Our staff and our Board of Directors power our mission and vision in some pretty amazing ways. Their energy, dedication, and talent allow us to strive for a financially prosperous St. Louis.

Financial Coaches

Ben Feimer (he, him)

Senior Financial Coach

As a Senior Financial Coach, Ben works one-on-one with Prosperity Connection’s clients to achieve their financial goals. Ben got his start in finance as a stockbroker and has been working in personal finance for over 10 years. As a HUD-certified Housing Counselor and a CBA-certified Master Trainer, Ben has the knowledge and skills to make your financial dreams a reality.

Fun Fact: Ben was in the Peace Corps and taught English in western Mongolia!

Veronica Guerrero (she, her)

Senior Financial Coach

Veronica assesses participants financial health through one-on-one coaching and then develops a tailored set of recommendations to help participants improve their financial position and pursue their goals. Veronica has worked in the finance industry for the past 4 years in various areas from teller to wealth management, making her financial knowledge and experience diverse. She hopes to provide financial support and education to everyone she coaches, giving information in a clear and simple way that will bring about success. As a fluent Spanish speaker, Veronica will be a valuable resource to Prosperity Connection and the Spanish-speaking community here in St. Louis.

Fun Fact: Veronica helped stop a car theft once and the police bought her an In N Out burger!

Sasha Moore (she, her)

Senior Financial Coach

Sasha was born into a struggling low-income family in South City where she was raised along with her six siblings. Like so many other families in similar situations, she was not taught how finances/credit work, how to budget, or the importance of saving. Sasha worked in education for 10+ years before she found her calling in the world of finances. She enjoys relationship building and is excited to be putting her knowledge and personal experiences to use while helping people reach their financial goals. Sasha wants to make sure that everyone in the St. Louis region and beyond has the financial education, security, and support that they not only need but also deserve.

Fun fact: Sasha loves leaving Google reviews (only nice ones) and is ranked a local guide level 5 on Google.

Leadership

Heather Jaconis (she, her)

Director of Finance and Operations

Heather oversees the organization’s finances including the annual budget, audit, and cash flow management. Additionally, her role works with the senior leadership team to develop and maintain processes that produce efficient and manageable operations for the staff. Heather earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Truman State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is also a graduate of the Focus St. Louis Emerging Leaders program for the Spring of 2022.

Fun Fact: Heather has toddler twins that take up most of her time away from work.

Sara Middendorf (she, her)

Director of St. Louis Builds Credit

Sara leads the planning and implementation of St. Louis Builds Credit by bringing partners together to create shared goals and strategies. She also oversees the implementation of classes, credit fairs, and a public information campaign to promote the importance of building credit. Sara holds her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame, her Masters of Social Work from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, and has worked within the social work and community development fields for several years.

Fun Fact: Outside work, you can find Sara on a sand or indoor volleyball court or working on cross-stitch projects.

Robert Nelson V (he, him)

Director of Coaching

After being a Lead Financial Coach for several years, Robert Nelson V was promoted to Director of Coaching. In this role, Robert ensures the success of the entire coaching team from onboarding to fostering a collaborative and growth environment. Using his past experience and knowledge, he mentors, motivates, trains, engages, and grows the coaching staff, creating a Best in Class coaching environment and team. Robert is certified as a homeownership counselor through NeighborWorks America and as a credit specialist through Freddie Mac.

Fun Fact: Robert could (almost certainly) beat you in a bowling match.

Kathy Siddens (she, her)

Executive Director

Kathy is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the organization with the guidance of the Board of Directors and the assistance of staff. Additionally, her role focuses heavily on partner relationship management and fundraising. Kathy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Westminster College. She completed a graduate fellowship with the CORO Foundation and holds the Accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America. In addition, she is a Focus St. Louis Leadership St. Louis program graduate and currently serves on the board of directors of several St. Louis area nonprofit organizations.

