Women and Money Page

Women & Money is hosted by the Kansas Financial Empowerment Foundation and the Kansas State Treasurer. This daylong conference is dedicated to empowering and educating women interested in unlocking their financial future. Whether you're looking to save more, get out of debt, or even start your own business, this event has something for everyone.

Admission is complimentary for all attendees. Seats are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Register today to secure your spot.

Why Financial Empowerment?

Consumer debt is at an all time high of $17.3 trillion- $4.6 trillion higher than the $12.7 trillion peak reached in 2008 during the Global Financial Crisis.

Student loan debt reached a staggering $1.77 trillion in 2023 and is continuing to grow, impacting young American’s ability to purchase a home and start a family.

According to Experian, the average credit card debt in America grew to $6,501 in 2023, a 10% increase from 2022.

In fall 2022, around 75% of Americans reported to have some savings for retirement, but 28% reported having none. In 2023, a survey was completed finding that 31% of workers experienced moderate to significant financial instability and ended up taking money out of their retirement to pay for short- term expenses.

More than one-third of Americans have less than $5,000 saved up for emergencies, with 25% of those having no emergency savings at all.

Why Financial Empowerment?

Consumer debt is at an all time high of $17.3 trillion- $4.6 trillion higher than the $12.7 trillion peak reached in 2008 during the Global Financial Crisis.

Student loan debt reached a staggering $1.77 trillion in 2023 and is continuing to grow, impacting young American’s ability to purchase a home and start a family.

According to Experian, the average credit card debt in America grew to $6,501 in 2023, a 10% increase from 2022.

In fall 2022, around 75% of Americans reported to have some savings for retirement, but 28% reported having none. In 2023, a survey was completed finding that 31% of workers experienced moderate to significant financial instability and ended up taking money out of their retirement to pay for short- term expenses.

More than one-third of Americans have less than $5,000 saved up for emergencies, with 25% of those having no emergency savings at all.

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Why Women?

As of 2023, 59% of the workforce is comprised of women, with 30% being their family’s primary breadwinner.

Women dominate higher education, earning the majority of post-secondary degrees in the United States- and have higher amounts of student loans with higher monthly payments.

Over 15.5 million women lived in poverty in 2022.

Women live longer than men on average, requiring the need to plan for a longer retirement.

Generally, women prefer to learn about money in groups with other women.

By 2030, roughly two-thirds of the private wealth in the U.S. will be held by women.

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Why Women?

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Our Speakers

Candy Valentino, Keynote Speaker
Founder, Investor, and WSJ best selling author
https://www.candyvalentino.com

Brandi Spurling, Closing Speaker
Founder of Sage Culture Co.
www.brandispurling.com

**Steven Johnson**
State Treasurer
Event Host

**Adriana Bates**
Founder and CEO
Clear Mortgage LLC

**Lisa Blake**
Wealth Mgmt Advisor
U.S. Bank

**Sarah Jabbour**
Owner & Buyer
SCOOBIE Boutique

**Vicki Schmidt**
State of Kansas
Insurance Commissioner

**Kelly Uran, CFP**
Private Wealth Advisor
U.S. Bank

**Brianne Johnson**
National Accounts Manager
Security Benefit

**Doug Wareham**
President & CEO
Kansas Bankers Association

**Jy Maze**
President & CEO
Maze Freight Solutions Inc.

**Teresa Stewart**
529 Business Development Consultant
American Century Investments

**Emily Cullinan**
National Accounts
American Century Investments

**Lori Schock**
Director
Office of Investor Education and Advocacy
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

**Sally Brungardt**
Investment Advisor
Modern Woodmen of America

**Lauren Childers**
Director
Consumer Assistance Division
KS Department of Insurance

**Teresa Hamilton**
Founder & CEO
Giving the Basics

**Jamie Cosgrove**
VP-Manager
KBA Legal Department
Kansas Bankers Association

**Vivian Tsai**
Head of Relationship Management
TIAA

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Our Speakers

Candy Valentino, Keynote Speaker
Founder, Investor, and WSJ best selling author
https://www.candyvalentino.com

Brandi Spurling, Closing Speaker
Founder of Sage Culture Co.
www.brandispurling.com

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Schedule

8:00 – 8:30 Registration / Vendor Visits / Breakfast

8:30 – 8:45 Welcome from our Emcee Loren Halifax, Fox 4 Kansas City

8:45 – 9:30 From Surviving to Thriving: Building Your Financial Freedom

9:30 – 10:30 Keynote Speaker: Candy Valentino

10:45 – 11:30 Track 1: Saving Through the Decades:
Understanding that as women age, the steps we take should change as it relates to savings and spending. Best practices in saving for life and retirement are crucial at every stage, whether you are in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, or beyond. It's essential to understand your personal perception of savings. Even if you haven't prioritized this yet, it's never too late! Learn how to design your wealth creation journey, nurture it over time, and safeguard it from the unpredictable.

10:45 – 11:30 Track 2: Launch Your Dream:Practical Steps for Starting Your Own Business:
Join us for a panel discussion with a group of dynamic female business owners. Whether you're in the idea stage or ready to take the plunge, you'll leave with actionable strategies and inspiration from these successful entrepreneurs. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your business vision into reality. It’s your chance to get pumped up, get practical advice, and start making your business dreams come true.

11:30 – 12:00 Lunch Buffett / Vendor Visits

12:00 – 12:45 Lunch Panel of Experts – Building Your Financial Legacy

1:00 – 1:45 Track 1: Preserving Your Future:
Protecting wealth requires a defensive approach. Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and the panelists will discuss different approaches to protecting your hard-earned money. Whether you’re in the process of building your own nest egg or taking vigilant steps against bad actors targeting the savings of a loved one, learning from the panel’s defensive strategies will help you better protect against financial setbacks.

Setting financial goals

Needs versus wants

Living within their means

Additionally, student loan debt has grown to an average of over $28,000 per borrower. Learn more about educational costs that face students today and saving for them from kindergarten all the way to graduation so that the children in your life can enter adulthood set up for financial success.

2:00 – 2:45 Closing Speaker: Brandi Spurling

2:45 – 3:00 Event Wrap Up / Survey / Giveaways

3:00 – 4:00 Last Chance for Vendor Visits and Networking

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Schedule

8:00 – 8:30 Registration / Vendor Visits / Breakfast

8:30 – 8:45 Welcome from our Emcee Loren Halifax, Fox 4 Kansas City

8:45 – 9:30 From Surviving to Thriving: Building Your Financial Freedom

9:30 – 10:30 Keynote Speaker: Candy Valentino

11:30 – 12:00 Lunch Buffett / Vendor Visits

12:00 – 12:45 Lunch Panel of Experts – Building Your Financial Legacy

1:00 – 1:45 Track 2: Smart Money Kids: Setting Your Family up for Financial Success
Nearly 74% of high school seniors would fail a basic test of personal financial literacy and the majority of young adults attribute their knowledge of money management basics to their parents.
If you have children or grandchildren between the ages of 3 and 18, you play a significant role in helping them become financially responsible adults.
Learn how to talk to your kids about money in a meaningful way and discover fun and interactive ways to help kids understand personal finance concepts such as:
° Setting financial goals
° Needs versus wants
° Living within their means
Additionally, student loan debt has grown to an average of over $28,000 per borrower. Learn more about educational costs that face students today and saving for them from kindergarten all the way to graduation so that the children in your life can enter adulthood set up for financial success.

2:00 – 2:45 Closing Speaker: Brandi Spurling

2:45 – 3:00 Event Wrap Up / Survey / Giveaways

3:00 – 4:00 Last Chance for Vendor Visits and Networking

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Advisory Committee

Kim Borchers is a thought leader in the realm of talent acquisition and leadership development, serving as the President and owner of Bird Dog Recruitment and Consulting LLC. Her firm stands at the forefront of placing C-suite talent within the highest echelons of state and federal government, specializing in comprehensive management development initiatives.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Kim is deeply involved in various civic and philanthropic endeavors. She proudly serves as the Kansas Republican National Committeewoman for the RNC and holds directorial positions at Kansas Delta Dental and the Eisenhower in Public Service Series. Additionally, she contributes her expertise as a board member for the Topeka Women's Fund, Cair Paravel Latin School, and the transformative Project 2 Restore, dedicated to supporting women rescued from sex trafficking.

Kim's personal life is characterized by a steadfast partnership with her husband, Dr. Tim, spanning 29 years. Together, they reside in Topeka, KS, where they cherish their roles as parents to three accomplished children, a beloved son-in-law, and a cherished granddaughter. Kim's multifaceted commitment to professional excellence, civic engagement, and family values exemplifies her as a true leader in her community and beyond.

