Trusted Financial Education Experts

Hi, I’m Carolina Valderrama-Baker, the founder of Carval Financial Wellness. Before starting Carval Financial Wellness, I spent 15 years at Freddie Mac, where I trained professionals nationwide, developed financial education programs in English and Spanish, and partnered with lenders, nonprofits, and real estate companies to support first-time homebuyers and expand access to financial education. My work also included national advocacy - appointed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury - appearing on radio and TV to help families during the foreclosure crisis and promoting programs that made homeownership and financial knowledge more accessible. During my tenure at Freddie Mac, I received many accolades and in 2024, I was honored to receive the Latina of Influence Award by Hispanic Lifestyle for my work in the community and excellence in service. My inspiration for starting Carval Financial Wellness comes from a lifelong passion for teaching personal finance and witnessing how deeply money impacts people’s confidence, stress levels, and overall well-being. Even with a strong educational foundation in my own family, I saw early on that financial education is not universal—and that so many people, regardless of background, simply never receive the guidance they need to feel secure and empowered with their money. Throughout my career, the moments that fulfilled me most were the ones spent teaching, simplifying complex topics, and helping someone realize they could take control of their finances. Over the years, I became driven to create a space where financial wellness felt personal, compassionate, and accessible. That passion is what led me to launch Carval: a mission-driven business where I combine expertise, education, and empathy to help people reduce stress, build confidence, and transform their financial lives. Today, I bring all of that experience into my coaching - helping individuals, families, and employees reduce financial stress, make informed decisions, and achieve financial stability and success. By combining expertise, empathy, and cultural understanding, I guide my clients toward lasting financial well-being.

Sha'Kreshia Lewis is a trauma-informed financial educator, spiritual writer, and founder of Humble Hustle Finance. With nearly a decade of experience in personal finance and a deeply personal journey of healing through money wounds, Sha’Kreshia created the Bare Root Budget Method. This revolutionary framework addresses finances from the inside out. Her work blends emotional healing, spiritual wholeness, and practical money systems to help millennial women, especially single mothers, rewrite their money stories and build legacies with purpose. She has been featured in Grit Daily for transforming failure into soul-led success, and she regularly speaks on financial trauma, credit restoration, intuitive budgeting, and spiritual alignment in wealth-building. Whether through her upcoming book Planted by God, one-on-one coaching, or her vibrant online community, Sha’Kreshia is on a mission to prove: you’re not broken, you’re buried. And you’re still growing.

Edita Evoyan is a financial coach and business mentor who helps professionals and families make clearer, more confident decisions about money. With a background in architecture and interior design, she brings a unique, systems-based approach to financial strategy: simplifying complexity, building structure, and helping people design plans that align with real life goals. In her work, Edita focuses on practical financial education, retirement planning concepts, risk awareness, and long-term wealth-building habits. She’s known for translating intimidating financial topics into simple language, helping audiences cut through noise, misinformation, and overly technical advice. Edita also mentors and trains aspiring financial professionals on communication, leadership, and building an education-first business with integrity and compliance in mind. She frequently speaks on the mindset shift from employee to owner, creating additional income streams, and building scalable skills without sacrificing family priorities. Media outlets typically feature Edita for approachable commentary on financial confidence, modern wealth habits, retirement planning basics, and the real-world behaviors that drive better outcomes.

Money coach and wealth strategist with nearly a decade of experience helping high earners build wealth intentionally. Co-creator of the Financial Coaching Toolkits, former Financial Coach Academy mentor, podcast guest host, and speaker.

Baruch Mann is an independent financial expert and commentator focused on consumer finance, investing, and personal wealth decision-making. He specializes in analyzing banking products, credit cards, investment platforms, and alternative assets, helping consumers understand costs, risks, and long-term trade-offs before making financial decisions. With years of hands-on experience reviewing financial products and market offerings, Baruch is known for breaking down complex financial topics into clear, practical insights grounded in real use cases and data. His work emphasizes transparency, fair comparisons, and consumer-first analysis rather than promotional narratives.

