News Release

For Immediate Release: February 29, 2024

Gov. Evers Honors the 2023 Governor’s Financial Literacy Award Recipients

Awards Recognize Individuals & Organizations for Elevating the Financial Literacy, Capability, and Financial Inclusion of Wisconsin’s Residents

MADISON, Wis. – Today Gov. Tony Evers honored seven individuals and nine organizations as recipients of the 2023 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards in a ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol. The recipients were honored for their efforts in helping Wisconsinites build their financial literacy and capability skills.

“Financial education gives people the tools they need to achieve their goals, expand their opportunities, and attain financial security for themselves and their families,” said Gov. Evers. “These dedicated individuals and organizations are doing important work to help Wisconsinites become more financially secure and prepare for their futures, which is a critical part of strengthening the financial well-being of our entire state.”

The 2023 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards honored recipients in one of three categories, individual, organization, or legacy, for providing exceptional financial literacy and capability education in an inclusive and innovative manner. The legacy award is given to an organization, business, or individual whose purpose and heritage is ingrained in sustained financial literacy and capability efforts. This lifetime recognition is intended to be conferred only once to recipients.

The recipients of the 2023 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards are:

Individual Category:

  • Kelly R. Behnke, WEA Member Benefits, Madison
  • Shelina A. Harvey, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, Milwaukee
  • David D. Mancl, Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Madison
  • Evan R. Schmidt, Shorewood High School, Shorewood
  • Palmer B. Schroeder, Reedsburg Area High School, Reedsburg

Organization Category:

  • Asset Builders, Madison
  • CreditGuyMKE Financial Solutions, Milwaukee
  • Educators Credit Union, Mount Pleasant
  • Fort Community Credit Union, Fort Atkinson
  • Hmong American Peace Academy, Milwaukee
  • Royal Credit Union, Eau Claire
  • WESTconsin Credit Union, Menomonie

Legacy Category:

  • Jill J. Hughes, retired teacher, Menomonee Falls High School, Menomonee Falls
  • Ladysmith Federal Savings & Loan, Ladysmith
  • Peggy M. Olive, retired, UW-Extension, Richland County
  • WEA Member Benefits, Madison

The recipients were selected by the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability from the nominations submitted for consideration. Criteria used to judge nominations included: innovative implementation of an effective financial literacy and capability program or program element within the last two years; emphasis on financial inclusion, demonstrated measurable results; collaboration with partners; and scalability of the program design. Visit the Council’s webpage to read a synopsis​ of the recipients’ efforts.

The Council serves as a continuous sounding board for the Office of the Governor, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and the DFI’s Office of Financial Literacy. The Council provides guidance and strategies to measurably improve the financial literacy, capability, and financial inclusion of Wisconsin’s residents. To learn more about the Council, visit the Council’s webpage or contact Council Executive Director David Mancl by phone at (608) 572-5794 or by email at David.Mancl@dfi.wisconsin.gov.

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Media Contact Email: DFICommunications@dfi.wisconsin.gov​​