CashCourse is run by just a small team of three staff members and one intern. Get to know the people behind the program!
Amy Marty Conrad, Program Director
1. Tells us about your background.
I grew up in Orlando, Florida, and have lived in Denver since 2011. I studied journalism in college and have always enjoyed writing and editing. In my spare time, I love traveling, exploring Colorado, and playing pub trivia with my husband (and I’m really good at making up punny trivia team names.)
2. What brought you to NEFE?
I joined NEFE five years ago, initially in the marketing and communications department managing social media; in my second year I began supporting CashCourse. I went to graduate business school to study marketing, but my primary interests were in helping nonprofit and government institutions better communicate with their constituents. I care greatly about NEFE’s mission and love being part of a team of people who want to positively impact the world.
3. What is your favorite snack food?
Popcorn with Sriracha.
4. What is your favorite part about working with CashCourse?
I love seeing how much financial education changes with new technologies. It’s a very interesting field to be a part of!
5. Share a financial blunder you have made.
When I moved from Florida to Colorado, I rented a U-Haul to drive all my belongings out with me… in hindsight, I could have sold most of my stuff and gotten new furniture as needed in Denver. That U-Haul was so expensive and my college furniture was NOT worth it!
6. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
Block all TV spoilers from view until I’ve watched the episode. (I’m looking at you, Game of Thrones.)
Raven Newberry, Program Manager
1. Tells us about your background.
I am originally from the great commonwealth of Kentucky, but have lived in five different states since graduating college. I have been in Denver since 2014 and feel I have just now adjusted to the elevation. In my free time, I love to play soccer, bake, and binge watch Netflix with my fiancé.
2. What brought you to NEFE?
I have a background in college access and success and first became interested in financial education through that work. After getting my Masters of Public Policy at Vanderbilt University, I found the job posting for the CashCourse Program Associate and thought it was a perfect fit for my interests and skills.
3. What is your favorite snack food?
I love Nutty Bars! I believe they are the most superior Little Debbie snack food. Every time I visit home, my mom stocks up on these. I try to limit eating them just to these visits.
4. What is your favorite part about working with CashCourse?
CashCourse is in a unique position to support different financial literacy efforts at so many different types of campuses. I love hearing about the creative and wonderful work being done across the nation. Financial wellness is so important!
5. Share a financial blunder you have made.
Although the “latte factor” is definitely overused in financial education, I definitely fell into this trap in college. I realized one semester that I had spent an obscene amount on sugary Starbucks lattes thanks to some late night classes next to the campus location. The peppermint mochas were not worth it.
6. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
I would probably pick time travel. This would allow me to see different historic eras, stop disasters from happening, and sleep in whenever I wanted.
Mary Klodt, Administrative Coordinator
1. Tells us about your background.
I’m a Colorado native and grandmother of two adorable little girls ages 8 and 3 who, thankfully, live right here in Denver so my husband and I get to spend a lot of time with them.
2. What brought you to NEFE?
I had worked at the College for Financial Planning for 14+ years before it was sold to the Apollo Group in 1997. I had kept in touch with some of the College staff who went to NEFE. After 10 years in the telecommunications industry, I heard that NEFE needed a part-time receptionist. I came to NEFE in January of 2007 and after two weeks working part time I was asked to come on board full time. I’ll be celebrating 10 years at NEFE next month!
3. What is your favorite snack food?
Watermelon (when it’s in season)! If I could live on nothing but watermelon all summer I would.
4. What is your favorite part about working with CashCourse?
I truly enjoy working with Amy Conrad and Raven Newberry and am so impressed to see how far the CashCourse program has come under their leadership. I process all the CashCourse registrations when they first come in. It’s fun to see where all the different schools are located throughout the United States.
5. Share a financial blunder you have made.
When we moved from Orlando back to Denver in 2006, we decided to store 90% of our household furnishings in three separate storage units until we found a bigger house. We stored our furniture for 3 years! Big mistake. We should have sold everything but a few prized pieces of furniture and then invested the money we would have saved in storage units.
6. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
For those old enough to remember the TV show Bewitched!, I would be Samantha. I could clean my house in nothing flat by just a twitch of my nose and actually have time to relax a little!
Rina Braginsky, Intern
1. Tells us about your background.
Hi! My name is Rina and I am a third year student studying International Business at the University of Denver. I am originally from New York City, but I moved with my family to Colorado right after I was born, so I have been living here for most of my life.
2. What brought you to NEFE?
I had been interested in working for a non-profit organization, and in my internship search, I discovered NEFE. As a student, NEFE's mission for providing financial education really stood out to me; financial literacy is incredibly important, and it is wonderful to have an organization that strives to help individuals have a better understanding of their finances.
3. What is your favorite snack food?
Lay's Kettle Jalapeño chips. Or any jalapeño chips, really.
4. What is your favorite part about working with CashCourse?
My favorite part of working with CashCourse so far has been the My Story Contest. Not only did I learn a lot about the different experiences of students across the country, but many of the students' essays also provided great tips on personal finance of their own. I've also really enjoyed working with the team and learning more about CashCourse in general.
5. Share a financial blunder you’ve made.
A recent financial blunder I can recall has been overspending on a shopping trip. It is really easy to get carried away when shopping, but even more so during the holiday season!
6. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have a superpower, it would be teleportation. It would be pretty cool to have the ability to go anywhere, anytime in just seconds.