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Knowing who to contact is the first step. Proceed with confidence.

The AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability® offers free on-campus and online loan repayment and financial education programming to help students and graduates confidently manage their finances on their way to achieving personal and professional success. We also provide professional development opportunities and guidance for school administrators working to improve financial education at their institutions.

Our Center’s Education Services Team members are Accredited Financial Counselors (AFC®) who deliver expert information and guidance to pre-law, graduate and professional school student audiences. 

Contact your regional team member today to schedule an on-campus presentation, webinar or one-on-one counseling session for your students — or to order copies of any of our free guides and publications.

Education Services Team

Zachary Smith

Zachary Smith, MBA, AFC®

Regional Director – Central, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability® 

[email protected]
Central Territory: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah
Connect with Zach on LinkedIn
Morgan Cutright

Morgan Cutright, J.D., AFC®

Regional Director – Mid-South, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®

[email protected]
Mid-South Territory: Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn
Theresa Popp-Braun

Theresa Popp Braun, Ed.D., AFC®, CEPF®

Interim Contact 
New Northeast team member coming soon

[email protected]
Northeast Territory: Connecticut, District Of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont
Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn
Justin Zieman

Justin N. Zieman, AFC®

Regional Director – West, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®

[email protected]
West Territory: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
Connect with Justin on LinkedIn
Natalie Daniels

Natalie Daniels, AFC®

Regional Director – North Central, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®

[email protected]
North Central Territory: Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin
Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn
Mary Bechler

Mary Bechler, AFC®

Regional Director – Mid-Atlantic, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®

[email protected]
Mid-Atlantic Territory: Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania
Connect with Mary on LinkedIn
Theresa Popp-Braun

Theresa Popp Braun, Ed.D., AFC®, CEPF®

National Director, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®, and Regional Director – Midwest

[email protected]
Midwest Territory: Indiana, Ohio
Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn
Leandra Ross

LeAndra M. Ross, AFC®

Regional Director – South, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®

[email protected]
South Territory: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico
Connect with LeAndra on LinkedIn

Center Leadership and Operations

Jennifer Schott

Jennifer M. Schott, AFC®

Vice President, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®

[email protected]
Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn
Theresa Popp-Braun

Theresa Popp Braun, Ed.D., AFC®, CEPF®

National Director, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®, and Regional Director – Midwest

[email protected]
Midwest Territory: Indiana, Ohio
Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn
Derek Brainard

Derek Brainard, MBA, AFC®, CRPC®

Director – Financial Education, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®

[email protected]
Connect with Derek on LinkedIn
Ann Durandetta

Ann Durandetta, AFC®

Director of Product Development, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®

[email protected]
Connect with Ann on LinkedIn
Teria Thornton

Teria Thornton, J.D., AFC®, CDP®

Pre-Law and Diversity Initiatives Director, AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability®

[email protected]
Connect with Teria on LinkedIn
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