Speaker details below are listed alphabetically by first name.
Amanda Martin
Amanda Martin is the Interim Director of the Partnerships & Education team at the Credit Counselling Society (CCS), bringing over 15 years of experience in the financial sector. A Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF), she leads the development and delivery of strategic financial wellness programs that support individuals, workplaces, and organizations in navigating today’s financial realities with clarity and confidence.
With a professional background spanning social services, lending, and collections, Amanda blends practical insight with a relatable and inclusive approach. She works closely with HR leaders, associations, and community stakeholders to provide education that drives well-being, reduces financial stress, and fosters resilience across diverse workforces and communities.
Amanda is passionate about empowering Canadians to reduce debt, build financial confidence, and achieve lasting financial well-being—both at work and at home.
Bill Mills
Bill Mills is a nationally recognized leader in financial capability, youth development, and workforce innovation. As Chief Prosperity Officer of My True Prosperity, he has trained thousands of practitioners and empowered countless young people through transformative programs like Bright Minds.
Over the past 15 years, Bill has designed, scaled, and led high-impact initiatives that help underserved communities build lasting financial resilience—moving beyond surface-level education to drive deep mindset shifts. He is known for blending traditional values with cutting-edge approaches, from peer-led internships to AI-powered practitioner tools.
Bill also served for eight years as the head of the Florida Prosperity Partnership, where he grew the organization into a national force for financial empowerment. He brings a practical, forward-thinking lens to everything he does—rooted in experience, driven by results.
Brenda Jimenez
Brenda is the Associate Director of Financial Capability at NALCAB, where she leads the delivery of grant-making, technical assistance, and training to strengthen nonprofit organizations’ asset-building and financial capability programs.
With over 16 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, higher education, and community outreach, she brings deep expertise in capacity building and program development. A passionate advocate for innovation and equity, Brenda has spearheaded initiatives that bridge technology and financial inclusion.
She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso and dual bachelor’s degrees in Communication and Hispanic Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
Cami Sheaffer
Cami Sheaffer is the Oklahoma Financial Education Market Manager for MidFirst Bank’s financial literacy program, MoneyMoments.
Cami assisted in developing the award-winning MidFirst Bank MoneyCoach program at the University of Oklahoma in 2017. She works closely with program partners MidFirst Bank and OU to maintain and enhance the MoneyCoach program by creating and delivering financial education content through classroom presentations, campus-wide workshops, and organization collaborations. Cami creates videos and blogs for the MoneyMoments website and YouTube channel.
Cami has worked in education since 2008, is a certified NACCC Financial Health Counselor, and a certified Business Educator for grades 5-12. She is also a certified Elementary Educator and Principal.
Cara Macksoud
Cara Macksoud, FBS®, AFC®, is the CEO of Money Habitudes.
After a 15-year career as a Wall Street trader and serving as CFO for a NYC nonprofit, she transitioned into behavioral finance. She holds a BS in Finance from NYU Stern and completed the Financial Therapy Graduate Certificate at Kansas State University.
Cara is a Certified Financial Behavior Specialist®, an Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®), and serves on the board of the Financial Therapy Association as Chair of Student Engagement.
Her work bridges financial insight with human behavior, helping professionals and clients make meaningful, lasting changes in how they approach money.
Caroline Dennis
Caroline Dennis is a seasoned financial services professional, entrepreneur, and advocate for financial literacy.
With over two decades of experience, she has dedicated her career to empowering individuals and communities—particularly underserved populations—through education, mentorship, and wealth-building strategies.
CD is the Founder and Executive Director of NuJourney Foundation, a nonprofit focused on financial and entrepreneurial education, the President/CEO of Chayil Financial Group, a holding company with diverse subsidiaries, and AVP at a leading financial services firm.
She is also an accomplished author and public speaker, recognized for creating innovative approaches that transform financial knowledge into actionable impact.