After 15 years managing budgets in the government sector, I became a financial coach because I saw too many people struggling with their money. Now I help individuals and couples nearing or navigating retirement build money systems that remove uncertainty—focusing on intentional spending rather than endless restriction. Over my 15-year accounting career, I managed budgets, served as a fractional CFO, and wrote and managed grants. This experience taught me to translate financial complexity for different audiences. Whether explaining budget implications to executives or breaking down grant requirements for program staff, I learned that the same numbers can be presented dozens of ways depending on who needs to understand them. I bring that adaptability to my coaching practice today. I also served on an advisory board for a local shelter, where I helped fellow board members navigate financial decisions, understand budget scenarios, and evaluate alternatives during challenging times. For the past four years as a financial coach, I've combined this practical financial expertise with a focus on what actually works for real people building systems that create clarity and confidence rather than stress and restriction.

Linda Grizely is a personal finance expert and financial wellness speaker who helps people build confidence and clarity with their money. She teaches individuals and organizations how to replace financial overwhelm with empowerment and real-world results. Her approach makes personal finance relatable, practical, and deeply human. She is the creator of the MeMoney™ method, a financial strategy that creates a mindset shift and humanizes your relationship with money. Her core belief is simple: “You deserve to feel confident with money and good about how you spend it™. Linda brings both academic depth and real-life experience, both personally and professionally, to her work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Financial Services and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certificant. She is the 2019 recipient of the Charlotte Danstrom Women of Achievement Award and a 2023, 2024, & 2025 Circle of Excellence Qualifier for Women in Financial Services, recognizing her leadership, excellence, and commitment to helping others achieve financial confidence and success.

Financial Counselor at Birch Community Services. BCS is a program that provides food for families that are going through a financial hardship and pairs it with financial literacy. The families go through a personal finance course and meet 1x1 with a Financial Counselor throughout their time in the program.

Experienced Treasury Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the telecommunications industry. Strong finance professional skilled in Cash Flow, Letters of Credit, SAP Products, Cash Flow Management, and Cash Collection.

Bert Hofhuis Is a Founder and Entrepreneur Who Helps People Take Control of Their Financial Future. By Simplifying the Complexities of Later-Life Planning, He Gives Individuals the Confidence and Clarity to Make Smarter Decisions About Retirement, Wealth, and Security.

Certified Personal Finance Counselor hosting and producing business and financial content.

Are you enjoying a successful career, but still wondering where all the money goes each month? Do you picture yourself retiring comfortably or taking the vacations you've always dreamed of, yet worry your financial reality may fall short?Or are you at a point in life where you’re wondering if your money is truly working for you? Do you ever look at your income and think, “Why doesn’t it feel like enough?” despite years of hard work and financial stability? For many professional women, balancing bills with income doesn’t feel like it should at this stage in life. I understand. I’ve been there myself. After a major life shift, I faced debt, a low credit score, and no safety net. But a practical plan changed my trajectory, and now I’m passionate about helping others do the same. As an Accredited Financial Counselor , I work with women who are ready to take control of their finances & design a plan that works for their unique life. Together, we clarify spending habits, tackle debt, and create a tailored strategy to reach your financial milestones. Whether it's funding retirement, enjoying life more, or gaining the peace of mind you deserve, I support clients who want their finances to reflect the life they desire. *My mission is to empower women to approach money confidently, reframe their financial habits, and build a future where their money is a tool for opportunity and security. For 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, I provide workshops that empower employees to manage their finances confidently, helping them feel supported, valued, and inspired to succeed both personally and professionally as well as enhancing productivity and satisfaction as they learn to achieve their financial goals.𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢: Conduct personal finance workshops: https://bit.ly/4fVw96k Speak about personal finance as a panelist or keynote speaker: https://bit.ly/4fVw96k Schedule a free discovery call: https://bit.ly/3Av9yP0 Start a conversation by sending a Direct Message******************************************************Dr. Sev is founder of Bryan Financial Empowerment LLC (dba Sev Talks Money), a financial education and coaching company. She is a member of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education , a graduate of and mentor for the Milestones Circles Program at Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, a graduate of the Bank of America Institute Women's Entrepreneurship certificate program at Cornell University and a member of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Maria James, PhD, known as The Money Scientist, is the founder of Pocket of Money and the creator of W.I.S.E. Financial Fitness, a science-led approach to personal and workplace financial wellness. With more than 19 years of experience designing and managing financial systems, Dr. James helps individuals and organizations move beyond budgeting advice to measurable, behavior-based financial improvement. Trained as a cellular and molecular medicine scientist, Dr. James applies the same evidence-based thinking, analytical rigor, and protocol-driven methodology used in medical research to money management. While completing her PhD, she tested and refined her own financial systems, saving over $10,000 on a $23,000 after-tax stipend, proving that financial outcomes improve when decisions are guided by data, structure, and repeatable processes rather than motivation alone. Through her work, Dr. James has helped clients identify financial “leakage,” reduce chronic overspending, and reclaim thousands of dollars per month, often without increasing income. Her work focuses on cash-flow optimization, decision science, and sustainable habit change, making her approach especially effective for high-stress professionals and organizations seeking scalable financial wellness solutions. Dr. James has been featured as a financial wellness expert in Forbes, ESSENCE, MadameNoire, The Frugal Feminista, WEAA 88.9, Clever Girl Finance Podcast, and Journey to Launch Podcast, among others. Her contributions to financial education and innovation have earned national and international recognition, including: Best Personal Finance Business – USA, Worldwide Finance Awards (2023) Excellence Award in Personal Finance Consulting, World Finance Awards (2022) Citation from the Maryland House of Delegates for dedication to financial literacy (2021) Money Management Innovator of the Year – Most Inspirational Woman in Financial Services (2019) Dr. James’ mission is to make financial wellness practical, measurable, and repeatable so people can stop guessing with their money and start managing it with confidence and clarity.

