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
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.
“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.”
Senior Financial Wellness Coaches:
Rafael Villasenor
Hello! My name is Rafael, and I’m a 4th-year Political Economy student with a concentration in Finance. As a first-generation college student from an immigrant household, I know that navigating finances can sometimes feel overwhelming or uncomfortable. That’s why I’m passionate about making financial wellness more accessible and approachable for all students. Whether you have questions about budgeting, saving, or anything in between, I’m here to help!
Jadyn Stafford
Hi everyone! My name is Jadyn, I am a senior studying Economics and minoring in Public Policy. I’m one of the Senior Coaches, a CFW ambassador with DSP-TRIO, and have worked with the Center since my sophomore year. I grew up in a small town near Yosemite and love the outdoors! I also love music (playing guitar and going to concerts!!). Navigating finances in college comes with so many unknowns and firsts, and I would love to answer any financial questions or concerns you may have: whether your budgeting for the first time, planning out post-grad, or anything along the way. Make an appointment with me virtually or in-person!
Financial Wellness Coaches:
Amy Vasquez
Hi! My name is Amy, and I’m a second-year student studying Genetics and Plant Biology. I’m a first-generation, low-income student born and raised in the Bay Area. Coming from an immigrant household, I understand how challenging it can be to navigate and talk about personal finance. I’m passionate about making financial knowledge more accessible, especially for students, and closing gaps in financial disparities.
Audrey Lim
Hi everyone! My name is Audrey, and I’m a senior studying Economics and Public Policy. I was born in South Korea and raised in Seattle, WA. In my free time, I enjoy making my daily cup of matcha, discovering new cuisines and restaurants on Beli, and exploring new places, whether locally or internationally.
Having moved to the U.S. alone, I’ve had to navigate my financial journey and build financial literacy from a young age. I understand how complex and overwhelming personal finance can feel, and I’m here to listen to your concerns and work with you to create a plan that fits your needs! Please feel free to schedule an appointment with me to talk through any personal finance questions or challenges you may have. I’m here to help!
Diya Sridhar
Hi everybody! My name is Diya, and I am a junior majoring in Economics and minoring in Data Science. 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!
Hannah Ho
Hi everyone! I’m Hannah (she/her), a senior studying Economics and Cognitive Science. I was born and raised in San Francisco and, in my free time, I love trying new restaurants and indulging in the latest brain rot. As college students, navigating your finances can seem pretty daunting, but don’t worry we can work it out together! Feel free to book an appointment to chat about budgeting, investing, credit cards, anything — I’m here to help!
Kate Jialing Qian
Hi! My name is Kate, and I’m a senior studying Economics. I’m from Fremont, and in my free time, I love to figure skate, take digicam pictures, and try out new cafes! Whether you’d like to talk about budgeting, saving, credit, or investing—or just need help getting started with personal finance—I’m here to support you. Feel free to book an appointment, I’d love to chat!
Kalie Jimenez
Hi! My name is Kalie. I am a first-generation Junior, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Public Policy. I was raised in Los Angeles and come from a working-class background. In my free time, I love to keep up to date on current events, go on side quests with friends, watch movies, and explore the city! I have always been inspired by financial literacy and its intersection with politics. Feel free to schedule an appointment with me to discuss any personal finance concerns you have.
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!
Nathan Jann
Hello! My name is Nathan Jann, and I am currently in my second year of studying economics while pursuing a career in public accounting. I love playing Brawl Stars, hanging out with friends, and best of all, talking about financial literacy. Feel free to book an appointment with me to talk about credit cards, investing or anything financial literacy related!
Nina Kini
Hello! My name is Nina, and I’m a junior studying Public Health and Education. I was born and raised in Orange County, CA- near the ocean. I grew up in an immigrant household, and I love working with students from diverse backgrounds, especially groups with DSP status, learning disabilities, and language barriers. I understand that personal finance can be overwhelming for many students, and I am passionate about using accessible and engaging learning practices to boost financial literacy.
Sofia Boselli
Hi! My name is Sofia, and I’m a senior studying Business Administration. I was born and raised in the East Bay and love spending my free time running, reading, and being outdoors. My interest in the financial services—where I hope to build a career after graduation—originally grew from a personal passion for financial literacy. I love helping others feel confident and empowered when it comes to managing their finances. If you ever want to talk about budgeting, saving, investing, or anything in between, feel free to schedule a time to chat!
Wenqing Li
Hi! I’m Wenqing, an international student from China, currently doing my Master in Social Work at Cal. As an international student, I have faced many challenges in obtaining financial support since the fact that most financial aid and fellowships are for permanent residents/US citizens only. At the same time, however, this encouraged me to develop good financial skills and learn all kinds of possible resources. I’m always happy to share all these tips and experience as well as connect people to targeted and available resources. Feel free to schedule an appointment and discuss!
Angela Li (Away This Semester – Returning Spring 2026)
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!
Kathy Nguyen (Away This Semester – Returning Spring 2026)
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!
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
Stephanie Perez-Morales
Stephanie is a dedicated nonprofit professional with a focus on financial education, workforce development, and program management. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San Jose State University and has over six years of experience developing programs that help individuals achieve financial stability and career growth. As a first-generation college graduate and San Francisco native, she understands the challenges of navigating financial systems with limited resources, which drives her commitment to creating accessible financial education initiatives.
Stephanie began her career as a Career Development Manager at a family shelter, where she led workforce programs, distributed financial assistance, and implemented new initiatives to improve client engagement. She later transitioned into financial education as a Financial Education Coordinator at Mission Asset Fund, where she developed bilingual financial education content and helped expand digital resources to reach a broader audience. In both roles, she collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve program impact and ensure communities received the support they needed.
Beyond her professional roles, Stephanie is a certified Financial Social Work Coach and an IRS-certified advanced tax preparer, volunteering as a VITA tax preparer for the past four years. In the Spring of 2021, she was selected for the CORO Workforce Leadership Program, where she strengthened her skills in effective communication, cross-sector collaboration, and strategic program development.
With her expertise in financial education, workforce development, and program management, Stephanie is committed to advancing economic prosperity for communities. She strives to create inclusive financial empowerment programs that provide individuals with the knowledge and resources needed to thrive. Outside of work, she enjoys bachata dancing, hiking, and exploring new places—always embracing new experiences that fuel her passion for learning and community connection.