Matthew Bissell

Over the course of his adult life, Matthew Bissell has developed a professional and personal path grounded in responsibility, steady effort, and a practical approach to helping others. Born in Oakland, California, in 1973, he has worked across financial consulting, social support services, and many service-focused roles that required adaptability and consistency. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Pitzer College and international study at the University of Sussex. In addition to his career, he is a father of two who values family involvement and has maintained a long-standing interest in sports and community participation.

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 worked for multiple decades in the Bay Area as a longshoreman and was a proud member of the ILWU. His mother followed a career that combined education and entrepreneurship, beginning as a Special Education Teacher before later owning and operating a local clothing store. He grew up with one sister in a household shaped by stability, support, and shared responsibility. As a child, he spent much of his time with friends and playing organized sports. Growing up in the Bay Area allowed him to play football, baseball, and soccer year-round, which helped build teamwork and discipline from an early age.

From 1991 to 1995, Matthew attended Pitzer College in Claremont, California, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During his time at Pitzer, he was also a student-athlete, competing in both baseball and football for the Pomona/Pitzer combined teams. In 1994, he earned First Team All-SCIAC honors in football, playing as a defensive end, punter, and place kicker. Managing academic responsibilities alongside athletic commitments taught him how to structure his time and remain focused under pressure. That same year, he spent a semester abroad at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. During this period, he traveled through Europe, Africa, and Asia, visiting Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Germany, and the Netherlands. These experiences broadened his understanding of different cultures and ways of thinking. After completing his undergraduate studies, he pursued additional academic coursework at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California.

Matthew’s professional background spans a wide range of industries. Early roles in apparel sales helped him develop customer service and communication skills. He also worked as a gardener and landscaper, a waiter, a truck driver trainer, and a FedEx and UPS delivery driver. Over time, he expanded into positions such as travel agent, caregiver, and social worker. Each role required organization, problem-solving, and adaptability, whether coordinating logistics, assisting individuals with daily living needs, or addressing complex social challenges.