Michigan Financial Educators Council: About, Mission, Advisory Board
The Michigan 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 Michigan Financial Educators Council℠ is to build sustainable, scalable economic empowerment programs that have a real impact on people’s lives at the community level.
Michigan & Regional Advisory Board
The Michigan 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
Great Lakes Regional Advisory Board Members
J.M. (Jack) Towarnicky
HR/Benefits Plan Sponsor and Plan Fiduciary Leadership Roles at Four different Fortune 500 companies
Ray’Chel Wilson
Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®), CEO of ForOurLastNames & Internationally-Selling Author: Black Wealth Freedom
State Chapter Details & Affiliation with National Council
The Michigan 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 Michigan. 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.
Krystena Yancey
Founder, Financial Butterfly®
Krystena Yancey, Personal Finance Advocate and “Financial Butterfly®,” earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Wayne State University in 2014 and a BS in Finance from Oakland University in 2021. At Oakland University, she was active as an SBA Scholar and President of the National Association of Black Accountants. Yancey’s career experience has included roles in accounting and banking, most recently with Comerica Bank. Currently she is studying to broaden her perspective in the finance space, pursuing certifications as an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). Her experience has included hosting dynamic, holistic financial education for young adults and families with children; and her future goals are to become an advocate for wealth-building and executive presence.
Krystena also has extensive volunteer experience in the financial wellness arena, having donated time to nonprofit organizations to teach financial literacy/financial education. After receiving training as a member of the Financial Education Brigade at Comerica Bank, she spent 126 hours of volunteer effort teaching individual workshops, display presentations, and public speaking skills to both children and adults. Currently she presents financial wellness workshops in collaboration with Detroit’s Life Directions organization, a group with a vision of guiding young adults to mature into responsible, productive adults.
Yancey launched her Financial Butterfly® blog to serve as a platform for introverts to share how they can be themselves while they build wealth, get ahead, and stand out on their own choice. Her objective for serving on the MIFEC Advisory Board is to empower people of all ages/backgrounds and communities of color with financial education.
Brandon Biddles
Managing Partner & Chief Market Strategist, Biddles Group
Brandon Biddles, BA, MBA, and PMP®, is Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Strategist at Biddles Group – a financial consulting and investment research company that also offers real-world financial education. Biddles earned his MBA with a Finance concentration from Oakland University in 2007 and his Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute in 2015. He has been honored with the annual Financial Educators Day Award from the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) three times (2020, 2021, and 2023) and joined the NFEC’s United for Financial Literacy Advocacy Committee in 2025.
Biddles’ abundance of experience in financial services and financial wellness advocacy has spanned the banking, tax, healthcare, higher education, nonprofit, and investment sectors. He currently serves as Board Treasurer for Detroit Phoenix Center and Still Standing Michigan; and is published author of the book CLASS: Character, Leadership, Attitude, Service, and Success. Brandon and his firm Biddles Group have been featured on Fox News, Yahoo! Life, and the New Leaders Council. He also became a Roots of Ministry Leadership Program Graduate through Ascension Health in 2025.
Brandon Biddles has a stated mission “To bridge transformation, financial literacy, and community impact – empowering individuals and organizations to make informed, financially sound decisions that drive sustainable growth.” His professional efforts give him the opportunity to realize his passion for blending strategic wealth consultation with financial literacy education – emphasizing clarity, sustainability, and long-term impact among his clients, who represent all societal segments from individuals to corporations.
Biddles’ primary objective for joining the MFEC’s Advisory Board is to make top-quality financial literacy education available and easily accessible to all residents of the Wolverine State. He intends to achieve that goal by bridging education with innovation – providing resources, insights, and tools that empower people to take control of their financial futures.
Dr. Brenda Oldham
Financial Literacy Expert – Oakland County, MI
Dr. Brenda Oldham was selected as a distinguished member of the Michigan Financial Educators Council Advisory Board due to her highly-respected status as a financial literacy expert, author, and educator with more than 35 years of experience in the insurance and financial planning industries. As the CEO of RAM Insurance & Financial Services and the founder of RAM Educational Business Solutions, Advisory Board Member Dr. Brenda Oldham has dedicated her career to improving financial education and wealth-building opportunities for individuals and organizations alike. Her acclaimed book, “Grandma (Nana) Piggy Bank Money Saving Tips,” highlights her commitment to closing the wealth gap and helping families build sustainable financial habits.
Dr. Oldham’s deep commitment to financial literacy education, combined with years of experience and a culturally competent approach, underscore her strong alignment with the NFEC’s mission and her trusted leadership in the movement for financial empowerment. The Michigan Financial Educators Council anticipates an advantageous collaboration with Dr. Oldham in the coming years.
