Recognized Financial Literacy Leaders 2025

Diksha Chawla is a Finance Educator and Founder of FinLecture (finlecture.in), a financial education platform helping salaried professionals in India understand income tax, ITR filing, and personal finance. With an MBA in Finance and 7 years of experience, she simplifies complex tax concepts into practical, example-driven guidance covering income tax planning, HRA exemption, Section 80C, old vs new tax regime, and the new Income Tax Act 2025 transition.

As the CEO and Founder of Crusaders for Change® (C4C), LLC, our team delivers a specialized approach to financial stewardship that focuses on the human heart and the emotional weight of money as much as the numbers. Led by a team of Accredited Financial Counselors®️, we have built a dedicated space where genuine financial healing and long-term freedom are achievable for families from all walks of life. Within the corporate and organizational sector, we developed our signature Financial Wellness Program to directly combat the "silent tax" of financial stress that often plagues the workplace. By addressing these stressors through professional counseling and support, we partner with businesses to improve employee retention, boost productivity, and foster a culture of total well-being. Our commitment to community impact is further realized through our proprietary Community Financial Empowerment Series®, where we offer transformative educational workshops and personalized one-on-one counseling designed to help individuals regain confidence, clarity, and control over their financial futures. We also engage a global audience through the Yahweh’s Money® Podcast, which provides spiritual and practical stewardship guidance, and the Tickle My Money Bone!® platform, which utilizes humor and comedy to demystify complex financial topics and break down the barriers of money-related anxiety. With over two decades of professional experience and a highly decorated history of leadership, our mission remains centered on equipping families and organizations with the tools to transition from financial overwhelm to a future of abundance, resilience, and intentional peace.

Eric Bowie is the founder of Smart Money Bro and creator of the 4 Step Financial Reset, a financial framework designed to help working professionals organize their finances and build long-term wealth. He reaches a large audience across multiple platforms, including more than 725,000 YouTube subscribers and 50+ million views, a LinkedIn network of more than 24,000 connections, and more than 8,000 subscribers to his financial newsletter. Eric is the author of two books, Manage Your Way to Millions and How to Buy a Great Used Car with Cash, both focused on practical financial decision-making and long-term financial stability. He has been investing in the stock market for more than 30 years and has owned and managed real estate for more than 25 years. Professionally, Eric has spent more than two decades in federal government service, including nearly 20 years in federal contracting where he manages large financial agreements and enforces financial structure and accountability. Through his content, writing, and financial education platform, Eric focuses on the structural side of personal finance — helping households bring order to income, spending, debt, and investing so they can eliminate financial chaos and build lasting wealth. Eric regularly provides commentary on household finance, financial behavior, wealth-building strategy, debt elimination, and why many high-income households still feel financially stressed.

Peter Reagan is a respected financial strategist at Birch Gold Group with more than 15 years of experience in the precious metals market. His market commentary has been featured in outlets including Newsmax, ZeroHedge, and GoBankingRates. At Birch Gold Group, he helps investors understand how gold and other precious metals can strengthen long-term financial security. His clear guidance and commitment to education have made him a trusted voice in an evolving economic landscape. Known for his practical approach and genuine commitment to investors’ success, Peter makes financial concepts feel accessible and empowering. He brings clarity to uncertainty, helping people make confident decisions about their future. Whether sharing insights in the media or supporting clients one-on-one, he remains focused on education, integrity, and building lasting trust with those he serves.

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.