Emily Cullinan is a Relationship Manager on the National Accounts team at American Century Investments. In this role, she is responsible for working with the State of Kansas to the assist in managing the Kansas 529 Educational Savings Plans. She is also a founding member and past board chair of the Accelerate Women’s Business Resource Group.

Prior to joining American Century, she worked at Mariner Holdings, as a member of their National Accounts team and AllianceBernstein where she was a Product Manager for Global Business Development. She began her career as a Financial Analyst at Morgan Stanley.

Emily has previously served on the board for GenKC and is a member of the Olathe Public Schools Foundation Women’s Giving Circle.

She resides in Lenexa, KS with her husband and three children. In her free time, she enjoys reading and is a founding member of 3 Sisters Book Club KC, an organization that focuses on supporting local reading communities through public book clubs and other literary minded events.

Peggy J. Dunn is a lifelong resident of the Greater Kansas City area and a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She served as Mayor of Leawood, Kansas, from 1997 until her retirement in 2024.

Peggy is currently involved with a number of civic and nonprofit organizations. Some of these include participating on the Governing Boards of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Union Station Kansas City, the Hall Family Foundation, and Rockhurst University.

Peggy and her husband, Terry Dunn, have four grown children and 14 grandchildren.

Payton Lacey is the Legislative Policy Director for Kansas Speaker of the House, Dan Hawkins. In this role, she is responsible for tracking, informing, and reporting to the Speaker and Caucus on vital legislation that is traveling throughout the House and Senate. The responsibility for handling important policy allows her to play this key role in the People’s House.

Prior to joining the Kansas Speaker of the House’s office, she worked at the State of Kansas Treasurer’s Office, as a member of the executive staff as the Manager of Executive Affairs. There, she oversaw executive operations and affairs, was a member of the Treasurer’s Advisory Committee, and played a key role in launching the Women and Money project in 2023.

She began her state office career on senior staff as the Constituent Relations Liaison for former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. While in this role, she also served as Chair of the Education and Outreach Subcommittee on the Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Council.

Payton resides outside of her hometown of Waverly, KS with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and farm animals. In her free time, she enjoys taking care of the farm, coaching and playing volleyball, and spending time with her family and friends.

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Anna Milbach is a Government Banking Relationship Manager and Senior Vice President at U.S. Bank and has been with the bank since 2013. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, Anna was with another large Bank for seven years with roles in Business Banking and leadership positions. Anna serves exclusively government clients throughout a few states in the Midwest. Anna has a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Management all from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Anna currently serves on the Women Lead Change Board of Directors and is on the Steering Committee for Women United. Anna previously served on the Rochester Art Center Board and Waypoint Services Board. She is Leadership Greater Rochester Alumni and Leadership for Five Seasons Alumni. She also is a Waypoint Tribute to Women Honoree, Iowa Women’s Foundation Ovation Honoree and has co-chaired U.S. Bank’s local United Way campaign.

Kathy Taylor grew up in Mahaska, Kansas, and graduated from North Central High School. She received her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University, and her law degree from the University of Kansas, School of Law.

After working as in-house counsel in a community bank for 2 years, she was hired by the Kansas Bankers Association to serve as Associate General Counsel and then as General Counsel for a combined 35 years.

Kathy spends most of her time in government relations for the KBA as she assists those efforts at the State and Federal levels. She also manages the legal affairs of the KBA.

When not on duty for the KBA, you will find Kathy and her husband, Tony, enjoying the outdoors.

Sara Hart Weir is the Executive Director of the Kansas Developmental Disabilities Council and a Senior Advisor of ABLE today, an initiative of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST). Weir has been working in the disability community for over two decades as a nonprofit executive, disability activist and ABLE expert. She served as the President & C.E.O. of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), where during her tenure, led the passage of the landmark, bipartisan Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in 2014 (P.L.113-295). The legislation garnered the support of 85% of the entire US Congress. Weir also supported a majority of the enactment of ABLE state laws, assisted with over 40 state ABLE plan launches as well as led four successful federal improvements to the original ABLE Act.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 8:00am-4:00pmChildren’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS(view in maps) Tuesday, October 15, 2024 8:00am-4:00pm | Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS (view in maps)

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 8:00am-4:00pm
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS
(view in maps)

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 8:00am-4:00pm | Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS (view in maps)