Florida Financial Educators Council: About, Mission, Advisory Board
The Florida 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 Florida Financial Educators Council℠ is to build sustainable, scalable economic empowerment programs that have a real impact on people’s lives at the community level.
State Chapter Details & Affiliation with National Council
The Florida 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 Florida. 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.
Advisory Board
The Florida 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.
Amit Bansal
Director of the Center for Financial Health and Wellness, Oklahoma State University
Joseph R. Chiarella
Equity Partner, Risk Advisor, and Director of Sihle Insurance University
Ishmael Williams
Founder, Programming Director, and Financial Consultant at Champion Financial Consulting LLC
Claudia Martins
National Financial Educators Council, Community Engagement Director
In the financial wellness domain, the role of a Community Engagement Director takes on a significance that goes beyond customer service: that position has the potential to empower people’s lives. Claudia Martins, Community Engagement Director for the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC), offers a shining example of how that role can be leveraged to transform and inspire others with greater financial health.
Serving as the front line of contact for all entities and individuals with interest in the NFEC, Martins’ influence is felt at all levels of interaction – from program enrollees, to advisory board members, to top-level organizational partners. Her dedication to excellent customer service ensures that every interaction with the NFEC is not just informative, but transformative.
Claudia Martins’ Unique Backstory
Born and raised in Brazil, Claudia’s life-changing journey began 23 years ago when she uprooted, left her legal career, and came to the U.S. with only $700 in her pocket. Although she immediately fell in love with the people and surroundings in Florida, where she landed, she initially faced daunting financial challenges. Those trials were to form the impetus behind her passion and life purpose.
Martins started a Facebook group for women to share their financial struggles and triumphs. This virtual community soon grew into a space for empowerment, attracting more and more followers inspired by Claudia’s authentic story. She embraced entrepreneurship, becoming a healthy lifestyle coach consulting with individuals, nonprofits, and community groups. In 2018 she was introduced to the NFEC and earned her Certified Financial Education Instructor® and Certified Personal Financial Wellness Consultant credentials. Claudia took her relationship with the NFEC to the next level in 2020 by assuming her current Community Engagement Director (CED) role.
A Dynamic Force for Empowerment
The CED is tasked not only to connect with all clients and stakeholders, but to support them toward professional working relationships and help ensure that programs can be taken to scale. Martins conducts outreach to build partnerships and seek out opportunities that further the NFEC’s business and social impact mission. Her law background extends her expertise into the legal realm, where she manages license agreements and compliance matters for the organization.
With a strong commitment to detail, Claudia demonstrates talents for event planning, decision-making support, and multimedia communications. Fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish and currently studying French, she is skilled at communicating effectively with diverse and multicultural audiences. She also manages inter-organizational communications, activities, and content that align with the NFEC’s vision of creating a healthy, rewarding work environment.
Inspiring Future Generations
Claudia’s commitment to empowerment through financial education extends to children and the broader community. Following the end of her marriage, she took it upon herself to build up her own kids’ financial literacy – a subject rarely taught at school. This experience inspired Claudia to align herself with the NFEC’s mission to implement financial literacy in schools across the U.S. Her belief in raising self-sufficient, financially secure children embodies Claudia’s understanding that financial empowerment is the key to developing resilient, prosperous adults.
Both Claudia Martins’ life journey and her contributions to the NFEC’s mission are testaments to the transformational power of financial education. Claudia represents an inspiration to others who aspire to rise above their challenges and embrace their true potential. Her legacy reminds us that all individuals have the capacity to rewrite their narratives, empower others, and move toward healthy, secure futures.
Amit Bansal
Director of the Center for Financial Health and Wellness, Oklahoma State University
Amit Bansal serves as the Director of the Center for Financial Health and Wellness at the Spears School of Business, Oklahoma State University. The center’s mission revolves around empowering individuals to make well-informed and meaningful decisions concerning their personal finances. It achieves this vision through the provision of workshops and personalized counseling on various financial matters such as budgeting, savings, investing, debt management, and more.
