About Us

For more than four decades, the Center has been focused on the #WorkThatMatters. In the beginning, that meant bringing award-winning financial and economic education to teachers and students across Greater Cincinnati. Our reach has since expanded to classrooms in 46 states. The Center also now delivers world-class research to drive better decision-making by clients in the public and private sectors.

The Center began as a teacher training initiative of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce in 1976. In 1977, the Center was incorporated and established a permanent existence as part of the University of Cincinnati.

While the Center has maintained its teacher training as a core service, we’ve added student programs and competitions, an award-winning online financial program called $martPath, partnerships for the financial education of the larger community, and a research team to serve businesses and governmental partners in our region.

 

Every year, the Center’s research team consults with more than 30 business clients on their economic data and analysis needs. Their work includes everything from market analyses to feasibility studies, economic impact projects, and workforce development initiatives. Through this work, the Center and its partners contribute to the health and vitality of our region’s economy.

The Alpaugh Family Economics Center is a part of the Council for Economic Education’s national network.

The Center is also a member of the Association of University Business and Economic Research.

Vision

We envision a future where every child, regardless of background, is equipped with the knowledge and skills to confidently navigate the financial and economic challenges of life. By making financial education universally accessible and engaging, we strive to create a generation of empowered decision-makers who will shape a thriving, equitable, and sustainable economy for all. And a world where leaders across private, public, and nonprofit sectors harness the power of data to make insightful, impactful decisions—driving a thriving economy and vibrant communities for everyone.

Mission
Our mission is to empower children with comprehensive, accessible, and enduring financial and economic education. By instilling the ability to make informed and thoughtful decisions, we aim to unlock a world of opportunities for the next generation, fostering a future where every child can thrive and succeed. And our commitment to providing world-class economic analyses supports public, private, and nonprofit clients in making better, data-driven decisions that enhance community well-being and drive impactful change.
 
Awards

The Center has won several national awards for its programs and its online financial education platform, $martPath.

Faculty & Staff

Ben Brennan, PhD
Research Associate
Dr. Ben Brennan

Dr. Ben Brennan is a Research Associate at the Economics Center.  Ben received his PhD in Economics from the University of Oregon in 2018 specializing in monetary theory and econometrics.  Before coming to the Economics Center Ben was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Thomas More University where he taught Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Money & Banking, and Applied Econometrics with R.  Ben is a Cincinnati native who loves trivia nights and cooking.

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Brad Evans
Co-Executive Director
Brad Evans

Brad joined the Economics Center after working in an economic development role for a local community for nearly seven years. In that role, he was very successful in managing business retention and expansion efforts, as well as coordinating the attraction of new corporate investment and jobs to the community.

Phone: (513) 556-2969 |  Email

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Erin Harris
Director, Student Enterprise Program (StEP)
Erin Harris

As Student Enterprise Program Director for the Economics Center, Erin is responsible for organizing and implementing the Student Enterprise Program (StEP) in thirty-two elementary and intermediate schools across Cincinnati. Her duties include overseeing the StEP school stores and annual Market Madness event, two programs that are dedicated to giving students (grades 3-5) a safe platform to learn the importance of making good choices on a daily basis.

Prior to joining the Economics Center, Erin was a Branch Service Manager at National Bank & Trust in Wilmington, Ohio. She also spent two years as K-12 substitute teacher for Warren, Clinton and Butler Counties.

Erin earned her BA in Business Marketing from Wilmington College and a Master’s Degree in Middle Child Education from Mt Vernon Nazarene University.

Phone: (513) 556-8546 |  Email

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Megan Heare
Assistant Director of Research
Megan Heare

Megan Heare is Assistant Director of Research at the Economics Center. Megan began her career at the Economics Center as a Graduate Assistant. She graduated with a master's degree in Applied Economics from the University of Cincinnati. She also holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Southern Indiana. Her duties include literature review, data collection, economic analysis, and report writing.

Phone: 513-556-2022|  Email

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Julie Heath, PhD
Executive Director Emerita
Dr. Julie Heath

Dr. Heath is the Executive Director Emerita of the Center. Prior to her role as longtime ED of the Center and Alpaugh Chair at the University of Cincinnati, she was the director of the Center for Economic Education at the University of Memphis. In that role, with the support of the state of Tennessee and First Tennessee, she founded the $mart Tennessee program, which provides financial education to children in elementary, middle, and high schools. Since the program began in 2006, $mart Tennessee has been adopted by over 400 schools and has reached over 75,000 children.

At the University of Memphis, Dr. Heath taught undergraduate and graduate classes; they included micro theory, principles, and the economics of sports and labor. At the UM College of Business, Dr. Heath has served as head of the Economics Department. She is the recipient of a number of honors and awards. Dr. Heath has received the two highest teaching awards at the University of Memphis: the Thomas W. Briggs Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2000, and the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2010. The Carnegie Foundation recognized Dr. Heath with the 2010 Tennessee Professor of the Year Award.

