Advisory Board

Amit Bansal is the Director of the Center for Financial Health and Wellness at Oklahoma State University's Spears School of Business. His role involves guiding individuals towards making informed and impactful personal financial choices. The center achieves this through workshops and personalized counseling on budgeting, savings, investing, debt management, and more.Previously, Amit, an Oklahoma State University alumnus, worked in corporate banking and capital markets in New York before transitioning to academia. Since 2018, he has been sharing his financial expertise with students at the Spears School of Business by teaching finance courses.A dedicated advocate of financial education, Amit has long supported financial literacy. His leadership at the Center for Financial Health and Wellness allows him to extend financial literacy education beyond university students to staff and community members.Amit holds a Master's in electrical and computer engineering and an MBA from OSU. During his MBA, he interned at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange. Additionally, Amit serves on the Advisory Board of the Florida Financial Educators Council, contributing to the financial literacy movement across Florida, Oklahoma, and the U.S.”

2016 Financial Educator of the Year and Founder of Sammy Rabbit, Sam X Renick is the latest board member of Youth Finance USA’s advisory board. Sam has taught financial education to more than a quarter million children in 8 countries and 40 states. He is a pioneer in the industry and has produced one of the largest libraries in the world of financial literacy resources. Sam’s expertise in the field will guide Youth Finance USA on our journey to providing financial literacy to the youth. For more information on him and his initiatives, please visit samxrenick.com and sammyrabbit.com.

Ricky created the first hip-hop after school program in New York. Ricky is currently a program director for Charlotte Lab. He was also an Assistant Principal at a growing private school in Charlotte, North Carolina and has served as an Educational Consultant for a variety of schools, non-profit organizations and families. He helped boost student enrollment, oversaw Special Education, professional development, curriculum planning, instructional technology, and advisory, as well as helped to form a variety of high-interest clubs for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Ricky graduated from Brooklyn College with a major in Political Science, and received his first Masters degree in Special Education from the same institution. Ricky currently resides in West Charlotte with his wife Liz and their children Rafael, Elijah, Joziah and Erymiah.

Alex Luna is not your typical financial advisor. With a degree in Business and Economics from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, he possesses a strong foundation in finance and economics. However, what truly sets Alex apart is his commitment to giving back to the community, particularly in the realm of youth mentoring and financial education. Alex's passion for youth development and financial education extends far beyond his professional life. He actively engages in volunteering and mentoring endeavors, where he selflessly shares his knowledge and experience with the next generation. This commitment to community and youth empowerment aligns seamlessly with the core mission of Youth Finance USA. With Alex Luna on our team, we gain a financial expert who not only offers a wealth of knowledge but also brings a heartfelt dedication to our mission. We are honored to have Alex as part of our team, and we are confident that his guidance will help us make an even greater impact on the financial literacy landscape.ager

Animesh is a passionate and driven Senior at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, he currently is Majoring in Economics (B.S.) with a minor in Business Administration and Management. He currently is managing the UNC Reynolds and IMPACT Investing Club with an accumulated portfolio of $700,000 and has experience working in the Finance Industry at a top Financial Firm and Fortune 500 Company.  Apart from school, Animesh is a dedicated mentor and leader at the Jai Hind Balamandir School in Ahmedabad, India where he works to provide underprivileged children with the necessary STEM education and expertise to succeed in the workforce.

Meet Mrs. Dawn Patterson, an esteemed Economics and Personal Finance Teacher, and AP Macroeconomics instructor at Ardrey Kell High School. With a background spanning education and the corporate world, Dawn brings a wealth of experience to her role. Dawn's commitment to education is evident through her role in shaping young minds. As an AP Macroeconomics teacher, she strives for academic excellence among her students, while her prior experience as a sales manager for a formal wear company adds practical business insights to her teaching. With a dynamic career that bridges education and corporate leadership, Mrs. Dawn Patterson is a valuable asset to Ardrey Kell High School. Her dedication to student development and her diverse knowledge make her a respected educator in her community.

Meet DJ Baudhuin, our newest advisor at Youth Finance USA. DJ holds a BS in Accounting from Marquette University and an MBA from Indiana University. With a background as a Managing Director at both Wells Fargo and Merrill Lynch, he brings a wealth of financial expertise to our team. Beyond his impressive career, DJ is dedicated to mentoring and volunteering, particularly with youth-focused initiatives. His commitment to empowering young individuals aligns perfectly with our mission of enhancing financial literacy. With DJ Baudhuin as an advisor, Youth Finance USA gains a seasoned professional who is passionate about equipping the next generation with essential financial skills, ensuring our organization's credibility and success in achieving our goals.