Community Champion: Craig Hill
Community Champion Craig Hill’s dedication to guiding individuals and families down a path toward greater financial health shines through his personal as well as his professional endeavors. His passion for helping others is not rooted in abstract principles, but in the genuine stories of individuals facing financial adversity. Those stories have fueled Craig’s tireless efforts to make a positive difference by bridging gaps in financial literacy and making financial wellness universally attainable.
As Hill strives to broaden access to financial education and lay out a roadmap for families to reach financial security, he demonstrates his alignment with the mission and vision of the National Financial Educators Council. His dedication to the financial wellness movement goes far beyond the professional; it’s deeply personal. Craig Hill’s empathy, inclusivity, and entrepreneurial spirit – combined with his financial acumen and business expertise – make him a true community advocate.
Personal Statement
Throughout my extensive career, from the steel industry’s financial trenches to launching SPENDiD and MyBudgetReport, the thread that has consistently woven through my experience is a commitment to fostering financial health and wellness. For many years, my focus was almost entirely on assuring my employer’s financial health. But a few years ago, my focus shifted to applying what I had learned in business to helping individuals and families see their way to financial wellness far more clearly and quickly than most do today. Their stories have shaped my passion and drive to make a difference by helping broaden access to the most essential element of financial literacy – making ends meet.
I remember vividly the palpable disappointment of the family of a plant worker I had known for over fifteen years. They were repeatedly denied their dream home due to past financial oversights which had severely damaged their credit rating. The look of despair, the realization that their dream was out of reach, was heart-wrenching. It starkly illustrated the critical gap in financial education and the devastating impact of simple mistakes. These moments have fueled my dedication to financial wellness, reinforcing the urgency of my mission.
This dedication is born from the realization that these stories could have had very different endings with the proper guidance and tools, such as those provided by SPENDiD and MyBudgetReport. My involvement in the financial wellness movement is not just professional; it’s a deeply personal quest to ensure that no one has to face such preventable hurdles on their path to economic security and the basic ability to own a home in which to raise their family safely and happily.
By spearheading this campaign with a goal of impacting lives across the U.S., I’m not only pursuing my passion but also providing a beacon of hope and a roadmap for financial wellness. It’s an opportunity to leverage my experiences and insights to foster a culture of data-informed financial decision-making aided by innovative technology doing the hard part. Through this work, I aim to empower individuals to confidently and “predictively” navigate their financial journeys, turning potential challenges into triumphs.
Community Champion: Craig Hill
Craig Hill shows his commitment to the financial wellness cause through his untiring work to empower people with the knowledge and tools to manage their money effectively. His leadership and participation on the Illinois Financial Educators Council Advisory Board have a lasting impact on families and communities across the country.
Craig’s contributions are making a real difference in the lives of people from all walks of life. His direction brings the IFEC closer to realizing its overall vision: making communities better through economic empowerment. The Illinois Council sincerely thanks Craig Hill for his support and involvement in helping us reach this goal.
