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:
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.
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.
Financial Wellness Coaches:
Abigail Hesterberg
Hello! I am Abby, and I am a transfer student majoring in Economics and studying Accounting. I am from the Central Valley, and in my free time, I love doing yoga, reading, and binge-watching shows! I have always been passionate about the topic of financial literacy, and I completely understand the challenges of navigating these topics, especially when first starting out. Please feel free to schedule an appointment with me, and I would love to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Anderson Mao
Hey everyone! My name is Anderson, and I am a sophomore studying Data Science and Computer Science. I’m originally from Hawaii but I lived in the bay for a few years. In my free time, I like to go exploring and hang out with friends. I also love weightlifting, playing the piano, and doom scrolling. If you have any questions about financial literacy, please schedule an appointment with me! We can talk about anything, not just credit cards or investing.
Daniel Chu
Hi! My name is Daniel, and I’m a current freshman studying Business from San Jose, CA. In my free time, I love watching cat reels, exploring SF, and drinking coffee. I’m personally really interested in investing and credit cards, but feel free to book an appointment with me about any personal finance topic! I would love to help with any financial wellness topics or questions you have!
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!
Hanna Corona
Hi everyone! I’m Hanna (she/ella), a first-year at Cal studying Chicanx and Latinx Studies with a minor in Public Policy. I love Bad Bunny, café hopping, and exploring SF. As a first-gen, low-income student from East LA, I have first-handedly witnessed how language and systemic barriers limit access to financial resources. I’m passionate about helping marginalized students build financial power through literacy—book me for support with any financial wellness questions! (También hablo español).
Jay Shah
Hi everyone! My name is Jay, and I’m an international student from Kenya. I’m a junior studying Economics with a minor in City and Regional Planning, and in my free time I enjoy playing tennis or watching TV shows. I understand how overwhelming personal finance can feel, especially with so many new responsibilities and decisions during college. I’d be more than happy to help with budgeting, banking, credit, or planning ahead for life after college. Feel free to book an appointment with me!
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!
Santiago Escobedo
Hey everyone! My name is Santiago Escobedo, and I’m a junior from the Los Angeles Area. I’m a first-generation Latino student, and I understand that navigating college and personal finances can be overwhelming. I’m from an immigrant household, and my family has been affected by the incarceration system. And I’m really passionate about helping people overcome obstacles. If you have any personal finance questions or challenges, please schedule an appointment with me using the link below—I’m here to help.
Graduate Financial Wellness Coaches:
Catherine Martinez
Maia Cluver
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.