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ICMM

Who We Are

Researchers discuss evidence-based research for financial literacy projects

Mission & Vision

To support research that promotes financial security for low- to moderate-income (LMI) consumers.

To become a leading evidence-based organization that caters to the financial literacy and financial wellbeing concerns in our local community and nationwide.

Our Board

Monica Smiley

Board Chairman

Monica Smiley comes to The Institute of Consumer Money Management Board with a strong background in business and journalism. She is the editor and publisher of Enterprising Women, a magazine published for women business owners which reaches one million women entrepreneurs around the world. She is a highly regarded thought leader on the topic of women’s entrepreneurship.

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Board Chairman Monica Smiley

Dr. Jeff Leiter

Board Director

Jeff Leiter is an organizational sociologist with substantial training and experience in research design and implementation. He earned his B.A. at Williams College in 1970 and his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in 1977. Michigan is a world center for survey research. Starting with his dissertation research and continuing throughout his career, Jeff has added to his survey research training and expertise from Michigan expertise in such qualitative methods as depth interviewing and observation. 

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Board Director Dr. Jeff Leiter

Dr. Diane Chen

Board Member

Dr. Diane Chen is the Founder and Executive Director of Institute of Consumer Money Management (ICMM), a nonprofit research-centered organization. Dr. Chen is also the Founder and served as Chief Executive Officer of Consumer Education Services Inc (CESI), a 501C3 credit counseling agency from 1998 to 2017. In the last two decades, she has lead CESI to become one of the top credit counseling agencies in US.

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Board Member and Executive Director Dr. Diane Chen

Lee Tate

Board Member

Mr. Tate retired from IBM Global Business Services as a consultant in 2014.   He is a seasoned Senior Manager with extensive business process experience in the Financial Services Industry with special emphasis on financial systems and insurance systems.

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Board Member Mr. Lee Tate

Dr. Tara Kenyon

Board Member

Dr. Tara Kenyon is the Founder and Managing Director of The Tara Kenyon Group, a US-based consulting practice specializing in data-driven decision-making and consumer behavior. She is a behavioral economist, author, speaker, and thought leader with expertise in quantitative risk and data analytics, financial risk modeling, business science, and strategic and capital planning. 

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Board Member Dr. Tara Kenyon

Our Staff

Dr. Diane Chen

Executive Director

Dr. Diane Chen is the Founder and Executive Director of Institute of Consumer Money Management (ICMM), a nonprofit research-centered organization. Dr. Chen is also the Founder and served as Chief Executive Officer of Consumer Education Services Inc (CESI), a 501C3 credit counseling agency from 1998 to 2017. In the last two decades, she has lead CESI to become one of the top credit counseling agencies in US.

More about Dr. Chen
Board Member and Executive Director Dr. Diane Chen

Dr. Rebecca Rayburn-Reeves

Senior Director

Dr. Rebecca Rayburn-Reeves is a Senior Director at the Institute of Consumer Money Management (ICMM) and founder of Tomorrow Me, LLC, a research consulting firm focused on enhancing financial, physical, and mental wellbeing across the lifespan. With over 20 years of experience in both academic and applied research, Dr. Rayburn-Reeves has expertise in learning, memory, behavioral flexibility, and choice architecture.

More about Dr. Rayburn-Reeves
Senior Director Dr. Rebecca Rayburn-Reeves

Our Advisory Council

Mike Croxson

Chief Executive Officer of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, NFCC, the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit dedicated to improving consumer financial wellbeing.

Mike Croxson is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). He was appointed CEO in 2022 and leads the organization’s strategic efforts to support a nationwide network of nonprofit credit counseling agencies, promote financial education, and expand safe, accessible pathways out of consumer debt. Prior to joining NFCC, Croxson served as President and CEO of Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI), where he developed innovative programs addressing the holistic financial needs of consumers and small business owners. His professional experience spans over three decades in financial services, including senior leadership roles in commercial banking, specialty financial services, and debt resolution. At NFCC, he focuses on advancing member capacity, enhancing digital and technology options, and advocating for expanded consumer financial solutions.

Dr. Inger Daniels

Assistant Professor of Finance at Florida A&M University.

