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AFCPE Honors Achievements in Financial Education

The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) recognized its 2025 award recipients during the recent symposium held from November 18-20 in Phoenix-GIendale, Arizona. This annual event, which attracted over 700 attendees participating both in-person and online, aims to celebrate significant contributions to the field of financial education and counseling.

AFCPE Executive Director, Rachael DeLeon, expressed her pride in honoring this year's award recipients, stating, "These individuals, programs, and initiatives reflect the diverse and meaningful ways our community is driving positive change through financial education, research, and practice, creating lasting and impactful contributions to the financial well-being of individuals and communities across the nation."

Highlights of the Awards

Among the prominent recipients were several individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding efforts in advancing financial counseling and education:

• - Setting the Standard Financial Therapy Clinical Institute (FTCI): Recognized for providing trauma-informed financial services that combine behavioral science with financial education.
• - 21-Day Financial Habits Challenge (Mary O'Neill Mini Grant): This initiative offers evidence-based daily actions to help individuals from underserved communities cultivate sustainable financial habits.
• - Educator of the Year - José Medina: A seasoned financial educator with over three decades of experience in transforming people's relationships with money.
• - Financial Counselor of the Year - Alisa Nguyen Allebest: A committed financial counselor working as the Assistant Director of the Money Success Center.
• - Outstanding Educational Program - Financial Field Trips: This innovative program redefines financial education with hands-on experiences through field trips to various financial institutions.
• - Outstanding Counseling Center - Columbus Financial Empowerment Center: This center provides free financial counseling to adults, particularly focusing on aiding women.
• - Outstanding Consumer Financial Information - Kate Horrell: A recognized Accredited Financial Counselor who contributes significantly to consumer financial literacy.
• - Outstanding Research Journal Article of the Year: Titled "The Effect of Scarcity and Information Avoidance on Debt Management Behavior," this research provides valuable insights into financial decision-making.
• - Insight to Impact Grant - Project Peer PowerED Financial Wellness: Represents a collaboration between various educational institutions to enhance peer financial mentoring.

The recognition of these awards emphasizes AFCPE's commitment to improving financial literacy and well-being across communities. AFCPE is dedicated to not only training and certifying financial professionals but also fostering collaborations that enhance the impact of financial education.

About AFCPE

The AFCPE is dedicated to certifying and supporting financial professionals committed to advancing financial well-being for individuals regardless of their financial background. Their accredited programs and initiatives are recognized nationally, including by the Department of Defense and the CFPB. To view a complete list of award recipients or to learn more about AFCPE's mission, please visit www.afcpe.org.

This initiative exemplifies the vital role financial education plays in enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities alike. As the AFCPE continues to celebrate its awardees, it highlights a future where informed financial decisions contribute to lasting societal improvement.