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#217: AFCPE Symposium Q&A with AFCPE Executive Director Rachael DeLeon

Season #1

This episode features AFCPE Executive Director Rachael DeLeon who shares what attendees can expect at the upcoming AFCPE Symposium, its purpose and why you should attend. The conversation highlights keynote speakers, breakout-session trends, enhancements for virtual attendees, and the community‑building experiences that make the symposium a signature event for financial counselors, coaches, and educators.

Top takeaways:

  • The AFCPE Symposium (http://AFCPE.org/symposium) brings together researchers, practitioners, educators, nonprofits, military‑focused professionals, and private practitioners for three days of cross‑disciplinary learning. 
  • The symposium allows people from different practice areas to learn from each other and bring new ideas to their counseling practice.
  • The AFCPE is a national nonprofit that certifies, educates and supports financial coaches, counselors, and educators.
  • Continuing Education (CE) opportunities:
    • Pre-Approved for 15 CEUs for AFC® professionals and 14 for CFP® professionals. AFC’s can watch additional material and submit additional CEUs. 
    • AFC Candidates can submit experiential hours for attending and watching sessions
  • This year’s theme, All In, emphasizes collaboration across roles, communities, and professional backgrounds.
  • Keynotes include Dr. Kate Mielitz & Jamie Chandler (All in for Impact), Colin Ryan (TED‑style storytelling), Dr. Kristy Archuleta (burnout), and Steven Hughes (money narratives).
  • Other sessions include AI in consumer financial guidance, money dysmorphia, and emerging student research.
  • Virtual attendees receive livestreamed keynote and general sessions, interactive chats, watch party discussions and access to all recorded breakout sessions.
  • The Knowledge Bowl returns with student teams competing onstage.
  • How do you decide which sessions to attend?
    • Make time to attend different types of presentations, especially those that may be different from your typical community. 
    • Attend at least one Research to Practice session. 
    • If deciding between multiple sessions to attend a live session, choose the one where you think you’ll have the most questions or may be able to apply to your practice. Live sessions do take questions from the virtual audience!
    • Look at this as an opportunity to talk to people you don’t normally have a chance to interact with.
    • Use your network to “divide and conquer” - take notes and share what you learned with each other
    • Plan to attend a post-symposium “watch party” to continue learning by watching recorded videos followed by a group discussion - either through the AFCPE or with FCN
  • Sign up for the 2026 AFCPE Symposium at https://www.afcpe.org/symposium   (in person or virtual)


This episode offers a lively, inside look at why the AFCPE Symposium continues to be the place where financial professionals “find their people” and go All In—whether attending in person or virtually.