For her commitment to and involvement in financial education, National Credit Union Foundation Executive Director Gigi Hyland has been named 2018 Financial Literacy Advocate by Franklin Mint FCU, Chadds Ford, Pa.  

Hyland will be formally honored April 19 at the annual FMFCU Partners in Education Celebration, a premier academic achievement recognition event in Drexel Hill, Pa.  

“I feel privileged to wake up each day and focus my work at the Foundation on helping people improve their financial lives through credit unions,” Hyland said. “After all, money is just the tool to help us all achieve what we want in life--financial stability, a home, education. We all can be advocates for our neighbors, friends, and family who are struggling financially. By understanding the why behind people’s financial struggles, we can make huge progress to help everyone achieve their financial dreams.”  

Under Hyland’s leadership the Foundation administers Biz Kid$, a national financial literacy programs that teaches 9 to 16-year-olds about money and helps them develop life skills. Biz Kid$ includes an Emmy award-winning television series created by the same team that produced “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”  

In addition to her leadership role with the Foundation, Hyland serves on the advisory board of the popular Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program, available through Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy. 

“In the credit union industry, Gigi Hyland is known as a staunch advocate for collaboration and improving financial education outreach,” said Rick Durante, FMFCU vice president of education. Durante is also the executive director of FMFCU’s charitable foundation, Partners in Education, which he said has been directly influenced by Hyland’s work.