"Prior to starting Financial Beginnings, I had set out with a personal mission to educate young people regarding the basics of personal finance in the hopes they wouldn't make the mistakes of many adults. I spent years working in the finance industry, witnessing how people are ill-prepared to manage their finances in adulthood. I started this pursuit on my own, but soon realized it was more than a one-person job, and here we are more than 15 years later."

Connect with Dr. Bell on LinkedIn.

"I was greatly impacted by my family's continued money mismanagement as a child. No matter how hard they worked, my family never seemed to get ahead. Having the knowledge and confidence needed to become financially empowered would have made a huge difference in my family's life and their financial futures. Financial education has a far-reaching impact on us all, at both the individual and societal level. But to reach its optimal influence, financial education must be accessible to those who need it most."

Tim oversees key operational components that are necessary for Financial Beginning's day-to-day and future functioning.

"Growing up, I was lucky to have parents who taught me the basic concepts of budgeting and the importance of living within means. However, beyond those principles, I had to teach myself about credit, investing, large purchase planning, etc. As a result, I am empowered to take control of my financial future. The same cannot be said for the vast number of youth and adults across the nation who were not fortunate to receive any financial education, which is where Financial Beginnings' mission fills that gap. Personal finance and education are areas that I'm passionate about and I have the privilege to be in a workspace that can provide access to quality financial education programs."

James assists with the growth and expansion of the organization by opening new affiliate offices across the country.

"I grew up in a house where finance wasn't discussed. While in college I accrued a large amount of credit card debt because I didn't understand the process. I was a business major and finance and accounting were course requirements, yet personal finance was never discussed. I want to make sure that this information is available to all. Financial education is important to me to ensure that our youth have the knowledge and tools to avoid the same situation, as well as adults for a better financial outlook."

Ash works to keep Financial Beginnings' technology systems up and running; manages all user profiles, access and P&P; manages security of organizational digital assets; and researches, recommendes, and implements new tools.

"In college I thought if you didn't pay a bill on time, the service would be taken away immediately. Imagine what I could have done with real knowledge instead of fear. I watched my sister go into credit card debt. I have friends with school loan debt because they didn't have help filling out the application. I've had coworkers who talk about tight parts of the month and think, 'You might not have a tight part if you use a budget!' I want everyone to have financial knowledge to make the best possible decisions for themselves and their money."

Laura works behind the scenes to make sure the gears keep moving.

"I see in my own daughters how they're developing a relationship with money and how some of the financial fundamentals are missing from their public school education. They have me to pester them about compound interest, but what about the millions of kids who lack this essential knowledge? Financial Beginnings is the answer. I took on this role during the pandemic, as the cracks in personal finances became more exposed, revealing that many lacked emergency funds. This is a premise of financial education. These tools are needed more than ever to provide universal access to the safety net of financial stability."

Angie works to develop all facets of the organization's marketing, including: social media platforms, website(s), digital/print materials, public relations, and affiliate promotions.

FBUSA Board Chair

"Financial literacy and the advancement of financial education is my passion."

FBUSA Board Member

"Our mission and vision embodies the organization's ability to provide the financial tools and awareness to help people across the U.S. to thrive in the complex world of finance. The curriculum serves as the foundational building blocks that are essential and sorely lacking in our current educational system."