Washington Financial Educators Council: About, Mission, Advisory Board
The Washington Financial Educators Council℠ is committed to helping people across the state gain access to financial education programming that helps them work toward financial wellness. To this end, we provide complimentary resources, advocacy campaigns, and local personal support to build scalable financial wellness initiatives.
The mission of the Washington Financial Educators Council℠ is to build sustainable, scalable economic empowerment programs that have a real impact on people’s lives at the community level.
Washington & Regional Advisory Board
The Washington Financial Educators Council Advisory Board members come from diverse backgrounds, yet share one similar goal – to help push the financial wellness movement forward. Board members serve in a variety of roles to support the Leadership Team to develop leading educational resources, expand our business, and create positive social change.
Founding Member
Audree Bobinger
Investment Advisor Representative, Pierce County, WA
Western Regional Advisory Board Members
Larry Dicke
CalChamber of Commerce, Chief Financial Officer, Retired 2022
Veselina Dinova
Haas School of Business UC Berkeley, Executive MBA Professor
Sonja Strzoda
Financial Services Executive & Nonprofit Board Professional
Sam X Renick
Internationally Recognized Financial Literacy Pioneer
James Chang
President and CEO of Pasadena Federal Credit Union
Raymond Donegan Jr.
Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®)
Sarah Brady
Finance Writer and Owner of SarahCBrady.com
Larry Dicke
CalChamber of Commerce, Chief Financial Officer, Retired 2022
Larry is board certified and has in-depth experience in large public, private and not-for-profit business organizations with various and increasing responsibilities. Including accounting, purchasing, operations, customer service, international, marketing, timely, complete, and accurate reporting of financial results, evaluating capital expenditures, negotiating operating and capital leases, developing compensation and benefit plans, and negotiating working capital and medium-term financing and cyber security. During his career he was the leader or participated in Domestic and International Acquisition Teams.
Larry retired from CalChamber on April 30, 2022. He started there as vice president of finance on June 1, 2002. Larry was appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer in March 2007. In January 2012 Larry was chosen to lead CalChamber’s compliance business. The compliance business includes membership, products, and training. The members have access to best software as service (HRCalifornia) for providing answers to questions on California employment laws and a Helpline for answers to confidential questions. The products sold by this business include employment compliance tools, required state, federal and local employment posters and pamphlets, reference guides, and an online employee handbook creator. Training includes the best online sexual harassment prevention course in the country, compliance seminars and webinars.
Before coming to the CalChamber, he worked for Blue Diamond Growers in Sacramento as vice president of finance and chief financial officer. During his employment with Blue Diamond, he added responsibilities for human resources and information systems and added the responsibilities of corporate secretary.
Dicke was a founding member and past president of the Greater Sacramento Area Chapter of Financial Executives International. He was an adjunct professor for the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Davis; served as chief financial officer for the California State Protocol Foundation; and was a member of the California Governor and First Lady’s Conference Board of Directors. He is a former president of the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization (SACTO) and once served on the board of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
Dicke was born and raised in Chicago, graduating from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois with a B.S. in accounting. He passed the CPA exam in Illinois and earned his MBA from the University of Chicago and has a CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight. He is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, Financial Executives International and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was Sacramento area CFO of the Year for Nonprofits in 2014.
Veselina Dinova
Haas School of Business UC Berkeley, Executive MBA Professor
Veselina Dinova is faculty at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, where she teaches finance, accounting, financial information analysis and stock valuation focused courses with the graduate and executive MBA programs. Her mission is to educate the future corporate leaders on how to build and grow companies that make the world a better place for all their stakeholders. She has won numerous awards for teaching excellence.
Veselina has researched and analyzed the financial performance and corporate governance of publicly traded companies from a wide range of industries. She cares deeply about education and enjoys working with and learning from her students with vastly diverse backgrounds, opinions and aspirations. She is passionate about innovation and has mentored startups at SkyDeck, the premier accelerator at UC Berkeley.
