FM Recap 2016

2015-16 PROGRAM RECAP
FINANCIAL MATTERS
Financial Matters, powered by BestPrep and its volunteers, equips students with the tools necessary to
develop sound money management skills through industry professionals who help develop and deliver
presentations focused on financial literacy, many of which that are accompanied by PowerPoints. From
credit to budgeting to buying a car, the program provides real-life lessons in money management.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to have
financial professionals come in to discuss this
information with the students. The students are
more engaged when listening to someone else;
they know that he's more qualified than I am to
discuss certain topics related to finance, and they
even end up learning a little about a career
available to them in finance, which is valuable as
a side benefit.”
- Jill Appel, AVID Teacher
Coon Rapids High School
Stephanie Musgrove and Natalie Okonek, Affinity Plus Federal
Credit Union, taught seventh grade students at Anthony
Middle School about money through Middle School Matters.
Joe Larkin, AdvisorNet Financial, visited Robbinsdale
Cooper High School and presented Credit Matters
to 11th grade students.
16,532 students
PROGRAM RESULTS

98% of teachers agree that Financial Matters
assisted the students in developing sound
money management skills.

97% of teachers stated that as a result of
Financial Matters their students’ financial
literacy skills have been improved.

96% of teachers stated that through
Financial Matters, their students were given
information and tools to help them become
more financially capable.
99 schools
185 teachers
259 volunteers
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

BestPrep and volunteers from seven partnering
organizations impacted 1,600 eighth grade
students at the Minneapolis STEM Expo on
February 3rd. Organizations included Affinity Plus
Federal Credit Union, Family Means, Hiway
Federal Credit Union, Minnesota Financial
Planning Association, Minnesota Bankers
Association, and Wells Fargo.

BestPrep partnered with Robbinsdale Cooper High
School to offer Financial Matters sessions to all
9-12th grade students during their Advisory
period. With the help of 70 volunteers over the
course of four days, over 1,600 students were
impacted.

Financial Matters teachers and volunteers
celebrated Teach Your Children to Save Day on
Friday, April 29. A remarkable 900 students were
impacted across the state on this day.
Jason Kley, Carlson Capital Management, volunteered with
the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota to teach
students about saving and the concept of compound
interest at the Minneapolis Public Schools STEM Expo.
“Students benefit from these little burst sessions
that are presented by someone other than their
regular teacher. Often, the presenter has a
broader real-life experience to share. The kids are
engaged.”
- Melissa Jorgensen, Teacher
Tartan High School
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Friday, April 29, 2016 was National Teach Your Children to Save Day, an annual awareness day when bankers
demonstrate their community commitment by teaching young people about the value of saving (www.aba.com). For
the third year in a row, BestPrep partnered with Minnesota schools to increase financial literacy education on this
day. This year, BestPrep engaged 26 volunteers from 23 different companies across the state of Minnesota. On
this day, 15 schools participated and 914 total students in grades 7-12 were impacted.
On Teach Your Children to Save Day, Bryan Schmidt,
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, delivered Middle School
Matters to three classes at Battle Creek Middle School.
Adam Landvik, Landvik Financial, visited his alma mater,
Roosevelt High School, presenting on Money Matters to two
classes on Teach Your Children to Save Day.
Financial Matters Volunteers
THANK YOU to the many volunteers who have donated
their time this year to positively impact the financial
future of Minnesota students! BestPrep is truly grateful
for your time and willingness to make a difference!
