Empower Your Future

Empower Your Future

Download the curriculum guide

Our playlist Features:

• Keynote: Jackie Morgan, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
• What can you do with a degree in Economics?
• Panel Discussion: Why is it important to study Economics and Finance?
• What can you do with a degree in Finance?
• Student features, tips for success as a Finance or Econ major, information on student clubs

Learn more about degrees in Economics or Finance at UTC.

Click here to check out an overview of last year's event!

Keynote

Jackie Morgan, Outreach Senior Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta – Nashville Branch 

Jackie Morgan is an established communicator and proven leader in economic and financial education strategy, policy, development, and training. Morgan serves as board member and past president of the Tennessee Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, which has been recognized twice as the State Coalition of the Year by National Jump$tart. Additionally, she was appointed to the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission, Nashville Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, and Middle Tennessee State University Jones College of Business Dean’s Executive Advisory Council. Morgan was recognized with the MTSU’s Citation of Distinction – Achievement in Education and the Atlanta Fed President’s Award for Excellence.

Panelists

Michell Bosch CFO, The Tennessee Housing Development Agency

Michell Bosch is the Chief Financial Officer for the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), where she oversees financial strategy, investment and debt portfolios, and bond issuance to support affordable housing across the state. With a focus on long-term fiscal sustainability, Michell drives financial initiatives that strengthen the agency’s mission and impact.

Previously, Michell was Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. There, she managed multi-billion-dollar investment portfolios, directed billions in debt issuance, and spearheaded strategic financial initiatives that enhanced the city's fiscal resilience. Her expertise spans asset allocation strategy, capital management, risk assessment, and team leadership. Michell holds an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP)

Jazmynn Ball, UNUM Insurance 

Jazmynn graduated from UTC in December 2023 with a degree in Business Finance. She then took a position at Unum as an Underwriter where she performs risk analysis of insurance plans in coordination with sales representatives to make sure they are maintaining sales and profitability goals.

Outside of work, Jazmynn maintains her 8 year strong relationship at her first job ever, The Great Little Caesars. She is a shift leader due to the time commitment, but has been there longer than most in the company today.

Work takes up the majority of her time, so when she finds herself free, she likes to go bowling, practice her culinary skills, and watch American Dad or Family Guy

Kim Holder, Gary W. Rollins College of Business, UTC

Kim Holder, is the Managing Director of the Center for Economic Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Gary W. Rollins College of Business. Prior to her role at UTC, she was Director of Financial Literacy for the University of West Georgia (UWG), Director of the UWG Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy, and Senior Lecturer of Economics in the Richards College of Business (RCOB). She is a nationally recognized, award-winning educator known for her work both in the college classroom and in the community who consistently builds bridges that connect resources with people in need in order to advance economics education. Her work was recognized this year by being chosen as the Georgia Council on Economic Education’s Center Director of the Year, the Woman of the Year by the Carroll Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Alliance, and the RCOB Service Learning and Community Engagement Awards.'

Bill Parker, Director of the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission

Bill Parker is the Director of the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission, where he drives statewide efforts to build strategic partnerships and shape thought leadership that elevates the importance of financial education across Tennessee. He works closely with educators, community leaders, and state officials to expand access to high-quality financial learning that strengthens the financial health of individuals, families, and communities—while contributing to Tennessee’s long-term economic prosperity. Bill also serves on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Jump$tart Coalition and co-chairs the National Association of State Treasurers’ Financial Education and Empowerment Caucus

Student panel

Moderators 

Bento Lobo, PhD, CFA, Gary W. Rollins College of Business, UTC

Dr. Lobo is the UC Foundation and First Tennessee Bank Distinguished Professor of Finance in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga where he teaches courses at the senior undergraduate, MBA and Executive MBA levels. Dr. Lobo has a Ph.D. in Financial Economics, Masters degrees in Economics and Management Studies, and a B.A. in Economics. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Dr. Lobo’s research has been published in reputed academic journals and presented at numerous domestic and international conferences.  He is currently the Department Head of Finance and Economics at UTC. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Lobo worked in investment banking in India and Singapore.

Catherine Middleton, Gary W. Rollins College of Business, UTC

Catherine Middleton is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Finance and Economics at the Rollins College of Business at UTC. She holds a BS in Economics and an MBA from UTC, and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Alabama. In addition to Introductory Theory courses, she teaches senior-level courses in the Economics of Sports and the Economics of Gender, Race, and Inequality. Prior to joining the faculty at UTC, she worked in the Financial Industry. She is a Chattanooga-native.

Claudia Williamson Kramer, PhD, Gary W. Rollins College of Business, UTC

Our Partners:

• Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
• Financial Executives International
• The Trust Company of Tennessee
• The Tennessee Housing Development Agency
• The Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission
• Unum
• UTC Office of Access and Engagement
• UTC Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise