Financial Literacy with ACEE CEO Elena Zee Murray Smith with FPA of Greater Phoenix Kris Anest with Charles Schwab and Guest-Host Marie Burns
Arizona community members are invited to a Pro Bono financial planning event on Saturday, April 20th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Download the flyer for this free event and register here.
The Arizona Council on Economic Education (ACEE) is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving economic and personal financial literacy in Arizona. 
ACEE is the author of Arizona K-12 Economic Education Academic Standards and the only organization in Arizona which: provides teacher professional development in teaching personal finance and economics; has a strong, affiliated academic base with universities and community colleges; and distributes proven economic education curriculum resources to schools free of charge.
Elena Zee started her career in the private sector at American Express before becoming President and CEO of the Arizona Council on Economic Education. Elena has a Master’s Degree in Economics from Columbia University and Double Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Math from Wellesley College. Elena serves on the board of Organization for Nonprofit Executives, the National Association of Economic Educators and Global Economics Education Alliance. She was the former President of Phi Beta Kappa Phoenix Association, promoting excellence in liberal arts and science higher education.
Elena is very passionate about education, financial freedom and professional development.
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The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the principal membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals, educators, financial services providers and students who seek advancement in a growing, dynamic profession. The primary aim of FPA is to elevate the profession that transforms lives through the power of financial planning.
FPA supports high standards of professional competence, ethical conduct and clear, complete disclosure when serving clients. By providing opportunities for professional development, business support, advocacy and community at the national and chapter levels, FPA is truly indispensable in the advancement of today’s CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals. 
The Financial Planning Association of Greater Phoenix (FPAGP) strives to be the essential hub of the Phoenix-area financial planning community. It’s mission is to connect Certified Financial Planners and associated professionals with the resources they need and the people who need them. Certain CFP(R)s within the chapter have ambition to promote financial literacy in Arizona and do so through public awareness presentations and pro bono, 1-1 financial planning.
Murray Smith is a Financial Planner at KeatsConnelly, the largest cross-border wealth management firm in North America that specializes in helping Canadians and Americans realize their dreams of a cross-border lifestyle. Murray is responsible for providing financial planning recommendations to move people efficiently toward their financial goals. His recommendations are formed from a deep understanding of a client’s situation, values and goals combined with his expertise, experience and skills in financial planning and analysis.
When Murray isn’t helping people achieve their goals, he is busy working on his own projects. Along with his wife and young son, Murray tends to the 600 square feet of gardens in their backyard (including rainwater collection). In addition to spending time with his family, he loves do-it-yourself projects, tinkering with electronics, developing software and playing guitar. To help build community, he performs public awareness and pro bono work through the Financial Planning Association of Greater Phoenix (FPAGP).
Murray is a board member of the FPAGP. He currently is vice-president and will be the organization’s president in 2020. In 2021, he will remain on the executive committee as chairman.
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Kris Anest has been in the brokerage business since February 1987. She started her career with Fidelity Investments working in Salt Lake City, Utah and Boston, Massachusetts.
She has been with Schwab since December 1995 with a break in service from 2001 to 2007. During her break in service, she taught World History, Economics and Advanced Placement Macroeconomics at North Canyon High School in Phoenix, Arizona. During her teaching tenure, she continued to provide independent investment consulting services.
During her tenure with Schwab, Kris has served as a registered representative in Participant Services, Retail Brokerage Services, Quality Assurance and Retail Help and Advice. She managed Participant Services call center teams and the Institutional Prime Broker desk as a Senior Manager in Trading Operations. She is currently managing a team of business analyst in Advisor Services Pricing and Billing. She has co-chaired the Schwab Phoenix Community Ambassador Team and is active in non-profit efforts. She is an OCJ Kids board member and an executive board member on the Arizona Council on Economic Education.
Kris attended Arizona State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in History and Economics. She earned her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from St. Mary’s University, MN. She is FINRA Series 63, 66, 7, 9 and 10 licensed and Schwab also carries her P&C insurance licenses. Kris’ hobby is competitive ballroom dancing.
Connect with Kris on LinkedIn.
Marie Burns, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with insurance and securities licenses, has been advocating for clients as a financial advisor for close to 20 years. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association nationally and locally, 100+ Women Who Care, Ahwatukee Foothills Friends and Neighbors, and Mountain Park Church. Originally from Wisconsin, she has helped clients with their financial lives in a bank setting, accounting firm, at Vanguard, at a financial planning firm and now writes and speaks and has her own practice with an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm. She enjoys cooking, reading, walking, hiking, Zumba and especially creating memories with family and friends.
Connect with Marie on LinkedIn and follow Paper Lifesavers Facebook.