Chéri Sides Phillips
Dr. Chéri Sides Phillips, DBA, MS, is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Lincoln University (PA) and a seasoned scholar-practitioner whose work bridges economics, financial management, and personal finance education. With over two decades of academic, corporate, and nonprofit leadership, she has designed and taught more than 25 economics and finance courses, led curriculum innovations aligned with CFA standards, and secured grants to advance experiential learning in finance.
Her research explores the intersections of financial behavior, emotional literacy, and economic development, with publications and presentations spanning governance, consumer decision-making, and applied financial education. As Principal of Econometrics Consulting, LLC, Dr. Phillips has advised organizations on fiscal modeling, leadership performance, and financial literacy program design, translating complex economic theory into actionable strategies.
A frequent presenter at national and international conferences, and a community-engaged researcher recognized by the NAACP as a Womxn of Color honoree, Dr. Phillips brings a holistic approach to financial identity—integrating behavioral insights and emotional frameworks into personal finance education to empower individuals and communities toward sustainable financial wellbeing.
Claudia Navarro
Claudia is a youth program coordinator and advocate for expanding financial capability to all.
She maintains a strong focus on designing youth programs that help empower learners to lead with confidence and build lifelong financial skills.
Committed to growing her impact, Claudia’s pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management to further strengthen her expertise and enhance her capacity to serve the communities she supports.
Darla Bishop
Dr. Darla Bishop is a public health scientist, professor, and the founder of Finansis Financial Wellness Solutions, a social enterprise helping families and organizations build lifelong financial wellness.
A former classroom teacher turned healthcare executive, Dr. Bishop blends her research expertise and real-world experience to make financial education practical, inclusive, and inspiring. She created Piggy Bank Pathways, a financial literacy curriculum for children and families, and is the author of How to Afford Everything and Madeline’s Money Adventure. Her work has been featured by the American Public Health Association, Harvard Law, and GreenPath Financial Wellness.
Through her signature talks and workshops, Dr. Bishop equips educators, employers, and community leaders with tools to turn financial knowledge into everyday confidence. She believes wealth and wellness go hand in hand and that financial education can start as early as the playground.
Deirdre Donnelly
Dr. Deirdre Donnelly is a financial literacy specialist in early elementary grades, K-2, special educator, and an award winning author of financial literacy children’s books. She holds a PhD in Literacy from St. John’s University where she earned a 4.0 GPA. Her dissertation research focused on financial literacy education in the first-grade classroom. She examined the impact an experiential financial literacy workshop had on first-grade students’ understanding of financial concepts. The statistically significant results of the study indicate that it is inherently important to include financial literacy in the early-elementary grades, K-2.
She is a New York State certified teacher and holds a Master of Science in Elementary Education, earned with distinction. A veteran special education classroom teacher, Dr. Donnelly brings years of practical experience to her work designing engaging, inclusive, and individualized financial literacy programs.
Dr. Donnelly founded Counting with Common Cents Inc, a financial literacy education company that delivers experiential financial literacy education to young children in the early elementary grades. Her approach aligns with constructivist and sociocultural theories of learning, emphasizing the idea that children build knowledge through active engagement and collaboration. In addition, Dr. Donnelly has written several financial literacy children’s books. She created the Counting with Common Cents children’s books as a way to introduce important foundational financial literacy concepts while supporting literacy acquisition for early emergent readers. The Counting with Common Cents book series supports reading development and encourages children to begin thinking critically about financial literacy concepts such as counting, coin currency, saving, delaying gratification, and money’s purpose.
After conducting extensive research in financial literacy, Dr. Donnelly developed a statistically significant experiential financial literacy workshop for early elementary students and continues to develop and integrate financial literacy curricula for existing K-12 programs, collaborating with schools, districts, and educational organizations to integrate experiential financial learning into existing learning frameworks.
Currently, Dr. Donnelly continues her work at Counting with Common Cents Inc. and designs experiential lessons, workshops, professional development, and resources that enable educators to create classrooms where students are given the opportunity to establish and maintain healthy financial habits for life.
