Donna Cirillo, CFEI®
MBA, APFI, CFEI, CFLP, Founder, Smart Money Changes Everything, Financial Education Consultant and Advocate
Donna Cirillo's passion for financial education is rooted in both professional and personal experiences. During her career in financial services, she recognized a need to strengthen employees' financial skills and initiated training to address it. The results extended beyond improved customer service levels, building employees' confidence, professional capabilities, and ability to make informed financial decisions.
Her commitment deepened through her mother's remarkable journey. Widowed at age 55, her mother took control of her financial future through self-education and decisive action, demonstrating the transformative power of financial literacy. Donna also witnessed others facing similar circumstances who lacked the skills and confidence to navigate financial challenges successfully.
These experiences inspired Donna to help bridge the financial education gap. Through Smart Money Changes Everything, she empowers individuals to develop practical skills, make informed decisions, adopt positive financial behaviors, and take meaningful steps toward financial independence and lasting change.
About Donna Cirillo
Donna Cirillo is the founder of Smart Money Changes Everything and a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), Accredited Personal Finance Instructor (APFI), and Certified Financial Literacy Professional (CFLP). She holds a B.S. in Finance and an MBA from St. John's University.
With more than 14 years of financial services experience at U.S. Trust and J.P. Morgan Chase, including management roles in investor services and operations, Donna brings industry expertise and firsthand experience developing and delivering corporate employee financial education.
Her financial education experience spans diverse audiences and life stages, from middle and high school students learning foundational money skills to millennials and young adults navigating financial independence. She also works with corporate employees seeking to strengthen their financial capabilities and adults facing major life transitions, including the financial challenges that can follow traumatic personal losses. Through her Smart Money Starts Young series, Donna has delivered interactive financial literacy workshops in public libraries, helping students explore budgeting, saving, credit, investing, and financial decision-making.
Recognizing that financial needs differ across audiences, Donna tailors her workshops, presentations, and educational programs to participants' experiences and circumstances. Her approach emphasizes practical skills, real-world scenarios, active participation, and measurable outcomes that inspire informed decisions, positive financial behaviors, and meaningful, lasting change.
“For me, there is no greater reward than empowering the next generation and helping others transform their financial mindsets, build confidence, and create lasting change through financial education.”
Certified Financial Education Instructor Credential Holder
Donna Cirillo is the founder of Smart Money Changes Everything and an NFEC Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), Accredited Personal Finance Instructor (APFI), and Certified Financial Literacy Professional (CFLP). She holds a B.S. in Finance and an MBA from St. John’s University.
With more than 14 years of financial services experience at U.S. Trust and J.P. Morgan Chase, including management roles in investor services and operations, Donna brings industry expertise and firsthand experience developing and delivering corporate employee financial education.
Her financial education experience spans diverse audiences and life stages, from middle and high school students learning foundational money skills to millennials and young adults navigating financial independence. She also works with corporate employees seeking to strengthen their financial capabilities and adults facing major life transitions, including the financial challenges that can follow traumatic personal losses. Through her Smart Money Starts Young series, Donna has delivered interactive financial literacy workshops in public libraries, helping students explore budgeting, saving, credit, investing, and financial decision-making.
Recognizing that financial needs differ across audiences, Donna tailors her workshops, presentations, and educational programs to participants’ experiences and circumstances. Her approach emphasizes practical skills, real-world scenarios, active participation, and measurable outcomes that inspire informed decisions, positive financial behaviors, and meaningful, lasting change.