Sean Stewart
Sales and L&D Professional, Change Agent
Financial Literacy
I've been fleshing out this idea of money as a tool to buy happiness. Self-reflection aside, it's the concept of making every day financial choices that become routines that become habits that ultimately contiribute to a sustainable, joy-filled life.
Household Dynamics, a 400 level econ course ebranded "The Economic Way of Looking at Life", left a lasting impact. We explored the family economy, essentially how we might look at milestone life decisions like marriage, children and where to live, with a little behavioral economics sprinkled in. I found this course more fascinating than Money & Banking, and I'm a banker by trade! If someone had explained to me at 17 how much $100,000+ amortized interest was and the massive gap between gross and net income, I probably would have made a few different choices. Even modern bankers lack basic household dynamics training, and certainly our high schoolers.
Through much of my career I worked with individuals, businesses, and families who needed a little better understanding of household spending, borrowing wisely, and prioritizing needs versus wants. Now I dedicate personal time to helping friends, family, acquaintances, and small businesses make smart financial decisions. I volunteer with and recently applied as a Partner with - a group working to restore the economic health of the United States through financial education.
Educator Empowerment
Educators strengthen our economy, our culture, and our security. Teachers prepare our workforce. They cultivate civility. Students become our police officers, serve in our military, work in national defense. A smarter, socialized society makes us safer. Yet how often do we recognize the contributions of our educators? Why is the profession not held in esteem in the way of firefighters? Perhaps it is a lack of imminent danger.
We fail to understand the generational impact teachers make. While it is harder to point to one specific moment of triumph, like preventing a robbery, literally hundreds of lives are positively affected by teachers each year. Educators endure daily emotional and phychological challenges with grace and compassion, intelligence and mastery. Few professions claim the same. Few are capable of what teachers accomplish with apparent ease. Disclosure: I married one.
Small Business Owners
Entrepreneurs drive innovation and job growth. I'm proud to support local business through pro-bono consulting, laid back conversation, kicking around cost saving and marketing ideas, and monetizing everything! I'm proud of my contributions to the business plan that helped obtain their first commercial loan. Now submitting entries to the Great American Beer Fest and looking to expand to a second location! I also contribute to and support - a travel and lifestyle site dedicated to the beauty, culture, businesses, and spirit of the Hudson Valley.