Empowering Underserved Communities with Transformational Financial Literacy Initiatives: Dr. Brenda Oldham
Dr. Brenda Oldham, renowned financial literacy expert and author of “Grandma Piggy Bank Money Saving Tips: A Financial Literacy Wellness Guide,” is making strides to bridge the financial literacy gap within underserved and underrepresented groups through her transformative workshops titled “Get Your Financial House in Order.” This initiative brings accessible, engaging, and actionable financial education directly into workplaces and community centers, empowering participants to achieve lasting financial wellness.
“Our mission is to empower individuals with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to transform their financial lives,” comments Dr. Oldham. “We are dedicated to addressing the unique financial challenges faced by underrepresented groups and creating pathways to long-term financial health and success.” The “Get Your Financial House in Order” workshops are specifically designed to provide a comprehensive approach to financial literacy, including topics such as budgeting, debt reduction, credit improvement, savings and investment strategies, and building generational wealth. The workshops cater to diverse communities, with a special focus on the experiences of African Americans before and after a series of tailored financial programs. Participants gain practical strategies that lead to real-world results and measurable improvements in their financial lives.
J.M. (Jack) Towarnicky
HR/Benefits Plan Sponsor and Plan Fiduciary Leadership Roles at Four different Fortune 500 companies
J.M. (Jack) Towarnicky has more than 40 years of professional experience – 31 years in HR/Benefits plan sponsor and plan fiduciary leadership roles at four different Fortune 500 companies; plus more than a decade as a compliance and consulting attorney. Jack has higher education teaching experience at Duquesne, Ohio State, and Franklin Universities and has served as an instructor for the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) and Certified Plan Sponsor Professional (CPSP™) designations. He brings this rich experiential background to bear for his contributions to the Ohio Financial Educators Council’s Advisory Board.
Advisory Board Member J.M. (Jack) Towarnicky received individual national recognition in 2021 as 401(k) Champion and his team was presented with the Platinum Award from the National Business Group on Health (NBGH) “Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles®” program in 2010.
Highly-valued Experience and Background: Jack Towarnicky
Towarnicky received his LLM degree with honors in Employee Benefits from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL; his JD from the South Texas College of Law in Houston, TX; his MBA and BBA in Economics from Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH; and holds designation as a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS).
Jack’s experience as director, member, and trustee on professional boards has included the Department of Labor’s EBSA and ERISA Advisory Council; the Presbyterian Church USA Board of Pensions; World at Work; Council on Employee Benefits; American Benefits Council; and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, Corporate Board. This substantial list of accomplishments makes him a highly-valued member of the Ohio Advisory Board.
Dr. Tim Shimp, EdD
Educational Learning Designer with DLR Group, Retired Superintendent of Schools, Yorkville CUSD
Over his 27 years as an educational leader, Dr. Timothy Shimp has been instrumental in curriculum development and instructional best practice implementation; raising student achievement outcomes; bringing greater equity, access, and rigor to student learning experiences; and supporting a district culture of personalized learning.
With an MA in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University and an EdD in Educational Leadership and Administration from Aurora University, Dr. Shimp demonstrates a strong history of working in the pre-K – 12 education industry. He brings skills in Educational Instructional Practice, Strategic Planning, Organizational Branding, Leadership, Systems Thinking and Change, and Personalized Learning to his participation on the Illinois Financial Educators Council Advisory Board.
Dr. Shimp believes that communities must partner together to bring timely and relevant financial education to all generations, help individuals and families change their stories and gain a true understanding of their financial situations, provide education and proven life-changing solutions to ignite optimism and progress, and assist individuals to solidify behaviors and create action plans to eliminate debt and gain wealth.
Craig Hill
Founder and CEO of SPENDiD
Craig Hill was selected to serve on the Illinois Financial Educators Council (IFEC) Advisory Board due to his leadership in the personal finance management sector and his commitment to improving financial wellness for Illinoisans and beyond. His business and personal experience, academic achievements, and credentials place Advisory Board Member Craig Hill in powerful alignment with the objectives and vision of the IFEC’s parent organization, the National Financial Educators Council.
Advisory Board members are chosen according to stringent criteria for professionalism, integrity, and innovative approaches to financial wellness promotion. Hill’s entrepreneurial nature and professional background position him to make unique contributions to the organization’s mission. The Illinois Financial Educators Council anticipates a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with Craig Hill in the months and years to come.
Democratizing Financial Well-being: Craig Hill
With almost two decades of experience as a Chief Financial Officer in the steel industry and the entrepreneurial spirit to found SPENDiD, my journey has been one of continuous learning and leadership in financial management. This path has been further enriched by my academic background, holding a BS in Accounting and Business Administration from The University of Alabama, and solidified by professional certifications as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). These experiences and credentials have not only sharpened my financial acumen, but also instilled in me a profound passion for financial wellness and literacy.