Prior to becoming faculty at Haas, Veselina was in corporate treasury at multinational corporations where she had a wide range of responsibilities: portfolio management of fixed income and equity investments, bank and investment managers’ relationships, corporate cash forecasting, SEC reporting, internal audit compliance.
Veselina is originally from Bulgaria and came to the US to pursue her MBA degree at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona. She is a CFA charter-holder and a member of the CFA Society of San Francisco. She is NACD Directorship certified.
Trevor Stoll
National Financial Educators Council, Director of Operations
Trevor Stoll has felt passionate about bringing greater financial wellness to Californians for decades. When he was an undergraduate at the University of California, Riverside, he witnessed many of his classmates struggling to balance their college budgets and wanted to do something to help. When he heard about the NFEC and its financial education advocacy, he reached out to them. In partnership, they started the American Dream Movement chapter at UCR. This movement gave Trevor the opportunity to empower his college peers with the financial knowledge they needed to effectively and confidently tackle the real-world life decisions they would face during their college years and beyond.
Stoll earned an MBA from the University of California, Irvine and a BS in Business Administration from UCR. This educational background gave him the qualifications to take his passion for promoting financial wellness to the next level. Now, as the NFEC’s Chief Operations Officer, Trevor takes a data-driven approach to planning financial wellness strategies and initiatives for maximum long-term social impact. He also is charged with maintaining quality control of the NFEC’s resources and ensuring their compliance with top standards. These are just some of the contributions Stoll is looking forward to making as part of his role on the California Financial Educators Council’s Advisory Board.
Carolyn Campbell
Emerging Capital Partners, Managing Partner and COO
Carolyn Campbell is an experienced executive and board director with over 25 years of investing in the financial services and technology sectors. Ms. Campbell is a founder and managing partner of Emerging Capital Partners (ECP), a private equity firm which has raised over $3.4 billion in growth capital for investment in over 70 listed and private high-growth companies, with a focus on innovation in financial services, telecom and energy/logistics. As a member of ECP’s Audit/Valuation, Investment and Executive Committees, her M&A financial and legal background makes her a key decision-maker in relation to financial performance and governance. As chair of the firm’s advisory committees and a director of multiple boards, she is valued for oversight and strategy in relation to finance/audit, corporate governance, management and ESG, improving financial reporting, corporate governance, business plans and IT systems. Ms. Campbell is particularly well-versed in issues facing highly-regulated industries and those looking to expand into new markets.
Prior to founding ECP, Ms. Campbell worked in global private equity at Emerging Markets Partnership (EMP), where she provided overall leadership and strategy for funds in Asia and Eastern Europe. Prior to that, Ms. Campbell worked in M&A and corporate finance globally at White & Case LLP, where she advised on U.S. venture capital deals and guided expanding multinational corporations to find suitable investments, build strong local partnerships and achieve best governance practices. Her work at White & Case spanned a variety of sectors, including financial services, insurance and technology.
Ms. Campbell has received various awards including the Private Equity Africa Women Impact Award and life membership in the Council on Foreign Relations. A sought-after speaker on board governance, investment strategy and executive management, she has appeared on C-SPAN, Bloomberg and Africa Today, spoken at the National Economists Club, the Brookings Institute, and the Harvard and Wharton Business Schools. She has published on cryptocurrency and other topics in the Financial Times, Environmental Finance, Quartz and Private Equity International. Ms. Campbell received a BA in Economics summa cum laude from the University of Connecticut, a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, and a Ph.D. in Political Economy from Oxford University and is fluent in French.
Other Board Experience
- Chair of Finance/Audit Committee for six years of Washington International School, a private K-12 school with over $45m in revenues
- Investment Committee Member, American Psychological Foundation
- Advisory Council Member, United States Millennium Challenge Corporation
Sonja Strzoda
Financial Services Executive & Nonprofit Board Professional
Sonja Strzoda has over twenty-five years of experience in the global asset management and financial services industries working with Boards, senior executives and major investors. She was most recently with ColumbiaThreadneedle Investments (a subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial) where she served as Director of Consultant Relations and facilitated the re-engineering of the global consultant relations effort. Previously, Sonja was Senior Vice President for Putnam Investments where she worked as part of the global sales team and re-established the firm’s brand in the institutional marketplace. Earlier roles and positions included Vice President at Robeco Investment Management, Principal at Bradford & Marzec, Inc., a privately held institutional fixed income manager, PIMCO, and Dean Witter Reynolds (Morgan Stanley).
