Hawaii State FCU Hires New Financial Educator to Support Financial Literacy Initiative

HONOLULU — Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (Hawaii State FCU) announced today that Jennifer Russo has joined the credit union as a financial education professional. Russo is responsible for developing, marketing and delivering financial resources to members under the credit union’s financial literacy initiative. She will work with community partners to devise a strategy that addresses the unique needs of Hawaii’s diverse populations in order to strengthen their financial literacy.

“In Hawaii, more than 10 percent of residents live in poverty and nearly 50 percent live paycheck to paycheck, illustrating the dire need for a strong focus on financial literacy. We understand the financial issues of our community, and feel it is our responsibility to provide our employees, members and the communities we serve with resources and education to overcome financial challenges,” said Andrew Rosen, president and CEO of Hawaii State Federal Credit Union.

Russo joins Hawaii State FCU with a wealth of experience in marketing and program management. Her previous experience includes working for Marine Corps Community Services at Kaneohe Bay and in Arlington, Virginia, serving as a personal and professional development advisor. In this role, Russo counseled transitioning service members into civilian life through workshops and individual sessions, supporting more than 4,375 clients annually.

Russo received her Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, and holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and public relations from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.