In 2008, she earned the Kenneth G. Elzinga Distinguished Teaching Award, the economics discipline’s highest award. Also in 2008, she was the recipient of the Educator of the Year Award from the National Association for Financial Literacy. She received the Harold Love Award for Community Involvement in 2007, and in 2006, was named the Financial Educator of the Year by the Tennessee Bankers Association.

Dr. Heath is a member of the National Association of Economic Educators, a member of the national Board of Directors of the Council for Economic Education, and a member of the Economics Standing Committee of the National Assessment of Education Progress. In addition to her numerous professional accolades, economic education professionals around the country regard Dr. Heath as a leader in the field.

She received her PhD in Economics at the University of South Carolina in 1986, specializing in labor economics and quantitative methods. She received a Visiting Research Fellowship to Princeton University to conduct research in economics education and has published extensively in the area. Dr. Heath received her BA from Bluffton College, Bluffton, Ohio, in 1978. She is a native of Ohio.

Phone: (513) 556-1653  |  Email

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Sue Heilmayer
Co-Executive Director
Sue Heilmayer

Sue Heilmayer is a visionary leader with an unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and communities through economic and financial education. With a robust background in accounting, she brings a unique blend of financial expertise and strategic insight to her role as Co-Executive Director of The Alpaugh Family Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati. 

As a seasoned professional in finance, Sue's journey began with a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Cincinnati, where she developed a strong foundation in financial principles and practices.  

Throughout her career, Sue has held various leadership positions in both the corporate and non-profit sectors, honing her skills in fiscal management, budgeting, and strategic planning. Her tenure as a certified public accountant (CPA) provided her with invaluable experience in navigating complex financial landscapes and ensuring fiscal responsibility. 

Driven by a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education, Sue transitioned her career to focus on non-profit work, where she could directly affect the lives of individuals and families by providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve financial independence. As the Co-Executive Director of the Economics Center, she oversees the organization's mission to promote economic literacy, financial wellness, and equitable access to financial resources. 

Under Sue's leadership, the Economics Center has expanded its reach and impact, implementing innovative and inclusive programs and offerings that address the diverse needs of students, teachers, and communities across the country and around the world. Through strategic partnerships with schools, community organizations, and financial institutions, she has spearheaded efforts to deliver high-quality financial education programs to underserved populations, empowering them to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities. 

Phone: 513-556-2952 |  Email

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Erna Jennings
Administrative and Program Assistant
Erna Jennings

Erna is the Center's Administrative and Program Assistant. Prior to joining the Center in January, 2022, Erna worked at Mercy Heath Physicians for eight years as their registrar. She earned an associate’s degree in Applied Science/Occupation Therapy Assisting from Cincinnati State Community and Technical College.

Erna is also fluent in Bosnian.

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Kathy Palmer
Marketing and Communications Director
Kathy Palmer

Kathy Palmer assumed the role of Marketing and Communications Director at the Center in November 2019, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a proven track record in marketing, media relations, and stakeholder communications.

In her capacity as Director, Kathy spearheads comprehensive marketing initiatives, oversees strategic media relations, and ensures effective communication with stakeholders at the Center. Her dynamic leadership and strategic vision have played a pivotal role in enhancing the Center's outreach and engagement efforts. Kathy also leads software and web development at the Center, launching four new websites during her tenure, and making accessible and inclusive financial education software a reality on smartpathlearning.com.

Prior to joining the Center, Kathy distinguished herself in the financial sector, making significant contributions during her tenure with Simply Money Advisors and Allworth Financial. Notably, she created the highly successful Simply Money TV news franchise. Her expertise in crafting compelling financial and consumer content led to its widespread dissemination on reputable platforms such as Fox Business, CNBC, Fox 19, Local 12, and Cincinnati.com.

Kathy was also an award-winning TV news manager in various markets. Her ability to navigate the complexities of media landscapes and her knack for producing content that resonates with diverse audiences have been key to her success in these roles.

Kathy holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Kalamazoo College.

Phone: (513) 556-2986

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Emily Schalk
Professional Development Director
Emily Schalk

Emily Schalk is the Director of Professional Development at the Economics Center. Her responsibilities include preparing and writing grants, donor engagement, and program facilitation. She is currently coordinating the state-wide implementation of $martPath, the Center’s 1-8 grade online financial literacy program.

Emily earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2009. She began her career as a high school English teacher. Prior to joining the Economics Center, she worked as a middle and high school college readiness adviser and event coordinator at Northern Kentucky University.

Emily received her Master of Arts in English degree from Northern Kentucky University in 2020.

Phone: (513) 556-5198  |  Email

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Katie Smith
StEP Store Facilitator
Katie Smith

Katie Smith joined the Economics Center in early 2015 as an Education Programs Associate. Her primary role is assisting the director of the Student Enterprise Program (StEP) in several elementary schools throughout the greater Cincinnati area.