Advisory Board Member Amit Bansal, an alumnus of Oklahoma State University, initially gained experience in corporate banking and capital markets in New York before transitioning to his current role. Since 2018, he has been utilizing his expertise to educate students at the Spears School of Business, sharing his knowledge and passion for finance through teaching finance courses.
Long-time Advocate for Financial Education: Amit Bansal
Amit Bansal has been a great supporter of financial literacy education for decades. Even as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Finance, he seized opportunities to conduct financial wellness seminars for Master’s students, PhD students, faculty members in Residential Life, and high school students. His directorship at the Center for Financial Health and Wellness affords him the opportunity to promote financial literacy not just to the university’s students, but also to staff and community members.
Bansal grew up in Agra, India and earned his bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, India. He earned both a Master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering and an MBA from OSU. While earning his MBA, Bansal was an intern at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange.
Amit Bansal’s participation on the Florida Financial Educators Council Advisory Board offers him yet another opportunity to contribute to the financial literacy movement in Florida, Oklahoma, and around the U.S.
Richard Cason
CEO and Editor in Chief of NewsMovesMarketsForex®
As a Black American civil rights business leader, professional trader, investor, Certified Financial Education Instructor®, and extensively published writer/accredited international journalist, Advisory Board Member Richard F. Cason is uniquely positioned to contribute his wealth of expertise to the Florida Financial Educators Council’s (FFEC) Advisory Board. Cason was selected to serve on the Board due to his strong alignment with the mission and values of the National Financial Educators Council, the FFEC’s parent organization.
Cason’s advanced education in the field of information technology – including an AS in Computer Programming from Florida National College and a BS and Masters in Information Technology from Barry University in Miami – also offer a unique and advantageous perspective to his contributions as a founding member of the FFEC.
Building Strong Communities through Financial Education: Richard F. Cason
My military service – spent overseas working in intelligence as administrative specialist for a battalion commander – taught me invaluable skillsets including leadership, accountability, discipline, adaptability, and honor. My early career as a federal immigration officer with the US Department of Justice gave me a unique perspective on the challenges facing communities and the importance of creating safe, inclusive environments for all individuals.
This rich background formed the backdrop against which I developed my passion: helping the citizens of underprivileged, underserved, and disenfranchised poor urban communities – especially people of color – by equipping them with the knowledge and insight to take control over their personal financial destinies. Many people in these communities struggle with debt, financial insecurity, credit problems, and lack of knowledge about money management. I want to be part of the solution by sharing my experience and expertise.
One of my major contributions to the FFEC’s Advisory Board will be to foster alliances and partnerships with faith-based organizations, non-profits, and government agencies to assist these communities to receive the education and support they need to take control over their own personal finances and set up more secure futures for themselves and their families.
I am committed to making a positive social impact, and I believe that financial literacy education is a crucial part of achieving this goal. By sharing my knowledge and experience as an Advisory Board member, I hope to inspire others to take charge of their financial futures and make informed decisions that will benefit them and their families for years to come.
I am honored to be recognized as a founding member of the Florida Financial Educators Council’s Advisory Board. Together, we can create stronger, more financially secure communities where everyone can thrive, all across the state of Florida.
Philip Herzberg
Lead Financial Advisor at Team Hewins
Philip Herzberg, CFP®, CDFA®, CTFA, AEP® is a lead financial advisor at Team Hewins, a wealth management firm with offices in South Florida and the San Francisco Bay Area. As a Certified Financial Planner® professional, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® practitioner, Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor, and Accredited Estate Planner® designee, Philip uses his expertise to help clients implement tax-efficient investment, retirement, and estate planning strategies.