**Named one of Empower's "Top 50 Women in Personal Finance" in 2018**I'm a nationally recognized personal finance expert, keynote speaker, top 0.1% podcaster, and award-winning author of multiple books. My latest title, "Money-Smart Solopreneur: A Personal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers" (Entrepreneur Press 2020), was an Amazon #1 New Release.I create multimedia content and have written and hosted the weekly, top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, with more than 44 million downloads. The show inspired my first book, "Money Girl's Smart Moves to Grow Rich" (Macmillan's St. Martin's Press), which won the 2011 EIFLE (Excellence in Financial Literacy Education) award.For over a decade, I've been a consumer advocate and spokesperson, communicating with audiences in relatable ways. I collaborate with diverse organizations, producers, advertising firms, and PR teams to expand audiences and achieve business goals through strategic multimedia campaigns.I partner with top brands as an expert spokesperson and speaker to amplify messages through satellite media tours (SMTs), live and online events, influencer campaigns, and content marketing. I have broad experience in public relations, marketing strategy, and creating attention-grabbing media communications. As a sought-after media source, I’ve completed more than 2,500 interviews with top national outlets, including ABC World News, CBS, FOX, NBC News, NBC The Today Show, PBS Nightly Business Report, Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg Radio, NPR, and many regional shows.In print and online, my advice has been featured thousands of times in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, Kiplinger's, Money, Business Insider, Consumer Reports, MSN, CNBC, Forbes, Fortune, Entrepreneur, Real Simple, Huffington Post and many more. Please download my Services Sheet here: https://lauradadams.com/work-with-laura-adamsSpecialties: Personal finance speaker, money speaker, small business speaker, public speaking, personal finance expert, small business expert, money expert, cryptocurrency, video, voiceover, national broadcast, media, spokesperson, money spokesperson, personal finance spokesperson, public relations, satellite media tour, SMT, retirement, debt, credit, insurance, banking, saving, podcasting.

Sha'Kreshia Lewis is a financial educator and the founder of Humble Hustle Finance, a platform dedicated to helping people build sustainable relationships with money through behavioral finance and nervous system–aware financial habits. With nearly a decade of experience in personal finance and a deeply personal journey navigating financial instability, she focuses on helping people create financial systems that reduce stress and support long-term stability. Sha’Kreshia’s work centers on the idea that money decisions are not just mathematical; they are psychological and physiological. She teaches practical strategies that help people regulate financial stress, simplify their money routines, and build consistent habits that support saving, budgeting, and financial resilience over time. Through her writing, educational content, and growing online community, she helps individuals move away from shame-based financial advice and toward sustainable systems that make managing money feel more manageable and less overwhelming. Sha’Kreshia has been featured in Grit Daily for her perspective on turning financial setbacks into opportunities for long-term growth. She regularly speaks about the psychology of money, financial behavior, and how small, consistent systems can help people create stability even when they feel stuck financially. Through Humble Hustle Finance, Sha’Kreshia is committed to making financial education more accessible and helping people build financial habits that support both their economic and overall well-being.

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.

Julia Klimova, Ms. Elite Canada 2025 and 2025 Global Recognition Award recipient, is a finance professional, ESG researcher, and women’s leadership advocate. She holds an Executive MBA and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Julia is also a board member of the Children’s Theater Sparrow House, reflecting her commitment to social impact and community leadership. She combines academic research with real-world experience, providing insights on sustainable finance, corporate governance, board diversity, and leadership development. Julia has been recognized internationally for her contributions to women’s leadership and social empowerment.

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.

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.

Sharita is a certified financial consultant and small business advisor who helps women entrepreneurs manage their personal and business finances, create consistent cashflow, and gain access to capital. She is passionate about empowering and educating her clients to achieve their financial goals and wellness.With over ten years of experience, Sharita has collaborated with various educational institutions, municipalities, and organizations, such as the University of Houston, Fulton County, and the U.S. Department of State, to deliver impactful financial literacy programs and workshops. She has also been recognized as the 2020 National Financial Educator of the Year and received two Texas Proclamations for her work. Sharita is a regular contributor to major publications and media outlets, and a proud alumna of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.

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.

9+ years PR and media relations experience. Now in the ultra-high-net-worth wealth management space with Fidelis Capital after years in the luxury goods and real estate sectors with Discovery Land Company, Casamigos Tequila, and Tiffany & Co. Have secured national coverage for Fidelis Capital in Barron's, Bloomberg, Crain Currency, Forbes, Kiplinger, Reuters, and the Wall Street Journal, along with trade coverage in Financial Planning, InvestmentNews, and WealthManagement.com. Fidelis Capital is a 5-star firm in Newsweek's 2026 list of America's Top Financial Advisory Firms. Subject matter experts at Fidelis Capital include: - Chris Gunster, CFA, Partner & Head of Fixed Income (previously Bank of America Chief Investment Office, oversaw $60 billion in assets; Forbes.com contributor) - Rick Simonetti, Founding Partner, CEO & Head of Wealth Planning (previously Wells Fargo Private Wealth Management's National Head of Wealth Planning; Kiplinger contributor) - Matt Michaels, CFA, CFP, Founding Partner & Co-Chief Investment Officer (previously Wells Fargo Private Bank Senior Private Wealth Portfolio Manager; deep expertise in private markets investing) - Neale Ellis, CFA, Founding Partner & Co-Chief Investment Officer (previously Bank of America Private Bank principal portfolio manager of Managed Active Core)