Katie spent 17 years in the banking industry working for Provident Financial Group, prior to its 2005 acquisition. While there, she gained experience in both customer-facing and back end operations capacities. She continued her career in the Information Technology field as a project manager for Convergys Corporation, and then in a similar role at American Modern Insurance Group. After taking off time to spend with her two young boys, Katie rejoined the work force as a Teacher Assistant at St. Veronica School.

Katie earned her Bachelor of Science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and also completed graduate studies in the College of Business at UC. She resides on the east side of Cincinnati with her husband and sons.

Phone: (513) 556-8545  |  Email

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Yue Wu, PhD
Research Associate
Dr. Yue Wu
Dr. Yue Wu is a Research Associate at the Alpaugh Family Economics Center.
 
She earned her PhD and Master's degrees in Regional Planning from the University of Cincinnati, specializing in the economic impacts of culture-led development.
 
Before joining the Economics Center, Yue worked as an urban planner in China on land-use, urban design, and development policy analysis projects.
 
Originally from Beijing, China, she enjoys exploring local history and spending time outdoors with her family.
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board of trustees

Ben Willingham
Truist
Chair
Matt Barney
Messer Construction
Vice Chair
Charles Young, Jr.
d.e. Foxx & Associates
Treasurer
Al Riddick
Game Time Budgeting, LLC
Secretary
Peter A. Alpaugh
Alpha 2 Holdings
Diane Altmix
Accenture
Christopher S. Habel
Frost Brown Todd, LLC
Ed Hudson
The Kroger Company
Matt Iacobucci
U.S. Bank
Andrea Akin
LOTH
Nathan J. Bachrach
Community Volunteer
Dr. Eugene Blalock, Jr.
North College Hill City Schools
Doug Bolton
Cincinnati Cares
Brian Brockhoff
Community Volunteer
J.B. Buse, Jr.
Loth, Inc.
Jermaine Carter
Megen Construction
Alfonso Cornejo
Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA President and AC & Consulting Associates
Michael G. Dailey
Dinsmore & Shohl
John J. Frank, Jr.
Cushman & Wakefield
Colleen Haas
Frost Brown Todd
James Hendricks
Horan
Lakisha Higgins
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Danya Karram
Brilliant Advice
Lisa Kuethe
Huntington Bank
Dr. Susan Lang
NewsBank
J.T. Mackay
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Doug Marsh
KZF Design
Sean V. McGrory
Clark Schaefer Hackett
Dr. John Michelman
Michelman, Inc.
Wayne “Box” Miller
St. Xavier High School
Bill Neyer
Community Volunteer
David Okun
Al. Neyer
Jim Ortman
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Dr. Mari Phillips
Educational Consultant
Lori Poole
Bartlett Wealth Management
Harry Snyder
Great Oaks Career Campuses
John Steiner
Encore Technologies
Cindy Tsai
Fort Washington Investment Advisors
Tonya West Wright
Princeton City Schools
Susan Zaunbrecher
Fifth Third Bank
Financials & Annual Reports

2024 Financials

2024 Annual Report

2023 990 Form

2023 Financial Statements

2023 Annual Report

FY2022 Annual Report

FY 2022 Financials

FY2021 Financials 

FY2021 Annual Report

FY2021 990 

FY2020 Annual Report

2020 Financial Statements
2020 990 Form

FY2020 Financials

2019 Financial Statements
2018 Annual Report
2018 Financial Statements
IRS Form 990 year ending 2018
2017 Annual Report
2017 Financial Statements
IRS Form 990 year ending 2017
2016 Annual Report
2016 Financial Statements
IRS Form 990 year ending 2016
2015 Annual Report
2015 Financial Statements
IRS Form 990 year ending 2015

Emerging Leaders Board

Early and Mid-Career Professionals Supporting the Center Through Volunteering, Outreach, and Development

Joe Alemagno
Western & Southern Life Insurance
Matthew Childress
Fifth Third
Emilia Connor-Brady
Johnson Investment Counsel
Brian Duba
Fifth Third Bank
Megan Ebenschweiger
RKPT
Leah Hammer
North Side Bank
Marissa Huffman
Avery Dennison
Governance/Member Chair
Cody Kessel
Fifth Third Bank
Hannah Kessel
Fifth Third Bank
J.T. Mackay
J.P. Morgan Bank
Strategic Initiatives Chair
Amber Newman
North Side Bank
Social Chair
Bri Oeder
Deloitte
Kailyn Neat
Bartlett Wealth Management
Chris Quigley
Messer Construction
Chris Reisiger
Clark Schaefer Hackett
Nic Ruscello
Northcreek Mezzanine
Will Sayer
STNL Development
Max Williams
Taft Law
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Cincinnati, OH 45219-0223

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