MADISON, Wis. – Today Gov. Tony Evers honored 10 individuals and 11 organizations as recipients of the 2025 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards in a ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol. The recipients were honored for their efforts in helping Wisconsinites build their financial literacy and capability skills.

“Financial education gives people the tools they need to achieve their goals, expand new opportunities, and help attain financial security for themselves and their families,” said Gov. Evers. “These dedicated individuals and organizations are doing important work to help Wisconsinites become more financially secure and prepare for their futures, which is a critical part of strengthening the financial well-being of our entire state. I thank these dedicated individuals and organizations for all they have done to help advance financial wellness in Wisconsin, and I congratulate them for receiving this prestigious award.”

The 2025 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards honored recipients in one of three categories, individual, organization, or legacy, for providing exceptional financial literacy and capability education in an inclusive and innovative manner. The legacy award is given to an organization, business, or individual whose purpose and heritage is ingrained in sustained financial literacy and capability efforts. This lifetime recognition is intended to be conferred only once to recipients.

The recipients of the 2025 Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards are:

Individual Category:

  • Sophia Chen and Sophia Pientka, Middleton High School, Middleton
  • Brian Hellenbrand, McFarland High School, McFarland
  • Prakash Koirala, Kamloops, Canada
  • Shernita Moates, BMO Bank N.A. Branch, Milwaukee
  • Paul Moga, Milwaukee Public School District, Milwaukee
  • Quentin Prince, Journey House, Milwaukee

Organization Category:

  • Altra Federal Credit Union, Onalaska
  • Black Men Coalition Foundation, Inc., Madison
  • Centro Hispano, Madison
  • CEOs of Tomorrow, Madison
  • FVSBank, Fond du Lac
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, Human Development and Relationships Institute, Oshkosh
  • Riverworks Financial Clinic and The City of Milwaukee Financial Empowerment Center, Milwaukee

Legacy Category:

  • Michelle Reinen, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison
  • Mark Sain (posthumous), Milwaukee Public Schools Board, Milwaukee
  • Gina Sanchez-Juarez, La Casa de Esperanza Center for Financial Stability, Waukesha
  • Bank of Sun Prairie, Sun Prairie
  • Community First Credit Union, Neenah
  • First National Bank of River Falls, River Falls
  • Universities of Wisconsin Office of Business and Entrepreneurship, Madison

The recipients were selected by the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability from the nominations submitted for consideration. Criteria used to judge nominations included: innovative implementation of an effective financial literacy and capability program or program element within the last two years; emphasis on financial inclusion, demonstrated measurable results; collaboration with partners; and scalability of the program design. Visit the Council’s webpage to read a synopsis of the recipients’ efforts.

The Council serves as a continuous sounding board for the Office of the Governor, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and the DFI’s Office of Financial Literacy. The Council provides guidance and strategies to measurably improve the financial literacy, capability, and financial inclusion of Wisconsin’s residents. To learn more about the Council, visit the Council’s webpage or contact Council Executive Director David Mancl by phone at (608) 572-5794 or by email at David.Mancl@dfi.wisconsin.gov.