Our Team

Binh Q. Nguyen, MA, LUTCF, CLF^®

Managing Partner

Binh Q. Nguyen, MA, LUTCF, CLF, is a Managing Partner at New York Life Insurance Company, where he leads the unified Greater San Jose General Office. In this role, he focuses on developing a high-performing team of financial professionals dedicated to helping clients achieve long-term financial security.

Originally from Vietnam, Binh immigrated to the United States in 1997 and began his career working multiple jobs before becoming an accountant. After becoming a father, he chose to pursue a more meaningful path and joined New York Life. Despite early challenges, he transformed his approach by focusing on serving clients rather than selling—an outlook that became the foundation of his success.

Binh was promoted to Partner within three years and later advanced to Managing Partner, leading multiple offices including Roanoke and Illinois, where he drove significant growth and earned national recognition. Since 2015, he has led the Santa Clara operation, elevating its performance and building a strong culture of leadership and development.

In 2026, Binh assumed leadership of the newly unified Greater San Jose General Office, combining the Santa Clara and Silicon Valley operations. His vision is to build it into a top five General Office in the country.

He is a member of the Managing Partner Lifetime Roundtable and remains committed to mentoring future leaders and building a flagship organization grounded in service, growth, and impact.

Lien Bui, CLF® FSCP®

Executive Partner

Lien B. Bui, CLF, FSCP is an Executive Partner in Greater San Jose General Office of New York Life, where she has built a distinguished career since beginning as an agent in 2005. She has over 20 years of experience as a licensed insurance and financial professional, specializing in life insurance, investments, annuities, and long-term care planning

Early in her career, Lien demonstrated exceptional performance, earning multiple Executive Council Awards in 2006 and 2007. She also qualified for New York Life’s prestigious Life Stars program in 2007, recognizing top production through a minimum of 80+ life policies and significant first-year commissions.

In her first year, she earned both the Career Life Producer Award and Career Life Success Award and was recognized as a Class Leader of 2005. It is an honor given to top-performing new agents. Her consistent excellence led to multiple honors, including Top 50 Partners Awards (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013) and qualification for the Partner View from the Top Award in 2013.

Lien’s leadership trajectory includes promotions to Partner 2007, Senior Partner in 2014, and Executive Partner in 2018. She also achieved the #1 ranking Partner in the Pacific Zone for recruiting and development, highlighting her strength in building and mentoring high-performing team members.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Trinity University in Washington, D.C., graduating in 2000, and was previously recognized as a National and State Honoree of the Prudential Community Service Award in 1996.

Fluent in Vietnamese, Lien serves a diverse client base in Bay Areas while focusing on developing financial professionals and helping individuals and families achieve long-term financial security.

Taiyu "Chris" Chen

Senior Partner

Taiyu “Chris” Chen was born in Taiwan and, at age 13, traveled to Christchurch, New Zealand, where he attended Christ’s College as an international student. He later came to the United States and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from San Jose State University.

Chris joined New York Life’s Silicon Valley Office in 2009, launching his agent business entirely through cold marketing. Through persistence, discipline, and a deep commitment to serving clients, he achieved four consecutive Council qualifications. In 2014, he was promoted to Partner, and in 2018, he advanced to Senior Partner.

As a Senior Partner, Chris helped lead the Silicon Valley General Office to significant recognition, including the 2019 Executive Vice President’s Trophy for New Organizational Retention and the 2021 Executive Vice President’s Trophy for Management Development among all Group 2 offices. In 2023, Chris was awarded first place in First Prior Class New Organization Production & Development among his distinguished New York Life peers.

At the heart of Chris’s leadership is a servant-leader mindset. He believes leadership is not about personal recognition, but about creating an environment where others feel supported, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential. His approach is centered on listening first, leading with humility, and helping agents and leaders build confidence through consistent coaching, accountability, and encouragement.

