Community Champion: Audree Bobinger

From an early age, I was fascinated by how people built their lives around the financial choices they made – some creating freedom, while others struggled silently under the weight of uncertainty. I grew up watching my parents and grandparents run their own businesses, sometimes successfully and other times not so much. Overall, that spirit of independence inspired me to take charge of my own future. After serving six years in the United States Navy, I carried that same sense of discipline and service into the world of finance. Becoming an Investment Advisor Representative allowed me to do more than manage money; it allowed me to teach people how to build confidence, peace of mind, and purpose through financial literacy. My passion lies not just in helping clients reach their financial goals, but in empowering them to understand why their goals matter and how to create a lasting legacy of security and freedom.

That passion was born from a deeply personal experience. When I transitioned out of the military, I found myself overwhelmed by financial decisions I didn’t feel fully prepared to make: how to invest wisely, manage benefits, and plan for the long term. I remember sitting at my kitchen table late at night, surrounded by paperwork and numbers that didn’t quite add up, feeling anxious and alone. It wasn’t that I lacked discipline; I simply lacked the education to make informed choices. I became passionate about helping change the traditional education system because there was no time in my schooling when I learned basic concepts that could have given me confidence about making basic financial decisions. Over time, I met others – especially women and veterans – who felt the same way: capable, hardworking, and yet uncertain how to make their money work for them. Those moments of shared frustration became my turning point. I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to being the kind of resource I wished I’d had, someone who could explain complex financial concepts with clarity, compassion, and integrity.

Being part of the National Financial Educators Council’s Financial Wellness Campaign allows me to turn that purpose into action. Serving as a founding member of the Washington State Board gives me the platform to reach people before financial uncertainty turns into crisis, to educate, advocate, and inspire proactive financial habits. Through this campaign, I aim to elevate financial literacy across our communities and make financial education accessible, relatable, and empowering for everyone. It’s more than a career for me – it’s a calling to help people rewrite their financial stories with confidence and hope.