In this keynote address, Dr. Ruben A. Rivera—an immigrant, educator, and national program leader—shares his personal journey from growing up in an underserved, non-English-speaking household in the United States to becoming a leading voice in economic and financial education. His story is a testament to the transformative power of learning—and a powerful case for why economic education must be a cornerstone of lifelong empowerment.
Drawing on over two decades of experience working with students, teachers, and communities across the U.S., Dr. Rivera will explore how financial and economic education, when made accessible and culturally responsive, can serve as a pathway to equality and upward mobility. He will discuss key trends in American education, including state-level policy shifts, the rise of digital learning tools, and the growing emphasis on early financial and economic literacy from middle school onward.
With firsthand insights from the Council for Economic Education and its national programs such as the National Personal Finance Challenge, National Economics Challenge, Teacher Professional Development, and Invest In Girls, Dr. Rivera will offer strategies for reaching underserved learners and building inclusive learning ecosystems. This speech invites educators, policymakers, and researchers to view economic education not only as a tool for academic development—but as a global instrument for justice and opportunity.