Douglas Dorsey
Doug Dorsey has been teaching business and accounting courses for over 28 years, bringing nearly three decades of classroom experience to his students. As a professor of business, he has taught courses ranging from Entrepreneurship and Global Business to Accounting, Personal Finance, and Business Communication. His teaching philosophy blends real-world application with academic rigor, ensuring that students not only understand key concepts but also learn how to apply them in practical, career-ready ways.
Professor Dorsey has developed innovative projects, such as the Personal Finance Portfolio, which allow students to bridge theory and practice by simulating the real financial decisions they will face in adulthood. His academic work emphasizes experiential learning, critical thinking, and lifelong financial literacy—skills that empower students to succeed well beyond the classroom. In addition to his academic career, Doug is widely known as The Fitness Professor, a health and wellness educator, author, and podcast host. He is passionate about helping individuals achieve transformation not only in their finances but also in their overall health and quality of life.
Elba Corujo
Elba María Corujo-Ramsey is a distinguished financial advisor at Abundancia LLC, with over 28 years of experience in the industry. She holds multiple certifications, including Certified Financial Planning Coach (CFPC), Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS), Certified Funds Specialist (CFS), Certified Social Security and Medicare Specialist (CSS), and Certified Income Specialist (CIS). Additionally, she has an MBA in Finance. Elba is dedicated to creating personalized financial plans that help her clients achieve their goals. Her focus is on pre-retirement professionals and business owners, ensuring that their daily decisions align with their long-term objectives.
Elba has also shared her knowledge and passion for financial education as a finance professor at local universities. Although she hasn’t taught in colleges for the past three years, she continues to educate her colleagues, having taught the CAS designation in 2023 and 2022. Her commitment to empowering individuals through financial literacy remains strong. She believes that financial education is a powerful tool that can transform lives, and she is passionate about making a positive impact on her clients and community.
Her commitment to financial literacy and employee well-being makes her a sought-after speaker and advisor.
Elizabeth Perry
Elizabeth Perry is the chief scientific advisor at FRTIB, where she explores how research insights can inform plan outreach and operations.
Her work has been awarded by the Retirement Income Industry Association, Pensions & Investments, Employee Benefit News, and other organizations.
Perry holds a doctoral degree and S.M. in social and behavioral sciences from Harvard University, as well as an M.A. in communication from the Johns Hopkins University.
Esperanza Rodriguez
Esperanza Rodriguez is an Education Specialist with Region One ESC. She graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a Master’s in Education Administration and received her Principal Certification. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas Pan American with a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Rehabilitation Services. She worked as an Information and Referral Specialist assisting the community with
referrals and information for social services. She taught as a secondary Social Studies and ELA teacher with a certification in ESL (English as a Second Language).
She works with the Office of College Career and Life Readiness with the GEAR UP: Pathways to the Future grant at Region One ESC. She currently assists students, educators, families, and the community learn an efficient educational pathway for all learners, through the delivery of effective academic strategies that ensure ALL students are college, career, or military ready.
Her current initiatives include financial literacy, college readiness, college enrollment & transition, career & certificate trainings, social emotional wellness, and self-care strategies. Her passion is assisting and supporting her community in attaining their academic and career goals.
Hassan Thomas
During the COVID lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, 26-year-old author, podcaster, and public speaker, Hassan Thomas, managed to transform an injury-riddled senior year of college football into a thriving multi-faceted financial education company called FYI FLI: For Your Information, Financial Literacy & Investing.
In just a few short years, Hassan has delivered 150+ educational workshops, won podcast of the year at the Southern Entertainment Awards, and recently released his second book, ‘From College To Covid To Recession’, which was awarded number one new release on Amazon for ‘Teen and Economic Finances’.
Joel L. Franks
Joel L. Franks is the founder of FinWizdom, a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF), and the award-winning author of Creating Wealth Starts with Financial Health, recognized as the 2024 Financial Literacy Book of the Year. Receiving this honor at the venue where he now presents underscores his dedication to advancing financial literacy.
