Pennsylvania Financial Educators Council: About, Mission, Advisory Board
The Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Financial Educators Council℠ is to build sustainable, scalable economic empowerment programs that have a real impact on people’s lives at the community level.
Pennsylvania & Regional Advisory Board
The Pennsylvania 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.
Founding Members
Matthew Mellett
Personal Finance Educator and Author
Matthew Mellett
Personal Finance Educator and Author
Matthew Mellett is a Personal Finance Educator and Author with extensive knowledge and experience in financial education, curriculum development, and one-on-one coaching. He holds a BS in Engineering from Lehigh University; an MS in Personal Financial Planning from The College for Financial Planning; and a graduate Certificate in Principles of Finance from Harvard University. He is credentialed as a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter through The American College of Financial Services. On the volunteer side, Mellett has been involved as a Subject Matter Expert for the National Financial Educators Council’s United for Financial Literacy Advocacy Committee since 2026. He also has donated time to the First Command Educational Foundation and the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative.
Matthew is author of several personal finance books, including Go Simple: The Playbook to Financial Security, Dog Ear Publishing, 2013; Capture Your Wealth, Dog Ear Publishing, 2015; and Grow Your Money Protect Your Wealth, Luminare Press, 2024. He was presented with the Admiral William F. Halsey Award for Leadership by the U.S. Navy. Both The Authors Show and local cable TV have featured Mellett talking about his books and the growing need for personal finance education across the nation.
In 2013, Matthew Mellett founded his current enterprise, The Saucon Creek Institute for Financial Literacy. This organization has a stated mission to increase people’s knowledge of personal finance concepts and improve personal finance decision-making. They work toward that goal through research, collaboration, curriculum development, and tailored one-on-one coaching. Matthew’s primary focus at the institute is engaging with young workers who are beginning their financial journeys, providing them with tools and knowledge to build strong foundations that support their futures.
As a member of the PFEC Advisory Board, Matthew Mellett plans to apply his passion and extensive knowledge of personal finance to improve financial curricula serving students in Pennsylvania and across the U.S.
Dr. Kim Derezil
Physician and Certified Wealth Manager
Dr. Kim Derezil
Physician and Certified Wealth Manager
Dr. Kimberly Derezil, MD, MSCP, WMCP, possesses a unique combination of expertise as both a Physician and a Wealth Manager. With more than 10 years of experience in reproductive health and menopause and double board certification in Family Medicine & Addiction Medicine, she understands both the physical and behavioral aspects of how hormonal changes affect a woman’s relationship with money at this critical life stage.
Dr. Derezil founded her current business enterprise, Meno & Money, with a mission to bridge the gaps between menopause symptoms and wealth management strategies. To accomplish that mission, she has developed an integrated approach to menopause-wealth management that helps women navigate critical financial decisions during hormonal transitions. Having observed the fact that traditional medicine rarely – if ever – informs women about how their financial decisions can be affected during midlife, she was inspired to create a vital resource she wished she had been able to access during her own health and wealth journey.
Through the Meno & Money platform, Dr. Derezil strives to translate complex medical and financial concepts into actionable strategies that actually work for a woman’s changing body and life goals – helping them navigate through career transitions, healthcare costs, and planning for a dignified future. She helps women understand how their physical health and their wealth are interconnected and empowers them to take control of both.
Dr. Kimberly Derezil’s goal for joining the PFEC Advisory Board is to ensure that financial education across Pennsylvania includes components that recognize the biological and medical realities that shape women’s earning and wealth-building during midlife transitions. She feels committed to both education and advocacy that addresses the unique challenges women face during perimenopause and menopause that have impact on their financial wellness. Her objective is to give women practical steps to improve and protect their financial health – steps they can put into action right away.
Mideast Regional Advisory Board Members
Barry Feigenbaum
Managing Member, Feigenbaum Associates
Barry Feigenbaum
Managing Member, Feigenbaum Associates LLC
Barry Feigenbaum brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and transformational success to his position on the New Jersey Financial Educators Council Advisory Board. Possessing an MBA in Finance “With Distinction” from the UPenn Wharton School and both a BA and MA from George Washington University, Feigenbaum has nearly four decades of experience in the banking industry. Upon retirement from banking, he launched his own enterprise – Feigenbaum Associates – as a vehicle for delivering financial education. He earned credentials as a Certified Financial Professional (CFP®), Retirement Income Certified Professional® from the American College of Financial Services (where he also teaches as an adjunct professor), and Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) from the NFEC.