Sonja currently sits on the Boards of WISE-Women Investing in Security and Education, NuVision Federal Credit Union where she serves on the Asset and Liability Committee and CEO Compensation Committee, and Working Wardrobes where Sonja is a member of the Governance and Strategic Planning Committees, and Chair of the Audit Committee.
Sonja received her MBA with an emphasis in finance from California State University, Long Beach, where she was the first woman portfolio manager on the University’s Student Managed Investment Fund. She earned her BS with a major in economics from University of California, Irvine. Sonja is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and held FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses.
Sam X Renick
Internationally recognized financial literacy pioneer and leader Sam X Renick has joined the California Educators Council Advisory Board as of 2022. Mr. Renick’s expertise lies in innovative children’s financial education, with which he has reached more than a quarter million children across 8 countries and 40 US states over the past two decades.
Mr. Renick founded his social entrepreneurial venture, the “It’s a Habit!” Company, in 2001 and co-created the Sammy Rabbit storybook character to empower individuals from all backgrounds to teach young children excellent money habits in an entertaining, effective format. For his own far-reaching children’s financial literacy instruction efforts, he and his team have earned multiple honors – including the 2016 National Financial Educators Council Instructor of the Year Award, the New Jersey Coalition for Financial Education Lifetime Achievement Award, the California Jump$tart Coalition Leaders in Personal Literacy Award, and induction into the Loyola Marymount University Wall of Honor, among many more.
A prolific author and songwriter, Mr. Renick has developed one of the largest financial literacy resource libraries in the world. Among this extensive bank of resources can be found storybooks and songs such as Sammy’s Big Dream, Get in the Habit, S.A.V.E. Rainy Day, Lemonade Stand, Anyone Can Be Rich, and Show Your Family the Way.
Mr. Renick also has garnered substantial media attention for his exemplary work in the financial education space. His efforts have been featured in television and radio spots on ABC, the Armed Forces Network, Fox, and NPR; and in print media including the Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Kansas City Star, MSN, Kiplinger, MarketWatch, and Yahoo Finance.
Today, Mr. Renick serves a myriad of high-profile clients, both individuals and enterprises. His work has gained worldwide support from groups of all sizes and from all sectors, including the US Department of Defense, Air Force Aid Society, Citi, Girl Scouts of America, Texas Family Community Leaders of America, Toyota, the University of Maryland, and the United Way.
Sam Renick’s lifelong commitment to spreading knowledge and joy on great money habits has helped form his mantra: “Great habits give all kids a better and brighter future!”
Rodney Balbuena
Managing Director, SageView Advisory Group
Advisory Board Member Rodney Balbuena was chosen to serve on the California Financial Educators Council (CFEC) due to his passion for helping individuals and organizations secure their financial futures – a calling that deeply aligns with the mission of the National Financial Educators Council, the CFEC’s parent organization. Across his nearly three-decade career in financial services, Balbuena has consistently demonstrated innovation, compassion, and contributions to positive social progress.
Criteria for selection to the Advisory Board include having a proven dedication to financial wellness and service to California communities. Rodney Balbuena’s history of success in guiding his clients toward financial well-being and his commitment to empowering underserved groups with financial education recommend him strongly to fill this position. The California Financial Educators Council anticipates a highly productive and beneficial collaborative relationship with Rodney Balbuena well into the future.
Innovative Solutions for Economic Empowerment: Rodney Balbuena
I attended California State University at Los Angeles, where I pursued a major in Business Marketing. During those formative years, I cultivated a keen interest in the art of public speaking, effective presentations, and the world of financial products. As I ventured into the job market in 1994, a remarkable opportunity emerged for a bilingual educator role within a global financial services corporation, and I was fortunate enough to be selected for this prestigious position.
