Kathy Sweedler provides leadership in consumer economics programming in a seven-county area of central Illinois for individuals and families, with an emphasis in the area of financial management.

Sweedler graduated from the University of California at Davis with a bachelor of science degree in home economics as well as a teaching credential. At the University of Arizona, she earned a master's degree in family and consumer resources with an emphasis in consumer education. She was named the Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Graduate Student in Agriculture while at Arizona.

Sweedler has had a variety of roles within University of Illinois Extension. As an Extension Assistant she was instrumental in the development of several grant-funded websites including Long-Term Care: Talking, Deciding, Taking Action (designed for older adults and their families), More for Your Money (featuring the basics of making a spending plan and managing credit), and Plan Well, Retire Well: Your how-to guide (targeted to young adults).

As an Extension Educator, Sweedler focuses on providing individuals with research-based information and strategies to help them make positive changes in their financial behaviors. She is interested in reaching new audiences through creative methods such as the Financial Wellness program which uses peer educators to deliver money management education for college students and by reaching young adults through social media such as the Plan Well, Retire Well Blog and with her Twitter account @morethancoupons. While Sweedler provides programming in many financial management areas, she is passionate about helping people plan for financial security in later life.

Included among her awards and recognitions are Outstanding or Innovative Program for Your Money & Your Life Financial Education Program from University of Illinois Extension and the National Internet Technology Communications Award for the Plan Well, Retire Well website from the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences.

Sweedler's professional associations include Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education and National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science.

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