A leader in applying behavioral finance to connect with diverse audiences, Joel has collaborated with financial pioneers and industry giants to develop strategies that resonate and drive outcomes. His consulting helps businesses grow through messaging and deliverables that are engaging, relevant, and actionable.
As an adjunct professor, Joel teaches Applied Behavioral Finance and Communications for Professional Engagement at NYU, as well as Managerial Decision Making at CUNY. He also hosts the FinWizdom podcast, exploring how psychology shapes financial behavior and choices. His mission is to help individuals and organizations navigate behavioral risks and achieve financial well-being.
Based in New York City, Joel thrives on its cultural offerings, dining, and entertainment. He enjoys tennis, hiking, exploring unique travel destinations, and immersing himself in experiences that fuel creativity. A voracious reader and lifelong learner, Joel continually expands his knowledge of behavioral economics to inspire healthier financial futures.
Johan Romero Luna
Johan Romero Luna is a strategic leader in financial services dedicated to transforming how organizations deliver financial wellness. With a focus on experience design, digital engagement, and behavioral finance, he helps institutions move beyond transactions to create meaningful, human-centered financial journeys.
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Johan has spend the past 16 years building his career and life in the US and now lives in Central Massachusetts with his family – an experience that continues to shape his passion for inclusive, accessible financial empowerment.
Justin Lyn Perfili
Justin Lyn Perfili, MBA is a passionate financial literacy educator, keynote speaker, and the founder of Royal Money Works. With over a decade of classroom experience, Justin blends real-world business insight with heart-centered teaching to help students and educators connect with money in a way that is both practical and purposeful.
He is the author of Blind Spot: Living Your Best Life – A Beginner’s Guide to Money, Mindset, and Motivation, a transformative book that challenges readers to uncover the hidden habits holding them back and replace them with intention-driven strategies for financial and personal growth.
Known for his humor, authenticity, and engaging delivery, Justin speaks to audiences across the country about rewiring mindset, teaching with passion, and building a future grounded in both purpose and planning. Whether in the classroom or on stage, his mission is clear: empower others to take control of their financial story—one intentional step at a time.
Katie Wright
Katie Wright is a Certified Personal Financial Coach and Accredited Financial Counselor who’s mastered the art of making big financial ‘aha’ moments in small time slots.
With over 500 coaching sessions and presentations a year at FinPath by HUB, she’s developed a knack for turning “I only have 15 minutes” into “Wow, that actually helped!” Katie blends deep financial expertise with plain-language explanations and a dash of humor—because talking about money doesn’t have to be painful.
Whether she’s guiding military families through retirement plans or helping employees tackle debt, Katie brings clarity, empathy, and just the right amount of caffeine to every conversation.
Kelly May
Kelly May is the Senior Extension Associate for Family Finance and Resource Management at the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. In this role, she provides financial tools and resources to Kentucky consumers.
She gained her financial expertise during her 12 years as public information officer for the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, where she coordinated public relations and educational outreach.
She is a member and past president of the Kentucky Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy®. She also has been active with the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education® and other professional organizations.
Kristen Jowers
Kristen Jowers is an Extension Specialist with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
As a Program Coordinator for OneOp, Kristen uses her background in marriage and family therapy, project management, and community engagement to support the coordination of resources for military families and the professionals who support them.
Laura A. Salinas-Vasquez
Dr. Laura A. Salinas-Vasquez serves as a College, Career, and Life Readiness Coordinator at Region One ESC, where she oversees the Effective Advising Framework (EAF) and rootEd Alliance grants. In this capacity, she plays a central role in strengthening advising systems, improving postsecondary readiness, and building district capacity to deliver high-quality, data-driven college, career, and military advising.
With 14 years of experience in education, Dr. Salinas-Vasquez has served in multiple roles, including classroom teacher, GEAR UP Facilitator, Instructional Facilitator, Testing Coordinator, and College, Career, and Life Readiness Specialist.