My goal in joining the financial wellness cause is rooted in a desire to democratize financial literacy, making it accessible and understandable to individuals from all walks of life. This passion is driven by my firsthand observation of the transformative impact that informed financial decision-making can have on individuals and families. When we lift the fog, the way forward gets much clearer. My motivation stems from a belief that financial wellness should be a universally attainable goal, not just a privilege for the few.
Through SPENDiD and MyBudgetReport, I have pioneered tools that simplify the complex world of finance into actionable insights for everyday people. This unique position enables me to contribute a practical perspective to the financial wellness movement, merging technological innovation with financial education. My expertise in predictive cash flow analysis and budgeting-as-a-service tools exemplifies my commitment to creating solutions that foster financial independence and confidence.
It is with great honor that I embrace the opportunity to serve on the Illinois Financial Educators Council’s Advisory Board. I am eager to contribute to this vital cause, leveraging my expertise to enhance the financial literacy landscape. My commitment is to work tirelessly to empower as many people as possible with the knowledge and tools they need to achieve financial wellness, making a lasting impact on the financial health of individuals and families across the country.
Talaya Scott
Co-Fouder & COO of SaveCircle, Accountant, Author, Professor and Speaker
Talaya Scott brings a wealth of education and experience in accounting, higher education, fintech, and community leadership to her position on the WIFEC Advisory Board. She is Co-Founder and COO of SaveCircle, an employer-sponsored group savings benefit and personal finance platform. Scott leads the company’s operational strategy and product execution functions. She is an Accounting Professor at Milwaukee Area Technical College and Concordia University-Wisconsin. She holds an MSA in Accounting and Finance from the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University; and is currently a doctoral candidate in Business Administration at Concordia.
A talented and sought-after public speaker, Talaya Scott recently has been featured on the Money Sense, MoneyGeek, and Eloma podcasts and made presentations at accounting conferences. Talaya is author of the 2019 book So I Graduated, Now What Do I Do?, an entertaining take on the real-life financial concepts not being taught in urban community schools. She previously served for eight years in Military Finance in the U.S. Air Force and worked at Ernst & Young LLP. Scott also is a Financial Education Advocate for the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC), the WIFEC’s parent organization. Outside her professional work, she supports community groups to build sustainable financial wellness programs, advocates for family-centered financial education, and promotes public policy that advances financial education mandates in public schools.
Talaya actively volunteers in her community, donating her time and expertise to nonprofit organizations seeking to implement financial wellness initiatives. Her doctoral degree focus is on improving the detrimental status of personal finances among communities of color. Her goal for serving on the WIFEC Board is to expand equitable access to high-quality financial education, ensuring that Wisconsin individuals and families have the tools they need to build sustainable financial futures. She feels deeply passionate about financial education and is dedicated to shifting people’s mindsets to help them move toward greater financial wellness.
Ray’Chel Wilson
Teacher & Author of Black Wealth Freedom
Ray’Chel Wilson is not your regular teacher; she is a self-proclaimed Teacher 2.0, challenging the norms of education and redefining what it means to live financially well. Originally from Ohio and still feeling a strong connection to her Ohio roots, Ray’Chel moved to Black Wall Street, Tulsa, to teach high school biology and personal finance to nearly 1,000 students while blazing her own path to wealth as a first-generation entrepreneur.
Honored as one of the top “20 Under 2” teachers across the state of Oklahoma, Advisory Board Member Ray’Chel Wilson considers educating about holistic financial wellness and closing wealth gaps as a central part of her mission. She is the published author of the internationally sold Black Wealth Freedom, a 3-part workbook series that serves as the foundation for next-generation wealth building.
Having achieved notable financial milestones, such as leveraging cryptocurrency profits to pay off her undergraduate student loans, Ray’Chel founded Raise the Bar Investments & ForOurLastNames.
Raise the Bar Investments aims to provide minorities with digestible financial education and operates with values of excellence, integrity, and relationships at the forefront. Recognizing the disjointed relationship between education and investing, Wilson co-founded the upcoming “ForOurLastNames” app, empowering individuals to build wealth for their last name. Serving both individuals and financial institutions, ForOurLastNames is a financial technology that bridges the education gap for first-generation investors. Through its patent-pending gamified approach, ForOurLastNames will shape the future of less risky, minority-friendly investing.
Community Service through Financial Education: Ray’Chel Wilson
Ray’Chel Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from The Ohio State University, a Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University, and has earned credentials as a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) through the National Financial Educators Council. Currently, Ray’Chel is a Duke Graduate School student pursuing her Master of Divinity and specializing in Investment Management.
These career achievements in service and entrepreneurship have led to Ray’Chel being inducted into her alma mater’s Hall of Fame with the Professional Achievement Award, making her the youngest person and the fourth African-American honored in the high school’s 120-year history. Due to the holistic “money moves” she teaches and incorporates into her own life, Ray’Chel enjoys taking road trips in her hybrid, sharing conscious meals with friends, and expressing gratitude to God for better days.