Chair, Vice Chair Appointed for 2025
The National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®) has announced updates to its Board of Trustees, including welcoming Tracy Shaw, Ph.D., head of content and client engagement strategy at Equitable, as its newest member. In addition, the board has named Dionne Blue, Ph.D., chief impact officer at YWCA USA, as chair and Rachelle Feldman, vice provost for enrollment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as vice chair. The board also welcomes back Manisha Thakor, CFP, CFA, and founder of MoneyZen, LLC, who returns to the leadership group following a brief sabbatical.
“The NEFE Board comprises some of the most talented individuals in their respective fields. The inclusion of new members like Dr. Tracy Shaw and naming Dr. Dionne Blue as chair and Rachelle Feldman as vice chair is a process we take seriously to ensure we remain thoughtful about how we best champion effective and inclusive financial education. With change comes fresh new ideas, and the entire NEFE staff looks forward to the board’s thoughtful governance and insight in shaping our mission.
-- Billy Hensley, Ph.D., president and CEO of NEFE
Shaw was selected to join the NEFE Board due to her career focused on the intersection of healthcare and financial well-being. She currently leads content and client engagement strategy at Equitable and has experience as an executive benefits consultant and in information technology development. Shaw is a member of several boards that make life easier for those who need it, including serving as board chair of the Immune Deficiency Foundation, board director for IPOPI (International Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiencies) and immediate past board chair of the SCORE Association. She holds an MBA from Western Connecticut State University and a Ph.D. in organizational leadership from Adler University. Read her full bio
“I am honored to join the NEFE Board of Trustees and contribute to an organization that champions effective financial education and advances financial well-being for all. I look forward to working alongside such an esteemed team and being part of NEFE’s commitment to equity and empowerment.
-- Tracy Shaw, Ph.D.
In addition, NEFE has named Blue the chair of the Board of Trustees for 2025, replacing Jason W. Young who moves to chair emeritus. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Blue’s extensive career includes impact and equity positions throughout Ohio, as well as successful work in the nonprofit and higher education sectors. Read her full bio.
“It is an honor to serve as the chair of NEFE at such a critical moment in time. High-quality financial education plays an especially pivotal role in changing someone's life and can impact the trajectory of entire generations. I look forward to continuing the legacy of leadership and thought partnership built by previous board chairs as NEFE continues to make important contributions.
-- Dionne Blue, Ph.D.
Replacing Blue as vice chair is Feldman, who currently holds several national leadership positions, including chair of the Coalition of University State Aid Administrators, national board member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and executive board member of the Higher Education Loan Coalition. She regularly advocates for students at the national level and is passionate about access to higher education and giving all students the full experience and preparation they need to live successful, fulfilling lives after graduation. Read her full bio.
“It is an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees for the National Endowment for Financial Education. Empowering people with the knowledge and opportunity to maximize their financial potential helps all of us, regardless of our means or background. Working in higher education, I see the need each day for young people to take control of their finances and graduate to their next stage of life with confidence. NEFE leads the way in research, convenes leadership, and fosters collaboration towards this vision.
-- Rachel Feldman
Thakor returns to the NEFE Board after a brief sabbatical. She is the founder of MoneyZen, LLC, a boutique financial education consultancy, and is a renowned speaker and author on personal finance topics. Read her full bio.
Read more on NEFE's Board of Trustees.