Dr. Salinas-Vasquez also plays a key role in advancing personal financial literacy across the region. She serves on the Deep South Texas Financial Literacy Alliance, collaborating with banking and financial institutions and local education agencies to ensure personal financial literacy is meaningfully embedded in the opportunities provided to students and families.
Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with programs such as STEM, GEAR UP, Career and Technical Education, Bilingual Education, College, Career, and Military Readiness, CCMR, TCLAS, and Early College High School/TPECH initiatives. In her current role, she supports students, families, and educators by promoting college and career readiness, social-emotional learning, financial literacy, and career and technology education.
She is committed to the belief that every student can succeed when provided equitable opportunities and when their holistic needs are addressed. As part of her ongoing professional growth, Dr. Salinas-Vasquez authored and published a research article in the Research in Educational Policy and Management journal.
Lucy Arellano Baglieri
Mrs. Arellano Baglieri has two decades of service in community and economic development. She lends this experience and expertise through her consulting firm, Luz Impact Strategies to place-based, regional and national partners working to advance equity across community and economic development ecosystems.
Prior to the launch of her firm, Mrs. Arellano Baglieri led nonprofit work focused on asset building and community development initiatives in diverse communities across the country. Drawing on her lived experience and dedication to communities facing the deepest inequities, Mrs. Arellano Baglieri’s career has included direct services, affordable real estate development and preservation, policy and advocacy, equitable CDFI lending for entrepreneurship and affordable real estate, collective impact education networks, and place-based strategies.
Mrs. Arellano Baglieri is nationally recognized for her leadership and invited to share her perspective on equitable community and economic development by a range of groups. Mrs. Arellano Baglieri’s board service includes CDFI lending for small business and real estate, affordable housing development, Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) syndication, health equity, and climate solutions.
Mrs. Arellano Baglieri is a native of Michoacán, Mexico, completed her Bachelor’s education at the University of Washington, Seattle, and has lived throughout the West Coast. She currently lives in Sacramento, CA with her husband and their two children, in a bilingual household.
McKenzie Walsh
McKenzie Walsh is a dedicated financial education professional with over seven years of expertise as a Certified Personal Financial Counselor (Fincert) and a Certified HUD Housing Counselor. As a Program Coordinator at Utah State University Extension, she teaches USU Extension’s HUD approved Homebuyer Education course and oversees Extension’s free debt elimination calculator, PowerPay.
Beyond her professional roles, McKenzie is a mother of three, a Swig and Chick-Fila-A addict. Her profound passion lies in empowering individuals and families to make and achieve their financial goals, particularly in the realm of homeownership.
Melanie Jewkes
Melanie D. Jewkes is an Extension Professor with Utah State University, based in Salt Lake County.
With 17 years of experience and degrees in Family Finance, she leads the USU Extension PowerPay debt elimination program, directs homebuyer education, co-manages the statewide Empowering Financial Education initiative, and co-directs a statewide effort to help Utah girls and women thrive with personal finance.
She is passionate about making money management practical and approachable—helping people pay off debt, prepare for homeownership, and embrace their money values and mindset.
Miria Morgan
Miria Morgan is a passionate community educator, financial literacy advocate, and event organizer in Connecticut. She currently serves as the AVP & Community Education Officer at Chelsea Groton Bank, where she develops and delivers innovative financial wellness programs for students, educators, businesses, and community members.
As President of the Connecticut Jump$tart Coalition, Miria leads statewide efforts to expand access to personal finance education, bringing together educators, nonprofits, and industry professionals to strengthen financial capability across all age groups.
Beyond her professional work, Miria is deeply involved in the community, helping to organize events like the Bozrah Farmers Market and supporting local nonprofits and schools with creative programming. Known for her ability to blend education, creativity, and community building, she is dedicated to empowering others with the tools and knowledge to achieve financial independence and lifelong success.
Mohammad Rizwan
I’m Riz and my current role is the Vice President of Financial Wellness Management and Strategy at Hanscom Federal Credit Union, where I lead a team that is dedicated to empowering members through education, empathy, and actionable guidance.
