Recognized Financial Literacy Leaders 2025

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.

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

With a blend of business acumen and certified financial coaching, my role as Founder at Personal Financial Strategy centers on guiding individuals to financial empowerment. Leveraging years of expertise in debt resolution and new business development, I consistently deliver tailored solutions that resonate with the needs of working families.My specialty is: effectively using resources to alleviate financial stress. My "School of Hard Knocks" lessons learned, combined with a strategic approach to personal finance management, have enabled me to significantly impact lives by streamlining processes and improving financial well-being.

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.

Empowering the Latin American community in the United States with trusted financial information and solutions. At Superdinero, we are dedicated to providing the information and tools necessary for our clients to navigate their finances with confidence. Since our inception, we have successfully facilitated over $100 million in various financial solutions, helping our clients achieve their financial goals and secure a better future. SUMMA CUM LAUDESUMMA CUM LAUDE Expedida por Florida State University - College of Business · may. 2016 "Mark and Nancy Casper Hillis" Scholarship for Academic Excellence"Mark and Nancy Casper Hillis" Scholarship for Academic Excellence Expedida por Mark and Nancy Casper Hillis - FSU's Finance Department · ago. 2015

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.

Jeffrey Barnett is a fiduciary financial advisor with over 30 years of experience, specializing in growing wealth, tax optimization, and retirement security. Jeffrey created and manages Fintegrity , an independent, fee-only, fiduciary Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) to serve clients who reside in the United States. At Fintegrity , we create unique solutions for each client investing more than $1 million. Our personalized approach ensures precision and care toward meeting your financial aspirations.Call Jeffrey at (201) 266-6829 or email Jeff@Fintegrity.com for a complimentary consultation. Let us help you secure your financial future.

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.

/*********/ **These are the comments of this employee only, and not of UBS Financial Services Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates. No instructions for business transactions or which affect any client's accounts will be accepted through LinkedIn. Communications may be monitored and retained by UBS. All information and comments are provided for current, informational purposes only. See http://www.ubs.com/fas-legal for the full disclosure.**

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.

I help black women entrepreneurs create financial plans, invest and remove financial stress. If you are tired of working hard and you want to make your money work to it's full potential, let see if we are a good fit for one another.

I write your favorite expat money newsletter: https://www.moneyabroad.co As an advisor, I work with growth-stage B2B SaaS & fintech companies on: * Implementing product-led growth * Building & scaling the product org As a product leader, for the past 9+ years I've been building and growing internet products across Silicon Valley and Southeast Asia. I've led a 70-person product org with 11 reports, helped build two $50M+ ARR businesses, launched 0-to-1 products, and ran 200+ experiments that drove millions in revenue impact.

Austin Talbert Loving is a seasoned USMC Officer and a dynamic entrepreneur specializing in financial literacy and leadership development. As Officer in Charge of Quantico’s Finance Pay Section, he applies military precision to ensure financial excellence. Co-founder of The Visionary Wealth Movement (VWM Finance), Austin brings a unique approach to wealth-building, empowering individuals and business owners to secure financial freedom. His multimedia venture, TDN Vision LLC, serves as a creative outlet, capturing powerful stories that resonate. Austin is dedicated to enhancing financial literacy and leadership in today’s professionals, helping them thrive in a rapidly evolving market. Whether through seminars, multimedia projects, or leadership workshops, Austin inspires others to unlock their potential. Connect with Austin to explore collaborations and insights on wealth, leadership, and success.

I'm a Certified Financial Planner® with over a decade of experience helping individuals and families build wealth and create financial freedom. In 2022, I made a major life change myself—leaving the U.S. to follow my dream of living in Portugal. That decision wasn't just about money, but about designing a life filled with freedom, purpose, and joy. Now, I specialize in helping high-achieving women do the same. I guide my clients in investing, managing their wealth, and aligning their money with their values—so they can step into the life they've always envisioned. Whether that means early retirement, financial independence, or a lifestyle abroad, my mission is to help you turn your financial success into a dream life you truly love.

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.

You don’t have a money problem. You have a relationship problem. If you are already a high-earning woman, you don’t need more money to fix your anxiety, you need a better relationship with the money you have. My mission is to empower high-achieving women towards financial and emotional intelligence through money mindset shift, behavioral financial planning, and somatic breathwork healing. It's time for a new approach. By refining your communication and relationship with your money, you can truly enjoy the freedom you've earned. #financialtherapy #financialplanning #moneymindset #wealthbuilding #financialcoach

Christine Parker, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC™, CSRIC® Wealth Advisor for Family Financial Caregivers | Founder, Parker Financial, LLC Christine Parker is a nationally recognized financial planner and thought leader at the intersection of family financial caregiving, women’s leadership, and financial planning. As founder of Parker Financial, LLC, a fee-only registered investment adviser, she empowers family financial caregivers and women leaders to make confident financial decisions that protect their careers, families, and long-term wealth. With expertise in behavioral finance, decision-making psychology, and financial coaching, Christine provides research-based insights into how caregiving responsibilities and workplace challenges shape financial security and well-being. She frequently speaks and writes on issues such as: -The hidden financial toll of caregiving on women leaders -Work-life balance, economic mobility, and career resilience -Financial decision-making under stress and uncertainty -Generational wealth transfer and fiduciary caregiving Christine’s perspective resonates with journalists covering personal finance, leadership, family caregiving, workplace equity, retirement, and behavioral economics. She combines data-driven analysis with practical strategies, making her a trusted source for media seeking clarity on the financial realities facing modern families.

I am an experienced wealth management and fintech marketing communications leader who has quantifiably shown how to drive greater demand. With over 15 years of experience delivering marketing strategies for fintechs and financial service firms, I have been sought out to create, from the ground up, the messaging and marketing programs that will quantifiably move the needle in driving brand awareness and revenue opportunities for an organization. After years of delivering marketing programs, I can anticipate challenges, get in front of them, and deliver on-time, on-budget solutions. Over the course of my career, I have had the good fortune to learn how to optimize marketing best practices and professional development. It gives me great pleasure when I am able to share what I have learned with my team and create an environment that allows for their professional growth and development.

Specialties: Deal structuring, Credit analysis, Credit Risk, Product design, Fintech, SME Finance, Alternative Finance, Merchant Cash Advance, Business Loans, Financial Due Diligence, business valuations, dispute resolution, accounting reconstruction, data analysis and interrogation, Advisory services, Tax advice and structuring, flow of funds analysis, Litigation support, Forensic/Fraud Accounting investigations.

Strategic and results-driven business, growth & commerce leader with 14+ years of international experience across different industries, including tech and fintech. Successfully launched 8 international businesses and start-up companies (Fintech, GenAI, E-com, Biotech, Commodity trading, ML PaaS, etc) in 15+ countries and in complex jurisdictions. Co-issued Visa debit cards for 300k users, structured bank–fintech P&L mechanics. Brought a biotech startup from 0 to $1.5M ARR international revenue in 9 months during COVID with zero marketing budget. Launched international cross-border B2C e-com for 100M users. Managed and advised on AI, ML and Data strategy 60+ enterprise clients within 10 countries, including F500 companies, e.g. KPMG, DELL, IBM and 100+ startups. Fundraised 1M+ from tier-1 VC around the world. Adept at fostering relationships, driving revenue growth, and leading cross functional teams to pursue and achieve excellence. Fluent in 4 languages (English, Mandarin Chinese, French, Russian).