Rick Anderson, Allianz Life
Diane Anderson, Allstate
Chet Anderson, North Star Resource Group
Tammy Andrews, Citizens Independent Bank
Nancy Arneson, Wells Fargo
Marnie Asmus, Travelers
Eric Athman, Department of Military Affairs
Ann Backer, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Timothy Baltzer, Wells Fargo Advisors
Candice Bartell, North Hennepin Community College
Dean Barton, Ameriprise Financial Services
Kia Bauer, Bremer Bank
Jason Bauerly, Ameriprise Financial
Nicholas Beissel, Wealth Enhancement Group
Tisha Bennewise, United Educators Credit Union
Steve Bennewitz, PwC
Heather Bierbrauer, Anchor Bank Burnsville
Derek Blankenship, Wells Fargo Private Bank
Bradley Blazek, Edward Jones
Connie Bloom, Marketplace Home Mortgage, LLC
Paul Boller, Anchor Bank
Kara Bowen, University of Minnesota Crookston
Nany Brady, United Educators Credit Union
Chase Brakke, North Star Resource Group
Dawn Bremer, Bremer Bank
Genna Briggs, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Jay Brown, Securian Financial Group
James Bryan, Cahill Financial Advisors
Charles Buck, Buck Financial Advisors, LLC.
Pete Busse, Continental Property Group
Sal Cargill, West Suburban Auto Sales, Inc.
Maite Carranza, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Scott Caskey, Summit Investment Advisor
Kerisa Chapek, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Blake Cheeley, Edward Jones
Garret Colao, North Star Resource Group
John Comer, Waddell & Reed
John Conlin, RBC Wealth Management
Kim Cook, Cook Insurance Agency, Allstate
Jennifer Cords, Thrivent Financial-Stonebridge Group
Doug Cozad, Accord Financial Strategies
Toni Crockett, Havenbrook Homes
Kristina Cummings, BMO Harris Bank
Dave Curtis, Curtis Agency, Allstate
Chad Darr, Associated Bank
“The students were interested, engaged, inquisitive,
and were working through serious life challenges. It
was a privilege for me to be there, and felt like I was
able provide sound financial advice they can use in
their everyday life.”
- Bryan Polley, U.S. Bank
BestPrep’s Financial Matters Volunteer Engagement
Committee hosts two events each year. The photo
above is from the fall 2015 event held at the Walker
Library, with more than 40 attendees, including both
new and returning volunteers.
AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE
The Financial Matters Ambassadors
Committee meets throughout the year and is
made up of subcommittees focused on
creating & updating curriculum and
engaging volunteers.
Chase Brakke, North Star Resource Group (co-chair)
Charles Buck, Buck Financial Advisors, LLC
John Comer, Waddell & Reed
Andrew Deans, Hiway Federal Credit Union
Nancy Freeman, JRA Financial Services
Wendy Gillespie, MoneyBags LLC
Debbie Huddleston, Xcel Energy
Jim Jaeckels, Keller Williams Realty Integrity Lakes
Tina Jones, Hiway Federal Credit Union
Jason Kley, Carlson Capital Management
Teresa Knippel, Redpath and Company
Julianne Korhonen, North Star Resource Group
Tom Langseth, Allianz Life
Stephanie Musgrove, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Cheryl Newell, Money $marts LLC
Mariann Nippert, North Star Resource Group
Sandy Olson, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Trysh Olson, Wings Financial Credit Union
Bridget Petersen, SPIRE Credit Union
Mary Ruch
Daniel Ryan, Anchor Bank
Bryan Schmidt, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Brooke Skinn, 3M
Kristin Taipale, Wells Fargo
Cody Tresselt-Warren, Accredited Investors
Annette Wanchena, 401k Latte Company (co-chair)
Nate Wenner, Wipfli, LLP
Financial Matters Volunteers (continued)
Andy Darvell, Travelers
Julie Davis, Xcel Energy
Andrew Deans, Hiway Federal Credit Union
Gareth DeGolier, University of Minnesota
Jacob Dixon, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Teresa Dornseif, Bremer Bank
Kimberly Downing, Accessible Space, Inc.