Born in Pakistan and raised in New York, my journey reflects the very essence of financial wellness—growth, resilience, and purpose. A graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a degree in Business Management, I have built a career grounded in people-focused leadership and strategic impact.
Recognized as one of the Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 honorees in 2023, also completed the Public Matters Leadership Program in 2017, underscoring my commitment to civic engagement and community empowerment. My passion lies in transforming financial institutions into trusted partners in their members’ lives—aligning culture, coaching, and strategy to drive both human and organizational success.
Nichole Huff
Dr. Nichole Huff is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist for Family Finance and Resource Management at the University of Kentucky.
She blends her expertise in family finance and mental well-being to strengthen family relationships and financial resiliency through research, community outreach, and innovative educational programs.
Dr. Huff leads the Personal Finance team of OneOp, a national collaboration between the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Cooperative Extension Service that offers multidisciplinary online professional development for military service providers.
Nicole Burton
Nicole Burton is the Associate Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Assistance at Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC, where she manages the financial literacy program and compliance. Nicole began her career in financial aid in 2004 and has experience in both 4-year private and 2-year public institutions. Over the last 20 years, she has served as a Financial Aid Officer, Student Loan Coordinator, and Compliance and Default Management Coordinator.
In her current position, Nicole has tackled the enormous task of wrangling staff members to write and update the Policies and Procedures Manual. She enjoys getting out and about on campus and talking with students about making smart financial decisions.
Outside of work, Nicole loves spending time with her four children Christian (17), Aiden (13), Adalyn (11), and Liliana (4).
Ramat Oyetunji
Ramat Oyetunji is the founder of The FI Woman LLC, a Certified Personal Finance Counselor, a Certified Educator in Personal Finance, and the author of six personal finance books.
After a successful 20-year STEM career spanning multiple roles and industries, Ramat achieved her dream of financial independence and early retirement in 2021 at age 44.
Ramat launched The FI Woman in 2015 with a mission to teach women how to invest in the stock market and achieve financial independence. Today, she works with organizations to support financial wellness and education initiatives—from developing custom financial education curriculum to designing Financial Wellness programs that boost engagement and well-being.
Ramat holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Maine. She is also a former licensed Investment Adviser who enjoys speaking to women about investing, creating real financial wellness, and early financial literacy implementation. She hosts a monthly ‘Financial Wellness Conversations’ webinar for candid, judgment-free conversations about money.
Richard White
Mr. White is president of Richard Allan White and Associates, LLC, a financial consulting firm. He serves as an adjunct professor for Southern New Hampshire University and the College for Financial Planning in their online programs.
His professional experience includes positions with Arthur Andersen, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He holds graduate degrees in accounting and personal financial planning, including a master’s in accounting from Roosevelt University and a master’s in personal financial planning from the College for Financial Planning.
He is currently completing a PhD program in Business Administration at Concordia University Wisconsin, with expected completion in April 2026, and holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credentials.
Robin Palmer
Robin Palmer, a 30-year Arizona educator, specializes in entrepreneurship and financial math, bringing real-life skills to students. Robin’s resume includes being a DECA Advisor, developing curriculum for local, state, and national organizations, and being nominated as Arizona Teacher of the Year. As a teacher, student engagement was a top priority, so her classroom was very busy with students learning, working together, and applying knowledge to benefit themselves and their families.
Robin has worked with Take Charge Today for 10 years as a Teacher Trainer and an Education Specialist. She loves helping students understand how to take control of their financial futures and building teachers’ confidence in financial literacy instruction. Her passion stems from growing up in a family of 11 children where money was scarce, sacrifices were made, and hard work was valued.
Sandie Mayorga
Sandie Marie Mayorga is a College & Career Readiness Specialist at Region One Education Service Center in Texas. She earned her B.A. in English from the University of Texas–Pan American and later pursued an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley while teaching middle school English at her alma mater.
