At Coast Capital, we’re advancing our social purpose of Building Better Futures for people and businesses in Canada through our Financial Education program. The program is Coast Capital’s commitment to removing barriers and empowering our members, employees and communities with the financial knowledge they need to take action to unlock financial opportunities.
In this article, we’re introducing you to Brenda Mah, our new Financial Education Manager, who supports our members, employees and communities to engage with the program.
I’ve seen the direct impact financial education can have on a person’s life. Whether it’s helping to create a pathway to home ownership, showing how to invest for retirement or supporting the launch of a small business, financial education empowers people to take control of their finances.
– Brenda Mah
You can visit our Financial Education site to:
- Book a session with Brenda
- RSVP for an upcoming seminar
- Access on-demand financial education content
Brenda, could you tell us about your financial education journey?
I’ve worked in the credit union sector for 25 years. My journey has taken me from helping members conduct basic banking transactions to building complex financial plans. I started as a frontline employee and spent the last 18 years in branch leadership.
What are some of the greatest barriers to people implementing positive financial behaviours?
In my experience, conflicting financial information makes people feel overwhelmed. Whether you’re a business owner or you’re managing your personal accounts, everyone’s situation is different. Knowing what is suitable, particularly when most people haven’t received formal financial education, can make changing financial behaviours difficult — which is why I’m excited about Coast Capital’s Financial Education program.
Could you share a bit about Coast Capital’s Financial Education program, and what makes this program different?
There is an abundance of financial education available out there. However, much of this education can be outdated, may not meet the needs of individuals, or can even be predatory or misleading. This contributes to the financial stress many feel. One of the key ways to support financial wellbeing is to connect knowledge and solutions with the activities that drive lasting change. We’ve built this program to make those connections: knowledge – action – change.
How can this program help those facing financial uncertainty?
Through practical education on money and credit management, saving, and goal setting, we aim to empower individuals to make informed decisions and build healthier financial habits. We’ve also built the program with accessibility in mind. We’re offering on-demand learning through the Financial Education microsite and hosting in-person and virtual seminars. We’re committed to removing barriers and empowering individuals with financial knowledge, so they can unlock financial opportunities and potentially grow their incomes.
What motivates you to keep teaching financial education?
There’s so much I can say, but I would like to highlight the feedback we’ve received from the program so far. The engagement has been exceptional, and the questions from our participants have reinforced for me how important this program is.
This is what we heard from Camosun College, where we recently held a seminar on mastering debt: “Following your financial education session, you truly sparked our students’ interest in managing their finances.” Getting feedback like this makes me excited to go out into the community and support people on their financial journeys.
Thank you, Brenda! On a lighter note, what’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not teaching financial education?
I am a foodie at heart. I drag my family across the Lower Mainland every weekend in search of fun and unique desserts and dining experiences. Feel free to message me with your favourite spots!
