The 10 MAIA Money Changers from S to Z
The Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards
Making Money Better
Our last - but very much not least - 10 MAIA Money Changers, the people making money change in 2024.?
There are five Money Changers from the United States out of this list, but also two from New Zealand, one from Mexico, and a couple of people straddling the world, from Vietnam and London to Argentina and Peru.?
This list features influencers, fintech education founders, academics and authors, alongside two campaigners changing the way the United States learns about money in school, where soon 65% of high school kids will have mandatory personal finance lessons.
The MAIA Money Changers is a list of incredible people. Join us in celebrating their work.
Girls That Invest?
Simran Kaur, founder of Girls That Invest , is a globally recognized advocate for financial literacy and inclusion, particularly for women and minorities. Co-host of stock market podcast, Girls That Invest, which has ranked among the top business podcasts in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, she has built a thriving community of over 500,000 followers on Instagram.
Her bestselling book and relatable content have demystified investing for underrepresented groups, empowering tens of thousands. Featured in Forbes, VOGUE, TEDx, and BBC, she also founded The Indian Feminist, a platform with 300,000 members amplifying South Asian voices.
Author, Peque?o Cerdo Capitalista?
Sofía Macías, author of the bestselling Peque?o Cerdo Capitalista series, continues to advance financial literacy in Latin America. Her recent publication, Agenda Book: Little Capitalist Pig. Financial Challenges 2025, offers readers practical financial challenges to tackle in the upcoming year.
Through workshops and media engagements, she emphasizes the importance of investing in personal projects despite financial risks, encouraging individuals to build solid financial habits and achieve financial freedom. Sofía's work primarily targets Spanish-speaking audiences, making complex financial concepts accessible and fostering economic resilience across diverse communities.
Māori Millionaire?
Te Kahukura Boynton, founder and director of Māori Millionaire , is a 20-year-old entrepreneur dedicated to enhancing financial literacy among rangatahi Māori in New Zealand. Her platform, which has garnered over 30,000 followers, offers culturally relevant financial education through podcasts, workshops, and online resources, empowering Māori youth to achieve financial independence.
In 2022, she was recognized in the Y25 list, celebrating New Zealand's trailblazers and changemakers. Te Kahukura's innovative approach integrates traditional Māori values with modern financial strategies, fostering economic resilience and bridging wealth gaps within her community.
“The Budgetnista”?
Tiffany Aliche, known as The Budgetnista, is a pioneering advocate for financial literacy in the United States. Through her Live Richer Movement, she has empowered over two million women worldwide to take control of their finances. In 2019, she collaborated with Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight to draft and advocate for New Jersey’s A1414 law, known as “The Budgetnista Law,” which mandates financial literacy education in all middle schools.
In 2022, Tiffany co-starred in the Netflix documentary Get Smart with Money, expanding her mission to make financial education accessible. Her bestselling book, Get Good with Money, continues to inspire financial independence and resilience.
Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF)?
Tim Ranzetta, co-founder of Next Gen Personal Finance NGPF, has been a leading force in making personal finance education mandatory in U.S. schools. Over the past four years, his advocacy has helped increase the number of states requiring personal finance courses from six to 26, ensuring that 64% of high school students now receive essential financial education.
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Through NGPF, Tim has provided free resources to over 70,000 educators and launched initiatives like the Gold Standard Challenge to incentivize schools to adopt personal finance as a graduation requirement. His work continues to empower millions of students with the knowledge they will need to live financially secure and independent lives.
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Tony Thurmond has been a steadfast advocate for integrating personal finance education into California’s school system. Under his leadership, the California Department of Education prioritized efforts to mandate financial literacy as a high school graduation requirement. In June 2024, these efforts culminated in the passage of Assembly Bill 2927, mandating a one-semester personal finance course for high school students.
California, the most populous U.S. state with approximately 39 million residents, sees over 400,000 high school graduates annually. This legislation ensures that a significant number of students gain essential financial skills, such as budgeting, saving, and investing, better preparing them for economic independence. Thurmond's dedication to fostering equitable access to practical education continues to pave the way for a financially empowered generation in California and beyond.
