Community Champion: Ellis Cropper
“Teach first” is the philosophy behind Ellis Cropper’s professional contributions to the financial wellness movement. As a retired Army Major with a wealth of experience including teaching Military Science at top universities like Widener and Villanova, since 2018 Cropper has branched into the financial services industry, earning credentials as a ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant) from American College of Financial Services and also his CLTC® (Certification in Long-Term Care) designation. He presently works as a financial professional for New York Life in Waltham, Massachusetts. The position offers him the flexibility to pursue his real passion: teaching financial literacy to make a positive difference in his community members’ lives.
According to the “teach first” philosophy, Cropper firmly believes that initially people have to get their finances in order – and then they have greater ability to make choices that guide their lives forward. Effective education is key. Addressing the underlying issues and solving the root causes of money problems unlocks the door to financial independence and financial freedom. His vision is to give more families from low socio-economic communities the opportunities to achieve that freedom.
Ellis also is a talented singer and entertainer who currently spreads a spark of joy by singing to nursing home residents in Worcester.
Personal Statement
I was born to a fifteen-year-old mother who was herself impoverished. After she married my stepdad, who had two kids of his own, by the time she was 21 she had five children. We lived in a two-room shack in a small country town in rural Louisiana, with an outhouse and no running water. Yet while some people might say I had it rough growing up, I had a happy childhood. There was love and high expectations in my household. For example, I was an ‘A’ student because, in my family, an ‘A’ was the expectation; a ‘B’ was “you could do better”; and a ‘C’ was unacceptable.
During my 34-year tenure in the U.S. Army, especially in my years as a reserve officer, I always had to be the expert in the room. Changing into a new career in financial services, I had to learn a whole new skill set. Earning my ChFC and CLTC credentials, and now pursuing my MBA and Certified Financial Education Instructor designation, have inspired me to make financial education a top goal for my future endeavors.
You cannot replace education. Like Albert Einstein said, “The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know.” I’ve heard many organizations say they’re doing financial education, but what they’re really doing is financial awareness, which is not enough to make a difference in people’s lives. The real power of education is in changing behavior. The financial services industry has begun to put emphasis on behavioral finance because many people make poor decisions – for example, choosing investments – based on emotions. With financial education, we can go into elementary schools and work to change behaviors starting as early as third grade, and encourage children to teach their parents. That’s how we make a positive difference.
Leading the drive to bring financial wellness to my home town of Worcester and the state of Massachusetts offers a chance to educate people in life-changing ways. Rather than just checking a box or getting a grade, financial education is real-life learning that makes a true difference – not only raising financial awareness, but helping people achieve financial freedom – which in turn connects with equity of opportunity and societal justice.
Community Champion: Ellis Cropper
Ellis Cropper demonstrates a real passion for spreading financial wellness across his community and the state of Massachusetts. He is committed to increasing opportunities for lower socio-economic and underserved communities by building greater financial health. The Massachusetts Financial Educators Council’s Advisory Board is highly appreciative of the expertise and compassion he brings to the statewide effort as a founding member.
Ellis’s strong commitment to educating for maximum effectiveness – in a way that makes a real difference in the lives of real people – makes him stand out as a top financial wellness advocate and true community champion. We thank Ellis Cropper sincerely for his work on behalf of the Massachusetts Council.