𝗠𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: Both of my parents immigrated from Mexico as teenagers. They didn’t have much, but what they did have was grit. My dad was in construction, my mom working flexible jobs so she could stay close to us. Eventually, she became a foster mom, and our house was always filled with kids—many of whom came from homes filled with struggle, instability, and deep financial stress. It didn’t take long for me to realize: 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. It influences safety, peace of mind, opportunity, even emotional well-being. At 12 years old, I was cleaning houses with my mom and working on construction job sites with my dad... saving every dollar I could. I wasn’t just learning the value of hard work. I was making a vow: I would never feel powerless because of money. I would become the expert. And I would help other women feel powerful, too. I’ve kept that promise. I became one of the youngest CFP® professionals in the country. I have leaned on innovation and built my practice on one simple idea: 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴—𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Now, I serve women who are ready to align their money with what really matters. Not just retire well—but live well. Not just grow wealth—but use it with purpose.

Damodhar Mata is a Dubai-based financial advisor who is often quoted in Gulf News on topics related to financial planning, investments, and insurance. He provides guidance on budgeting, saving, and investing, particularly for UAE residents. He has also been featured in other publications like Khaleej Times. Here's a more detailed look at his work: Financial Planning: Damodhar Mata specializes in holistic financial planning, investments, and insurance. Budgeting and Savings: He offers advice on how to manage finances, create budgets, and save effectively, especially for those living in the UAE. Overspending in Dubai: He has commented on the issue of overspending among some UAE residents, particularly due to factors like discount offers and easy access to credit, according to a Gulf News report. Home Insurance: He has also discussed the importance of home insurance for homeowners in the UAE. Regularly Featured in Media: His insights are regularly featured in Gulf News and Khaleej Times. Nexus Insurance Brokers: He is a senior consultant at Nexus Insurance Brokers.

I’m a fee-only financial advisor in Washington, D.C, and the founder of District Capital Management. I am deeply committed to helping professionals in their 30s and 40s retire by 55, through holistic financial planning and research-driven investing. Since 2013, I’ve empowered over 400 clients to take control of their financial futures, making personal finance approachable and less intimidating.

Annette has diverse work experience spanning various roles and industries. Annette currently works as the Senior Director of Human Resources at Swisher, where they are responsible for overseeing HR operations and implementing solutions for HR transactions and service delivery processes. Annette has also managed recruitment, staffing, employee training, and development programs. As a champion for leadership development, financial fitness, and effective communication Annette's aim is to form and maintain cohesive relationships and lifelong learning opportunities. Specialties: Financial Coaching, Recruitment, Compensation, Employment Law, Unionized Workforces, Benefits