Through his business endeavor, Barry provides financial education to various audiences, primarily for corporate clients seeking to educate employee groups with retirement planning or lifetime savings programs. In addition, he donates a significant proportion of his time to volunteer efforts. These in-kind donations include a financial wellness program for stressed women through the Women’s Rights Information Center in Englewood, NJ; and financial education for foster youth through Cents Ability in Hackensack. Feigenbaum also has served on the finance committee and board of Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey; secretary and member of Cedar Lane Management Group in Teaneck, NJ; and is current Endowment Committee chair for Congregation Beth Shalom, also in Teaneck.
Barry Feigenbaum views financial education as playing a crucial role in empowering individuals by giving them the knowledge and incentive to evaluate their current situations, set goals, and make vital personal finance decisions. He has demonstrated his commitment to spreading this education as widely as possible, without ever selling or recommending products. The New Jersey Financial Educators Council anticipates a lengthy and productive relationship with Barry as we move forward toward achieving our shared vision.
Bola Sokunbi
Keynote Speaker, Founder of Clever Girl Finance®, and author of Clever Girl Millionaire
Bola Sokunbi
Keynote Speaker, Founder of Clever Girl Finance®, and author of Clever Girl Millionaire
Bola’s work and community service has been honored with multiple awards, including being named one of Money’s Most Influential Women by GoBankingRates and being 2021 recipient of the NFEC’s Financial Education Instructor of the Year (FEIY) Award. The NFEC also has designated Clever Girl Finance as a Distinguished Personal Finance Content developer, indicating that the platform passed a rigorous review process that showcases its commitment to the highest quality of evidence-based financial education.
Sokunbi founded Clever Girl Finance as a mission-driven enterprise that provides women with financial guidance and support to build confidence and make smart money decisions that transform their lives. Since 2020 the company has offered resources that include personal finance courses, mentorship, daily articles, podcasts, and video content – all in a non-shaming environment and completely free.
In addition, Bola conducts community outreach and advocacy, partnering with organizations and influencers to spearhead economic empowerment through financial education on a global scale.
The NJFEC is looking forward to gaining Bola Sokunbi’s insights and contributions as we pursue our shared vision in the coming years.
Andrew Lendnal
Financial Wellness Expert, Banking and Financial Services Executive, Bestselling Author and Speaker
Andrew Lendnal
Financial Wellness Expert, Banking and Financial Services Executive, Bestselling Author and Speaker
Hailing from New Zealand, Financial Wellness Expert, Banking and Financial Services Executive Andrew Lendnal has made Washington D.C. his home, where he lives with his wife and three daughters. A distinguished alumnus, Andrew holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Science from Victoria University of Wellington, as well as an MBA from Massey University. Alongside these academic accolades, he also attained the Series 7 and Series 63 financial certifications. With over two decades in the industry, Advisory Board Member Andrew Lendnal has made an indelible mark in the financial wellness arena. More than just a financial expert, he’s fervently passionate about guiding individuals toward financial stability and independence. Holding the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) designation through the NFEC, Andrew’s dedication has positioned him at the forefront of the workplace financial wellness movement and its related communities.
Bestselling Author and Speaker for Financial Wellness: Andrew Lendnal
Andrew Lendnal is an internationally bestselling author who has written seven books simplifying intricate financial concepts for readers of all backgrounds. Titles such as ‘Gold Start’, ‘Budget Wise Dollar Rich’, and ‘Catalyst’ have received global recognition. Moreover, his children’s series, ‘Money $mart’, paves the way for the financial literacy of future generations. Beyond Australasia, Andrew’s influence in the media landscape has expanded, with regular appearances on ‘Good Morning’ and authorship of authoritative columns cementing his reputation as a trusted financial voice in the U.S.
Recognized worldwide as a compelling speaker, Andrew skillfully blends education with engagement, captivating the attention of audiences globally. While serving pivotal roles in esteemed firms like Morgan Stanley, KeyCorp, and Morningstar Inc., Andrew has meticulously devised and navigated financial wellness strategies that resonate with employees predominantly at Fortune 500 companies. In 2020, his significant contributions were spotlighted when a New York Times journalist named him one of the top five leaders championing financial wellness in the workplace. Andrew remains committed to his mission: guiding the path toward financial enlightenment and empowerment.
