Speakers

Troy Anthony Anderson, Ed.D. - Understanding the Rental Housing Market: Trends, Renter Challenges, and Key Considerations (presented with Sung-Jin Lee, PhD and Carrie Sorenson, M.P.H.)

Troy Anthony Anderson, Ed.D., is the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent for Calvert County, Maryland, and a faculty member in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. With a concentrated focus on financial wellness and consumer behavior, Dr. Anderson's dedication to enhancing consumer education and financial psychology is evident in his recent publications featured in the Journal of the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences and by the University of Maryland Extension. A steadfast advocate for teaching excellence, Dr. Anderson is particularly committed to the field of Family & Consumer Sciences. His dedication and innovative contributions were recognized in 2025 when he was honored with the Extension Housing Outreach Award as the 1st Place National Winner, thanks to his pioneering work in housing reparation policies. Before assuming his current role, Dr. Anderson enriched various educational institutions with his expertise, benefiting both his students and the broader community. His professional affiliations are extensive, including membership in NEAFCS, where he serves on the Board as the National Vice President for Member Resources, as well as AAFCS and IFHE. His diligent work in strategic planning and program development aims to boost community benefits for families and youths, underscoring his steadfast commitment to making the best better.

Marin Laukka, MA - Money, Meaning, and the Missing Piece: What Everyone Needs to Know About Wealth, Worth, and Alignment

Marin Laukka is a financial coach, speaker, and creator of the Joyful Budgeting™ method. With a Master’s in Positive Psychology, triple coaching certifications, and ongoing CFP coursework, she blends financial strategy with the emotional realities of money. After a total-loss house fire, significant insurance payout, and surprise inheritance conversation, Marin now specializes in the psychology of sudden wealth. She speaks nationally on values-based cash flow, financial confidence, and the Great Wealth Transfer. She also leads the Budgeting for Inheritors Substack community online.

Sung-Jin Lee, PhD - Understanding the Rental Housing Market: Trends, Renter Challenges, and Key Considerations (presented with Troy Anderson, Ed.D. and Carrie Sorenson, M.P.H.)

Sung-Jin Lee, Ph.D., is an Assistant Director and Program Leader for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) at the University of Maryland Extension. Dr. Lee began this role in September 2025 and, as Program Leader, has overseen FCS programs, guided faculty, built partnerships, and supported statewide Extension work. She is an educator in FCS and an established social science research scientist. She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Housing from Virginia Tech’s Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management, where she also completed a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. In 2010, Dr. Lee began her faculty career in the Department of FCS at North Carolina A&T State University (N.C. A&T), advancing from Assistant Professor to Professor, a role she held through August 2025. At the institution, she led Housing Research, served as the Program Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, and was a faculty affiliate with the Center for Integrative Health Disparities and Equity. Her career has focused on USDA NIFA‑funded, community‑based participatory projects; competitive grant development; disseminating findings through peer‑reviewed publications and presentations; and mentoring college students and early‑career scholars, in addition to her classroom teaching and service activities for the university and the profession. Dr. Lee’s research has centered on aging in place among low‑income older adults facing environmental barriers and financial challenges.

Diego Mendez-Carbajo, PhD - Meet FRED® and Friends

Mendez-Carbajo is a subject matter expert on FRED data. He leads outreach efforts to a broad range of FRED users and regularly contributes to the FRED Blog to tell the stories behind the data. Prior to his current role, Mendez-Carbajo was a college professor. His research on teaching and learning with data has been published in the leading field journals.

Karen Richel, M.S., AFC®, Certified Money Coach (CMC)® - When Accountability Meets Community: Why Financial Challenges Turn Intentions Into Action

Karen Richel is an Associate Professor with University of Idaho Extension and serves as the Family Finance Extension Educator for all ten counties in North Idaho. Based in Latah County, Karen delivers research-based, practical financial education to individuals and families across every age and income level. Through one-on-one coaching, dynamic classes, interactive workshops, and real-world simulations, she helps participants build solid financial foundations—from setting goals and tracking expenses to preparing for retirement and end-of-life transitions.

With certifications as both an Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) and a Certified Money Coach®, Karen blends evidence-based strategies with compassionate support to reframe past financial challenges, guide resilient money management, and help design sustainable paths toward long-term wealth and security. Her approach emphasizes empathy, education, and empowerment—tailored to the needs of each individual or community she serves.

Karen also holds a key leadership position as the County Chair for Latah County Extension. In this role, she is known for building collaborative teams, strengthening community relationships, and modeling servant leadership. Her commitment to financial well-being and local impact has earned recognition from colleagues and constituents alike.

Jonathan Ritter - Preparing Consumers to Navigate the 2026 Housing Market

Jon Ritter is a mortgage broker, business owner, with more than 23 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of homeownership. As the founder and president of Ritter Mortgage Group, Jon has guided thousands of clients through purchases, refinances, and long-term mortgage strategies across multiple market cycles. He is consistently ranked among the top 1% of loan originators nationwide, reflecting both his production volume and long-standing relationships with clients and referral partners.

Widely regarded as a “debt management specialist,” Jon approaches mortgages not as a transaction, but as a financial planning tool—helping consumers structure housing debt in a way that complements broader financial goals such as cash flow stability, wealth building, and risk management. His work emphasizes clarity, education, and transparency, particularly in an environment where misinformation about credit scores, interest rates, and affordability is common.

Jon is also a respected mortgage educator and content creator, producing consumer-focused videos and presentations that translate complex lending concepts into practical guidance. He frequently collaborates with financial planners, CPAs, housing counselors, and real estate professionals to help consumers prepare—not just to qualify for a mortgage—but to succeed as homeowners over the long term.

Rebecca Selkowe, JD, AFC® - Game of Loans: Guiding Clients Through Debt Relief Options

Rebecca Eve Selkowe is an Accredited Financial Counselor®, an attorney with experience counseling individuals through their legal options with respect to debt, author of Dominate Your Debt: A Work & Play Book and co-author of the forthcoming Moolah-LA!, and the director of a national nonprofit financial wellness program that empowers thousands of clients annually through original, interactive live workshops and personalized support.
 

Carrie Sorenson, M.P.H. - Understanding the Rental Housing Market: Trends, Renter Challenges, and Key Considerations (presented with Troy Anderson, Ed.D. and Sung-Jin Lee, PhD )

Carrie Sorenson, M.P.H. has been an educator with University of Maryland Extension since 2017. She works in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department and provides community education that is focused on financial literacy and health insurance literacy. She became an Accredited Financial Counselor in 2021, graduated from George Washington University with her Masters in Public Health in 2016, and from West Virginia University with her Bachelors of Science in 2014.