At a ceremony last evening, PSECU Financial Education Manager Sara Weiser was presented with Central Penn Business Journal’s 2018 Forty Under 40 Award. Selected by an independent panel of judges, the annual accolade is presented to 40 of the region’s business leaders under the age of 40 who demonstrate commitment to professional excellence, business growth, and community involvement.

“To be nominated for a Forty Under 40 Award is a privilege in itself, and to be selected as one of the 2018 winners is a true honor,” said Weiser. “Each year, I’m inspired by the young professionals who are selected for this recognition. I’m extremely touched and humbled to be part of such an esteemed group of individuals.”

As Financial Education Manager for the state’s largest credit union, Weiser shares important financial wellness information and instruction with thousands of people across Pennsylvania each year. By offering her education-focused experience and expertise with others, she helps PSECU fulfill its mission of being a trusted financial partner.

“Sara Weiser has a broad scope of professional experience, stemming from her past and present employment, longstanding participation in multiple professional and civic organizations, high-quality education, and commitment to contributing to our community’s strength and vitality,” explained PSECU Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications Karen Roland, who nominated Weiser for the award. “Her diligence and expertise, as well as her commitment to the region’s well-being, truly position Sara as a candidate worthy of the Forty Under 40 title.”

Focused on educating the community about matters of financial wellness, Weiser built PSECU’s education program, WalletWorks, nearly from scratch by developing and implementing a strategic plan; designing curriculum for student, business, and nonprofit/community audiences; reporting program data for growth and improvement; training staff across the state on program materials; and identifying opportunities to share financial education with schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. As a result, PSECU’s financial education program now creates and produces all educational materials in-house, and each year hosts more than 300 educational events that reached more than 11,000 people across the state. 

“Through her work, Weiser has demonstrated the connection between financial education and financial success, and has garnered adoption of the concept from many audiences,” added Roland. “In making a case for the expansion and increased importance of financial education, Weiser has not only extended the availability of these important resources, but she also has positioned herself as a true leader who advocates for a cause in which she believes.”

Before coming to PSECU, Weiser served as a Transition Coordinator for New Hope Academy Charter School in York (September 2012 – December 2013) and was employed by The Pennsylvania State University (August 2009 – August 2012) as the Academic Advisor for Penn State’s Educational Talent Search program that served York.

Weiser also strives to be active in the community and give back to others. She served on the board of directors for the Capital Region Partnership for Career Development as Secretary (2017 – 2018), volunteers with the Brown University Alumni Schools Committee as an alumni interviewer (2009 – present) and served as Area Chair for the Harrisburg/Central PA and Lancaster-York Regions (2014 – 2018), and is a member of the West Shore Young Professionals (2017 – present) and the PCUA Young Professionals Network (2014 – present).

In addition, Weiser is involved with the PA Jump$tart Coalition for personal financial literacy (2014 – present), has offered religious instruction for her church (2016), volunteers with Junior Achievement to provide in-class programming for youth (2014 – present), and is a judge with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education Student Business Plan Competition (2014 – present).

For her skills, ability, and contributions to the community through her work in education, Weiser has been presented with multiple honors including a Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Diamond Award for Financial Education for PSECU’s blog content (2017), a first place Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award at the state level (2015) and second place at the national level (2016), the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association’s (PCUA’s) Leaders in Financial Literacy Award (2016), and a Bronze Leadership Award from Junior Achievement USA (2017).

At the Bachelor’s level, Weiser double concentrated in Education Studies and Psychology at Brown University. She earned her Master’s in Community Psychology & Social Change, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Administration from Penn State. She maintains certification as a CUNA Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor.

View the full list of the Central Penn Business Journal 2018 Forty Under 40 Award recipients.

About PSECU

Opened in 1934, PSECU was founded by 22 ordinary people who made an extraordinary commitment to each other: To create a financial institution where pooled resources benefit all members. Today, we are a full-service credit union serving more than 450,000 members and have over $5 billion in assets. As a not-for-profit financial institution, our goal remains to help our members and their families achieve a better life. For more information about PSECU, visit psecu.com. View our Community Report Card to learn how we contribute to the greater good.

THIS CREDIT UNION IS FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER.

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