Robert Kinzer
Retired Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Community Affairs
Robert Kinzer
Retired Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Community Affairs
Robert Kinzer retired from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in 2017 after 31 years of service. He served as a Senior Community Affairs Specialist for the FDIC in his final two years. He traveled throughout the United States teaching and promoting financial education and economic inclusion to state legislators, education administrators, teachers, and consumers. The majority of Mr. Kinzer’s years at the FDIC were served as a Senior Financial Management Analyst, in which role he produced the corporation’s monthly and quarterly financials to be distributed to the FDIC Chairman and Board, Executives and Managers, Congress, and the public.
Mr. Kinzer has received the FDIC Chairman’s Nancy K. Rector Award for public service. He is a Senior Fellow with the Partnership for Public Service and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Mr. Kinzer is a native of Washington, D.C. and a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He attended Penn State University and Texas A&I University, and received his undergraduate degree in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of the District of Columbia. After attending college, Mr. Kinzer played professional basketball in England and Scotland for five years.
Donna Cirillo
Founder, Smart Money Changes Everything, MBA, APFI℠, CFEI®
Donna Cirillo
Founder, Smart Money Changes Everything, MBA, APFI℠, CFEI®
With a strong financial services management foundation, Advisory Board Member Donna Cirillo has transitioned from her former professional and educational background to delivering top-quality, customized, engaging, and high-impact financial education programming and content. As a Financial Services Professional turned Financial Educator, Donna is committed to empowering individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to take control of their financial futures.
As founder of her financial education website and blog, Smart Money Changes Everything, Donna is dedicated to inspiring, motivating, and transforming financial lives. She has earned credentials from the National Financial Educators Council as an Accredited Personal Finance Instructor (APFI℠), Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®), and Certified Financial Literacy Professional (CFLP℠). These qualifications, along with her previous top-level experience in bank management and training, uniquely position Donna as a key contributing member of the New York Financial Educators Council Advisory Board.
Teaching, Inspiring, and Motivating Learners toward Financial Wellness
After earning her B.S. in Finance from St. John’s University, New York, Donna entered a Management Training Program at the prestigious wealth management bank, U.S. Trust. She later assumed Bank Officer management and training roles at U.S. Trust and J.P. Morgan Chase while pursuing her MBA. During this time, she recognized a pressing need for financial literacy, particularly evident among bank customers and employees. Driven by a passion for bridging this knowledge gap, Donna spearheaded comprehensive financial product and concept training initiatives, significantly enhancing the capabilities of the call center department to successfully handle over one million inbound calls annually. The training not only elevated the department’s level of service, but also made profound transformations in the employees’ professional and personal lives. Motivated by the training’s success, Donna pursued accreditation as a financial educator from the National Financial Educators Council, earning her Accredited Personal Finance Instructor (APFI℠), Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®), and Certified Financial Literacy Professional (CFLP℠) credentials.
Donna has designed and delivered customized financial education for diverse audiences, including corporate employees, recent graduates, young women transitioning out of foster care, college-bound high school girls, and those navigating significant life changes like divorce or widowhood. Demonstrating her commitment to promoting financial literacy from an early age, Donna has delivered financial education to public and parochial elementary and middle school students in the New York City area, both independently and in collaboration with Junior Achievement. Additionally, Donna currently serves her community as a member of the Board of Trustees of a parochial academy in Queens, New York.
Donna believes financial education is so much more than solely providing financial knowledge. With the right instruction, inspiration, and motivation, learners can make positive behavior changes and improve their financial mindset to gain the confidence, personal growth, direction, and resiliency they need for financial transformation.
Alison McQueen
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, REALTOR®
Alison McQueen
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, REALTOR®
Alison McQueen is a nationally recognized leading real estate agent who owns and operates The Corcoran Group in Brooklyn, New York. With an MA in Psychology, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling from The New School for Social Research, Alison calls upon her experience as a psychologist to help clients successfully navigate the real estate market with minimal stress.
A Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker and REALTOR®, McQueen also holds credentials as an Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, a Certificate in Editing, and an AAS in Music Performance and has taught woodwinds to individuals of all skill levels. She recently completed a rigorous course at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania focused on corporate governance and healthy board functioning; and expects to earn her International Board Director Competency Designation (IBDC.D) in 2024. Alison consistently receives awards from national trade organizations and her brokerage firm based on her annual sales volume and total closed dollar amounts.
From teaching woodwinds as a classically trained musician, to supporting clients through symptom management as a mental health clinician, to building and developing three successful businesses from scratch – Alison McQueen maintains her deep commitment to transparency, honesty, advocacy, and research. As a member of the New York Financial Educators Council Advisory Board, she will translate those values into fostering greater financial wellness throughout New York communities.
State Chapter Details & Affiliation with National Council
The Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. 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.
