Advisory Board Member Bola Sokunbi
New Jersey Financial Educators Council
Bola Sokunbi, CFEI®, Keynote Speaker, and Founder of Clever Girl Finance®, joins the New Jersey Financial Educators Council (NJFEC) Advisory Board with a reputation for making exceptional contributions to financial wellness, particularly women’s financial health and wealth-building. A Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®), Sokunbi was named one of Money’s Most Influential Women by GoBankingRates and received the Financial Education Instructor of the Year (FEIY) Award from the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) in 2021. She founded Clever Girl Finance – one of the largest existing personal finance education and media platforms for women – in 2015, with a mission to help women build financial confidence and long-term wealth. Today Clever Girl Finance is supported by an eight-person leadership team and 12 expert writers. The platform has earned the NFEC’s Distinguished Personal Finance Content designation, a distinction awarded after rigorous review to content developers who represent the highest standards of quality in financial education.
Bola Sokunbi Joins NJFEC Advisory Board
A well-known keynote speaker and bestselling author of 6+ books, Bola created the Clever Girl Finance book series which includes Clever Girl Millionaire, The Side Hustle Guide, My Wealth Plan Workbook, and more. Both Sokunbi and her educational platform have been featured in major media outlets including TIME, Money Magazine, CNBC, Forbes, Good Morning America, and The Chicago Tribune.
Selection to the NJFEC board requires a demonstrated passion for helping others and commitment to the objectives of the financial wellness movement. Advisory Board Member Bola Sokunbi possesses the credentials, expertise, and dedication needed to give the cause forward momentum. The New Jersey Council eagerly anticipates a robust collaboration with Bola as we work together toward our shared goals.
Transformation, Advocacy, and Community-building for Financial Wellness: Bola Sokunbi
Stemming from her Nigerian roots, Bola Sokunbi’s background has shaped her compassion, solid work ethic, authenticity, and resilience. Her financial journey was heavily influenced by her mother who, married at age 19, elected to return to college while simultaneously raising four young children. After earning her degree and starting several businesses, Bola’s mother became able both to contribute to the family’s finances and to build her own security. Bola Sokunbi credits the lessons she learned from her mother for the strong sense of financial responsibility she feels today.
After the family moved to the United States and Bola was faced with navigating the intricacies of a new financial system, she encountered her own set of money challenges – experiencing struggles with debt and financial vulnerability. Overcoming these challenges fueled her desire and strengthened her resolve to empower others – particularly women – with practical, relatable personal finance education. She earned college degrees in accounting and finance, an accomplishment that bolstered her understanding of financial principles and supports her work today.
In 2015 Bola established her current endeavor, Clever Girl Finance, as a mission-driven platform created to “help women build financial confidence, make smarter money decisions, and grow real wealth.” Through personal finance courses, articles, podcasts, and videos, Clever Girl Finance creates an online community for women seeking actionable financial resources and tools in a safe space. In 2020 Bola decided to make all the courses, articles, and supporting materials on the platform available at no charge. For those who seek more in-depth support, she and the Clever Girl financial education staff also offer one-on-one coaching services.
Bola Sokunbi also shows a commitment to community-building and service. She actively participates in outreach and advocacy, sharing her guidance with the underserved to help them build strong financial foundations. She forms partnerships with community organizations, financial institutions, and individuals, leveraging their shared vision to bring community empowerment through financial education. Her holistic, transformational approach to personal finance education has not gone unnoticed – both she and Clever Girl Finance have been featured on multiple high-profile media outlets including ABC News, BBC, CNBC, Forbes, Fox Business, and Time, among others.
As an educator, entrepreneur, author, mentor, and advocate, Bola Sokunbi has earned global recognition and respect. Her legacy not only inspires and empowers women, but also reaches and uplifts future generations. Sokunbi’s journey offers hope that anyone can move from humble beginnings to achieve knowledge, empowerment, and generational wealth.
New Jersey Financial Educators Council Board Details
The New Jersey Financial Educators Council Advisory Board Members drive our push to build sustainable, scalable economic empowerment programs that affect people’s lives at the community level. Our Advisory Board Members share their knowledge and expertise to guide financial wellness programs and donations to community members.
Our Board Members are professionals who have successfully passed a rigorous selection process and have proven their commitment to supporting the growth of sustainable financial wellness programming in their communities. Board members possess these traits:
Dedication
A demonstrated deep passion for raising financial wellness, empowering people, and strengthening whole communities with financial education.
Contributions
Minimum contributions of time, active participation, and communication are required of individuals and organizations selected to serve on the Advisory Board.
Integrity
Board members are individuals with a proven history of providing ethical, honest service in their local communities and maintaining strong professional values.