Meet Our Team

I'm Donna Cirillo, and I Believe in the Transformative Power of Financial Education

I help organizations empower the people they serve with hope and a future through transformative financial education.

Many financial literacy programs are created with the best intentions. But too often they overwhelm participants with information instead of helping them change financial behavior. The most effective financial education programs are not the ones that cover the most topics, but are the programs that help people build practical money habits and make better financial decisions in real life.

Throughout my career as a Bank Officer, I saw firsthand how the lack of financial education affects people from every walk of life. I met customers who were highly successful in their professions but did not fully understand their own investments. Many simply followed advice without the knowledge or confidence to make informed financial decisions.

I have also witnessed friends and family spiral into debt simply because they were never taught the fundamentals of personal finance.

These experiences strengthened my belief that nothing has the power to transform a person’s life more than access to meaningful financial education.

That belief motivated me to pursue advanced professional training through the National Financial Educators Council. Today, my work focuses on helping organizations deliver financial education that truly changes lives.

I provide, using the proven curriculum of the National Financial Educators Council:

• Customized financial education program delivery and instructional design for organizations, financial services, banks, corporations, nonprofits, workforce development, libraries, schools, and all community partners.

• Thoughtful, practical insights and strategies for organizations and educators who strive to deliver financial education that is transformational, through my Smart Money Changes Everything blog, newsletter, and programs.

When people participate in an effective and well-designed financial education program, they gain something even more powerful than knowledge. They gain the confidence, skills, and decision-making ability to take control of their finances, build stability, and create hope for the future. I’m always interested in connecting with educators, community leaders, nonprofits, and organizations working to expand access to effective financial education.

My journey from Financial Professional to Financial Educator has been driven by a deep-seated passion for empowering others through financial literacy education. With a B.S. in Finance and M.B.A. from St. John’s University, I honed my skills over 14 years at U.S. Trust and J.P. Morgan Chase in roles such as Second Vice President, Bank Officer, and Manager within Investor Services and Operations.

Achieving the Accredited Personal Finance Instructor (APFI) designation represents the highest level of qualification for a personal finance instructor.

As a CFEI, CFLP, and APFI, I meet the standards outlined in the Framework for Teaching Personal Finance and have demonstrated my competency in teaching methods ( pedagogy, teaching techniques, and educational best practices) and content knowledge of personal finance topics. Additionally, I have earned over 100 Professional Development credits in Finance and Economic Education from Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) and the Council for Economic Education (CEE).

Volunteering in my community is very important to me. I have provided financial education to elementary and middle school students in New York City through Junior Achievement and other initiatives. I am currently serving as a member of the New York Financial Educators Council Advisory Board. Being appointed to the New York Financial Educators Council Advisory Board is a great honor and I am deeply committed to this role. I am delighted for this opportunity to help New York's citizens achieve greater financial wellness. In addition, I am honored to contribute to the educational development of young students as a member of the Board of Trustees for a private parochial academy in Queens, New York.

Join me in embracing the transformative power of financial literacy. Together, we can build a future where financial literacy empowers us all and transforms lives because smart money really does change everything!