My journey to becoming NGPF's new Chief Operating Officer began five years ago when I sat in on a presentation from the NGPF co-founders. They shared about the impact of financial literacy on high school students; the engaging curriculum the team had designed (who knew a finance class could be fun?!); and the groundswell of teachers that were bringing this curriculum to life in their classrooms.

By the end, I had two primary thoughts:

1. This is an incredible organization doing vital work, and
2. I could use that curriculum for myself!

I vividly remember the day my dad took me to open my first bank account. I was just starting college, and we walked into a local bank branch, set up checking and saving accounts, and proudly chose an under-the-sea theme for my new check book.

I felt both empowered and “grown-up” but also overwhelmed with this new responsibility. I lacked the toolkit to even ask the right questions.

And while I continued to stumble through financial decisions into adulthood, I had a safety net: parents who were financially literate and a socioeconomic background that allowed me to make mistakes without life-altering consequences.

Looking back, I recognize that privilege and how unfair it is that not every young person has access to the same foundation.

That belief—that opportunity shouldn’t depend on where you’re born or the circumstances you inherit—has guided my professional path.

I previously worked for a nonprofit with a mission to close the digital divide in order to enable economic security and opportunity. That same imperative is what drives my connection to NGPF’s mission: equipping students with the financial skills they need to unlock a more equitable future.

I am thrilled to be joining NGPF at such a pivotal moment for both the organization and the personal finance movement.

Mission 2030 is driving real change to ensure that personal finance education is a reality for every high school student. NGPF is ready to meet the moment, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of the work ahead.

About the Author

Greer Ahlquist

Author bio and posts for Greer Ahlquist at Next Gen Personal Finance. Read Greer's NGPF blog posts today!