Dr. Billy Hensley Ascends to Leadership Position with Leading Nonprofit
DENVER—The National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®) proudly announces that Billy J. Hensley, Ph.D., has been named today as the new president and CEO effective July 9, 2018. Hensley, who for the past eight years has been NEFE’s senior director of education, will replace Ted Beck, who announced his retirement after 13 years leading the nonprofit foundation.
“I am very thankful to have enjoyed the work, colleagues and missions associated with every phase of my career. But to be named as NEFE’s next president and CEO is truly humbling and exciting,” says Hensley. “I greatly admire the professionals who work in the community of financial capability. I look forward to continuing our shared national vision to assure that every person has access to high-quality financial education. I do not take this trust lightly and will work diligently each day to help NEFE fulfill its mission.”
As senior director of education, Hensley oversaw the grants and research activities, including management of several of NEFE’s consumer education programs, collegiate initiatives, and e-learning and web strategy. His primary research interests are financial education, teacher professional development and the facilitation of social change through philanthropy.
Prior to joining NEFE in May 2010, Hensley was research fellow at the University of Cincinnati; assistant director for the Ohio College Access Network; program associate at KnowledgeWorks Foundation in Cincinnati; assistant director of admissions at Hiram College; and campaign coordinator at Union College. Through his work on college access issues, he helped increase the number of college access programs in Ohio by designing sustainability plans for programs in communities across the state. While at KnowledgeWorks, Hensley helped build a national policy model for career advancement via educational access for working adults. He received the Exemplary Service Award from the Southwest Ohio Secondary Teaching Academy in 2007 and 2008, and the Union College Rising Star Award in 2003.
Hensley currently serves on the board of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, where he chairs the education committee, and on the editorial board of the Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning. He has served on the boards of the Urban Appalachian Council of Greater Cincinnati and the Gallatin Food Pantry, as well as on the Southwest Ohio Workforce Policy Board Youth Council, the After-School All-Stars Evaluation Advisory Board, the University of Cincinnati Diversity Council and the Union College Alumni Board of Directors.
Beck retires from a distinguished 13-year career as president and CEO of NEFE where he was appointed to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, a panel established by President Barack Obama to promote and enhance financial capability among the American people. Beck also served as chairman of the board of the national Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, and the board of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion. Beck previously was appointed to President George W. Bush’s President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy 2008 to 2010.
“I came to NEFE at a time in our country’s history where people were experiencing significant financial concerns,” says Beck. “We always have been uniquely positioned through our thoughtful research, quality programming and wide range of educational offerings to encourage, support and help people make thoughtful decisions about their finances.”
“I’d never be ready for this if it weren’t for Ted,” says Hensley. “I have learned so much from his insight, leadership, guidance and mentorship. He helped cultivate growth for financial education at a time when people needed it the most. His leadership style and vision for the community have created a foundation upon which our work firmly stands today. His legacy at NEFE is widely felt and he will truly be missed.”
“I’ve always been impressed by how NEFE has been able to punch above its weight and provide quality programs,” says Beck. “The knowledge and skills of our team have allowed us to play an important role in a critical issue. The need for financial education is not going away. It’s been a privilege to be a part of this team and community.”
Read more on NEFE’s leadership.
