San Francisco FCU Creates Women's Wealth Initiative

In 2013, San Francisco Federal Credit Union created the Women’s Wealth Initiative, a financial education group for women in the Bay Area.

The initial meeting on May 16, 2013, drew 12 participants. The Credit Union invited members and non-members of diverse backgrounds to attend. The first session focused on unique financial challenges women face and strategies for meeting money-related goals.

“We wanted to provide women with a platform for discussing financial issues that matter to them,” said Lara Brecher, business development officer at San Francisco Federal Credit Union. “We also hoped to learn how we can help women succeed as they face these issues.”

Attendees first took part in an activity that gauged confidence levels for various financial milestones, such as making large purchases, paying off debt and funding a child’s education. Participants then contributed to a roundtable discussion with guiding questions about financial attitudes and behaviors. The meeting ended with a raffle in which one attendee won a gift basket filled with financial education books, tools and more.

Participants commented on how useful they found the event for determining their own financial goals. “It was great to get perspective from other people and have [Credit Union] staff available to chat with,” said one attendee. “I loved the warmth from everyone.”

The second WWI event featured a small-business panel discussion.

“The Triumphs and Tribulations of Women-Owned Small Businesses” featured a panel discussion moderated by Jane Gong, project manager for the San Francisco Office of Small Business. The panelists included:

• Dawn Ackerman, president and chief financial officer of OutSmart Office Solutions, Inc.;
• Adele Berry, freelance marketing and business consultant;
• Gabi Moskowitz, editor-in-chief of Broke-Ass Gourmet and author of The Broke-Ass Gourmet Cookbook; and
• Marissa Toriggino, managing partner of Yoga Garden SF.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming success of our second event,” said Brecher. “With so many women now at the helm of small businesses or working toward starting one, we wanted to provide an opportunity for financial and professional business guidance.”

The event’s twenty attendees also enjoyed a networking mixer with refreshments and a raffle featuring prizes donated by the panelists. “I am so glad that I attended the panel discussion this morning,” said one attendee. “Every one of the panelists was very inspirational, and I am honored to have been present to [hear] their wisdom and encouragement.”