With a career spanning over 27 years in this dynamic industry, I have diligently acquired and currently hold a series of prestigious securities licenses, including Series 6, 63, and 65. Furthermore, I take great pride in being recognized with a Chartered Certified Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) and Behavioral Finance Analyst designation, which unequivocally underscores my unwavering dedication to achieving professional excellence.
I am excited and committed to lending my skills, insights, and experience to the ongoing success and growth of the National Financial Educators Council and its state affiliate, the California Financial Educators Council. Together, I believe we can achieve remarkable results and make a positive impact.
I look forward to collaborating with the entire advisory board in the coming months and years, as we work together to shape the future and realize our vision.
James Chang
President and CEO of Pasadena Federal Credit Union
President and CEO of Pasadena Federal Credit Union in Pasadena, CA, James Chang brings more than 25 years of financial institution experience to his position on the California Financial Educators Council Advisory Board. His substantial skills and expertise include promoting professional personal finance guidance, strategic use of technology, and personal delivery of outstanding products and services.
Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Chang started his career as a credit union teller – where his daily interactions with members quickly illuminated and solidified his passion for helping others. He cites his dedication to prioritizing members’ interests as the impetus behind his advancement into top leadership positions. In addition to his current title, he has held executive positions at Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union, Verity Credit Union, and Southland Credit Union.
James views his Advisory Board role as a unique opportunity to amplify his community impact by becoming a champion of top-quality financial education resources. He plans to leverage his broad professional network to advance the cause of building greater financial literacy and well-being among Californians in his own community and statewide.
Raymond Donegan Jr.
Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®)
A retired U.S. military service member, licensed Life Insurance Broker, and NFEC-Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®), Raymond Donegan Jr. dedicates his energies to empowering individuals, families, organizations, and whole communities with financial literacy education. He credits his own past experiences growing up on the South Side of Chicago – in an underserved community where personal finance was neither taught nor discussed – as the impetus behind his passion for financial wellness advocacy today.
Donegan served in multiple leadership roles during his military career, including Command Financial Specialist, Command Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Representative, Military Police Officer, Command Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor, Command Sexual Assault Victim Intervention Program Coordinator, and Supply Department Leading Petty Officer. His service taught him the importance of discipline, structure, and strategic planning, key tactics he now applies to teaching money management as a life skill. His stated mission is to equip young people and their families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make informed financial decisions – freeing them to break cycles of financial uncertainty and build generational wealth.
Currently based in San Diego, Raymond Donegan Jr. leads practical, interactive financial wellness workshops for a broad range of audiences – from high school seniors to community groups. His programming focuses on essential topics that include budgeting, debt management, wealth-building, protection from risk, and long-term strategic planning. Raymond brings his dedication to service to bear toward helping others build the strong financial foundations that foster lasting change and prosperity.
Sarah Brady
Finance Writer and Owner of SarahCBrady.com
With a Master’s in International Relations from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor’s in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Cal State Fresno, Sarah Brady joins the CFEC Advisory Board with a rich, distinguished background in financial education and content development. She began her career leading after-school programs. After earning credentials as a Certified Consumer Credit Counselor through the NFCC and as a HUD Certified Housing Counselor, Brady soon transitioned into roles as a financial educator and consultant. She founded her current business, SarahCBrady.com, in 2017 – creating expert content as a freelance contributor to such publications and outlets as Yahoo! Finance, Experian, Forbes Advisor, Time, Kiplinger, and many others. Sarah also has appeared as a Finance Expert on PBS NewsHour and conducted a financial wellness webinar series for Prosper Marketplace.
A talented public speaker, Sarah Brady is well-versed in all personal finance subjects as well as some business finance areas. She has written and presented workshops on – among many other topics – consumer credit, mortgages, insurance, car-buying, cybersecurity, and cryptocurrency. During her career, Brady has counseled thousands of families and taught personal finance workshops across the San Francisco Bay Area. She has served as a contracted financial educator for the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing, the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, and the San Francisco LGBT Center.