Alex Erickson, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Michael Erpenbach, Waddell & Reed
Jeanna Fifer, Cahill Financial Advisors
Jeff Fischbach, Bremer Bank
Andrew Fishman, Affiance Financial
Stewart Fishman, Allianz Life
Karen Florez, The Minneapolis Foundation
Steve Florman, OptumHealth
Robert Follensbee, 3M
Eric Forstrom, U.S. Bank
Nancy Freeman, JRA Financial Services
Philip Gallant, United Educators Credit Union
Keith Georges, Allianz Life
Wendy Gillespie, MoneyBags LLC
Mark Glasser, Allianz Life
Nancy Gove, U.S. Bank
Kari Grittner, Rasmussen College
Eric Grube, Metropolitan State University
Alan Gunderson, Department of Defense
Frank Hallowell, Wipaire, Inc.
Kurt Halverson, HomeTown Credit Union
Christopher Hampl, Ameriprise Financial
Mary Bridget Handke, Birchwood Financial Partners
Christian Hansen, Allstate, Hansen Agency
Amy Hanson, Affinity Plus Foundation
Justin Hanson, Allianz Life
Isabelle Harmon, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Linda Harmon, Harmon & Hartmon
Chris Harrison, Minnesota Bankers Association
David Hartman, GM Fleet and Commercial
Eric Hauth, Minnesota Bankers Association
Meghan Helmbrecht, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
“My biggest take away was seeing some of the
wheels turning for the students when they started
thinking about the things they can do today to
prepare for how they want their future to look.”
- Jake Dixon, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Benjamin Hering, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Jatoya Hewitt, Wells Fargo
Suzanne Hildebrandt, Foley, Kalseim & Company, Ltd.
Andrew Hinz, STEP Academy Charter School
Amy Hinzmann, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
RayeAnn Hoffman, Consumer Credit of Minnesota
Amanda Houle, Bremer Bank
Debbie Huddleston, Xcel Energy
Jason Hudoba, Wintrust Mortgage
Jim Huninghake, Anchor Bank Blaine
Shawn Jacobson, Legacy Financial Advisors
Jim Jaeckels, Keller Williams Realty Integrity Lakes
Ben Johnson, Thrivent Financial-Stonebridge Group
Rutherford Johnson, University of Minnesota Crookston
Berni Johnson-Clark, FamilyMeans/CCCS
Tina Jones, Hiway Federal Credit Union
Scott Kadrlik, CPA/PFS, Meuwissen, Flygare, Kadrlik & Associates
Jesse Karich, North Star Resource Group
Tracy Kelly, Starcke Abrasives USA
Anna Kincannon, Bremer Bank
Rick King, Ecolab Inc.
Heather Kinney, Allstate, Kinney Agency
Amanda Kissner, Wakota Federal Credit Union
Tara Klaers, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Jason Kley, Carlson Capital Management
Tim Koch
Haris Kopic, Accredited Investors
Julianne Korhonen, North Star Resource Group
Sandy Kranz, Bemidji State University
Dale Kraus, SeQuel Response
Perla Kruse, Bremer Bank
Laurie Lafontaine, Allina Health
Thomas Lamey, Sagacity Tax and Accounting
Above: Volunteers from Wells Fargo, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, and Hiway Federal Credit Union talked with Minneapolis 8th grade
students at the STEM Expo in February. Each company engaged students in interactive activities to make learning about money fun!
Financial Matters Volunteers (continued)
College Possible students from Patrick Henry High School (left) and Harding High School (right) received the Budgeting
Matters presentation. Thank you to RayeAnn Hoffman of Consumer Credit of Minnesota, Chase Brakke of North Star
Resource Group (pictured), and the 80+ additional volunteers who helped this year to educate these students!
“Students got a chance to ask a ton of critical questions that I as a coach couldn’t answer fully. Knowing
next steps on credit, loans, and spending will dramatically impact students’ lives for the better.”
