2025 RAISE Texas Summit

On January 22 & 23, 2025, RAISE Texas, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, will host the 2025 RAISE Texas Summit.

This biennial summit is a cornerstone event that brings together diverse voices from across sectors and industries to advance financial health and asset-building initiatives in Texas. By convening practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and advocates, the summit fosters collaboration and the exchange of innovative ideas and solutions to tackle the most pressing challenges in financial health. It is a unique opportunity for stakeholders across Texas who rarely intersect to connect, learn, and drive collective action toward ensuring equitable opportunities for financial health and success.

Register and find all the details on our Summit page.

2023 Summit Presentations (* = slides)

At the RAISE Texas 15th Anniversary Summit in March 2023, we focused on “Connect to Effect: Building an Equitable Financial Ecosystem for Texans.”  Over two days, we convened 193 community stakeholders and leaders from 113 organizations, including nonprofits, financial institutions, funders, and government agencies. 

Enjoy our Report on Insights from the 2023 Summit here.  Speaker bios are here. 

• Opening Keynote: Making the Case for a More Connected and Equitable Financial Ecosystem
  Dr. Tiffany Manuel, TheCaseMade
• Closing Keynote: Connected to Effect Change
  Tim Shaw, The Aspen Institute
• Understanding the Current Economy in Texas *
  Pia Orrenius, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
• Connecting with Stories to Change Policies 
  Kseniya Benderskaya, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
  Regan Gruber-Moffit, St. David's Foundation
  Jerry Hawkins, Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation
• Connecting Texans with Digital Equity *
  Marycruz De Leon, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
  Amando Cantu, CARDBoard Project
  Francella OChillo, Next Century Cities
• Financial Coaching, Counseling & Crisis Assistance *
  Marina Garcia, RAISE Texas
  Dusti Young, GreenPath Financial Wellness
  Cathy Barker, Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas
  Erica Leos, Foundation Communities
• Creating Effective Feedback Loops *
  Valerie Threlfall, Listen4Good
• Data for Storytelling Workshop
  Dr. Tiffany Mauel, TheCaseMade
• Strength-Based Communications Workshop *
  Dulari Gandhi, D.Gani Communications
• Innovations in Financial Services
  Frank Santoni, Credit Mountain
  Stacy Armijo, Amplify Credit Union
  Nestor Solari, Sigo Seguros Auto Insurance
  Joe Velazquez, Bank of America
• Innovations in Fines, Fees and Financial Burdens *
  Mary Mergler, Fines & Fees Justice Center
  Frances Gonzalez, Asset Funders Network
  Yvonne Yanez, City of Fort Worth Municipal Court
  Lourdes Zuniga, Financial Health Pathways
• CRA Rulemaking: Highlights from a CRA Optimist *
  Sawyer Williams, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
• New Federal Dollars for Asset Building (* all slides)
  Judith Canales, Eagle Pass Maverick County Economic Development Alliance 
  Linda Davis-Demas, BALANCE *
  SBA: Counseling, Contracting Support, Capital Access *
  Herbert Austin, Small Business Administration 
  TEPRI: Funding to Address Energy Poverty *
  Andrew Robison, Texas Energy Povery Research Institute
  cdcb: Support for Homebuyers & Homeowners *
  Daniel Elkin, come dream. come build.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor

Thank you to our Silver Sponsor

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsors

Charles Schwab
PNC Bank
St. David's Foundation

Thank you to our Exhibitors and Scholarship Sponsors

AARP
Credit Mountain
National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders
Self Financial
Texas Tuition Promise Fund

Thank you to our Performance Sponsor

Roy Lopez generously sponsored the performances of Dallas Poet Laureate Joaquin Zihuatanejo, violin performance artist Shandalla Calder, and MLK Jr. Oratory Competition Winner Zihair Douglas.