After helping many Prosperity Connection clients realize their goal of homeownership, financial coach Robert Nelson V purchased his first home last year. In a series of blog posts, Robert will share with you some of the lessons he learned as…
Budgeting Tips from one of our Former Financial Coaches, Hope Johnson If you need help getting your personal finances under control and sitting down with pen and paper and your bank statements just doesn’t sound appealing (and let’s be honest here,…
Many of us avoid getting real about our finances because we’re afraid of the skeletons we might uncover. However, taking the time to intimately understand your money brings its own kind of peace, because you aren’t saddled with the stress…
Passwords. We hate them. They’re impossible to come up with, impossible to remember and nothing is more annoying than that stupid “Wrong Username or Password message.” Until, of course, you get the one that your account was locked because of too many…
Buying your first home can be an exciting journey. For most of us, mortgage underwriting is an unavoidable part of that process. Underwriting is when a lender reviews your final mortgage application to decide whether to give you a loan and if…
Understanding the relationship between a lender and a borrower is really quite simple. You may find at some point in your life that you would like to buy a house or car that you don’t quite have all the money…
Getting a loan with poor credit can be a daunting task. It’s no secret that most traditional lenders, such as banks and credit unions, require a good credit score to qualify for a loan. Predatory and payday lenders promise quick…
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. Now an official Salesforce Certified Administrator (SCA), she supports the organization with data management and analytics. 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.
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 hates and is afraid of Nicholas Cage.
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.
Originally from Colombia, Pablo has called the United States his home for over 20 years. A Graduate of the University of Santiago De Cali-Colombia, he earned his bachelor’s degree in communications, specializing in business. With his passion for the St. Louis community and previous experience in the banking and fitness industries, Pablo wants to make a positive impact on families’ financial wellbeing through financial education and coaching. As a bilingual Financial Coach fluent in Spanish and English, Pablo is committed to helping members of the community in making smart financial plans and taking greater control over their financial futures.
Fun Fact: Pablo has been dancing Latin dance since he could walk and has taught it for years!
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!
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.
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, 36 states, and 20 US National Parks!
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 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.
Richard Warner (He/Him)I am a Real Estate Broker, I own and operate My 3 Birds Realty LLC with my lovely wife Robin. When I’m not working or at church, my wife and kids and I are often on road trips. In real estate I speak with many people who have goals of home ownership or of being financially stable, but they don’t believe they are able to achieve their goals because of financial mistakes made in the past. Being able to volunteer with Prosperity Connection allows me to do what I enjoy–helping people achieve their goals.
Robin Warner (She/Her)I am a Real Estate Agent, and I own and operate My 3 Birds Realty LLC with my husband Richard. I enjoy church, my family, and all forms of art. I love volunteering with Prosperity Connection because I enjoy helping others as I continue my own journey of learning and setting new financial goals.
Nikol Theberge (She/Her)I’m a home loan officer with First Bank! My favorite part of my job is helping someone purchase a home. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first or the last. It’s always exciting and I’m here to help through the whole transaction even if we need to work on credit before getting started. I am always looking to volunteer in the community and Prosperity Connection is the best place to do that. They work with a lot of different organizations. I enjoy helping others and sharing my credit knowledge that I have learned over the past 20 years in the mortgage industry.
YaNan Bledsoe (She/Her)I have been a licensed CPA in Missouri since 2001, and I’m the owner of Precision CPA Services, offering comprehensive accountant services from tax advice to audits. I am also passionate about helping and advising my clients to navigate through life’s big events. Teaching at Prosperity Connection is a natural extension of sharing my financial expertise with people in need of building budgets and understanding credit. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my family. I relish adventures and new experiences, and I am a Certified Lifeguard and Ski Patroller!
Allison Cook (She/Her)I live in Columbia, IL with my husband and 2 young sons. We love hiking and biking together as a family and have recently jumped on the pickleball bandwagon. The 3 year-old has a long way to go to be competition ready! I have been in the financial services industry for 11 years, focused on training and education, and I love volunteering with Prosperity Connection because I learn new things every day through the clients and staff!
Joyce Kampwerth (She/Her)I have been with Parkside Financial Bank & Trust since we opened in 2008. Volunteering with Prosperity Connection/St. Louis Builds Credit is such an easy partnership. With their goal of helping people improve their relationship with money and stay on track to meet their financial goals coupled with my “very long tenure” in banking, it just makes such a positive relationship. Let’s face it–with any challenges in life there are resources to be found, and financial challenges are no exception. So, if I can help with Prosperity Connection and St. Louis Builds Credit’s incredible mission and help serve as a springboard for someone’s financial path – I am there.
Carrie Driscoll (She/Her)I have worked in IT for over a decade in business analysis, project management, and systems analysis. I think understanding how money works in our society is crucial. Not having this understanding holds people back, sometimes for generations. I like volunteering with Prosperity Connection because it allows me to take action to empower others
Mindy Pluma (She/Her)I have over 20 years experience in the automotive industry, so I know all kinds of little tricks to help people out! I am fluent in Spanish, completed the program for Portuguese, and I just started learning French. I enjoy volunteering because I feel like I have learned a lot in my lifetime. If I can help just one person take a short cut and learn from my mistakes, I’d be happy!
Anniece Robinson (She/Her)I’ve worked at Moneta Group, an Investment firm, for two thirds of my life. I began volunteering at Prosperity Connection to educate others on the importance of credit and share my personal experience of conquering poor credit. Understanding credit has a lasting impact on many facets of our lives. Seeing a person’s face light up with enthusiasm when they realize improving their financial outlook is within reach encourages me to continue sharing my knowledge and helping others. Some fun facts about me are that I’m currently learning Spanish to communicate more effectively when traveling, and I obtained my motorcycle endorsement but never actually purchased a bike!
Andrea Stewart-Douglas (She/Her)I have spent the last 11 years working closely with students and their families to help them navigate the financial aid application process. I feel very fortunate to be a Prosperity Connection volunteer because it gives me the opportunity to combine two of my passions – financial literacy and helping others. In addition to assisting students fund their college educations, helping them achieve financial well-being is a top priority. I also want to make a difference within the St. Louis community by helping others develop greater confidence and skills with managing their personal finances. I have learned over the years that developing financial well-being through financial literacy is a lifelong skill. I absolutely love sharing tips and strategies in our Prosperity Connection classes because I know how much they can help people build bright and healthy financial futures.
Nikki Woelfel (She/Her)I’m a wife and mother of one who loves work and play. My work is very fulfilling but I also can’t wait to get home at night to spend time with my little family. I think it’s so important to get this information out to people. We don’t learn financial literacy anywhere else but it impacts our daily lives. I love opening this topic up to people for the first time.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Ashlee Morgan is a Senior Financial Coach with Prosperity Connection. She was born and raised in St. Louis and as such, has a great respect for its diverse culture and people. Coming from a background in high-end design, Ashlee has found that helping real people of all different walks of life overcome their individual financial struggles is as beneficial as it is rewarding. Ashlee is looking forward to continuing to educate and inspire St. Louisans to achieve their financial goals.
Fun Fact: Ashlee was the lead singer in a local band for 6 years, playing gigs all over the St. Louis area!
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!
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!