Advocacy Made Accessible: Using Your Voice for Financial Change with Lisa Whitley
Episode 150:
The Call is Out: Using Your Voice for Financial Change with Lisa Whiteley
Download the text or Watch on YouTube!
In this episode of Real money, real expertshosts Dr. Brandi Baxter and Rachel DeLeon sit down with Lisa Whitley, a certified financial advisor and founder of MoneyByLisa LLC, a registered investment advisor based in the District of Columbia.
Lisa shares her unique journey as a Foreign Service Officer with USAID in financial consulting and advocacy work. Together they explore how financial professionals can use their clients’ direct experiences to influence policy, support financial well-being initiatives, and create meaningful change at the local, state, and federal levels.
From affordability challenges and utility assistance programs to consumer protection and community advocacy, this conversation shows how advocacy doesn’t have to be overwhelming—and why one small step can make a lasting impact.
Whether you’re passionate about politics or simply looking for ways to better support your customers, this episode serves as a reminder that your voice matters.
Show notes:
00:00 – Welcome back to Real money, real experts
00:38 – Guest presentation by Lisa Kirchenbauer
01:57 – Lisa’s journey in government relations and advocacy
03:15 – From Wall Street and USAID to financial consulting
04:40 -Why Lisa started her own company, Money by Lisa
05:49 – What does the call to financial wellness look like?
06:53 – Why advocacy can feel overwhelming – and how to simplify it
08:28 – Start Local: Advocacy at the state and community levels
08:48 – Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Educational Advocacy Toolkit and Practical Resources
10:46 – Learn from other countries and exchange solutions
11:35 – Why AFCs are financial health experts
13:44 – Key policy issues affecting clients currently
16:08 – The first practical steps to participate in advocacy
17:48 – A real-life example of community advocacy that leads to policy change
19:49 – Two years Lisa
20:59 – How the Government Relations staff supports the AFCPE community
Show notes links:
Check out our suite of government relations support tools!
Follow MoneyByLisa on Facebook!
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn!
Would you like to get involved with AFCPE®?
Here are some places to start:
Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.
Would you like to get involved with AFCPE®?
Here are some places to start: Be a member, Sign up for Basics course, or Get AFC certification today!
Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.
