Rahkim is a financial coach and consultant focusing on financial trauma and financial empowerment for people who look like him. Read more about his work and journey as a current candidate.

What led you to a career in personal finance? And what inspires you to continue doing this work today?

I started working in banking completely accidentally in 2011 and stayed for 10 years. During that time I have met with different people and have learned so much about the different ways people view and interact with money. In my own independent financial education efforts I realized that not only could I make a difference in my community by discussing the literacy portion of finance, but also our psychological relationship with money. I’m encouraged to keep doing the work everyday with every interaction I have and new connections I make because the world of personal finance is always changing. 

You are currently an AFC candidate. How did you learn about the certification, and why did you pursue the AFC?

A friend of mine took the exam and became an AFC. After inquiring what it was and how she intended on using it I realized that it was aligned to the work I was already doing and decided it was the logical next step for me. Being passionate about the education portion and our psychological relationships with money is not as mainstream as it should be in my opinion even though our beliefs and thoughts about money have such a huge influence on our behaviors. I want to help make that change. 

What have you enjoyed most about the program so far, and/or what would you say to someone considering pursuing the AFC?

I have loved the sense of community I’ve found with the program, the teachers, and other AFC and AFC candidates. I would say it’s like one big family and no matter your focus or background you belong. 

Tell us about a project or initiative you are currently working on.

Since joining the program I run a weekly newsletter called “Overcoming Financial Trauma”, a podcast of the same name, and I’ve started contributing to Forbes personal finance on the intersection of wealth, mental health and race. I intend on continuing to grow my influence and sharing what it is I’ve learned and continue to learn to help people identify and overcome their financial traumas. (rahkimsabree.substack.com) 

What is the best way to connect with you (social links, etc.)?

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Instagram 
• Substack 
• Website

Valerie is going to be serving as AFCPE’s Education Manager. In this role, she will help manage all of AFCPE’s educational programming and online course development.

My Name: Valerie Richards

My Work: Education Manager

My Roots: I’ve lived all over the world and am currently in Maryland (with a move to Virginia quickly approaching!)

My Passion: Helping others reach their goals and enjoy life through personal finance education.

My Favorite Quote: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” -Lao Tzu

My Hobbies: Swimming, traveling, reading, spending time with family

My Favorite Personal Finance Resource: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

What led you to AFCPE? Community and Purpose

What are you most excited about in your new role? Having a positive impact in the personal finance space through education and mentorship.

Welcome, Ashley Maurer!

My Name: Ashley Maurer

My Work: Operations Officer

My Roots: Product of our nation’s capital delivered all the way to Idaho. #Idahome

My Passion: Helping others identify and achieve their goals.

My Hero: Hmmm… I have developed a few over the years for a number of different reasons, but to keep it short and sweet I’m going to have to say my Aunt DeeDee for her acceptance, guidance, and unconditional love and support through all of life’s unexpected twists and turns.

My Favorite Quote: Life is like a camera. Focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if things don’t turn out, take another shot!

My Hobbies: Paddleboarding, snowboarding, fishing, camping… anything outdoors really! Spending time with my family and friends.

My Favorite Personal Finance Resource: “Hi, I’m finance.” “Hello, I’m Psychology.” “It’s nice to meet you!” Also, any personal finance resource that takes into consideration the human element of financial behavior and decision-making. For example, I’m currently reading Dollars and Sense: How we Misthink Money and How to Spend Smarter

What led you to AFCPE? The human-centric approach to delivering financial counseling and education. Meeting people where they are. Setting the standard!

What are you most excited about in your new role? Being a part of making the AFC a trusted household name!

Learn more about Amber Almond and Kai Liverpool, our Event Interns who help support our Special Events Manager in event planning management and logistics for our national symposium & more.

My Roots:

Amber: I am a northern California native. My hometown of Petaluma, CA was once referred to as the butter and eggs capital of the world! 

Kai: I am of Caribbean & African-American descent. My mom is from Michigan and my dad is from Guyana. Guyana is a tiny country located in South America right above Brazil. Guyana is also home to the highest single-drop waterfall in the world! 

What led you to AFCPE? 

Amber: I was in search of somewhere where I could grow my event planning skills and I wanted to do this in an environment that was doing good in the community. 

Kai: I attended the AFCPE virtual conference in 2020 while working on the financial health philanthropy team at a financial institution. I also admire AFCPEs mission of providing financial education resources to all people, regardless of income and background.  

My Passion: 

Amber: Event Planning Kai: Writing

What are you most excited about in your new role? 

Amber: I am excited to take my passion and put it towards a great event filled with exciting and helpful experiences. 

Kai: I am excited to combine my interest in financial education with event planning. I have always been the friend who plans every birthday, dinner party, and group event.  

My Hobbies: 

Amber: Hiking, Backpacking, Reading, Swimming Kai: Cooking & Traveling  

My Favorite Personal Finance Resource: 

Amber: Youtubers like Elena Taber, personal budgeting journal. 

Kai: My monthly budgeting excel worksheet I created myself, and finance influencer Haley Sacks (@mrsdowjones) 

What questions do you have for the AFCPE community?

Amber: Who did you first turn to for guidance regarding finance? Do you still turn to them now? 

Kai: How old were you when you realized the importance of financial education?

My Name: Amy Smith, AFC®

My Work: Member Engagement Coordinator

My Roots: I grew up in New England but joined the military at 18. Between my husband and I, we’ve changed duty stations 10 times and have lived all over the world. I am convinced I can plant roots anywhere and am currently thriving in Central Texas.

My Passion: I am a very passionate person and have found that my “sweet spots” are financial empowerment & community building.

My Hero: I have quite a few of them. My husband, my son, my siblings, my aunt & my grandmother are all my closest heroes. Heroes for different reasons, they all share a storyline of being incredibly resilient and compassionate humans regardless of some really hard situations. They have all acted as a guiding map throughout different parts of my life.

My Hobbies: Running, Peloton cycling, hiking, reading, and volunteering.; I do all these things at least once a week to keep my cup full. Traveling and watching Cincinnati Bengals football are also favorites that happen a little less often.

My Favorite Personal Finance Resource: Any type of webinar as it relates to personal finance and/or psychology. A huge part of understanding personal finance is also understanding people. I love how the AFCPE calendar of events always has so many options!

What led you to AFCPE? Honestly, the people. While I originally came for my AFC designation to bolster my professional portfolio when I saw the job posting I knew I had to apply. I had interactions with some of the team members while gaining certification and they were always so helpful and kind…I just wanted to be a part of that. Plus, the role was a perfect mix of my experience and passion; it was a no-brainer!

What are you most excited about in your new role? Getting to know our members and showing them the value of the AFCPE Membership. It sounds cliché, but there are so many gems within the membership that are underutilized, and I am ready to shine them up and show them off!

What question do you have for the AFCPE community? What is your favorite AFCPE resource? What is missing from our membership?