RMAFP March Field Trip at Young Americans Center for Financial Education          

Wed, March 13, 2024 2:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. MST | Cherry Creek location- 3550 E. 1^st Avenue, Denver, CO

**plenty of free parking!!**

Agenda

2:30-2:45 p.m. Check in, get seated (15 minutes)

2:45-3:35 p.m. Opening & welcome, presentation (50 minutes)

3:35-4:05 p.m. Tour (30 minutes)

4:05-5:00 p.m. Food and Drinks and “Hands On Activity” (55 minutes)

Title: Field Trip to Young Americans Center for Financial Education

Session Description: Join RMAFP colleagues for this year’s field trip to Young Americans Center for Financial Education! We will hear from the CEO and the Controller about YACFE and its various programs as well as more about the financial aspects of running a non profit organization. We will wrap with a tour and food, drink and activity to complete the event.

Dustin Zvonek-CEO

1. Introduce Yourself/Background
2. Mission: Center and the “bank”
3. Operations
4. Fundraising

   Lauren Brozinski-Controller

5. Introduce Yourself/Background
6. Non Profit Banking, Funding, etc.
7. Non Profit Accounting, Planning

DUSTIN ZVONEK, PRESIDENT AND CEO

Dustin joined Young Americans as President and CEO in the fall of 2023. Prior to joining the Young Americans team, Dustin owned and operated a successful executive management consulting firm where he provided executive oversight, strategic operational support, and business development services to a range of small and medium-sized enterprises. Dustin guided the creation of multiple non-profit entities and was a partner and senior advisor in the early phases of a first to market tech startup that utilizes artificial intelligence to optimize cloud compute usage.

In 2021 Dustin was elected to the Aurora City Council, Colorado’s 3rd largest city, as an at-large member. Dustin has served as chairman of the City’s Management and Finance and Public Safety Committees. He also represents the City of Aurora on the Board of Directors for the Aurora Economic Development Council and the Fitzsimons Innovation Community – the innovative health and life sciences campus located on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Before starting his own business, and being elected to public office, Dustin was the Vice President of Strategy and Innovation for a national nonprofit where he was responsible for driving continuous improvement and fostering a culture of innovation throughout the organization. He served as the District Director for a Member of Congress, and as the policy director for the Colorado State Senate Minority Leader.

Dustin is a graduate of Colorado State University. He and his wife, Ann, live in Southeast Aurora with their four children.

LAUREN BROZINSKI, VICE PRESIDENT/FINANCE

Lauren joined Young Americans in early 2019 as the Assistant Controller, bringing over 9 years of accounting and operations experience from Vail Resorts, Sage Hospitality and Bank of the West.  Lauren transitioned to Controller at the end 2019 and has been leading the accounting & finance functions of the organization since that time. While at YA, Lauren has led the transformation of paper-based workflows to digital processes and is always striving to find more efficient ways to get the job done.  

Lauren earned her BA in Economics from University of Colorado, Boulder in 2009. After graduation, she discovered a love for accounting and completed a post-baccalaureate Accounting Certificate at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Lauren recently passed the CPA exams and expects to receive full licensure in 2023. Outside of work, Lauren is a life-long learner who enjoys skiing, rock climbing and generally enjoying the great outdoors with her husband and two young children. 

Sponsored by:  

Young Americans Center for Financial Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve financial independence and success. Founded in 1987, the center provides hands-on programs and experiences designed to teach financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career exploration to youth from elementary school through high school.

One of the center's three core programs is Young AmeriTowne, an award-winning educational simulation program where students run their own town, taking on various roles such as business owners, employees, and consumers. Through this immersive experience, participants learn about financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, investing, and the importance of responsible financial decision-making.

Similar to Young AmeriTowne but with a global focus, International Towne provides students with an immersive experience in international business and trade. Participants take on roles representing different countries and engage in simulated international commerce, learning about topics such as currency exchange, imports and exports, and cultural awareness.

YouthBiz is an entrepreneurial program that empowers young people to start and run their own businesses. Through workshops, mentoring, and resources, participants learn about business planning, marketing, sales, and financial management. The program culminates in opportunities for young entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products or services at events like the YouthBiz Marketplace.

In addition to the Center, Young Americans Bank is a unique financial institution that focuses on providing banking services specifically designed for young people under the age of 22. It is an FDIC-insured, state-charter bank, and is a for-profit entity. However, due to the Bank’s educational nature, it does not make a profit. The Bank is designed to be a welcoming and accessible place for young people to learn about banking and financial management. It offers a range of banking services, including savings accounts, checking accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and loans, tailored to the needs and preferences of young customers.

Young Americans Center for Financial Education is committed to promoting financial literacy and economic education in schools and communities throughout Colorado and beyond. Through its innovative programs and partnerships with schools, businesses, and other organizations, the center aims to prepare young people for a lifetime of financial success and responsible citizenship.