A regular Journal of Financial Planning columnist, Herzberg has authored or contributed to over 60 peer-reviewed estate, tax, and financial planning articles. Philip has been cited as an authority in regional and national media publications, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CNBC, AARP, Kiplinger, Financial Planning, Morningstar, MarketWatch, Barron’s, InvestmentNews, Financial Advisor Magazine, TheStreet, Miami Herald, and South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Spreading the Financial Education Message Wide: Philip Herzberg
Herzberg has been a featured speaker for local and national professional organization audiences such as the Estate Planning Council, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA), Financial Planning Association (FPA), United Way, and the Jewish Community Foundation’s Professional Advisory Council (PAC). He currently serves as a CFP® Board Ambassador and is Chair of the Jewish Federation of Broward County’s Advisor Philanthropy Initiative (API). He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Estate Planning Council of Boca Raton and Collaborative Family Law Institute.
He served as 2018-19 President of the Estate Planning Council of Greater Miami and is a Past President of the FPA of Florida and the FPA of Miami.
Herzberg’s strong background and expertise make him a highly-esteemed member of the Florida Financial Educators Council Advisory Board.
Evelyn Magley
CEO of The Basketball League (TBL)
A philanthropist, visionary, and history-maker, Evelyn Magley is the first woman and first African American woman to own a professional men’s sports league in the United States – not just a team, but a whole league. As owner and CEO of The Basketball League (TBL), Magley leads a professional basketball organization that began operation in the U.S. in 2019 and has a stated mission to deliver a world-class entertainment experience to its communities, fans, and players. TBL provides players who, for one reason or another, do not participate in the NBA or G-League with opportunities to make a living playing the game they love on a professional basis.
Leading up to her current role, Magley has been an educator and dedicated community servant for decades. Qualified as a Music Educator and Music Therapist, she has a passion for making a positive impact on the lives of young people. In an accomplishment that illustrates this commitment, a $3.7 million Fine Arts Building was constructed to house and educate students in a music program that grew to an 89% participation rate under her tutelage in Bradenton, Florida.
Promoting Financial Education as a Key Life Skill: Evelyn Magley
A graduate of the University of Kansas, Evelyn Magley co-founded “Children with Purpose,” an inner-city ministry focused on mentoring children through the gospel, academic services, hot meals, and music. She also is the former Director of Community Engagement at the Brampton A’s of the National Basketball League (NBL) of Canada. As a liaison between the league and the city of Brampton, she scaled the forward-facing programming of the NBL, professional basketball teams, and nonprofit organizations within the community at large. Now she brings this expertise to bear on her TBL leadership efforts.
Under Magley’s leadership, TBL is dedicated to providing its host communities with professional basketball teams that offer an affordable, high-quality family entertainment experience. And the league’s community contributions go far beyond its professional-level basketball games that entertain local families. TBL supports local youth through school and group appearances, youth camps, clinics, and nonprofit organizations. The league also gives its players educational opportunities to learn from nationally acclaimed life skills classes – including training in financial literacy, health and wellness, nutrition, preventive medicine, and sports biomechanics.
Magley’s commitment to community service also has financial wellness as a large component. For example, she was the driving force behind the TBL Financial Literacy Campaign that kicked off in 2020 with the objective to train TBL teams, executives, and staff how to teach personal finance. More than 70 participants registered for the Certified Financial Education Instructor course as part of this initiative.
Magley’s position as owner and CEO of The Basketball League represents the culmination of her lifelong passion for sports and community involvement. Her participation in the Advisory Board is vital to the Florida Financial Educators Council’s efforts to promote financial wellness across Florida.
Elaine King
Founder of Family and Money Matters™
Elaine King, CFP® is the founder of Family and Money Matters™, a company with the mission of empowering the family’s financial and human capital to achieve financial well-being. She has served as the Family’s Financial Planner for over 1,200 families and 100 multigenerational family enterprises, helping those families and enterprises craft actionable family financial plans.
Elaine is a Financial Education advocate, creator of the first family financial program in Latin America, and winner of the Best Latin Book Award. She was recognized in 2020 in the list of Investopedia‘s Top Influential Advisors and in 2017 as one of People Magazine’s Top 25 Influential Hispanic Women. Elaine has been featured in television spots on Telemundo and CNN, and in print in the Wall Street Journal and Forbes; and is a columnist for financial journals in the U.S. and Latin America.
