Financial Independence: Why Managing Your Finances Matters
Hear from influential industry experts and investment advisors on everything you need to know about building and maintaining your credit and managing your investments as a student!
When & Where
Wintersession 2026 is here! Check out the upcoming seminars and sign up today!
Adulting 101
Tuesday, Jan. 20th, 11:00AM
Community Engagement Team
Sophia Young, Student Advisory Committee Representative
There is a lot to learn when embarking into the “real world” as a young adult, and this workshop will help you learn about some of the key financial aspects. We will talk about the importance of credit and how to build it, things you need to know when it comes to full-time jobs, and setting yourself up for success when it comes to living on your own.
Building Credit from Scratch
Tuesday, Jan. 20th, 1:00PM
Community Engagement Team
What do renting an apartment, getting a job offer, and car insurance rates all have in common? Your credit history could impact every one of these things (and more)! Whether you have never had any credit history or are looking to rebuild credit after an extended period without, this webinar with Harvard FCU will cover why it is important to build a positive credit history and how to do so.
Investing 101
Dennis Sexton, Investment Services Advisor
What is the difference between mutual funds and index funds? What’s a robo-advisor? Shahar Ziv, Harvard FCU Board Member and Harvard Business School alum, speaks about the foundational concepts of investing.
Get to know our presenters!
Sophia Young
Sophia is a sophomore at Harvard College concentrating in economics, with a secondary concentration in sociology. She serves as Development Chair on the board of the Generational African American Student Association and hosts a show on Harvard Radio (WHRB).
She joined the Harvard FCU Student Advisory Council this month, and she is interested in bringing financial wellness information to underserved communities.
Shahar Ziv
Shahar leads our original and most popular Wintersession class, Investing 101. Shahar is an experienced educator, writer, and speaker who is skilled at simplifying the complex, sometimes intimidating world of personal finance. He is passionate about guiding students and recent graduates on the path to financial wellness. He is also a longtime board member of Harvard FCU.
Shahar is a seasoned executive with extensive experience at the intersection of financial services, payments, and technology, most recently as VP and GM at Paypal. He is the founder of the financial wellness firm Acing Your Finances. He regularly keynotes various conferences and events.
Shahar graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Cornell University with a BA in Economics and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.
Dennis Sexton
Dennis brings over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, most recently with TIAA Wealth Management. He helps our members with retirement planning, strategic asset allocation, and wealth transfer strategies, offering sound and suitable investment advice tailored to their goals.
With a holistic approach, Dennis can guide you in understanding your Harvard retirement plans and how they contribute to long-term financial security. He knows our members lead busy lives and provides efficient, personalized financial reviews to help you stay on track.
Dennis holds a BSBA from Nichols College, FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 66 licenses, and a Massachusetts Life and Health Insurance License. He supports members across all Harvard Federal Credit Union branches.