Chris believes that success is most meaningful when it is shared. He is passionate about developing people, celebrating team wins, and creating a culture where individuals know they are valued not only for their production, but also for their growth, character, and commitment to others. His philosophy is simple: we win together. By investing in people and putting the team first, Chris continues to lead with purpose, service, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.

Chris currently co-runs the Silicon Valley Sales Office with Managing Partner Binh Nguyen.

Nga Kim Ha

Senior Partner

Nga Kim Ha is passionate about empowering hardworking, entrepreneurial individuals to achieve more. After moving to the U.S. during the 2008 recession and struggling to find meaningful work despite her background in chemical engineering, she joined New York Life as a financial professional in 2012—without prior sales experience.

She quickly distinguished herself, earning multiple Executive Council honors and MDRT recognition. Promoted to Partner in 2015, she received New York Life’s Partner Commitment Award and was recognized as a Top 50 Partner nationwide from 2015 to 2017. She was promoted to Senior Partner in 2018 and earned top recognition as a Partner Round Table qualifier twice. In 2023, she ranked #1 among Senior Partners and Executive Partners nationwide.

As a leader and recruiter, Nga has developed a high-performing team of financial professionals. “Our team is like a family, committed to each other’s success,” she says. “We work hard and enjoy what we do.” She is passionate about creating a positive, winning environment where individuals can thrive and grow, and is dedicated to building a happy, successful team while sharing this career opportunity with others. Her goal is to develop and promote the next generation of young leaders.

Nga lives in San Jose, California.

Yuan Gong, MA, FSCP

Partner

Mrs. Yuan Gong is a Partner with New York Life in the Greater San Jose Office, bringing a diverse international background and extensive experience in financial services. Originally from Shanghai, she began her professional career as a university lecturer in China before relocating to the United States.

She earned her Master of Arts degree from Harvard University and subsequently moved to the Bay Area, where she established her career as a financial advisor across multiple firms. In 2009, she joined New York Life as a Financial Services Professional and has since advanced into a leadership role.

Mrs. Gong holds Life and Health Insurance licenses, along with FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 registrations. She has also earned the Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP) designation, reflecting her commitment to professional excellence and client service.

Sung Ho Cha

Partner

Sung Ho Cha began his professional career in client-facing sales and service, working from 2009 to 2020 in car rental sales and customer service management in San Diego. In 2021, he transitioned into automotive sales at Acura Stevens Creek in Santa Clara before joining New York Life as an Agent on December 13, 2021.

He quickly distinguished himself through exceptional performance, achieving multiple early career milestones within his first year, including the Career Life Success (3 months), Producer (6 months), Achiever (9 months), and Foundation (12 months) awards.

At the same time, Sung Ho rapidly advanced his credentials, earning his SIE (February 26, 2022), Series 6 (May 14, 2022), and Series 63 (July 16, 2022), becoming a FINRA Registered Representative within 7 months. 

Despite starting mid-cycle, he qualified for Executive Council 2022 within six months, followed by Executive Council 2023 and MDRT 2023 recognition. In acknowledgment of his performance and leadership, he was promoted to Associate Partner on August 14, 2023, and Partner on February 8, 2024.

He further expanded his expertise by earning his FSCP designation (September 2023) and Series 7 license (June 24, 2025), and is currently pursuing his Series 24 license.

Today, Sung Ho focuses on recruiting, mentoring, and developing financial professionals, helping individuals, especially career changers, build successful careers with New York Life. Outside of work, he is an avid reader who enjoys watching soccer and basketball, appreciates nature and animals, and is passionate about financial planning and continuous self-development.

Philip P. Nguyen, CLU^®, ChFC^®, CLTC, FSCP^® ,CLF^®

Senior Director of Development

Philip P. Nguyen is a Senior Director of Development at New York Life, where he is responsible for building, developing, and scaling high-performing teams of financial professionals.

