Brian Hanley

The best part of my job is seeing light bulb moments—when business owners realize that benefits don’t have to be just another expense, but a strategic tool to attract, retain, and take care of their employees. Most executives and HR leaders didn’t go to school for benefits, yet it’s one of the biggest investments a company makes. When they finally see how everything fits together and understand what’s possible, it’s a game-changer.

But the real reward comes when we deliver on that strategy—when employees actually understand their benefits, appreciate what’s available, and go back to their HR teams or leadership with a thank you, a high-five, or a fist bump. That’s when we know we’ve made a real impact.

At the end of the day, benefits don’t have to be confusing or frustrating. My passion is helping businesses and employees simplify benefits so they’re clear, valuable, and actually work for them. Because when people truly understand their benefits, they can use them with confidence—and that changes everything.

The biggest challenge businesses face is cost—but the real issue behind it is understanding. Most business owners and HR leaders don’t know why their rates keep rising or how to offer great benefits without breaking the budget. And most brokers aren’t helping—they’re just shifting costs instead of solving the real problem.

At The Benefit Doctor, we do things differently. We educate and empower businesses to build benefits that balance budget, quality of care, and employee value. We simplify the complex, ensuring employees understand and appreciate their benefits.

When this happens, everything changes. Employees feel taken care of, HR teams feel supported, and business leaders finally feel in control of their benefits instead of at the mercy of rising costs. And that’s when we see the best part—the smiles, the high-fives, and the thank-yous that show we made a real impact.

Most HR teams don’t realize just how much support they’re getting when they work with us at The Benefit Doctor. At first, they think they’re just working with their broker—but what they don’t see right away is the entire back-office team working behind the scenes to make their lives easier.

HR teams are often stretched thin, juggling benefits, compliance, payroll, onboarding, and everything in between. What they don’t expect is how much we can take off their plate—from benefit communication to employee support—so they can actually focus on being HR, not just managing benefits.

The biggest misconception? That their broker is their only point of contact. Our brokers are incredible—knowledgeable, dedicated, and deeply invested in their clients. But they’re also human. They take vacations, have family time, and step away when needed. The difference with The Benefit Doctor? There’s always someone here to help. Our entire team is pulling for you, ensuring you never feel stranded when a question or issue comes up.

At The Benefit Doctor, we’re truly working to cure the pain of employee benefits—not just by fixing one part of the process, but by transforming the entire benefits experience.

The pain of how benefits are built—so they actually work for businesses and employees.

The pain of how benefits are communicated—so employees understand and appreciate them.

The pain of how benefits are enrolled—so HR teams aren’t overwhelmed.

The pain of ongoing support—so businesses don’t feel abandoned after open enrollment.

Most brokers fall short by simply delivering spreadsheets and rates, expecting HR teams to sift through the data and make an incredibly personal decision for their employees. We don’t do that.

Instead, we ask the right questions, listen, and provide honest, transparent guidance. We challenge businesses to think long-term, crafting a benefits strategy that works today and for years to come.

But where we make the biggest impact? Education.

The way we educate employees about their benefits is unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. We’ve had employees high-five, hug, and thank their HR teams and business owners after our meetings—because for the first time, they actually understand what’s available to them.

So if a business owner asks me, “Why should I work with The Benefit Doctor instead of my current broker?” my answer is simple:

👉 I don’t know that you should. I don’t know what your current broker does. But I do know that if you want a partner who genuinely cares, who helps you design benefits that make sense, and who makes sure your employees actually appreciate the benefits you provide—then we should at least have a conversation.

Brian is all about experiences—big or small, planned or spontaneous. He brings the fun with traditions like his annual Thanksgiving piñata and sending his nieces and nephews giant Christmas-wrapped boxes packed with gifts and enough packing peanuts to turn the living room into a snowstorm.

But one of his favorite ways to create small, everyday moments? $2 bills.

Brian always carries $2 bills and hands them out whenever he gets the chance—whether tipping, meeting someone new, or just brightening someone’s day. Why? Because nearly everyone has a $2 bill story—maybe it was a gift from a grandparent, the tooth fairy, or a lucky keepsake tucked in a wallet. They’re unique, different, and stand out—just like every person he gives them to.

Beyond the traditions and the magic of small moments, Brian has made a huge shift in his life toward health and adventure. After years of putting his own well-being on the back burner, he’s now committed to living a healthier lifestyle—not just for himself, but so he can go on as many adventures as possible with his wife, Alison. Whether it’s training for an ultramarathon, tackling a Spartan Trifecta, or running 2,025 miles in 2025, Brian is making sure the next chapter of his life is full of movement, growth, and unforgettable experiences.

And if you ever see him? Ask if he’s got a $2 bill on him. (Spoiler: He always does.)

If you want to create change, the most important thing you can do is take imperfect action. Just start. You don’t need to have all the answers, and you don’t need to be perfect—you just need to move forward.

Then, stay consistent. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not about going from 0 to 100 instantly. It’s about getting 1% better every day. Small, daily actions compound into big results over time.

Along the way, give yourself grace. Growth is messy, and setbacks are part of the process. The key is to keep moving—pushing yourself, raising your standards, and moving your average.

Finally, anchor everything in your vision. If you don’t have a clear purpose and intent behind what you’re doing, it’s easy to lose momentum. But when you’re driven by a bigger WHY, change isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.