Dr. Inger Daniels is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Florida A&M University. Her research investigates the impact of board diversity on corporate governance and analyst recommendations. Prior to FAMU, Dr. Daniels served as Director of Academic Excellence at the Wake Forest University School of Business and as Vice President and Group Head of Agency Mortgage-Backed Security Research at Citigroup Global Markets Division in New York City. She holds a doctoral degree in finance from Florida State University and a doctoral degree in mathematics from the University of Virginia.

Rev. Dr. M. Keith Daniel

Co-Founder and Managing Director for Resilient Ventures, LLC – an early-stage, committed capital fund supporting African American founders.

Dr. Keith Daniel is the Co-Founder and Managing Director for Resilient Ventures, LLC a committed capital fund investing in African American-led high-growth companies. He is also the owner of Madison Consulting Group, LLC (MCG), a company committed to serving individuals and institutions striving for the greatest good where all may enjoy flourishing work and life outcomes.

Dr. Erin Krupa

Associate Professor of Mathematics at the College of Education at NCSU

Dr. Erin Krupa is an Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Education in the College of Education at North Carolina State University (NCSU), where she leads research and teaching focused on improving mathematics teaching and learning through innovative curricular materials and professional development. Her work aims to enhance instructional practice and student achievement, particularly in underserved communities, by designing and evaluating engaging educational resources and professional development initiatives that support equitable learning opportunities. Dr. Krupa holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from NCSU, a master’s degree in mathematics from Wake Forest University, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Elon University. She also serves as a senior faculty fellow at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, reflecting her leadership in educational research and innovation.

Sarah Ford Neorr

Retired employment lawyer with a distinguished career in law, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership.

Sarah Ford Neorr brings a distinguished career in law, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. A graduate of Miami University, Sarah began her professional life with Teach For America before earning a J.D. from New York University School of Law. She went on to build a respected career as a lawyer and sought-after speaker, known for translating complex issues into clear, compelling narratives. Sarah also brings substantial governance experience, having served on the boards of directors for The Monti, Equality NC, Ascend Athletics, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh. She is  committed to strengthening mission-driven organizations and fostering inclusive, values-aligned leadership. 

    Dr. James Poterba

    Director of the National Bureau of Economic Research, NBER and head of the fellowship program for graduate students in personal finance.

    James Poterba is the Mitsui Professor of Economics at MIT and the President of the National Bureau of Economic Research, a non-profit research organization with more than 1800 affiliated economists. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Economic Association (AEA), a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Finance Association (AFA), the British Academy and the Econometric Society. He has served as President of the Eastern Economic Association and the National Tax Association, as vice president of the AEA, and as a director of the AFA.

    Marcel V. Quiroga

    Founder of TQM Wealth Partners – A wealth management company – acting as a personal CFO for high-income earners and high-net-worth individuals.

    Marcel founded TQM Wealth Partners in 2016 with the purpose of providing objective advice through comprehensive financial and legacy planning to clients who value personalized counsel. As CEO, Marcel sets the strategic direction for the firm. She is also on TQM’s front lines as a Retirement Management Advisor (RMA) and financial advisor; her primary focus is on advanced planning to help clients protect, grow, and transfer their wealth to efficiently drive towards their goals while remaining grounded in their personal and family values. Marcel holds a BSc in Business Administration from the Universidad Privada Boliviana. She is also a Certified RMA with over 25 years of experience.

    Dr. Sandi Webster

    Co-owner of Pandi – an award-winning management consulting company. Sandi acts as the Chief Learning Officer, leading the efforts to develop and update the curriculum of workshops and seminars for the consulting practice.

    Dr. Sandi Webster is an accomplished entrepreneur, educator, and author with expertise in marketing, analytics, and business growth. She has successfully built and exited a company and now serves as Founder and CEO of Sandi Webster LLC, where she empowers women entrepreneurs through online education, advisory board services, executive coaching, and strategically invests in small businesses and real estate.
    Dr. Webster is the co-author of Black and White Strike Gold and Immigrant Hustle, and her thought leadership has been featured in leading publications, including The Enterprising Woman Magazine. A former Platinum Group member of the Women Presidents Organization, she currently chairs three New York City chapters and leads national programming through WPONext for women running multi-million-dollar companies. Dr. Webster is also the current co-chair for the New York City Young Enterprising Women Mentoring program. She has served as an Ambassador and, currently, an advisor for the International Women’s Enterprise Challenge (IWEC), engaging business owners globally. Committed to mentorship, she supports entrepreneurs and advances STEAM education for young women through non-profit organizations in New Jersey and New York City.