With over a decade of experience in the financial services industry, Philip has established himself as a results-driven leader with a track record of developing individuals into top producers and future leaders. He specializes in identifying high-potential talent, accelerating advisor growth, and creating a culture of accountability, discipline, and performance.

Philip leads from the front—coaching advisors on business development, client acquisition, and practice management—while implementing structured systems that drive consistent production and long-term success. His leadership philosophy is grounded in high standards, strong mentorship, and a relentless focus on execution.

In addition to his leadership role, Philip is a registered representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC and a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies LLC, where he provides guidance on financial planning, investment strategies, and long-term wealth management. This dual perspective allows him to develop advisors who are not only strong business builders, but also highly competent and trusted client advisors.

He holds advanced industry designations including CLU®, ChFC®, FSCP®, CLF®, and CLTC®, and bringing both technical expertise and real-world application to the professionals he develops.

Philip is passionate about partnering with ambitious individuals who want more than just a job—those who are looking to build a business, lead others, and create a meaningful legacy. He is actively focused on recruiting and developing the next generation of top-performing financial professionals.

Henry Lin, MS, ChFC®, CLU®, FSCP®, RICP®

Development Manager

Henry Lin is a highly accomplished Development Manager with more than 25 years of leadership and business development experience, with a strong focus on financial services and insurance. At New York Life Insurance Company, he leads sales initiatives, agent development programs, and client engagement strategies that support long-term growth and performance excellence.

Throughout his career, Henry has built expertise in financial planning, portfolio management, retirement and wealth strategies, and relationship-driven client service. He is recognized for his ability to mentor and coach financial professionals, helping teams improve productivity, strengthen client relationships, and achieve business goals.

Henry holds several respected industry designations, including CLU, ChFC, FSCP, and RICP, as well as FINRA Series 7, 6, and 63 licenses. His combination of strategic leadership, operational management, and financial expertise allows him to deliver practical solutions tailored to the needs of individuals, families, and businesses.

With a leadership style centered on integrity, professional development, and client success, Henry remains committed to helping clients and advisors build financial confidence and long-term security.

Ma Rezel Cerdan

Senior Associate Development Manager

Ma Rezel Cerdan is a Senior Associate Development Manager at New York Life, bringing over a decade of experience in financial services, leadership development, and talent cultivation. Since joining New York Life in December 2015, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional excellence, beginning her career as a financial professional before advancing into a management role in May 2019.

As a leader, Rezel is dedicated to identifying, developing, and mentoring high-performing professionals, helping them build successful and impactful careers in the financial services industry. She is passionate about fostering a culture of growth, accountability, and service, empowering individuals to achieve their personal and professional goals while delivering meaningful value to the clients and communities they serve.

A Filipino-American professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Rezel combines strategic leadership with a people-centered approach to development. Her experience spans agent recruitment, coaching, performance development, and leadership training, making her a trusted resource for aspiring and established professionals alike.

Throughout her tenure at New York Life, Rezel has remained committed to the company’s mission of providing financial security and peace of mind. She takes pride in helping develop the next generation of leaders while contributing to the continued growth and success of the organization.

“I believe that great leadership is about investing in people, helping them discover their potential, and empowering them to create meaningful impact for the families and communities they serve.” — Ma Rezel Cerdan

Damion Fray

Corporate Vice President

Damion Fray is a Corporate Vice President at New York Life Insurance Company, where he serves within the Service Experience Value Stream, providing strategic leadership across multiple General Offices in California and the Pacific region.

In his role, Damion leads service teams responsible for delivering consistent, high-quality operational support to agents and agency leadership. He partners closely with Managing Partners and senior service leaders to implement service model enhancements, improve operational rigor, and elevate the overall experience for both agents and clients.

Based in San Jose, California, Damion oversees multi-site operations, focusing on accountability, efficiency, and sustainable service excellence. He is known for his hands-on leadership style, emphasis on clear communication, and commitment to developing high-performing teams aligned with New York Life’s values and long-term growth vision.