A first-generation graduate, Sandie grew up as part of a migrant family, where her parents instilled in her the importance of education, perseverance, and making smart financial decisions. Their unwavering support and words of encouragement helped her achieve far more than they could have imagined.
In her current role, Sandie leads initiatives focused on financial literacy, college and career readiness, and leadership development. She plays an active role in the Deep South Texas Financial Literacy Alliance, a regional collaboration that unites financial institutions, educators, and community partners to promote financial education. Through this alliance, Sandie helps coordinate efforts that provide students, teachers, and parents with meaningful opportunities to build financial knowledge, confidence, and lifelong money management skills.
Sandie is passionate about empowering students to reach their full potential and preparing them for success in higher education, the workforce, and beyond.
Sarah Willmett-Whiteman
Sarah has served as a Financial Education Specialist at MidFirst Bank within the MidFirst Bank MoneyCoach Program at the University of Oklahoma since June 2021.
Her background in banking and financial education allows her to provide students with relevant and practical financial knowledge. Sarah helps guide students to a successful financial future through credit building, budgeting, and paying for college.
Sarah holds a certification as a Financial Educator of Personal Finance from Fincert.
Sydney Meimann
Sydney Meimann serves as the Financial Literacy Program Director at the University of Cincinnati, where she brings a deep passion for student-centered financial wellness.
With over a decade of experience, Sydney has led efforts in cross-departmental collaboration and peer-led programming, helping to grow a dynamic student ambassador initiative that bridges financial education with real-life student needs.
She recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary at UC and continues to champion innovative approaches to financial literacy. Sydney is committed to learning, growing, and challenging herself, and others, in the evolving financial education space.
Theresa Popp Braun
Dr. Theresa Popp Braun is the National Director at the AccessLex Institute Center for
Education and Financial Capability (CFEFC). She leads a team of dedicated Regional
Directors who partner with law schools to deliver financial education and engagement
programs. Theresa also works directly with ABA-member law schools in Indiana and
Ohio to bring financial capability resources to students.
Her career spans higher education and non-profit leadership, including roles directing
student financial aid and wellness programs. She earned her Bachelor’s in Education, a
Master’s in College Student Personnel, and a Doctorate in Leadership Studies from
Bowling Green State University. Theresa is also a Certified Educator in Personal
Finance (CEPF®) and an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®).
Passionate about helping people make informed financial decisions, Theresa’s research
interests include student loan debt, college affordability, and financial wellness. She’s
published in the Journal of College Student Personnel, has received recognition for
innovative wellness programming, and was honored as a 2025 Bowling Green State
University Woman of Distinction.
A frequent speaker on personal finance, Theresa is passionate about empowering
individuals with practical tools and strategies to manage their money confidently.
Varun Gupta
Varun is a dynamic and engaging economics instructor at Wharton County Junior College—known as the “other” Wharton—who brings 13 years of teaching experience to the classroom.
He is known for making complex economic concepts accessible and exciting. Varun’s fun and energetic presentation style has captivated audiences at conferences, college events, and civic groups, both in-person and online. He has presented at NETA conferences (both in person and virtually), as well as at NISOD and JET Set.
Varun specializes in applying economic principles to real-world decision-making and classroom engagement. Whether discussing macro, micro, or everyday economics, he blends expertise with humor, ensuring audiences are both learning and laughing. His sessions are informative, fast-paced, and entertaining, making economics accessible and enjoyable for students and professionals alike.
Yuchen Lin
Dr. Yuchen Lin is an Assistant Professor of Economics and Business at Hampden-Sydney College. His research focuses on sustainable finance, financial inclusion, and literacy disparities, and his teaching emphasizes behavioral, evidence-based methods that prepare students for lifelong financial capability.
Drawing on data-driven frameworks such as the CFPB Financial Well-Being Scale and the NFCS survey, Dr. Lin designs financial education programs that integrate academic rigor, real-world application, and community impact.
His current research projects investigate how financial literacy education promotes vocational reflection and fosters financial inclusion among underrepresented populations.