Florida Jump$tart Coalition for Financial Literacy

Teachers: click here to apply for your scholarship to attend the Jump$tart National Educator Conference, November 2-4, Louisville, KY.

Florida Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy

An Independent Affiliate of the Jump$tart Coalition

The Florida Jump$tart Coalition is an independent affiliate of the national Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The national Jump$tart Coalition is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, DC.  Founded in 1995, the coalition includes more than 100 national partners and a network of 51 state affiliates that share a commitment to #afinlitfuture and to working collaboratively toward common goals.

Our Mission

The Florida Jump$tart Coalition empowers youth and young adults in Florida to achieve personal financial wellness by supporting and connecting statewide financial educators with resources and networking opportunities.

Our Objectives

Support Financial Wellness Initiatives
To champion and assist organizations and individuals in Florida dedicated to advancing personal financial wellness, with a focus on educating children and young adults.

Foster New Opportunities
To advocate for and promote the development of innovative financial education programs through collaboration with educators, funders, and community leaders.

Facilitate Connections and Resources
To connect financial education providers with valuable resources and partnership opportunities across Florida.

Promote Financial Education Awareness
To educate legislators, policymakers, and community leaders on the critical importance of personal financial education and its role in enhancing financial capability.

Encourage Collaboration and Idea Sharing
To create opportunities for organizations engaged in financial wellness to exchange ideas, share experiences, and discuss best practices through virtual or in-person events.

Our Goals

Support Financial Wellness Initiatives
  • Provide assistance to at least 50 financial education providers annually in locating and utilizing high-quality personal financial wellness materials.
  • Sponsor at least two Florida educators each year to attend the National Jump$tart Educator Conference, enhancing their ability to deliver impactful financial education.
Foster New Opportunities
  • Research at least two new financial education programs annually in partnership with educators, funders, or community leaders.
  • Identify and recommend at least two innovative financial education resources each year for inclusion in the National Jump$tart Clearinghouse database.
Facilitate Connections and Resources
  • Maintain a directory of at least 100 active financial education providers, supporters, and funders in Florida, updated annually.
  • Host at least one networking event annually to connect educators with funders and other financial education stakeholders.
Promote Financial Education Awareness
  • Conduct an outreach campaign annually targeting policymakers, legislators, and community leaders to emphasize the importance of financial education.
  • Publish an annual report highlighting the impact of financial literacy programs across Florida to share with stakeholders.
Encourage Collaboration and Idea Sharing
  • Collect and share feedback on financial education tools and programs each year via coalition communications.

Board Members

Declan Sheehy, Co-President:       

“I serve on the Jumpstart Board because I am passionate about people having the knowledge and information to make informed financial decisions that will better their own lives and the lives of others. We have a duty to educate our youth about the importance of financial literacy, with it people can never be free to pursue their full potential. The arc of the universe bends toward justice but only if we help bend it.”

Juli Lewis, Co-President:

“With over 30 years in the credit union space, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of financial education—and I’ve learned from my own financial mistakes along the way. I’m not perfect with my finances (or with anything for that matter), but that’s exactly why I’m so passionate about serving on the Florida Jump$tart Board. Together, we’re building a network of resources and support that can truly move the needle on financial capability for people of all ages. It’s about making progress, not perfection, and empowering others to take steps toward a brighter financial future.”

Gabriela Gabor, Secretary

Brenda Hubbard, Treasurer

Mike Sheffer, Board Member

Rholine Rose, Board Member

Aaron Standish, Board Member

Lesley Mace, Board Member

Carlene Ulacia, Board Member

Caterina Geraci , Board Member

“I am the Assistant Branch Manager at USF Credit Union, proudly dedicating my time to fostering growth, building relationships, and delivering exceptional member experiences.

Passionate about financial education, I am deeply committed to empowering individuals and communities with the knowledge and tools they need to achieve financial stability. I strongly align with Jump$tart’s mission to provide educators with the resources they need to guide their students toward lifelong financial wellness. By supporting educators and fostering financial literacy, I aim to make a lasting impact both within our credit union and beyond. My forward-thinking mindset, collaborative approach, and dedication to our members position me as a strong advocate for growth and innovation. I am eager to bring my insights to the board, working together to overcome challenges and realize our shared vision for success.”

John Meeks, Past Chair

“I serve on the Florida Jumpstart Board because the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in managing your financial affairs as an adult are best learned before reaching adulthood. Florida Jumpstart, as a part of the national Jumpstart organization, works to provide opportunities to the youth of Florida to learn these essential skills. We work with the other stakeholders that bring financial education to youth including teachers, students, non-profit and for-profit businesses and organizations, as well as local and state government, in order to make financial education available to all the youth in Florida. It has been my privilege to work with the many dedicated people in Florida that contribute to the common goal of making Florida a financially literate state.”