During this session we will discuss the basics of 529 accounts. Learn about a 529 account for yourself, your children/grandchildren, or for others. By the end of the session, participants will know:
- Why Does Saving for College Matter?
- What Is a 529 Plan?
- Where to Learn More?
July 11 @ 12pm. Virtual program.
Advance registration is required. Zoom link will be provided to all registrants.
Ritta McLaughlin
Director, Investor Education, Community Outreach
FINRA Investor Education Foundation
Ms. McLaughlin leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance financial inclusion. She is an expert in personal finance and investor education. She cultivates and manages strategic partnerships with organizations to provide financial capability programming in underserved communities. Ms. McLaughlin collaborates with the Foundation’s researchers on studies to advance the understanding of diverse communities’ financial capabilities, circumstances, and well-being. She also directs the Foundation’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship Program
Prior to joining the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, Ms. McLaughlin was the Chief Education Officer for the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB). She oversaw the education and outreach activities of the MSRB and facilitated discussion and problem-solving among stakeholders to address challenges in the municipal market. Also, Ms. McLaughlin was responsible for the development and oversight of operations MSRB Podcast and eLearning platform MuniEdPro®.
Previous to her work at the MSRB, Ms. McLaughlin was associate treasurer for the District of Columbia, where she handled the District’s multi-billion-dollar debt management program. During her career, Ms. McLaughlin was also a public finance investment banker at J.P. Morgan, Bear Stearns, and RBC.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in urban policy from Vassar College, and a master’s degree in urban policy and management from The New School for Social Research.
She is a past President of the Board of the National Women in Public Finance and serves as a member of the Milken Institute Center for Financial Markets Public Finance Advisory Council, a member of the Race, Equity and Bond Markets Advisory Group of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and an Advisory Board Member of the District of Columbia Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund. Also she served as an Advisory Board Member for the State of California COVID-19 Taskforce for California Educational Facilities Authority and California Health Facilities Financing Authority. She is a Founding Member of the Board of Governors for the Association for Public Finance Professionals of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (APFP).