Fun Fact:  Kathy loves football and is a HUGE New Orleans Saints fan!

Nikki Whetsell (she, her)

Director of Communications and Advancement

After being a Lead Financial Coach for 2 years, Nikki was promoted as our new Director of Communications and Advancement. She is now responsible for the organization’s marketing strategies, external communications, brand management, and institutional advancement. She is also a key thought leader and strategist for advancing and communicating Prosperity Connection’s mission, strengths, and brand in creative and meaningful ways. Nikki holds her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Olivet Nazarene University and her Master of Arts in Organizational Communication from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Fun Fact: Nikki loves to travel and has visited 20 countries, 35 states, and 20 US National Parks!

Program Management and Support Staff

Remy Edwards (he, they)

Financial Educator

Remy is our newest Financial Educator and is responsible for planning and executing credit fairs. He also oversees online credit report reviews that provide personalized recommendations to improve one’s credit, while also offering helpful resources and tips towards this goal. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Lindenwood University, and a Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary. Their goal is to continue to use their experience and education for social justice advocacy.

Fun Fact: Remy loves drawing and painting portraits, as well as feeding those who are food insecure.

Carol Harris (she, her)

Executive Project Manager

Carol assesses client needs and assists in connecting people with a financial coach or finding a class that meets their financial goals. She manages class registration, assists with marketing and social media, and supports coaches and directors within the organization. She also serves as the liaison to our board of directors. Carol holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Master of Science in Education from Lindenwood University. She is a former middle school science teacher and education administrator in North St. Louis County school districts. 

Fun Fact: Carol enjoys running, crochet, learning to play the violin, and being an avid birder. 

Julianna Nikodym (she, her)

Marketing & Program Operations Coordinator

Julianna started with Prosperity Connection as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2021. After her year of service ended, she was brought on as our contract Marketing Associate. We are thrilled that she is now an official employee, serving as the Marketing & Program Operations Coordinator. In this role, she will be responsible for supporting the execution of the marketing plan, developing and implementing marketing strategies, enhancing fundraising efforts, and standardizing operations. Julianna graduated from Emory University with a Bachelors in American Studies and a minor in Anthropology. She is excited to step into this new role with the wonderful team at Prosperity Connection!

Fun Fact: Julianna is afraid of birds (“they’re modern-day dinosaurs!”)

Heather Schindewolf (she, her)

Financial Educator

Heather is our Senior Financial Educator and is responsible for planning and executing credit fairs. She also oversees the volunteer program which includes assessment, recruiting, and training for STLBC events and programming. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Missouri Baptist University with a focus on Social Work and Counseling. She is also a graduate of Rung for Women where she completed Prosperity Connection’s one-on-one coaching and classes. She wants to utilize what she learned by bringing her experiences and skills to Prosperity Connection’s team to help others achieve their financial goals.

Fun Fact: Heather loves being outdoors and recently graduated from the University of Illinois Master Naturalist training program.

Cassie (she, her)

Director of Safety and Well-Being

Cassie is the resident office dog of Prosperity Connection. She is in charge of office safety and often naps with one eye open to ensure the office is always under her supervision. Her main jobs include monitoring kitchen activity, lunch supervision, and greeting guests as they enter the office. She provides wellness to all team members by providing love and snuggles during much-needed times.

Fun Fact: Cassie is an Australian Cattle Dog mix and is now 15 years old and deaf. Cassie’s longest run was 15 miles back in her younger years. While her running days are behind her, she still enjoys a good two-mile walk from time to time.

Board of Directors

Eddie Davis – Chairperson

Vice President of Transformation at The Marshall Group

Tony Janssen – Vice Chair

Senior Vice President at US Bank

Joyce Kampwerth – Treasurer

Senior Vice President at Parkside Financial Bank & Trust

Felicia Pulliam – Director

CEO of Create Community LLC

Nikki Woelfel – Director

Vice President of Community Development at Carrollton Bank