Sarah joins the California Financial Educators Council Advisory Board with a goal to bring trustworthy, nonjudgmental financial education to a wider audience across the Golden State and around the nation. In strong alignment with the mission and vision of the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) – the CFEC’s parent organization – Sarah Brady is well-positioned to make a significant positive impact on the financial well-being of Californians, their families, and their business ventures.
State Chapter Details & Affiliation with National Council
The Washington Financial Educators Council℠ is a chapter of the National Financial Educators Council®. The National chapter is well-qualified to support our initiatives here across the state of Washington. They bring:
Accreditation
As an IACET Accredited Provider, the NFEC offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
Social Impact
As a Certified B Corporation, the NFEC meets the highest standards for socially responsible commerce, using the power of business to build more sustainable economies.
Standards
The NFEC set industry standards for the financial education industry and materials are developed with the highest educational outcomes in mind.
Dr. Melissa Weathersby
President and CEO of 5-Star Empowerment
Dr. Melissa Weathersby’s selection as a member of the Texas Financial Educators Council (TFEC) can be attributed to her distinguished leadership background, wealth of expertise, and strong support of the mission and vision of the National Financial Educators Council – the TFEC’s parent organization. Advisory Board Member Melissa Weathersby is a licensed real estate broker, former professor, published author, highly sought-after speaker, and founder/CEO of 5-Star Empowerment, a personal and professional development coaching and consulting firm.
Melissa Weathersby more than meets the stringent criteria for selection to the Advisory Board through her commitment to educating individuals and organizations in personal and business finance, supporting whole communities in the process. The Texas Financial Educators Council eagerly anticipates a dynamic and productive collaboration with Dr. Weathersby in the coming years.
Building Personal Finance Acumen on a Global Scale: Melissa Weathersby
As President and CEO of 5-Star Empowerment, I am committed to making personal finance education available to individuals, communities, and organizations globally. After spending several years in the financial services sector, I realized how many are lacking basic financial acumen.
I worked my way from part-time teller to assistant branch manager at a large credit union before being promoted to banking center manager at a major retail bank. It was then that I became aware of the stark differences between the business models of credit unions and banks. I even worked briefly for a finance company that made short-term loans with exorbitant interest rates and fees. I had the “privilege” of making collection calls and repossessing collateral for defaulted accounts. It was there that I learned of poverty and predatory lending. I vowed never to work in such a place again.
After leaving the banking industry, I became a licensed Realtor® and decided to open a mortgage brokerage company. I learned very quickly that many people who applied for a mortgage did not have their financial affairs in order and had very little idea what it took to purchase a home, let alone maintain home ownership. This was during the time that the subprime market was booming, and many fell into the lure of adjustable-rate mortgages. When the market crashed in 2008, I went to work at a community college.
Once I entered higher education, I became a vocal advocate for financial literacy. In 2018, I completed and published a 400+-page doctoral dissertation highlighting the need for financial literacy in higher education. The dissertation has been downloaded more than 150 times in 24 different countries. I teach real estate, business, and personal finance classes and continue to emphasize that financial literacy is a life skill that affects all areas of our lives and our families. I continue to speak at conferences, churches, and radio shows whenever the opportunity affords me to discuss this important topic. I have also written books to help those who need clarity about the mortgage approval process and for those who need an action plan for overcoming a financial crisis.
It is an honor to be chosen to serve on the Texas Financial Educators Council Advisory Board. This is my opportunity to go beyond working with individuals and to begin making high-quality financial education resources widely available at the community and organizational levels. My goal continues to be financial wellness advocacy and consulting, and this opportunity to network with likeminded individuals will further advance my doctoral social justice contribution and promote positive social change by helping to create fiscally competent adults who are likely to produce fiscally sound communities and economies.
Marlon Green
Founder of the Prosperous Athletes Financial Education
Advisory Board Member Marlon Green, MBA, CFEI®, is the founder of the Prosperous Athletes financial education and career awareness program for high school and collegiate athletes. Marlon has more than 20 years of accounting and finance experience during which he has worked in various industries such as Chemical, Oil and Gas, and Consulting. Marlon holds an Undergraduate degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Houston Baptist University. Marlon also obtained his MBA in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Houston Downtown. He earned his Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) credentials via the National Financial Educators Council, an organization that specializes in providing financial wellness education and training and is the parent organization to the Texas Financial Educators Council.