- College Possible Coach
Bloomington Kennedy High School
Adam Landvik, Landvik Financial
Tom Langseth, Allianz Life
Joe Larkin, AdvisorNet Financial
Tyler Larson, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Ted Larson, Morgan Stanley
David Larson, Northeast Bank
Thomas Larson, Thrivent Financial
Steve Lear, Affiance Financial
Lakeisha Lee, Hiway Federal Credit Union
Mai Nhia Lee, Hiway Federal Credit Union
Judy Lemke-Kline, Accessible Space, Inc.
Sara Lettengarver, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Sharon Lewis, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Nick Lewis, Thrivent Financial
Pamela Liggett, Pan, Inc.
Steven Lindquist, JEM Technical
Steve Lovejoy, United Educators Credit Union
Charles MacArthur, U.S. Bank
Britany Mack, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Jamie Mahaffey, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Karissa McLaughlin, Bremer Bank
Dana Menard, Financial Dimensions Group, Inc.
Jess Midura, Portico Benefit Services
Jake Miesen, Allstate Insurance
Amber Miller, The Planning Center, Inc.
Jason Moehring, Thrivent Financial
Adam Molina, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Michelle Mooney, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
David Moore, Allianz Life
Amanda Moore, Cornerstone Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Mark Morris, Citizens Independent Bank
Matthew Muenchow, Wells Fargo Audit Services
Stephanie Musgrove, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Rufus Mwaura, Wells Fargo Retirement Plan Solutions
Paul Nelson, Allstate Insurance
Nikki Nelson, Amesbury
Hans Nestingen, Thrivent Financial
Stephen Nesvig, Anchor Bank Snelling
Cheryl Newell, Money $marts LLC
Danny Ng, PwC
William Oberreit
Erin O'Brien, Ecolab Inc.
Chris Okada, Wealth Enhancement Group
Natalie Okonek, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Sandy Olson, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Marc Olson, Allianz Life
Andrew Olson, Voya Financial
Trysh Olson, Wings Financial Credit Union
Megan Omann, Americana Community Bank
Cindy P, Americana Community Bank
Christina Panek, Allianz Life
Jessica Panipinto, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Pankil Parikh, Ameriprise Financial Services
Beth Patterson, Wells Fargo
Pappu Periakaruppan, Pine River Capital Management
Maddie Petersen, Anchor Bank North St. Paul
Bridget Petersen, SPIRE Credit Union
Kimberlee Philipson, Minnesota Bankers Association
Tiffany Phillips, Bremer Bank
Dana Pollard, Wells Fargo
Bryan Polley, U.S. Bank
Bethany Pope, PwC
Rose Quast, Merrill Corporation
Kelsi Rahm, Morgan Stanley
Sharon Reichenbach, Peoples Bank of Commerce
Brad Reiland, Allstate Insurance
Tami Resler, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Kevin Ringdahl, Morgan Stanley
Dustin Robbins, Tempo Investment Advisors
Tara Roberts Cannon, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Jay Robinson, Charles Schwab
Brent Romenesko, Tempo Investment Advisors
Financial Matters Volunteers (continued)
Jim Huninghake, Anchor Bank, was one of many volunteers
who visited Robbinsdale Cooper High School to deliver
BestPrep’s updated Credit Matters presentation.
Earlier this year, all 10th and 11th grade students also
received BestPrep’s Budgeting Matters presentation.
“This was an amazing experience for our entire
junior class at Cooper High School. They were able
to learn about budgeting from someone in the
business field. Many advisory teachers commented
on how great it was for students to learn more
about financial literacy!”
- Amanda Lieser, AVID Teacher
Robbinsdale Cooper High School
Mary Ruch
Michael Rutter, North Star Resource Group
Daniel Ryan, Anchor Bank
Benjamin Sakhitab, Varde Partners, Inc.
Lauri Salverda, Castle Rock Financial Planning, Inc.
