Cara Aronson
Age: 22
Organization: The Filene Research Institute
My name is Cara and I am a 22 year old University of Wisconsin Madison senior. I will be graduating in May 2011 with a Bachelor’s in Consumer Affairs. I am currently one of the two interns at Filene Research Institute, I can honestly say it is the best job I have had in my 22 years of life! After I graduate I hope to continue working in the credit union field and later down the road I plan on attending law school. Outside of school and work I enjoy doing community service, hanging out with friends and family and doing origami.
Kelsey Balcaitis
Age: 23
Organization: A+ Federal Credit Union
My name is Kelsey, I’m 23 years old, and I’m currently the Community Education Specialist with A+ Federal Credit Union in Austin, Texas. I recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in personal finance. I have interned with Filene Research Institute and with CUNA working on Googolplex and MoneyMix. I am very fortunate with my work because I get to do what I love on a daily basis—I get to educate young people about personal finance issues relevant to our generation. I have also become very passionate about social media and manage the social media efforts for A+. When I’m not working, I enjoy reading, catching up with friends, and hanging out with my dogs, Ted and Oz.
Kristina Benson
Age: 26
Organization:
Bio: (Send us a bio, Kristina!)
Matt Davis
Age: 30
Organization: The Filene Research Institute
Matt is an advisor specializing in implementation. The Filene Research Institute has partnered with Matt to present, advise, and complete project work with credit unions based on our i3 ideas and innovative processes.
Prior to this engagement, Matt was a member of the Filene Research Institute’s inaugural 30 Under 30 group and author of “The Credit Union Warrior” blog. Matt has been at the center of credit union innovation since 2004. Projects such as What are you saving for? and Football Pick’em have earned Matt international recognition, including features in Fast Company, Yahoo! Finance, Bankrate.com, and credit union trade press. He is an accomplished public speaker, frequently presenting to credit union professionals across the country. In February 2009, Matt was named one of the Triad Business Journal’s 40 Business Leaders Under 40 (N.C.).
Matt earned a degree in marketing from the College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA), and completed Basic Cadet Training at the United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO). Matt earned his CUDE designation from the National Credit Union Foundation in 2009.
Dan Emery
Age: 27
Organization: Maine State Credit Union
After graduating from Erskine Academy in South China, Maine I attended college at The Golf Academy of the Carolinas in Myrtle Beach, SC. I received my Associates Degree in Business with a focus on Golf Complex Operations.
My professional career began at The Augusta Country Club in Manchester, ME where I worked as the Assistant Golf Professional for 4 years.
I left the country club in 2006 to work for Maine State CU. After 3 years as a teller, I was promoted to Marketing Specialist.
I have a strong passion for the credit union movement, education and community improvement and was awarded the 2008 and 2009 Outstanding Service Award for my commitment to “People Helping People”.
I am involved with:
CUNA as a certified financial counselor; the MSCU Social Responsibility Committee, which focuses on raising money for Ending Hunger in Maine; the Junior Achievement financial literacy program as a board member and Chair of the Fundraising Committee; Colonial Theater, INC, a non-profit organization, working on renovating and restoring the historic Colonial Theater in Downtown Augusta, as Treasurer; I am also a member of the Maine CU League’s Ending Hunger Committee, Marketing Steering Committee and the Maine CU Financial Literacy Council.
This isn’t industry related, but I also enjoy playing music, singing karaoke, playing any type of sport, snowboarding, camping, sky diving, rock climbing, reading, hanging out with my friends and cake (but only with certain frosting). I’ll try just about anything once. Except bungee jumping; I won’t try that. Carpe Diem, Baby!