Financial Education with a Family Focus: Elaine King
Elaine King was born in Peru at a time when the country was going through its longest economically and politically volatile period, with record-high inflation rates, terrorism, and national curfews. She has lived, studied, and worked around the world – in Canada, Mexico, Austria, Japan, and the United States – an experience that taught her to love culture and appreciate diversity. She also speaks six languages.
King built her expertise over 18 years by climbing the corporate ladders of the largest and most powerful financial institutions in the world, advising international families with actionable strategies for a healthy financial plan, structure, and governance. Thus she built her foundation and formed a passion for spreading economic empowerment, qualities she brings to her contributions to the Florida Financial Educators Council Advisory Board.
Dr. Renée Baker
Founder and CEO of The RBI Group
Advisory Board Member Dr. Renée Baker, DBA, RCC™️ is the Founder and CEO of The RBI Group, a company committed to educating, empowering, and elevating individuals and organizations toward financial success and freedom. Throughout her extensive career in financial services and academia, Dr. Baker has continuously championed actionable financial strategies, guiding numerous individuals and entities toward reaching their financial goals.
In her capacity as an Advisory Board Member, Dr. Baker advocates for financial education. Known as a forerunner in advancing financial literacy, especially in Florida, her influence stretches well beyond the realm of finance. Her commitment spans community development, mentorship, and all-encompassing growth. Recognized for her expertise, Dr. Baker has received significant acknowledgment, marking her as an authority in financial well-being and community leadership both in Florida and beyond.
Dr. Baker’s educational credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Rutgers University, a Master of Business Administration degree from The Pennsylvania State University, and a doctorate in Business Administration from Wilmington University. Her expansive knowledge is further enhanced by her completion of executive education at the Securities Industry Institute, co-hosted by SIFMA and Wharton.
Professionally, she holds Series 6, 7, 26, and 63 licenses and is a registered corporate coach. With this diverse skill set, she delivers unique financial mentorship and strategies, ensuring actionable outcomes and tailored financial education solutions.
Forming a Language of Empowerment: Dr. Renée Baker
I grew up in humble beginnings, in a family where money was rarely discussed. It wasn’t until I got into college that I started to understand money and my personal finances and became able to share that information with my family and community. Nearly 30 years later, I founded The RBI Group to be a solution provider: bridge the chasm of wealth inequality, uplift living standards, stimulate economic opportunities, and ultimately revolutionize our global landscape. Having a fundamental understanding of money management doesn’t just equip individuals to navigate their finances adeptly; it also gives them a potent arsenal of tools – and the unshakable confidence – to journey toward wealth creation, regardless of scale.
I feel a strong commitment to my community, which has inspired me to become involved in various community boards. For example, I serve on the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation board, chairing the Investment Committee. I am Chair of the Admiral Society for United Way Suncoast; a board member of Girls Inc., Pinellas, where I serve on the Finance Committee; and Treasurer for the IDEA Charter Schools Fiduciary Board for Florida. I also hold the title of Lifetime Member of Leadership Florida.
I feel that empowering people with the vital knowledge of financial literacy and guiding businesses with strategic marketing consulting isn’t just a mission; it’s a calling. As an Advisory Board member of the Florida Financial Educators Council, I bring my passions to the table: forming a language of empowerment, an art of resilience, and a pathway to boundless opportunities for Floridians and individuals all across the country.
Richard Cautero
Board and Finance Committee Member at Goodwill Industries Manasota
The Florida Financial Educators Council selected Richard Cautero as a member of its Advisory Board due to his distinguished career as a senior executive at a major multinational consumer company and board member at publicly-held and private companies, family-owned businesses, major nonprofits, and the government sector.
He is currently a board and finance committee member at Goodwill Industries Manasota, the Sarasota affiliate of Feeding America (All Faiths Food Bank), and the City of Venice Police Pension Fund. He previously served on the boards of Jones Soda Company (public company), Royal Bakers Distributing (private company), Ann’s Place (nonprofit cancer support organization), as well as numerous other boards and advisory committees.
