Rising education costs and student debt continue to drive financial stress for employees—yet education savings can be a challenging and often underprioritized goal.
Delivered through an engaging fireside chat format, this session explores how HR leaders can position 529 plans and other emerging solutions like “Trump Accounts” as part of a modern financial wellness strategy. Attendees will learn how these tools can support employees across life stages, complement existing benefits, and improve engagement, productivity, and retention.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize the workforce impact of education costs and student debt on employee financial well-being.
- Evaluate how 529 plans and emerging savings vehicles fit alongside retirement and student loan benefits.
- Drive engagement by simplifying education savings and making it relevant to a diverse workforce.
- Identify actionable steps to enhance education savings support within your organization, without overextending your commitments.
Meet the Presenters
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Kristen Koluch, CFA®, CFP®
Senior Vice President, Investments, Raymond James
Kristen has dedicated her 20+ year career to helping individuals make meaningful progress towards their financial goals, including retirement. She appreciates that wealth begins in the workplace and helps employers build meaningful benefits programs that not only meets their fiduciary responsibilities, but also meets the needs of their workforce.
As a Chartered Financial Analyst®, Kristen holds one of the world’s most respected and recognized investment designations, giving her the skills needed for high-level, specialized asset-management responsibilities, including security analysis, portfolio management and business reporting. In 2020, Kristen obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification, demonstrating her commitment to her profession.
Earlier in her career, she was an investment banking analyst at Barclays Capital, where she supported senior bankers in advising large companies on their corporate capital structure and financing options. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University.
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Travis Brickfield
Director, Product Specialists – Mutual Funds, ETFs, and 529 Plans, Raymond James
Travis Brickfield serves as the Director of the Mutual Fund, ETF, and 529 Product Specialists and 529 Platform at Raymond James. In this role, Travis and his team are responsible for providing timely, product-related guidance to Raymond James advisors and their clients. His team covers education savings plans from start to finish – from opening an account for newborns to providing FAFSA guidance prior to enrollment. Travis has been with Raymond James since October of 2018 and he holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Central Florida. Travis was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area and is an Eagle Scout. In his free time, he enjoys creating memories with his wife and two daughters.
DISCLOSURE
SHRM is a current client of Raymond James. SHRM receives cash compensation from Raymond James in exchange for priority placement and brand promotion at conferences, shared authorship of marketing materials, and the contact information of attendees at SHRM conferences. SHRM’s receipt of cash compensation creates an incentive for SHRM to market investment advisory services of Raymond James. Raymond James is not affiliated with SHRM. SHRM does not offer investment advisory services.
Visit raymondjames.com/shrm for important information about Raymond James (RJA WRAP FEE PROGRAM BROCHURE, RJFSA WRAP FEE PROGRAM BROCHURE, IFS FORM ADV 2A) and how SHRM works with Raymond James (PROMOTER’S DISCLOSURE).
Securities offered through Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member NYSE/SIPC, or Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, each a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James & Associates, Inc. or Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., each an investment adviser registered with the SEC.
Raymond James Home Office: 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33706
SHRM certification has approved this webinar for 1 PDC toward SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. A program code will be provided at the end of the webinar.