Who We Are
Who We Are
Who We Are
At BFF of America, we’re a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to delivering practical, high-impact financial literacy education to students across the country. Through our flagship four-week program, BFF Academy, we empower youth with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make smart money choices.
At BFF of America, we’re a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to delivering practical, high-impact financial literacy education to students across the country. Through our flagship four-week program, BFF Academy, we empower youth with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make smart money choices.
At BFF of America, we’re a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to delivering practical, high-impact financial literacy education to students across the country. Through our flagship four-week program, BFF Academy, we empower youth with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make smart money choices.
How we create a lasting, positive impact
Our Vision
Our Vision
A generation of financially capable students who have the confidence and knowledge to navigate the real world.
A generation of financially capable students who have the confidence and knowledge to navigate the real world.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
To equip middle and high schoolers with comprehensive personal finance knowledge through free, accessible, and engaging programs led by peers.
To equip middle and high schoolers with comprehensive personal finance knowledge through free, accessible, and engaging programs led by peers.
Our Approach
Our Approach
Our Approach
BFF Academy - Live, instructor-led lessons over four weeks. Students engage with real-world case studies, hands-on activities, and interactive quizzes to build financial skills for life.
School Visits - We send representatives to schools in marginalized communities to teach personal finance lessons.
BFF Academy - Live, instructor-led lessons over four weeks. Students engage with real-world case studies, hands-on activities, and interactive quizzes to build financial skills for life.
School Visits - We send representatives to schools in marginalized communities to teach personal finance lessons.
Our Goals
Our Goals
▸ Reach 75+ under-resourced schools by the beginning of the next academic year
▸ Develop an asynchronous video course to supplement BFF Academy
▸Secure partnerships with 15+ school districts
▸ Expand our services to 30+ states and 5+ countries
▸ Reach 75+ under-resourced schools by the beginning of the next academic year
▸ Develop an asynchronous video course to supplement BFF Academy
▸Secure partnerships with 15+ school districts
▸ Expand our services to 30+ states and 5+ countries
Our Team
Our Team
Co-Founders
Toby Qin
Co-Founder
Toby leads the development of BFF Academy’s educational content, designing the website and co-creating the full curriculum. He brings a strong background in financial literacy education, having been a two-time DECA ICDC Grand Finalist in Personal Financial Literacy, and finishing 2nd in the North Carolina Personal Finance Challenge. Toby is a high school junior and State VP of North Carolina DECA.
Toby Qin
Co-Founder
Toby leads the development of BFF Academy’s educational content, designing the website and co-creating the full curriculum. He brings a strong background in financial literacy education, having been a two-time DECA ICDC Grand Finalist in Personal Financial Literacy, and finishing 2nd in the North Carolina Personal Finance Challenge. Toby is a high school junior and State VP of North Carolina DECA.
Toby Qin
Co-Founder
Toby leads the development of BFF Academy’s educational content, designing the website and co-creating the full curriculum. He brings a strong background in financial literacy education, having been a two-time DECA ICDC Grand Finalist in Personal Financial Literacy, and finishing 2nd in the North Carolina Personal Finance Challenge. Toby is a high school junior and State VP of North Carolina DECA.
Liam Griffin
Co-Founder
Liam leads outreach and engagement for BFF Academy, expanding the program’s reach. He plays a key role in designing the curriculum alongside Toby and brings experience in competitive business education, having placed 7th in Restaurant and Food Service Management at NC DECA States and qualified for DECA ICDC. Liam is a high school junior and Co-President of ECHHS DECA.
Liam Griffin
Co-Founder
Liam leads outreach and engagement for BFF Academy, expanding the program’s reach. He plays a key role in designing the curriculum alongside Toby and brings experience in competitive business education, having placed 7th in Restaurant and Food Service Management at NC DECA States and qualified for DECA ICDC. Liam is a high school junior and Co-President of ECHHS DECA.
Liam Griffin
Co-Founder
Liam leads outreach and engagement for BFF Academy, expanding the program’s reach. He plays a key role in designing the curriculum alongside Toby and brings experience in competitive business education, having placed 7th in Restaurant and Food Service Management at NC DECA States and qualified for DECA ICDC. Liam is a high school junior and Co-President of ECHHS DECA.
Outreach Team
Andrea Remeticado
Outreach Intern - CA
Andrea Remeticado
Outreach Intern - CA
Andrea Remeticado
Outreach Intern - CA
Wyatt Somers
Outreach Intern - MI
Wyatt leads the outreach team for BFF Academy across the Midwest, working to connect with school districts and educators, coordinate assemblies, and build awareness of BFF’s mission. He has a strong background in leadership, including serving as a Boy Scout, acting as a city representative in his community, and working with multiple local and national nonprofits. Wyatt is a high school junior and proud to represent the state of Michigan.
Wyatt Somers
Outreach Intern - MI
Wyatt leads the outreach team for BFF Academy across the Midwest, working to connect with school districts and educators, coordinate assemblies, and build awareness of BFF’s mission. He has a strong background in leadership, including serving as a Boy Scout, acting as a city representative in his community, and working with multiple local and national nonprofits. Wyatt is a high school junior and proud to represent the state of Michigan.