Marlon attributes his professional successes to his background as a student athlete where he learned the importance of discipline, teamwork, communication, collaboration, time management, leadership, and perseverance at an early age.
Marlon has over 15 years of leadership experience where he has led teams in Accounting and Human Resources (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion). Marlon has worked on global projects with various cross-functional organizations such as Supply Chain, Procurement, Treasury, Manufacturing Operations, Recruiting, and Human Resources – with efforts spanning across various regions including Europe, Asia, India, and Latin America.
Marlon is a husband, father, leader, and mentor. In his spare time, Marlon enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, reading, and exercising.
Adding Value by Bridging the Financial Literacy Gap: Marlon Green
As an Accounting and Finance professional, I have over 20 years of experience working in various industries such as Oil and Gas, Chemical, Consulting, and Insurance. Obtaining an Undergraduate degree in Accounting and an MBA in Finance and Investment Management has equipped me with the necessary knowledge and tools required to educate my clients and assist them to navigate the arena of personal finance. My experience and passion for paying it forward has created a pathway for me to add value to the Texas Financial Educators Council’s Advisory Board.
As a former athlete and now a financial educator, my mission is to provide a comprehensive financial literacy program that will empower current and former athletes to take control of their financial destinies. I founded Prosperous Athletes with the goal of raising awareness about personal finance in my community and becoming an advocate for financial wellness. Throughout my personal and professional journey, I have overcome my own financial pitfalls through continuous learning and awareness. My purpose is to add value to the lives of others by helping bridge the financial literacy gap in our communities. I believe that financial wellness is a cornerstone of personal and societal well-being.
It is an honor and privilege to be on the Texas Financial Educators Council’s Advisory Board. I look forward to sharing information that will empower and equip those in my community and beyond. Financial Education is not just a topic that we discuss, it is a life skill that empowers individuals to design the lives they deserve.
Gerardo King
Investment Banker, Member of the Board of Directors of Peak 10 Energy
Advisory Board Member Gerardo King was selected by the Texas Financial Educators Council not only due to his rich background in the investment banking and financial services industries, but also because of his multicultural connections and commitment to making a positive social impact.
In addition to his contributing role on the TFEC Advisory Board, Gerardo also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Peak 10 Energy – a leading energy company – where he provides strategic insight and guidance on the company’s growth and sustainability initiatives. He plans to leverage his wealth of expertise to create value and positive impact for the TFEC’s financial wellness community campaigns across the state of Texas and beyond.
Forging Global Financial Wellness Partnerships: Gerardo King
Gerardo King is a well-seasoned investment banker with more than 20 years of experience across various divisions of world-class financial institutions. He began his career at Citigroup in the top-tier corporate, mining, and resource industries group as a Management Associate, participating in the most relevant deals in the Andean Region while leading a transaction execution team by the time of his departure. In 2004 he joined Standard Bank as a Vice President for Resource Banking, closing the first staple oil and gas syndication in the LatAm region for the bank. Later he evolved to become the lead deal originator for the Americas.
In 2008 he joined Morgan Stanley to head and develop its Investment Banking franchise across the southern cone of the Americas, including the Andean region. During his tenure as an Executive Director, Gerardo poised Morgan Stanley as a leader in the primary league tables for the first time in the American emerging markets history. As a result, in 2011 the bank opened its representative office in Peru to provide pivotal support to the region. He was the protagonist for the origination and execution of first-time issuers in the mining, energy, and oil and gas industries, establishing a robust presence for Morgan Stanley. This accomplishment led him to become an integral member of the bank’s operating committee for the Americas, nominated to Managing Director in 2015.