Longtime Community Service Advocate: Richard Cautero
Rich formerly spent 30 years at Kraft Foods and its former parent company, Altria, in numerous leadership positions including Chief Financial Officer at Maxwell House Coffee and Vice President of Finance and Strategic Planning at Altria.
Rich is a longtime advocate of community and public service. He also previously served as a two-term elected Council Member at the City of Venice, Florida. He completed his second term in 2021. Rich was also elected Vice Mayor three times, in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
Cautero holds a BBA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance and Investments from Hofstra University.
Commenting on his Advisory Board appointment, Rich stated, “I am excited about the opportunity to assist the National Financial Educators Council advocating for initiatives in support of greater financial security and wellness for communities and individuals.”
Joseph R. Chiarella
Equity Partner, Risk Advisor, and Director of Sihle Insurance University
Entrepreneur, educator, risk management professional, and devoted community volunteer Joseph R. Chiarella is a native of Vero Beach, Florida who graduated from Vero Beach Senior High School in 1992 and from the University of Florida in 1996. As an agency principal for The Sihle Insurance Group, Joseph earned the designation of Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR), distinguishing him for his skill at communicating complex insurance concepts in a clear, accessible way.
Chiarella’s clients encompass a wide range of commercial and non-profit organizations including educational institutions, manufacturers, contractors, and habitational associations. His specialty in the risk management industry is complex commercial insurance risk programs. Joseph’s ACSR credential highlights his expertise at building strong client and colleague relationships.
One component of Chiarella’s professional role was to develop the Sihle Insurance University, a unique and exclusive training program for the next generation of insurance professionals. The program encompasses in-depth study of policy forms, coverage reviews, and presentation proficiency – all skills in which Joseph excels. This curriculum empowers graduates with confidence and professionalism that boost their employability and heighten their career success.
Joseph’s goal for participating on the FFEC is to expand his reach to Florida consumers, insurance professionals, and business owners who need additional guidance, education, or mentorship.
Ishmael Williams
Founder, Programming Director, and Financial Consultant at Champion Financial Consulting LLC
Currently Founder, Programming Director, and Financial Consultant at Champion Financial Consulting LLC in Jacksonville, Florida, Ishmael F. Williams holds a BS Degree in Financial Planning from Colorado Technical University (CTU); the 0215 Florida Resident Insurance License in Life, Health and Annuities; and credentials as a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®). He also is a retired veteran of the U.S. Navy. Williams established Champion Financial Consulting to help fill the gaps in financial wellness education by making resources available to underserved populations.
As a result of his personal struggles with poverty as a child and consumer debt as a young adult, Ishmael felt a calling – first to increase his personal finance knowledge and then to pursue a professional career in financial wellness education. His efforts earned him the United Way Volunteer Financial Educator of the Year award in 2014. Williams’s personal experiences and service as a volunteer instructor showed him the overwhelming need to strengthen and promote the financial wellness movement.
Ishmael F. Williams joins the FFEC Advisory Board with the objective to advance and advocate for the financial wellness agenda in his local Jacksonville community, across the state of Florida, and around the nation.
Michael D. Fluker
Financial Wellbeing Manager, Credit Union 1
Michael D. Fluker, BA, CFEI®, is a mission-driven financial wellness leader with more than two decades of experience advancing economic opportunity through education, empowerment, and strategic community partnerships. He earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Saint Leo University, a Certificate in Financial Planning from Florida State University, and credentials as a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) from the National Financial Educators Council.
Fluker currently serves as Manager of the Financial Wellbeing Program at Credit Union 1 in Bradenton, FL. In that role he leads strategic efforts to enhance the financial literacy and health of credit union members and partner organizations. He focuses on designing and deploying innovative financial education initiatives tailored to Select Employee Groups (SEGs) and building high-impact partnerships with higher education institutions and conferences among the credit union network.