Wyatt Somers
Outreach Intern - MI
Wyatt leads the outreach team for BFF Academy across the Midwest, working to connect with school districts and educators, coordinate assemblies, and build awareness of BFF’s mission. He has a strong background in leadership, including serving as a Boy Scout, acting as a city representative in his community, and working with multiple local and national nonprofits. Wyatt is a high school junior and proud to represent the state of Michigan.
Sameira Sharma
Outreach Intern - CA
Hi, I am Sameira, a passionate student who believes every young person deserves access to clear, relatable, and empowering education, especially when it comes to building strong financial and leadership habits.My outreach experience with the American Red Cross strengthened my commitment to promoting education and communication, inspiring me to help students build the financial skills and confidence they need for the future.
Sameira Sharma
Outreach Intern - CA
Hi, I am Sameira, a passionate student who believes every young person deserves access to clear, relatable, and empowering education, especially when it comes to building strong financial and leadership habits.My outreach experience with the American Red Cross strengthened my commitment to promoting education and communication, inspiring me to help students build the financial skills and confidence they need for the future.
Sameira Sharma
Outreach Intern - CA
Hi, I am Sameira, a passionate student who believes every young person deserves access to clear, relatable, and empowering education, especially when it comes to building strong financial and leadership habits.My outreach experience with the American Red Cross strengthened my commitment to promoting education and communication, inspiring me to help students build the financial skills and confidence they need for the future.
Tutor and Digital Media Teams
Clara Martins De Bellis Silva
Lead Tutor
Clara Martins De Bellis Silva
Lead Tutor
Clara Martins De Bellis Silva
Lead Tutor
Advisory Board
Advisory Board
Gilbert D. Rogers Ed.D, AFC®
Director of Financial Well-Being @ UNC Chapel Hill
Dr. Gilbert D. Rogers serves as the inaugural Director of Financial Well-Being at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he leads campus-wide efforts to promote financial education and resilience among students and staff. An Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) and adjunct professor of finance, Dr. Rogers brings over a decade of experience in financial literacy and wellness education. His work has spanned university program design, peer financial coaching, and national consulting on economic empowerment and student success. He holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration, with research focused on how socioeconomic factors influence financial literacy and decision-making.
Gilbert D. Rogers Ed.D, AFC®
Director of Financial Well-Being @ UNC Chapel Hill
Dr. Gilbert D. Rogers serves as the inaugural Director of Financial Well-Being at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he leads campus-wide efforts to promote financial education and resilience among students and staff. An Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) and adjunct professor of finance, Dr. Rogers brings over a decade of experience in financial literacy and wellness education. His work has spanned university program design, peer financial coaching, and national consulting on economic empowerment and student success. He holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration, with research focused on how socioeconomic factors influence financial literacy and decision-making.
Gilbert D. Rogers Ed.D, AFC®
Director of Financial Well-Being @ UNC Chapel Hill
Dr. Gilbert D. Rogers serves as the inaugural Director of Financial Well-Being at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he leads campus-wide efforts to promote financial education and resilience among students and staff. An Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) and adjunct professor of finance, Dr. Rogers brings over a decade of experience in financial literacy and wellness education. His work has spanned university program design, peer financial coaching, and national consulting on economic empowerment and student success. He holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration, with research focused on how socioeconomic factors influence financial literacy and decision-making.
Chip Snively, CFA®
Clinical Professor in Finance @ UNC Chapel Hill
ChatGPT said: Chip Snively, CFA is a Clinical Professor of Finance at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he directs the Capital Markets Lab and coordinates the Investment Management and Capital Markets concentrations. He teaches corporate finance, investments, and personal finance in the undergraduate and MBA programs, and designed UNC’s flagship personal finance course for non-business majors. Before joining UNC, Professor Snively taught at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and co-directed its MBA Investment Management Academy. His professional background includes senior finance roles at Intel Corporation, American Airlines, and Liberty National Bank. He holds an MBA in finance and international business from Indiana University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Chip Snively, CFA®
Clinical Professor in Finance @ UNC Chapel Hill
ChatGPT said: Chip Snively, CFA is a Clinical Professor of Finance at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he directs the Capital Markets Lab and coordinates the Investment Management and Capital Markets concentrations. He teaches corporate finance, investments, and personal finance in the undergraduate and MBA programs, and designed UNC’s flagship personal finance course for non-business majors. Before joining UNC, Professor Snively taught at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and co-directed its MBA Investment Management Academy. His professional background includes senior finance roles at Intel Corporation, American Airlines, and Liberty National Bank. He holds an MBA in finance and international business from Indiana University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Chip Snively, CFA®
Clinical Professor in Finance @ UNC Chapel Hill
ChatGPT said: Chip Snively, CFA is a Clinical Professor of Finance at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he directs the Capital Markets Lab and coordinates the Investment Management and Capital Markets concentrations. He teaches corporate finance, investments, and personal finance in the undergraduate and MBA programs, and designed UNC’s flagship personal finance course for non-business majors. Before joining UNC, Professor Snively taught at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and co-directed its MBA Investment Management Academy. His professional background includes senior finance roles at Intel Corporation, American Airlines, and Liberty National Bank. He holds an MBA in finance and international business from Indiana University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
