More than 100 educators, non-profit leaders, government officials, and students met to help build a brighter financial future for our students and communities at the 8th Annual Financial Capability Conference at Rhode Island College on Saturday December 2, 2023. This Conference was designed to help prepare students to meet RI’s new 2024 Financial Literacy graduation requirements. Participants met at this engaging annual conference to expand their financial awareness, knowledge, and capability.
Teachers, social-service providers, veterans, librarians, parents and community leaders who are passionate about educating others about financial literacy joined distinguished education, government, non-profit, and industry leaders for great information and networking.
Experience relevant presentations and workshops, interactive exhibits, and informative panel sessions were designed to meet the unique Personal Finance educational needs of K-16 student and adult populations. In addition to general-interest topic sessions, there were free professional development workshop opportunities for educators scheduled throughout the day. Educators were empowered to build their own Personal Financial capacity, alongside their library of instructional resources at this FREE, day-long conference.
Letters are being provided by RI Jump$tart Coalition to conference participants who attend the full-day program.
This conference was hosted by Rhode Island College, and organized by the Rhode Island Council for Economic Education and the Rhode Island Jump$tart Coalition.
Seats were limited! Participants could reserve their FREE place at the 8th Annual Financial Capability Conference https://bit.ly/49h07yX, and were encouraged to share this announcement with their colleagues and friends!
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Here’s the Conference program:
Saturday December 2, 2023 at Rhode Island College, Alger Hall
7:30 am – 8:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast, Alger 110
8:00 am – 8:20 am Welcoming Remarks Alger 110
Dr. Margaret Brooks, President, RI Jump$tart Coalition and President, RI Council for Economic Education and Mr. Bob Barber, Vice President, RI Jump$tart and Senior Director of Engineering, Brightcove
Ms. Jenifer Giroux, Vice President, Corporate Relations and Professional Studies, Rhode Island College
Mr. Stephen Osborn, State Strategy and Student Opportunity Officer, RI Department of Education
Mr. Gabe Amo, RI Congressman, District 1
Mr. Seth Magaziner, RI Congressman, District 2 (video remarks)
Mr. James Diossa, RI General Treasurer
8:20 am – 9:00 am Keynote Speaker Mr. Tim Ranzetta, Co-Founder and CEO Next Gen Personal Finance with Moderator Ms. Joy Tavano, Teacher, North Kingstown High School and Secretary, RI Jump$tart, Alger 110
Financial Literacy Progress on the Road to 2030
Session 1 9:00 am – 9:45 am Concurrent Presentations in Breakout Rooms
Overview of NGPF Resources, Mr. Tim Ranzetta, Co-Founder and CEO, Next Gen Personal Finance, Alger 109
Building Your Future: Earn-and-Learn Apprenticeships in the Trades and Beyond, Ms. Shelby Mack, Chief of Staff, Building Futures RI and Mr. Ricky Saquic, Building Futures graduate, Journeyworker, Electrician and owner of Quetzal Electric, Alger 108
Financial Literacy for the Under-Resourced Communities, Ms. Alexandra Castillo, Senior Educator, FLY Initiative, Alger 107
9:45-10:15 am Break, Networking and Exhibitor Time, Alger 110
Session 2 10:15 am – 11:00 am Concurrent Presentations in Breakout Rooms
Understanding Financial Aid and Upcoming FAFSA Changes, Ms. Gina Rigby, Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Regional Outreach, Roger Williams University, Alger 109
Overview of CEE Resources and Family Financial Fun Nights, Dr. Margaret Brooks, President, RI Jump$tart Coalition and RI Council for Economic Education and Mr. Kevin Smith, Educator and MA Family Financial Fun Night Coordinator, Alger 108
Junior Achievement RI Programs, Mrs. Sara Schwartz, Programs Manager, Junior Achievement RI, Alger 107
11:00- 11:15 am Break, Networking and Exhibitor Time, Alger 110
Session 3 11:15 am – 12:00 pm Concurrent Presentations in Breakout Rooms
The Basics of Financial Planning, Ms. Marisa Desjarlais, Work Leader, Client and Fund Services, Fidelity Investments, Alger 109
Resources for Job Training and Starting a Business, Dr. Al Alba, Teacher, RI Department of Corrections and Ms. Deborah Pannullo, Esq., Chapter Chair, SCORE RI, Alger 108 – Presentation
RI Teacher Panel – RI Teachers who Attended Jump$tart National Educator Conference in November 2023: Mr. Robert D’Arezzo, Ms. Eileen Murray, Ms. Elizabeth Patterson, and Ms. Melissa Rollings. Panel Moderated by Mr. Bob Barber, Vice President, RI Jump$tart and Senior Director of Engineering, Brightcove, Alger 107
Luncheon Presentations 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Alger 110
Keynote Luncheon Remarks – Mr. Travis Escobar, Community Relations Manager, Fidelity Investments
RI Student Luncheon Panel – North Kingstown High Students and Woonsocket High Students who traveled to Cleveland Fed to compete in the national 2023 Finance Challenge, Panel Moderated by Mr. Richard Garland, Teacher, North Kingstown High School and Board Member, RI Jump$tart Coalition, with contributions from Mr. Robert Gruetzke, Teacher, Woonsocket High School
Mr. Jack Reed, RI Senator (video remarks)
Session 4 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Concurrent Presentations in Breakout Rooms
Mind Your Money (remote, interactive), Ms. Yanely Espinal, Next Gen Personal Finance, Alger 109
Guiding Students on their Path to Home Ownership, Dr. Karen Hamilton, Associate Professor of Finance and CESB Faculty Director, Bridgewater State University, Alger 108
Panel, The Value of a College Education, Dr. Marianne Raimondo, Dean, School of Business, Dr. Kemal Saatcioglu, Associate Professor of Finance and Chair, Economics and Finance Department, and Dr. Susan Weiss, Associate Professor of Finance, Rhode Island College, Panel Moderated by Mr. Richard Garland, Teacher, North Kingstown High School and Board Member, RI Jump$tart Coalition, Alger 107
1:45- 2:00 pm Break, Networking and Exhibitor Time, Alger 110
Session 5 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm Concurrent Presentations in Breakout Rooms
Financial Resources for Veterans, Mr. Kasim Yarn, Director, RI Office of Veterans Services, Alger 109
Improving the Odds: Building Successful Futures for RI’s Foster Youth, Ms. Darlene Allen, CEO Adoption RI and Ms. Katheryn Tavares, Manager, Adoption RI, Alger 108
Teamship and Careers of the Future in a World of Automation and AI, Ms. Joy Tavano, Teacher, North Kingstown High School and Secretary, RI Jump$tart Coalition, Alger 107
Session 6 2:45 pm – 3:30 pm RI Department of Education Presentation, Alger 110
The State of the 2024 Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement in RI, Mr. Stephen Osborn, State Strategy and Student Opportunity Officer, and Mrs. Brittany Brown, Education Specialist, RI Department of Education.
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Event Wrap-up, Alger 110
Raffles led by Mrs. Maria Tavarozzi, Educator, Gallagher Middle School and Roger Williams University and Board Member, RI Jump$tart Coalition
Group Photos by Mr. Willie Skinner, Photographer
Videography by Amanda Jordan and Macy Guertin, Jordan Studios
Evaluations and Event Wrap-Up, Dr. Margaret Brooks, President, RI Jump$tart Coalition and President, RI Council for Economic Education and Mr. Bob Barber, Vice President, RI Jump$tart and Senior Director of Engineering, Brightcove