In 2016 he founded Tamesis, a multidisciplinary boutique investment bank with partnerships across the globe. With a strong focus in private markets, asset curation, and its take-out to public markets, he has gained a wealth of experience with asset managers worldwide. He is also the principal as an investor in the Peru Forest Impact Fund, a USD200MM reforestation effort primarily funded by institutional liquidity and operated by a world-class asset manager.
Gerardo’s skill sets range across business development, corporate finance, M&A advisory, debt and equity capital market, and commodities. He has over USD25BN of origination and structuring experience across debt and capital markets placements and has wide access to executive management in top-tier corporations and institutions. King holds an outstanding reputation across the institutional investor community including pension funds, insurance companies, investment fund managers, family offices, broker-dealers, and banks.
Paul Goebel
Founding Director (RET) of the UNT Student Money Management Center
Visionary Champion of Financial Wellness
Known for his ability to turn ideas into impact, Paul Goebel has long championed financial wellness as a catalyst for student success. As the founding director of the Student Money Management Center at the University of North Texas, his team prioritized reaching the University’s diverse and ever-evolving student body with programming that was not only relevant, but resonant. His approach blended innovation with personalization, forging cross-campus partnerships that empowered students through holistic, real-world learning experiences.
Expanding the Reach of Financial Education Programming
Paul’s influence extends far beyond academia. A sought-after advisor and speaker, he has helped shape sustainable financial education initiatives across Texas and the nation. His adaptable teaching style turns ideas into reality, laying the groundwork for programs that endure and evolve. Paul thrives to amplify the reach of financial literacy and education—building bridges, sparking change, and mentoring the next generation of educators and advocates.
Vince Shorb
Founder & CEO of the National Financial Educators Council
After spending 15 years in financial services working one-on-one with more than 20,000 people, he founded the National Financial Educators Council in 2006 and directed the organizations focus on combating the financial illiteracy epidemic. He is the current CEO of the NFEC, an IACET Accredited company and a Certified B Corporation.
Dedicated to Advancing Economic Empowerment Thorough Financial Education
Vince Shorb is one of the country’s leading advocates for promoting financial wellness and a thought leader in teaching and scaling financial education programming.
Vince’s mission is to create a world where people are informed to make qualified financial decisions and confidently take effective financial action that best helps them meet their basic human needs while moving toward fulfilling their personal, family, and global community goals.
Shorb has led the NFEC in the development of 2,500 financial education programs and more than 80 financial literacy assets and financial education standards that guide the industry. His focus is on mobilizing and developing community champions and empowering them with the resources, knowledge, and processes they need to help their communities’ citizens work toward financial self-sufficiency and security.
Sharita Humphrey
National Financial Educator of the Year & Financial Wellness Advocate
Advisory Board Member Sharita M. Humphrey is a nationally-recognized and award-winning Certified Financial Education Instructor and business mentor. Sharita has received two Texas Proclamations recognizing her ongoing commitment and work to teach financial and business literacy to marginalized communities and small businesses. Sharita was named the National Financial Educator of the Year in 2020 for her education and advocacy work across the country. In 2021, Sharita began to do global financial literacy work via the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Namibia.
Sharita plans to leverage her substantial experience in mentorship, financial literacy, and entrepreneurism as she makes significant contributions to the mission and vision of the Texas Financial Educators Council’s Advisory Board.
Fostering Collaboration and Inspiring Global Financial Freedom: Sharita M. Humphrey
Sharita Humphrey has continued to work with state and local agencies, nonprofits, banks, and educational institutions, presenting and developing curricula, workshops, and training to increase financial and business literacy awareness and education. She is a resident business advisor for a collaborative project including Houston Community College, the City of Houston, and the Spring Branch Independent School District to help aspiring entrepreneurs gain access to educational resources and capital.
She is a regular contributor to major publications and has been featured in top-tier media, including CNBC, MSN, Acorns, Wall Street Journal, Martha Stewart, Credit Karma, iHeartMedia, Forbes, Yahoo Finance, and BBC World News. She is a talented media spokesperson and partners with other brands and organizations to further educate mass communities on financial well-being, entrepreneurship, and funding opportunities.