The Financial Wellbeing program promotes four foundational pillars: reducing debt, increasing savings, building stability, and planning for the future. By integrating these pillars into workplaces and campuses, Michael ensures that employees and students have access to practical tools and strategies that empower them to achieve their unique financial goals.
In his community engagement efforts, Michael D. Fluker has facilitated workshops, coaching, and community programs that blend financial literacy with motivational support. In 2022 he was recognized as a Top 3 Finalist in the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Minority Business of the Year Awards. He is author of The Growing of You and The Stewardship Model, guides to the stewardship of time, talent, and money to help others discover their purpose and live with intention. He previously founded the Laurel Civic Association Hand Up Initiative, which equips disadvantaged individuals to access the economic mainstream – and remains ongoing although Michael himself is no longer involved.
Michael D. Fluker continues to be a strong advocate for financial wellness, spiritual growth, and generational progress.
Jannese Torres
Financial Educator and Author
With a Masters of Science degree in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, Jannese Torres did not originally set out to be a personal finance educator. But in 2014, after being fired from a job for the first time ever, she found herself reevaluating her priorities and direction – and decided to build a life that revolved around freedom. And thus her journey into online entrepreneurship was launched.
Today, Torres hosts the five-time award-winning podcast Yo Quiero Dinero and is Founder/CEO of an online financial education platform of the same name. She published her book, “Financially Lit! The Modern Latina’s Guide to Level Up Your Dinero and Become Financially Poderosa,” to provide culturally resonant personal finance education for Latinas. Jannese has become an expert – largely self-taught – in digital entrepreneurship; content development; creating multiple income streams and passive income; and achieving financial independence. She earned the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) designation from the National Financial Educators Council to solidify her role as an educator and advocate for financial wellness. Her work has been featured in multiple high-profile media outlets including Forbes, CNBC, HuffPost, Business Insider, Yahoo! Finance, Telemundo, Univision, and more. In 2025 she was chosen as one of the GoBankingRates Top 100 Money Experts.
Jannese Torres’s objectives for joining the FFEC Advisory Board are to make high-quality, relevant financial wellness resources more accessible to all Floridians, especially those from underserved communities. She draws upon her own background as a Latina and first-generation wealth-builder for her deep motivation to work toward breaking cycles of misinformation and empowering others to build lasting wealth. The Florida Financial Educators Council anticipates a powerful and productive relationship with Jannese in the coming years.
Erick Sanon
President & CEO @ BrightBridge Insurance
Erick Sanon is a financial services professional, educator, and community advocate dedicated to expanding access to practical financial knowledge for families and underserved communities. With a background in business administration and more than two decades of experience working closely with individuals through professional and community leadership roles, he has built his career around helping people develop stronger financial habits and long-term stability.
Sanon entered the insurance industry in 2016 and transitioned to full-time practice in 2020, where he expanded his work in life insurance, retirement planning, and annuity strategies. He is the founder of BrightBridge Insurance and also serves as a co-partner in UV Financial Solutions, specializing in Medicare planning. Through these roles, he provides guidance to clients across multiple life stages, helping them protect income, prepare for retirement, and navigate complex coverage decisions.
Alongside his advisory work, Erick has made financial education a central part of his professional mission. Motivated by years of observing common financial challenges in his community, church leadership, and youth mentorship roles, he began teaching informal financial literacy sessions covering budgeting, debt management, saving, and retirement readiness. His educational approach has been shaped in part by the broader financial literacy movement influenced by leaders such as the NFEC and Transamerica.
To expand his impact, Sanon is in process of founding ProsperTrack, a nonprofit initiative designed to deliver structured financial education to both youth and parents. The organization focuses on after-school programs, seasonal workshops, and family-centered learning designed to strengthen financial decision-making across generations.
Through his combined work in financial services, education, and nonprofit leadership, Erick Sanon brings to the Florida Advisory Board a practitioner’s perspective grounded in real-world client needs, community engagement, and a strong commitment to advancing lifelong financial wellness.