Conversations with Personal Finance Champions

In this episode, we sit down with Donna Cirillo, founder of Smart Money Changes Everything, to explore how she built a purpose-driven career in financial education that serves everyone from teens in libraries to adults rebuilding after major life transitions. Donna shares how her journey began in a high-pressure bank call center, where overwhelmed staff and frustrated customers pushed her to creat...

In this episode, we’re joined by Susan Doty, Executive Director of the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy at the University of Texas at Tyler. With a career spanning over three decades, Susan brings a deep commitment to student outcomes and lasting systemic change. We explore her innovative First Responder Finance initiative—a three-tiered program offering for-credit certificatio...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with  Rachael Hanible—author, speaker, Certified Financial Education Instructor, and recipient of the NFEC’s Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award. What began as informal kitchen table conversations with friends’ parents has grown into a national movement to empower individuals—from age 3 to 73—with financial knowledge and confidence.   Motivated b...

Ben Joergens is a nationally recognized financial literacy advocate, community leader, and the Executive Director of Financial Empowerment at Old National Bank. With a career dedicated to bridging the financial knowledge gap, Ben has spearheaded initiatives that empower individuals and families to achieve long-term financial stability and success. In this episode, Ben shares his personal journey f...

Craig is a FinTech leader with deep expertise in integrating technology into education and offering practical insights for those looking to enter the FinTech industry. With a career that began in the financial trenches of the steel industry and evolved into founding groundbreaking platforms like SPENDiD and MyBudgetReport, Craig has consistently championed financial health and wellness. In this ep...

Sonja Strzoda brings over 25 years of expertise in global asset management and financial services, working with Boards, senior executives, and major investors throughout her impressive career. She currently serves on the Boards of WISE (Women Investing in Security and Education), NuVision Federal Credit Union, Knomee, and the California Financial Educators Council, where she plays a vital role in...

I’m excited to introduce this limited series featuring leaders in personal finance, including educators, coaches, fintech innovators, and content creators, all advancing financial wellness. We’ll explore how to scale financial initiatives, gain exposure, and address the business side of financial education. If you're passionate about improving financial literacy and want practical insights on buil...

Bola Sokunbi, founder of Clever Girl Finance, is a 5x bestselling author, speaker, and leader of one of the largest personal finance media and education platforms for women in the U.S. As a Certified Financial Education Instructor and finance expert, Bola provides unparalleled insight into crafting high-quality content that engages and builds thriving communities. In this episode, Bola shares her...

Ellis Cropper is a leading advocate and educator in the elementary school financial literacy space. Retired Army Major Cropper, a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) and Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC®), has been a financial professional with New York Life since 2018. As an Massachusetts Financial Educators Council Advisory Board Member, he is leveraging his expertise to spearhead campaigns...

Bobby P. Kinzer is the President of the Literacy Institute for Financial Enrichment, Inc. (LIFE) and a Certified Financial Education Instructor dedicated to teaching financial literacy and economic empowerment to youths, adults, and senior citizens. With nearly 31 years of service at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Robert brings a wealth of experience in financial management, com...

Evelyn Magley is a history-making visionary, philanthropist, and the first woman to own a professional men’s sports league in the United States. As the owner and CEO of The Basketball League (TBL), she leads an organization that goes beyond professional basketball to provide affordable family entertainment, support local communities, and empower players through life skills education. In this episo...