Sharita and her family set a goal of purchasing hundreds of acres of land over the next few years to build a family-run farm. During their journey, Sharita will be teaching under-resourced farmers how to obtain capital to acquire and retain their farmland for generations to come.
Dr. Tyson Garfield
Personal Finance Expert and founder of TheMedicineCheck.com
Dr. Tyson Garfield brings a unique mix of expertise to the Texas Financial Educators Council Advisory Board. He earned a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and holds multiple certifications in internal and geriatric medicine. As an Assistant Professor of Geriatric Medicine, he not only has gained primary care experience in a clinical setting, but also expanded his role to include delivering point of care education to medical students, residents, and fellows. As Dr. Garfield came to realize the lack of and need for financial literacy among his students, he developed his current passion for integrating financial education into medical training curricula.
Merging Financial Wellness with Medical Education: Dr. Tyson Garfield
Dr. Garfield’s growing interest in medical education and complex systems management has led him to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Dallas, which he expects to complete in August 2025. His overarching goal is to enhance the health and well-being of older adults and the communities where they reside through research, education, and innovation. This objective aligns strongly with the mission of the Texas Financial Educators Council to bring greater financial literacy to communities across the Lone Star State.
As an Advisory Board member, Dr. Tyson Garfield plans to merge his two passions: medicine and financial wellness. His partnership empowers the TFEC to make a strong, lasting positive impact on people’s lives, helping ensure that top-quality financial education resources are available to all Texans.
Kheadrick Hunt
Founder, Community Champion Organization Grace & Glory
With a background in wealth strategy, retirement and insurance planning, and financial education, Kheadrick Hunt brings a rich mix of experience and learning to his role on the Texas Financial Educators Council Advisory Board. Originally educated in computer systems technology, networking, and telecommunications, Hunt earned an Associate’s Degree from ITT Technical Institute in 2015 and served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2012-2020. Subsequently, he launched a career in a variety of financial services specialties including life insurance, wealth-building and legacy strategies, retirement planning, and financial consulting.
Kheadrick launched his own brand, Grace & Glory, in 2025 with a mission to build an active community movement around financial wellness through content development, digital outreach, public speaking, and workshop presentations. He brings a personal approach to his financial wellness pursuits, translating his own lived experience and education into giving people the knowledge and tools they need to move toward financial independence. Through a unique blend of teaching, storytelling, and hands-on guidance, Hunt helps everyday individuals and families grasp the strategies commonly used by the wealthy and apply them in their own lives, regardless of their situation or background.
His commitment to developing real personal finance strategies for real people and changing the narrative among the underserved made Kheadrick Hunt a natural fit for the TFEC Advisory Board. The organization anticipates a productive and fruitful collaboration with Kheadrick as we work together to make financial wellness a reality across Texas and beyond.
Audree Bobinger
Investment Advisor Representative, Pierce County, WA
Audree Bobinger is a Financial Educator, U.S. Navy veteran, and Investment Advisor Representative with a Bachelor’s in Business Management and a minor in Entrepreneurship from Boise State University. She is currently working toward a Master’s degree in Financial Planning and the Certified Financial Professional (CFP®) credential. Bobinger’s professional experience has crossed several financial services sectors including insurance, wealth management, retirement planning, and business strategy. Today she is a Licensed Series 65 Fiduciary and runs her own business, Quility Financial Advisors. Audree has dedicated her career to advancing the financial wellness agenda across the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
Bobinger credits her own personal background for her independent spirit and dedication to helping others. Six years spent in the Navy enabled her to bring a sense of discipline and service to her fiduciary practice, where she takes a community-based approach to helping individuals, families, and businesses gain financial clarity and achieve long-term success. She has a particular passion for helping women, veterans, and small business owners, but exhibits dedication to guiding people from all societal segments to make informed financial decisions.
Today Audree specializes in helping people understand the complex financial landscape so they can apply risk-conscious investment and holistic planning strategies to their money management choices. Her objectives for serving on the Washington Financial Educators Council Advisory Board are to contribute her professional expertise and community service commitment to support the organization’s vision of improving financial wellness across Washington and around the U.S.