BOSTON – Thursday, Treasurer Deb Goldberg announced the Treasurer’s Task Force on Financial Literacy, which will bring together policymakers, educators, banks and advocates to examine the state of financial education in Massachusetts. Former Undersecretary of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Barbara Anthony, currently a Senior Fellow at both the Kennedy School of Government and the Pioneer Institute, will chair the committee.
“As we prepare to build a statewide financial literacy program in Massachusetts, this task force will offer valuable insights, research and guidance,” said Goldberg. “I look forward to working with this diverse group as we create a blueprint for economic security and financial stability that works for everyone throughout our state.”
“I’m honored to be asked by Treasurer Goldberg to chair this vital task force,” said Anthony. “She believes, as do I that to give youngsters from all backgrounds a shot at the American dream, Massachusetts has to dramatically step up its commitment to financial literacy. And that is the goal this task force will pursue.”
Under the direction of Treasury’s Office of Economic Empowerment, the Treasurer’s Task Force on Financial Literacy will be responsible for launching a comprehensive research effort with the goal of developing recommendations on how to empower our citizens with the resources they need to plan to budget their money, save for retirement and better understand the impact of the economic decisions. The key demographic groups studied will be K-12 students, college students and adults. The Task Force’s final report will serve as an action plan for the State Treasurer and the Financial Literacy Trust Fund Board.
The Task Force will convene for six months and will file a final report with the State Treasurer no later than November 1, 2015.
Members of the Treasurer’s Task Force on Financial Literacy
Ann Bookman, Director, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, McCormack Graduate School, UMass Boston
George M. Blount, Manager, Strategy & Research, John Hancock Retirement Plan Services
Cheryl Cannon, Massachusetts Money Management Statewide Coordinator, representing AARP
Sol Carbonell, Assistant Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
John Chapman, Undersecretary Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
David J. Cotney, Commissioner of Banks
Susan Duncan, Senior Vice President & Regional Operations Executive, Bank of America
Representative Lori A. Ehrlich, Speaker of the House designee
David Floreen, Senior Vice President, MA Bankers Association
of Boston
Jake Foster, Assistant Director for STEM, representing DESE Commissioner
Paul Gentile, President & Chief Executive Officer Massachusetts Credit Union League
Larry Glazer, Jump$tart
Tom Graf, Executive Director MEFA
Scott Guild, President, Massachusetts Council on Economic Education
William Hart, Executive Officer, Massachusetts Community Colleges
Representative Hannah Kane, House Minority Leader designee
Terry Kwan, Board Member, Asian Community Development Corporation
Giles Li, Executive Director, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Association
Brian McCoubrey, Senate Minority Leader designee
Clantha McCurdy, Ph.D., Senior Deputy Commissioner, Access and Student Financial Assistance, MA Board of Higher Ed
Senator Michael Moore, Senate President designee
Margaret Miley, Executive Director, The Midas Collaborative
Russet Morrow, Public Policy Director, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
Rick Musiol, Jr., Senior Vice President, Regional Director of Public Affairs, New England, Citizens Bank
Todd Ostrowski, MTA, Ludlow Teacher’s Association
Sylvia de Haas Phillips, Senior Vice President Community Impact & Engagement, United Way of Pioneer Valley
James Slattery, Senior Director of Financial Aid, Northeastern University and President- Elect MASFAA
Mary Sullivan, Director of Community Education, Attorney General
Jeanne Thompson, Vice President for Thought Leadership, Fidelity
Megan Yost, Vice President, Head of Participant Engagement, State Street
People or organizations wishing to get involved can get more information by logging on to www.mass.gov/treasury.
On day one, Goldberg created an Office of Economic Empowerment led by a deputy treasurer with the deliberate goal of incorporating a range of initiatives, including financial literacy, college affordability and programming to support wage equality.
