Meredith M. Lozar, AFC®, AFCPE® Member
Director of Community Solutions, Blue Star Families
My Work: Non-Profit Military affairs, informing policy, supporting military families
My Roots: My professional roots are in Non-Profit Management and leadership
My Passion: Supporting military families in their quest for financial fitness and readiness so that we maintain the strong all-volunteer military force that keeps us safe and protects our freedom
My Hero: My Father-he overcame a severe learning disability to bravely serve his country as a B-52 pilot and went on to serve as the Chief Pilot for Procter and Gamble.
My Favorite Quote: You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding. -Cheryl Strayed
My Favorite Personal Finance Tool/Resource: I love lots of finance tools and resources! I pick a new favorite often, but my tried and true is probably Mint. I also love the nonprofit WIFE.
My Advice To Someone Going Through the AFC Program: Don’t give up! Completing your certification and the practicum hours will open incredible new doors for your career and can change your life. For our military spouse fellows it can be the difference between a wonderfully successful, portable career and what sometimes feels like professional despair.
My Advice To Someone Beginning the Journey of Financial Education/Wellness: Remember that it truly is a journey. There will be ups and downs and we all make “money mistakes” along the way. Learn from your mistakes and press on-it’ll all be worth it in the end.
My way of “Meeting People Where They Are”: I get to know my clients and establish a baseline. Everyone starts from a different point and that’s ok! Having an honest and open dialogue helps us all meet at our own beginning and go from there.
Ryan H. Law, AFC®, AFCPE® Member
Director, Utah Valley University Money Management Resource Center
My Roots: B.S. Family Finance Utah State University; M.S. Personal Financial Planning Texas Tech University.
My Passion: My family
My Hero: Carl Richards
My Favorite Quote: Albert Einstein: I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.
My Favorite Personal Finance Tool/Resource: You Need a Budget (YNAB) and PowerPay
My Advice to Someone Considering Becoming a Financial Counselor/Coach: This amazing industry will change you in ways you can’t even imagine right now. You will be helping people take steps towards financial well-being, and you will see hope enter their eyes, sometimes for the first time. My initial piece of advice is to get involved in the profession – start attending the AFCPE annual symposium and prepare to become an Accredited Financial Counselor.
My Way of “Meeting People Where They Are”: I believe that the first two traits a financial counselor needs to develop and practice are empathy and being non-judgmental. People need to know that they can come to you for help and that you understand what they are going through and that you are not judging them.
Follow me at: www.ryanhlaw.com
Lacey Langford, AFC®, AFCPE member
My Work: Helping Service member, veterans, and their families to stop being fearful of money and instead have control and confidence with it.
My Roots: Military
My Passion: Helping the military community take charge of their financial future
My Hero: My Parents
My Favorite Quote: “Begin with the end in mind.” Dr. Stephen R. Covey
My Favorite Personal Finance Tool/Resource: Digit- It helps people who think they can’t save money, save money.
My Advice To Someone Considering Becoming a Financial Counselor/Coach: Follow your passion. If you want to help people change their financial life, then do it! Do your research. Think about an area within financial counseling/coaching where you want to practice. Find out what education and training you need, then make your decision.
My Way of “Meeting People Where They Are”: Ask and listen. Listening helps me understand their current situation and needs before I give advice.
Follow me at:
https://laceylangford.com
Twitter: @FinanceLacey Instagram: laceylangford
Facebook: @TheMilitaryMoneyExpert
My Question For Colleagues/Peers: If you could start your career over, what would you do differently?
Respond to Lacey’s question in the comments section below and follow AFCPE on social media to engage with our #FinLitMonth spotlight questions, tips and fun facts throughout the month of April.
Leave a Reply