Matthew Bissell
Matthew Bissell
Financial Consultant
Financial Consultant
Matthew Bissell has spent his professional life working across several fields that require consistency, accountability, and direct interaction with people. His experience includes financial consulting, social support services, and a wide range of service-based roles, which have shaped his practical approach to work. Born in Oakland, California, in 1973, he has balanced professional responsibilities with family life and long-standing personal interests.
Matthew was born on November 20, 1973, at Oakland Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, California. He is the son of Peter and Nancy Bissell. His father, Peter Bissell, worked in the Bay Area for multiple decades as a longshoreman and was a committed member of the ILWU. His mother, Nancy Bissell, followed a professional path that combined education and entrepreneurship. She began her career as a Special Education Teacher and later became the owner of a local clothing business.
Matthew grew up with one sister in a family environment that emphasized responsibility, structure, and support. As a child, he spent much of his free time with friends and participating in organized sports. Growing up in the Bay Area allowed him to play football, baseball, and soccer year-round. These activities provided early exposure to teamwork, accountability, and routine, which later influenced his professional habits.
Matthew attended Pitzer College in Claremont, California, from 1991 to 1995, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During his undergraduate years, he was also a student-athlete, competing on the Pomona/Pitzer baseball and football teams. In 1994, he earned First Team All-SCIAC honors in football, contributing as a defensive end, punter, and placekicker.
Balancing academic coursework with athletic commitments required careful time management and discipline. Matthew has reflected that being a student-athlete helped him learn how to work through mental challenges while maintaining focus under pressure. These lessons later became useful throughout his career.
In 1994, Matthew spent a semester abroad at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. During this period, he traveled extensively through Europe, Africa, and Asia, visiting Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Germany, and the Netherlands. Exposure to different cultures and social systems expanded his perspective and introduced him to new approaches to communication and problem-solving. After completing his undergraduate studies, he pursued additional academic coursework at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California.
Matthew’s early career was defined by a wide range of roles that helped him build practical skills across multiple industries. He worked in apparel sales, gaining experience in customer service, communication, and retail operations. He also worked as a gardener and landscaper, roles that required physical effort, consistency, and attention to detail.
Additional positions included waiter, truck driver trainer, and delivery driver for both FedEx and UPS. These jobs required punctuality, organization, and reliability. Matthew also worked as a travel agent, caregiver, and social worker. Each of these roles demanded planning, problem-solving, and the ability to work closely with people facing different needs.
Through these varied experiences, Matthew developed adaptability and confidence in managing responsibilities independently. His early work history provided a strong foundation for later roles involving direct client support.
In recent years, Matthew has focused more directly on community-based support roles. From October 2023 to December 2024, he served as a Water-Based Rehousing Stabilization Specialist with Episcopal Community Services in San Francisco. In this role, he visited clients living on Richardson Bay twice each week, providing supplies, guidance, and follow-up support.
His responsibilities included building trust with clients, advocating on their behalf, and coordinating communication with local authorities. Matthew worked closely with individuals experiencing homelessness, helping them navigate transitions and resolve conflicts. His approach emphasized listening, consistency, and practical assistance during challenging situations.
In December 2024, Matthew began working as an In-Home Support Specialist with In-Home Support Services in Oakland, California. In this role, he assists clients with activities of daily living, including meal preparation, exercise routines, and medication management. He also maintains regular communication with family members to ensure coordinated care and ongoing support.
In July 2025, Matthew transitioned into financial consulting by joining The Broker Group in Richmond, California, as a Financial Consultant. In this position, he provides guidance related to life insurance and retirement planning. His work involves assessing client needs, explaining financial options, and maintaining ongoing professional relationships.
This role allows Matthew to help individuals and families prepare for long-term financial stability. He works with clients to establish retirement accounts and economic strategies designed to support financial solvency throughout their lives. His experience in communication and trust-building has supported his effectiveness in this role.
Matthew Bissell brings a broad set of skills developed through years of varied professional experience. He excels in client-facing roles and is comfortable guiding individuals through financial decisions and daily care needs. His background includes caregiving, advocacy, logistics, and consulting.
His work in service and delivery roles strengthened his organizational skills and ability to remain calm under pressure. Matthew is known for being dependable, ethical, and approachable. His international travel experiences have also helped him work comfortably with people from different backgrounds.
Matthew is the father of two children and considers family involvement a central priority. He approaches parenting with care and structure, applying the same thoughtful approach he brings to his professional responsibilities. Outside of work, he maintains an interest in sports, including baseball, basketball, and football. He participates in fantasy sports leagues and collects sports memorabilia.
Volunteerism has been a consistent part of Matthew’s life. He has contributed time and resources to organizations including the University of California, Berkeley; the Dunn School; San Francisco Day School; Prospect Sierra School; Goodwill; the Salvation Army; and Pitzer College.
The volunteer work that has brought Matthew Bissell the most fulfillment involves supporting his children’s activities. He has volunteered as a coach, served as a lead parent for clubs, and participated in school groups that help students and schools. These efforts reflect his ongoing commitment to family, education, and community service.