Author, Feminist Podcaster?
Tori Dunlap, founder of Her First $100K , is a leading advocate for financial feminism, empowering women to achieve financial independence. Through her platform, Tori has reached millions via social media, podcasts, and workshops, breaking down barriers to financial literacy with accessible and actionable advice on saving, investing, and negotiating.
Her bestselling book, Financial Feminist, and podcast of the same name have amplified her mission to close the gender wealth gap. Tori’s dedication to fostering financial empowerment and education continues to inspire women worldwide, equipping them with the tools to build generational wealth and advocate for economic equality.
Co-founder of CFTE
Tram Anh Nguyen is the co-founder of the CFTE - Centre for Finance, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CFTE), established in 2017 to bridge the skills gap in financial services and fintech through education at scale. She serves as an Entrepreneurship Expert at Sa?d Business School, University of Oxford, and is an Industry Fellow at Imperial College. Tram Anh has co-authored several publications, including The Fintech Job Report: Technology is Eating Finance and New Skills in Financial Services. Her work focuses on lifelong learning and inclusivity, collaborating with governments, regulators, and experts to advance financial education in the digital era.?
Chief Economist at CAF – Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina?
Veronica Frisancho Robles, Chief Economist at CAF -banco de desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe- , has been instrumental in advancing financial inclusion across Latin America. In addition to her work at CAF, Veronica is a respected academic whose research includes work on the spillover effects of financial education in schools, for which she won a MAIA for Best Academic Paper.
Her contributions to policy development have enhanced access to financial services, particularly for underserved populations. Veronica's work promotes financial literacy, economic empowerment, and sustainable growth, creating long-term pathways for financial independence and resilience throughout the region.
Vivian Tu
CEO and Founder of Your Rich BFF?
Vivian Tu, known as Your Rich BFF Media , is a leading advocate for financial literacy, particularly among younger audiences. Through her platform, she has built a community of over 6 million individuals worldwide, providing accessible financial education on topics such as budgeting, investing, and student loans. Her TikTok account alone boasts 2.6 million followers, with 31 million likes, reflecting her widespread influence.
In 2023, Vivian launched the podcast Networth & Chill, which was nominated for Best Business + Finance podcast at the 2024 iHeart Podcast Awards at SXSW.? She also authored the bestselling book Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset that Will Change Your Life, further solidifying her role as a prominent financial educator.?
The MAIA Money Changers list celebrates individuals and organizations who have made significant strides in reshaping the landscape of financial literacy and inclusion. The list is compiled with the goal of recognizing those who are not only challenging conventional views on money and finance but also creating tangible change that empowers individuals and communities worldwide. By highlighting these changemakers, we aim to inspire further innovation, collaboration, and growth within the field, fostering a future where financial knowledge is accessible to all. The Money Changers are selected by the MAIAs team based on their leadership, impact, and dedication to improving financial education, transforming attitudes, and dismantling barriers to financial empowerment.
The full list of 50 MAIA Money Changers goes live on maiawards.org on Tuesday, 31st December.
The MAIA Money Changers does not replace The Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards, which are submissions-based and judged by an esteemed external panel.
Founder of The Money Awareness & Inclusion Awards | Championing Financial Literacy & Inclusion | Research Director at Albizia Capital
2 个月Do you want to be a "Money Changer" in 2025? Why not apply to The Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards then: https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/themaiawards_teachers-authors-fintech-activity-7280133732626223104-Kcmt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
?? Here's the full list of 50 MAIA Money Changers: https://www.maiawards.org/insights/50-maia-money-changers
Founder of The Money Awareness & Inclusion Awards | Championing Financial Literacy & Inclusion | Research Director at Albizia Capital
2 个月The last - but so very very very not the least - of our 50 MAIA Money Changers of 2024. Who do you think is making the biggest change? Would love to hear your take...