Who We Are… and Why it Matters
Our company stands proudly on a foundation built around a clear mission statement, great people, and impactful interactions.
Our Mission
Make a Difference
To ensure that we leave every interaction having made a positive impact to improve our clients and their stakeholders financial positioning.
We’re business owners and we get it. We’re not internal sales reps at large institutions who work solely for their commissions. We invest an immense amount of time into our business relationships, not only to understand what makes the stakeholders tick, but to ensure that everyone feels well supported. The company name says it all: it’s not just about making sure your bottom lines are in the right place, it is about making sure we’re helping each and every stakeholder live a better life because of our knowledge and service.
From Our Founder
We Don't Sell Products,
We Solve Problems
Our organization focuses on a due diligence process that delivers a clear and concise agenda for our path forward. Once a problem is determined, we work tirelessly to evaluate the solutions in front of us. After taking our client’s goals into consideration, we’ll help implement that strategy. We’ll even stand by your side to help review your strategies, service them and the individuals utilizing it to make sure everyone is properly cared for along the way.
Our History
Born out of an insurance and financial advisory practice, our company stands on a strong foundation for risk and asset management. We’ve worked for over a decade to support our clients insurance and financial goals. Along the way, we’ve been able to create truly positive impacts to our clients financial lives as well as those that depend on them.
For Us, a Bottom Line Isn’t Measured by a Profit Margin. We Measure Our Success Based on the Positive Impact We Make Across:
Our People
Our employees are like family. Everyone that works at Bona Vita Benefits is a “partner.” We work together to create a positive internal environment. That translates to a company that works tirelessly to meet each individual customer’s needs.
Our Community
We stand shoulder to shoulder with the community and its leaders to help support the lives within it. We are always ready to roll up our sleeves and figure out ways to give back to those who tirelessly support our city and county.
Our Clients
Our commitment to “above and beyond” service is impossible to ignore. We don’t believe in a “9 to 5” mentality and our clients know that. We work around the clock to ensure you and your stakeholders are taken care of, and we’re there when you need us.
Our Causes
Each and every member of the Bona Vita Benefits team are encouraged to put their time and resources behind a good cause. We know that our time is limited, but our reach and its impact are not.
Our impact
How We Help the World
Our Bottom Line: What Kind of Impact We Have
Education
Volunteerism
Donations
Meet Our Leaders
Phil Shetsen, CFP®, ChFC®
Financial Consultant
President
Bio
Phillip Shetsen started his professional career as an advisor in 2011, but was no newcomer to the field of financial services. He worked with UBP Asset Management from 2008 to 2010 and there discovered his passion for working with individuals on complex financial strategies to help meet their needs. In 2011, Phillip joined Prudential Advisors where, over the course of five years, he experienced significant success. In 2016, he founded Bona Vita Benefits— a company focused on providing health insurance benefits to institutional clients. Two years later, he reorganized his company as a DBA with Prudential Advisors to expand the services he offers his clients.
Hobbies
Golfing, Traveling, Hiking and Cooking
Thomas Dalton
Financial Planner
Vice President
Bio
Thomas J. Dalton joined Bona Vita Benefits in 2018 and immediately began playing an integral role as an investment and insurance specialist. With more than 25 years of experience in financial services, Thomas serves as a steward to the company’s clients, and focuses on investment management services. Thomas began his career on the trading floor of the New York Stock
Exchange. As a member of the exchange, he executed daily trades in the amount of millions of shares for hedge funds, investment banks, and large institutions. In 2010, Thomas began working with Prudential Advisors as a Financial Planner, where his knowledge of the securities markets continued to
provide value to his clients.
Hobbies
Family, Sailing, Snowboarding and Traveling
Milagros Biggs
Benefits Administration
Account Executive
Bio
Milagros Biggs is a seasoned professional with a decade of experience in Human Resources. She started working as an Associate Department Supervisor with The Home Depot back in 2011 and grew her knowledge base serving multiple stores covering over 500 employees. She played a pivotal role in fostering a supportive and enriching work environment for staff members. In recognition of her outstanding dedication to the company's core values and unwavering commitment, she was consistently honored by management.
Her experiences equipped her to position herself as a strategic partner to BVBG's benefits clients. With a track record of building strong relationships and implementing effective initiatives, Milagros continues to make a meaningful impact to employers, their HR teams and the staff members who look to her as an advocate for their plan benefits.
Hobbies
Traveling, Zumba and Spending Time With Family
Aviva Tully
Financial Advisory Operations
Operations Associate
Bio
Aviva joined Bona Vita Benefits Group in 2023 as an Operations Associate. Aviva collaborates in managing the operations of the advisory practice within the organization, working closely with the financial planners and clients as a liaison to a complicated behind-the-scenes process. Having nearly twenty years of experience working in financial recruiting and Medicare sales, she is well versed in delivering a stellar client experience while navigating complex systems. Aviva participates consistently throughout the client engagement process ranging from initial contact to supporting application and underwriting processes.
Aviva received her bachelor's degree in communication from Tulane and enjoys the versatility of the company's solution offerings.
Hobbies
Cooking, Traveling, Spending Time With Family
Julia Goykhman
Benefits Administration
Retirement and Healthcare Advocate
Bio
Julia recently joined Bona Vita Benefits Group in 2024 and serves the company's institutional clients. Julia works with retirement and health plan participants, helping them traverse general inquiries and concerns pertaining to their plan details. She is very attentive and provides hands-on support to any inquiry or concern our client or their employees have.
Hobbies
Traveling, Music and Spending Time with Friends
Prudential Advisors is a brand name of The Prudential Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries.