Our Mission and Vision
Our mission is to be an accessible and inclusive resource that empowers students to make informed financial decisions and achieve long-term financial security and prosperity.
Our vision is to foster a campus culture of healthy financial behaviors and conversations, promoting financial responsibility and wellness, where students, staff, and faculty are empowered to take control of their finances and make well-informed choices.
Our Coaches
“I absolutely loved meeting with my peer advisor…She is a great listener, keeps detailed notes throughout our session, and sends me a summary of the notes afterwards. I learned a lot about personal finance in a space where I felt comfortable and supported, which I’m really grateful for.”
The Financial Wellness Coaches are our team of student peers who will be helping you at the Center for Financial Wellness. You can meet with a financial wellness coach in person or virtually through Zoom to help you understand your personal finances. Financial wellness coaches can provide money management guidance on topics like, using your refund effectively, applying for a credit card, and developing a personal spending plan.
Senior Financial Wellness Coaches:
Mindy Nguyen
Hi! I’m Mindy, a first-generation & low-income senior studying Business & Economics. I was born & raised in San Jose. In my free time, I love to hike, binge shows, and being a foodie! I’ve always been a major advocate for financial literacy and sharing my passion with others. Feel free to schedule an appointment with me to discuss any personal finance concerns you have 🙂
Rafael Villasenor
Hello, my name is Rafael. I study Poli Econ and am a 3rd year student. I am a first generation student, and come from an immigrant household, so I understand that money can be a very hard topic for some of us. But I am more than happy to help anyone regarding any financial wellness question you might have.
Financial Wellness Coaches:
Angela Li
Hi! My name is Angela, I’m a junior studying Computer Science & Business. I’m from San Francisco and I love to catch sunsets, making matcha (and anything matcha related), and laughing at the silliest things with my friends. I’ve always loved talking about personal finance with those around me and being an advocate on the importance of financial literacy. Feel free to book and appointment with me to talk about credit cards, savings, and investing!
Belén González
Hello! My name is Belén González, my pronouns are she/her/ella, and I was born and raised in Madera, CA which is located in the Central Valley. I am currently a fourth-year student double majoring in History and Chicanx Latinx Studies. In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, binge-watching films and TV shows, and trying out new recipes. As a first-generation college student coming from a low-income background, I know firsthand how intimidating personal finances can be. In this regard, I put much effort into making this topic easily approachable and accessible to students. Please feel free to schedule an appointment with me to discuss any personal finance-related questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to meeting with you!
Diya Sridhar
Hi everybody! My name is Diya, and I am a sophomore studying Economics. I am from the Bay Area, and in my free time, I love to play the piano and explore new recipes. I completely understand the many challenges associated with managing personal finances, so I would love to help you navigate the process as smoothly as possible and answer any questions you may have about various aspects of financial wellness. Feel free to schedule an appointment with me, and I look forward to meeting with you soon!
Jadyn Stafford
Hi everyone! I’m Jadyn Stafford. I am a third year Econ Major and Global Poverty and Practice Minor, and I am one of the peer coaches working with DSP-Trio. I’m from a small town between Yosemite and the Central Valley! When I’m not studying, I love reading, listening to music, playing guitar, hiking, and hanging out with friends! I totally understand how daunting finances can feel as a college student and would love to help you navigate any questions you may have along the way! Please reach out anytime and make an appointment with me 🙂
Kathy Nguyen
Hello!! My name is Kathy and I am a junior studying analytics and data science. I am local from San Jose and in my free time I like lifting, trying new recipes or restaurants or talking with friends. I would love to help you through your personal financial journey. There’s so much to financial literacy and it can be daunting, but I commend you for taking a step toward your future. Feel free to schedule an appointment with me and I look forward to meeting you!
Li Teh
Hello, my name is Li! I am a junior studying Molecular and Cell Biology (CDP, Medical Biology and Physiology track). I enjoy tennis, sweet treats, and philanthropy! I understand how overwhelming it can be managing finances as a college student, especially since there are so many things we need/want to spend money on! I’d love to help you navigate through your financial stress factors. I look forward to meeting you!
Malia Koliander
Hey everyone! My name’s Malia and I’m a junior majoring in Environmental Economics and Policy from San Diego, CA. In my free time, I love to crochet, read, binge reality tv, and go thrifting! Please feel free to book an appointment with me if you have questions about financial literacy topics like savings + banking, budgeting, and credit cards! I also manage scholarships for the UC Berkeley Panhellenic community, so let me know if you want to chat about financial resources for sorority life as well!
Matthew Zhang
Hey y’all, I am Matthew, a junior majoring in economics & data science. I like playing and watching various sports, cooking, traveling, spending money, saving money, and manage money. I am passionate about helping anyone with any personal finance concerns, anything from creating a spending plan to choosing a credit card, filing taxes to investing, etc. Please feel free to make an appointment with me and chat with me about anything!
Reese Tran
Hi everyone! My name is Reese and I am a senior studying economics. I would love to help you all with anything personal finance related! I am especially interested and knowledgeable about credit cards and investing.
Saskia Latievarya
Hey, I am Saskia! I am a transfer, low-income, out-of-state AB540, Mad, Neurodivergent, Trans/Queer student from Indonesia with lived experience with mental health systems studying Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies Field (ISF). I am an abolitionist and anti-capitalist who moves through the world with a disability justice and pleasure activist framework, and I hope to reflect that when interacting with you! I believe that we have different relationships with money and that knowing ourselves and building literacy is important to survive in this capitalist world. I am happy to assist with understanding the basics of debit and credit, advocating our wants and needs as part of our spending, talking about mental health and money, brainstorming how to feed ourselves and nourish, and managing scholarships and student loans. In my free time I love painting, drawing, making videos, writing, and cuddling with my emotional support cats.
Simone Beilin
Hi! My name is Simone and I’m a senior studying Economics with a minor in Data Science. I’m passionate about making personal finance knowledge more accessible to everyone. I look forward to helping you through any questions you might have about credit cards, personal investing, budgeting, or any other general finance questions. In my free time, I enjoy backpacking, weightlifting, reading, and playing tennis. Hope to see you around, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Victoria Luna Alexander (V)
Hello ya’ll! My name is V & I use They/Them pronouns. I’m studying Psychology with a specialization in Neuroscience, & am minoring in Global Public Health & Global Poverty & Practice. I’m a nontraditional re-entry (25+) transfer student! I additionally identify as disabled, queer, non-binary, LatinX, Indigenous, low-income, etc. I am one of the peer coaches hired through DSP Trio – if you are looking for disabled-specific or re-entry/student parent-specific resources make an appointment with me! In my free time I love hiking (when my body permits), practicing & reclaiming spirituality, plants & gardening, & anime.
Our Staff
Manager
Anne Xiong
Anne Xiong is a seasoned professional with a rich academic background and a proven track record in higher education. She studied International Economic Law during her graduate studies in China and earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, focusing on tourism policy and planning, at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Anne has been with UC Berkeley since 2011 and became the Manager of the Center for Financial Wellness in January 2023.
As a first-generation college student and the first in her family to study and live abroad, Anne navigated college and the world independently, both academically and financially. This firsthand experience instilled in her the belief that financial literacy is essential for personal and academic success.
Anne’s journey in financial wellness began in 2013 as a fellow, where she played a key role in building UC Berkeley’s financial literacy program from the ground up. She contributed to designing the program’s structure, training materials, and content, including appointment guides and presentation slides. The program, originally known as Bears for Financial Success, was rebranded as the Center for Financial Wellness in 2023.
With her deep understanding of UC Berkeley, its students, and the program, Anne is committed to empowering the campus community through financial wellness. Her vision is to create an environment where financial literacy is seamlessly integrated into student and staff life, ensuring everyone has the tools and support needed to thrive financially. As a leader, Anne guides her team towards excellence, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful initiatives that support the financial well-being of the campus community.
Coordinator
Jackie Nguyen
Jackie Nguyen is a proud UC Berkeley alumni, where she earned dual degrees in Economics and Business Administration. With a deep-rooted passion for financial literacy and student empowerment, Jackie has returned to campus as the Financial Literacy Coordinator at the Center for Financial Wellness. In this role, she draws upon her extensive experience in financial planning, risk management, and data analysis to support the center’s operations and enhance its impact on the Berkeley community.
During her time as an undergraduate, Jackie served as a student coach at the CFW, where she enjoyed mentoring her peers on essential financial topics such as budgeting, credit management, and investing. Her dedication to student success extended beyond the center, as she also took on leadership roles across campus, such as being a Peer Advisor for the College of Letters and Science,and the Student Manager for the Women’s Basketball Team.
In addition to her academic and leadership experiences, Jackie has a strong background in business, with expertise in financial modeling, market research, and project analysis. Her work in accounting and consulting has given her a well-rounded understanding of financial principles that she is eager to share with the UC Berkeley student body. Jackie is passionate about fostering financial literacy and believes in empowering students to take control of their financial futures. Her goal as Coordinator is to create an engaging and supportive environment where students can build the knowledge and confidence they need to achieve their financial goals.