Sarah Schaus, Allianz Life
Nicole Scheidnes, Wells Fargo Audit Services
Bryan Schmidt, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Katie Schoenig, Wings Financial Credit Union
Kimberly Schwake, Allstate Insurance
Thor Sheva, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Michelle Shull, Bremer Bank
Tammy Simon, Infinia Bank
Tracey Simonson, Focus Financial - The Simonson Group
Jolene Situma, Premier, Inc.
Brooke Skinn, 3M
Scott Snavely, 3M
Greg Sniezek, Allstate, Sniezek Group Agency
Kelly Sommerville, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Amy Spicer, Allianz Life
Don Spieker
Cara St. Martin, Allianz Life
Sally Stanek, TCF Bank
Janet Stanzak, Financial Empowerment LLC
Jonathan Stark, Wells Fargo Financial Products
Lori Stieber, Internal Revenue Service
Steve Storkan, Alerus Financial
Amy Strandell, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
John Strowbridge, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Sarorn Swanson, BMO Harris Bank
Andy Tate, North Star Resource Group
Bridget Tews, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Andrew Thelander, Wealth Enhancement Group
James Thies, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Karen Thompson, Better Business Bureau of MN/ND
Jerry Thompson, Coldwell Banker Rochester
Douglas Thoresen, North Star Resource Group
Adrienne Thorson, AmeriNational Community Services
Matthew Thyne, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Mary Toske, Allstate
Cody Tresselt-Warren, Accredited Investors
Zack Ulrich, PwC
David Wolfe, Educators Financial Services, Inc., visited Coon Rapids High School to teach College Possible students important
lessons on budgeting. Through Financial Matters, 1,882 College Possible students were impacted this school year.
Financial Matters Volunteers (continued)
BestPrep Board Members Steve Lear, Affiance Financial, and
Rhonda Dean, Washburn High School, spoke with Washburn
students after a money management presentation.
Todd Vincelli, Allstate, Vincelli Insurance Agency
Dan Wagner, Federated Insurance
Bruce Wagner, Financial LifeLab, Inc.
Brandon Walters, Edward Jones
Natasha Waltman, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Amelia Walton, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Annette Wanchena, 401k Latte Company
Brian Waters, SNS Financial Group
Terry Weber, United Educators Credit Union
Diana Weddigen, Lewis, Kisch & Associates, Ltd.
Nate Wenner, Wipfli, LLP
Bill Werb, Allianz Life
Suzy Wheeler, FamilyMeans/CCCS
Andy Wheeler, Wheeler Associates
Dawn Williams, REMAX Preferred
William Wixon, Wixon Advisors
David Wolfe, Educators Financial Services, Inc.
Paul Wolvert, Deluxe Corporation
Xiaokang Zhu, PwC
Brian Zjawiony, Wells Fargo Advisors
Jamie Zyllo, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
“It's worth it and it’s going to change the future of our country if we have a new generation of financially
literate young adults.”
-Julianne Korhonen, North Star Resource Group
Financial Matters Schools
THANK YOU to the educators from these schools who chose to use BestPrep’s Financial Matters program
to enhance the education of their students and prepare them with sound money management skills!
Andover High School, Andover
Anthony Middle School, Minneapolis
Apple Valley Senior High, Apple Valley
Battle Creek Middle School, St. Paul
Bemidji High School, Bemidji
Bemidji Middle, Bemidji
Blaine High School, Blaine
Blooming Prairie High School, Blooming Prairie
Bloomington Kennedy High School, Bloomington
Buffalo High School, Buffalo
Burnsville Alternative High School, Eagan
Burnsville High School, Burnsville
Burnsville High School Senior Campus, Burnsville
Centennial High School, Circle Pines
Central High School, St. Paul
Central High School, Norwood Young America
Century Community College, White Bear Lake
Champlin Park High School, Champlin
Chaska High School, Chaska
Chaska Middle School West, Chaska
College Possible
Columbia Heights High School, Columbia Heights
Community of Peace Academy, St. Paul
Como Park Senior High School, St. Paul
Coon Rapids High School Coon, Rapids
Crookston Secondary, Crookston
Delano Middle School, Delano
Duluth East High School, Duluth
Eagan High School, Eagan
East Ridge High School, Woodbury
Edina Senior High, Edina
Edison High School, Minneapolis
Elk River High School, Elk River
FAIR School Downtown, Minneapolis
Fairview Alternative High School, Roseville
Bryan Polley, U.S. Bank, spoke to the entire senior class at
Blaine High School about managing money and budgeting.