Nick is a fee-only financial planner and founder of ClearMind Capital, where he works with individuals and families navigating major life and financial transitions. He has spent 8+ years in the financial planning profession, advising clients on retirement planning, tax strategy, investment design, and long-term decision-making. Nick earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in April 2023 and also holds the ChFC® and CLU® designations. He is a founding member of the Integrative Wealth Advisor (IWA®) designation, a newly launched professional standard focused on aligning financial planning with broader life priorities and well-being. He is frequently sought out for his ability to explain nuanced financial topics...such as retirement readiness, Social Security planning, portfolio construction, and the behavioral side of money—in a way that is clear, grounded, and accessible. Nick brings real-world context and thoughtful perspective to personal finance, making him a trusted resource for journalists seeking clarity, insight, and meaningful analysis.

Paul Gillooly is a financial specialist and the Director of Dot Dot Loans, with over ten years of experience in subprime lending. With extensive knowledge of consumer finance in the UK, Paul is a reliable individual in the bad credit lending sector. At DotDotLoans.co.uk, he helps individuals with poor credit scores find appropriate lenders who can provide financial help. Paul also offers guidance on improving financial management and building better credit scores.

Since 1987, Ilene has delivered investment literacy and retirement education that empowers individuals to understand, navigate, and take control of their financial future. She spent more than 25 years as a financial advisor, building her practice through her signature seminar series, “Women and Their Money.” Ilene is also an award-winning speaker on the MyCPE One platform, where she has been recognized as the top financial and top retirement educator for three consecutive years. As CEO and founder of DSS Consulting, Ilene provides professional guidance to pre-retirees and retirees through coaching and video-on-demand e-learning. Ilene is also a subject-matter expert on the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and speaks to civil-service employees across the federal agency spectrum. In addition to programs at private companies, Ms. Slatko has been a speaker at conferences, including the Army Materiel Command Women’s Financial Day, Delaware Women’s Conference, and numerous youth financial literacy programs. She has been the Director of Training for companies in both the financial and real estate fields. Ms. Slatko is a regular columnist for Rethinking65, an online publication for advisors and their over-65 clients. She is currently working on a book entitled “Sustainable Retirement”. Ilene is an alumna of Marietta College, where she studied Drama, Speech, and English.

Liliya R. Strong is an investor, former equity research analyst with nearly 15 years of experience, and the author of Stocks for Women, an Amazon bestseller. She holds a BA in Economics from Columbia University. Her work combines evidence-based investing strategies with real-world insight, including a private dinner with Warren Buffett that shaped her long-term investment philosophy. She advocates for building a core portfolio through index investing, complemented by high-conviction stocks, emphasizing that conviction is essential to staying invested during downturns. She also has a growing interest in how artificial intelligence is transforming investment research and creating new opportunities across markets. Liliya shares her insights through her social platforms, where she reaches over 50,000 followers, and works with women and next-generation investors through mentorship and workshops. She is based in Miami with her family and enjoys adventure travel, including heli-skiing.

Seasoned finance expert and Founder of Goldpedia, a comprehensive educational resource for gold and silver investing. Deeply knowledgeable in all areas of financial markets with proven expertise in precious metals investing and retirement strategies.

Jere Salmisto is the founder of CalcFi, a free personal-finance calculator platform where every formula traces to a primary public source — IRS publications, Federal Reserve series, Treasury tables, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CFPB and HUD. He also runs Autonomatica, a studio building quantitative-automation systems, backtesting pipelines and rule-based decision tools. Before CalcFi he was CEO at Topair Nordic (industrial sales and operations) and led B2B commercial execution across multiple companies. That operator background shapes how he writes about finance: numbers must reproduce by hand, sources are cited on the page, and tools are free forever. Available for commentary on consumer finance, paycheck/tax/mortgage math, retirement planning, systematic trading logic, finance-tool usability, and anything business and motivation-related. Finnish/Estonian founder commenting on published IRS, CFPB, Fed, and BLS primary sources. Not a licensed US CPA or tax attorney.