Scaling Progress, Shaping the Future
May 19-21, 2026 | InterContinental Buckhead | Atlanta, GA
In a period of rapid innovation and rising expectations, financial health is shaped by the decisions institutions make—and the impact those decisions have. EMERGE 2026 brings leaders together to examine how trust is earned, how technology reshapes risk and opportunity, and how standards create clarity in moments of change. The focus is on moving from intent to impact, and building systems that work for people and endure.
Explore the Sessions
Hard Questions for the Future of Finance
In this candid closing conversation, confront the toughest questions shaping the future of financial health, from AI and fraud to climate risk and new payment models.
Building Customer Loyalty by Committing to High Standards
Why do shared standards matter for consumers and institutions? Unpack how clear benchmarks support stronger governance and more consistent outcomes.
Founders of the Next 250 Years
As the U.S. turns 250, think like a founder during this session on designing financial systems that earn trust, strengthen democracy, and endure for generations to come.
Innovation Spotlight: AI in Action
See how innovators are applying AI to real financial challenges, with insights from early pilots and a focus on practical, people-first solutions.
The New Playbook: Beyond Best Practices
In this candid dialogue, hear from leaders across sectors on what to scale, what to stop, and what to build next to improve financial health outcomes.
Building for All: Access is a Design Choice
How do your product and servicing decisions shape who gets to participate? Learn what institutions can change today to reimagine and deploy more accessible financial solutions.
Ownership as a Pathway to Retirement Security
Ownership is a foundation for stability, dignity, and generational opportunity. Explore how approaches like community-owned real estate and employee ownership can unlock lasting wealth for more people.
Stopping Scams: A Whole-Of-Society Approach
Scams are growing more prevalent, and more costly. Hear from scam prevention experts and learn about new solutions to better protect consumers and safeguard financial health.
Empathy as a Leadership Discipline: Practice, Pressure, and Choice
Explore how leaders can turn empathy into a decision-making discipline that shapes daily outcomes: culture, accountability, and trust under real-world pressure.
Atlanta Builds: When Innovation Meets Real Lives
How do we ensure innovation expands opportunity instead of deepening inequities? Using Atlanta as a case study, we’ll explore how new ideas actually land in people’s lives.
AI That Works for People: Guardrails for Financial Health
As AI reshapes how people get financial advice, get up to speed on the pillars of responsible innovation and explore safeguards to prevent bias, misinformation, and harm.
Measuring What Matters: Data, AI, and the Next Chapter of Financial Health
How can stronger measurement strategies drive financial health? Learn how to prepare for the next chapter of financial innovation, with a focus on protecting consumers and strengthening financial health for all.
From Data to Debt Relief: Turning Insight into Action
What does it take to turn financial health data into impact? From a debt payoff challenge to peer-led support networks, Atlanta leaders will unpack urgent needs and strategies to drive tangible outcomes.
FinHealth Face-Off: Real Scenarios, Real Solutions
Watch experts tackle real financial challenges in this game show-style session, exploring practical solutions and systems-level approaches to move households from financial strain to lasting stability.
No Margin for Error: Finding Housing in an Unforgiving Economy
As trust in the housing market erodes, examine how rising costs push working families into crisis—and what it will take to design a housing system with stability at the core.
Innovation & Community Spotlight: What Works, What Travels
Hear from influential Atlanta leaders turning urgent community needs into solutions with measurable impact, and walk away with ideas for scaling those models across the country.
Finding Our Balance
Jennifer Tescher, founder and CEO of the Financial Health Network, will deliver the opening remarks. In her keynote, she will spell out the three converging disruptions shaping the future of financial services and why they represent an opening to build a financial system that couldn't have existed before.
As a sponsor, you’ll demonstrate your commitment to advancing financial health while gaining visibility with influential leaders across sectors. Learn more about sponsorship options curated to meet your goals and budget.
Key Themes
- Design for Trust: Build transparency, accountability, and consumer feedback directly into products and systems.
- Deploy AI with Accountability: Use AI to expand access and resilience while protecting consumers and reducing risk.
- Operationalize Values: Turn values into everyday decisions about products, policies, and partnerships.
- Deliver Measurable Outcomes: Focus on actions that improve financial lives and show clear results.
- Anchor Progress with Standards: Use FinHealth Standards to guide consistent, measurable improvement.

Meet Real People. Drive Real Change.
EMERGE Financial Health is the can’t-miss event of the year for stories and solutions from across our movement.

