He demonstrated that no matter the size of your income, it’s
possible to have good budgeting habits.
Financial Matters Schools (continued)
Focus Beyond Programs in Transition, St. Paul
Forest Lake Area Learning Center, Forest Lake
Forest Lake High School, Forest Lake
Fridley High School, Fridley
Glenville-Emmons Secondary, Glenville
Harbor City International Charter, Duluth
Harding Senior High School, St. Paul
Henry Sibley High School, St. Paul
Highland Park Senior High School, St. Paul
Hill-Murray School, Maplewood
Humboldt Secondary School, St. Paul
Integrated Arts Academy, Chaska
International School of Minnesota, Eden Prairie
Irondale High School, New Brighton
Johnson High School, St. Paul
Lake Middle School, Woodbury
Lakeville South High School, Lakeville
Mankato West High School, Mankato
Maple Grove High School, Maple Grove
Maranatha Christian Academy, Brooklyn Park
Marcy Open Elementary School, Minneapolis
Mayo High School, Rochester
Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis
Minnetonka High School, Minnetonka
Mound Westonka High School, Minnetrista
Mounds View High School, Arden Hills
Murray Middle School, St. Paul
Namibian Motif Edu-Explorer 9624, St. Paul
North Senior High School, Minneapolis
North St. Paul High School, North St. Paul
Osseo Area Learning Center, Brooklyn Park
Osseo Senior High School, Osseo
Park Center IB World School, Brooklyn Park
Park High School , Cottage Grove
Patrick Henry High School, Minneapolis
Prior Lake-Savage Area ALC, Prior Lake
Ramsey Middle School, St. Paul
Red Lake Secondary, Red Lake
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, Plymouth
Robbinsdale Cooper Senior High, New Hope
Rock Bend HS ALC, St. Peter
Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis
Roseville Area High School, Roseville
Roseville Area Middle School, Little Canada
Sage Academy Charter School, Brooklyn Park
Saint Paul College, St. Paul
Sanford Middle School, Minneapolis
Shakopee Senior High School, Shakopee
Simley Senior High, Inver Grove Heights
South High School, Minneapolis
St. Louis Park High School, St. Louis Park
St. Paul Public School District, St. Paul
Stillwater Area High School, Stillwater
Tartan High School, Oakdale
Tassel Transition, Eden Prairie
The Cookie Cart, Minneapolis
The Next Step Transition Program, St. Paul
Transition Plus, St. Louis Park
Tree Trust, St. Louis Park
Twin Cities Academy, St. Paul
Ubah Medical Academy, Hopkins
Washburn High School, Minneapolis
Washington Tech Secondary Magnet, St. Paul
Wayzata Central Middle School, Plymouth
Wayzata High School, Plymouth
Wheels Driving Academy, Zimmerman
White Bear Lake ALC, White Bear Lake
“This is one of the most helpful and wonderful programs I have been able to implement in my classroom
through 30 years of teaching.”
- Janet Luick, Teacher
Blooming Prairie High School
BESTPREP WISHES TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE FOR THE MORE THAN 350 CORPORATE,
FOUNDATION, AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS, AS WELL AS THE MANY TEACHERS WHO UTILIZE
BESTPREP’S PROGRAMS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
SAY
HELLO!
We have attempted to correctly list all individuals and organizations that have been involved this year.
Please email info@bestprep.org with corrections.
www.bestprep.org
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@bestprepmn
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