base.
She enjoys spending time with her family, streaming Netflix and singing with in her church choir.
Director of Insurance Operations and Services
646-366-6715
(646) 366-6715
MBA, B.S.

Carla Santorello
Carla started working on the Insight Financial team in May of 2021.
She works in the areas of new insurance business as well as policy owner services and would love to expand her capabilities and knowledge in the insurance field.
Carla graduated from St. John’s University in 2000 with a degree in Communications. She loves spending time with her growing children, reading a good book, and relaxing on the beach.
She works in the areas of new insurance business as well as policy owner services and would love to expand her capabilities and knowledge in the insurance field.
Carla graduated from St. John’s University in 2000 with a degree in Communications. She loves spending time with her growing children, reading a good book, and relaxing on the beach.
Assistant
631-249-4077
(631) 249-4077
About Me
Address
Designations