Advancing the Financial Health Community Since 2006
EMERGE History

Advancing the Financial Health Community Since 2006

Since 2006, EMERGE has been the leading platform exclusively focused on sharing ideas and driving action to improve financial health for all. Powered by Financial Health Network, EMERGE brings together leaders across industries year-round to collaborate on innovative solutions that drive real systems change. 

Impact in the Making

More Than a Conference: A Year-Round Platform for Financial Health

EMERGE is best known as the flagship gathering for financial health leaders, but its impact extends beyond the annual event. Throughout the year, EMERGE brings the financial health community into conversation through podcasts, videos, articles, interviews, smaller convenings, and timely thought leadership tied to the issues shaping people’s financial lives. Together, these channels create an engaging platform for sharing ideas, elevating lived experience, and helping leaders turn insight into action. 

Over the years, EMERGE has united a growing community of leaders to pursue a better financial future for all:

20+

years convening the financial health community across 11 cities

42

states and over 6 countries represented

450+

attendees at our annual flagship event

Over 90

speakers every year

Over 200

organizations represented every year

72%

of EMERGE attendees are director-level or above

20,000+

social media followers

121,000+

unique pageviews of EMERGE content each year

Why Leaders Engage With EMERGE?
  • attendees at a poolside EMERGE reception
  • captive audience at EMERGE

Stay Close to the Conversation
At EMERGE, attendees move from conversation to impact, rolling up their sleeves to implement real-world solutions through shared insights, strategic connections, and ongoing collaboration.

  • Speakers smile on stage during a breakout session at EMERGE Financial Health 2026

Shape the Financial Health Field
Since 2006, the EMERGE platform has shaped the future of financial health by surfacing bold ideas, elevating emerging voices, and driving progress across industries. As financial systems continue to evolve, EMERGE remains focused on innovation that ensures everyone can thrive financially. 

  • Attendees at EMERGE volunteer at a local food bank

Drive Impact
Through a dynamic and growing network, EMERGE convenes global leaders from financial institutions, fintech, employers, nonprofits, philanthropy, academia, government, and consumer advocacy to advance financial health as a core priority.

Upcoming EMERGE Events

Save the Date | EMERGE 2027 | June 8-10, 2027 | Minneapolis, MN Save the Date | EMERGE 2028 | June 6-8, 2028 | Phoenix, AZ

Join us as EMERGE continues to convene the leaders and organizations advancing financial health.

EMERGE 2027
June 8-10, 2027
Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot | Minneapolis, MN

EMERGE 2028
June 6-8, 2028
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass | Phoenix, AZ

Showcase your commitment to financial health by sponsoring EMERGE.
Explore Opportunities > 

History

EMERGE Milestones

Over 20 years, EMERGE has evolved alongside the financial health movement, from an annual convening to a year-round platform that connects leaders to ideas and action. 

2023-Onward
Driving Systems Change

In recent years, EMERGE has focused on moving from insight to implementation, bringing together leaders across sectors to address systemic barriers and drive measurable progress in financial health. This shift reflects a growing emphasis on ecosystem accountability, where lasting change comes not from ideas alone, but from relationships, trust, and collective action. 

    • 2026 | Atlanta: Advancing ecosystem collaboration to scale financial health impact
    • 2025 | San Diego: Centering real stories to drive solutions across America
    • 2024 | Chicago: Strengthening connections between policy, innovation, and lived experience, marking the Financial Health Network’s 20th anniversary
    • 2023 | Philadelphia: Focusing on systemic barriers and equitable outcomes
2020-2022
Resilience in a Changing World

As the world rapidly shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, EMERGE evolved in real time, expanding beyond a single annual convening into a dynamic, year-round platform. A growing body of content, including videos, articles, blogs, and thought leadership, elevated new ideas and shone a light on the lived experiences of people and communities. 

    • 2022 | Virtual + Los Angeles: Return to in-person with expanded digital reach
    • 2021 | Virtual Series: Continued engagement through multiple virtual convenings
    • 2021 | EMERGE Workplace: Expanded EMERGE to explore the latest trends, strategies, and solutions for employers seeking to improve the financial health of their teams 
    • 2020 | EMERGE Everywhere Podcast Launch: Introduction of a Q&A series hosted by CEO Jennifer Tescher, featuring conversations with visionary leaders on creating a more inclusive economy 
    • 2020 | Virtual: Rapid shift to a fully digital experience amid global disruption
2017-2019
Scaling Innovation and Ecosystem Growth

As financial health gained traction across industries, EMERGE became a hub for this growing ecosystem, bringing new voices, sectors, and solutions into the conversation. Fintech, employer-based solutions, and cross-sector innovation accelerated, with a focus on more inclusive and accessible financial products and services for all.

    • 2019 | Scottsdale: Expanded ecosystem with strong cross-sector participation
    • 2018 | Los Angeles: Increased emphasis on inclusive design and accessibility
    • 2017 | Austin: Growth of fintech and technology-driven solutions
2013-2016
Creating a Common Framework

As interest in the field of financial health grew, EMERGE played a key role in defining the research, language, and measurement to advance financial health across sectors. Through collaboration with other partners, our events brought organizations together to establish a common understanding of financial health, align around shared goals, and measure their progress consistently over time. 

    • 2016 | New Orleans: Strengthened the connection between research and real-world application
    • 2015 | Austin: Expanded dialogue on consumer behavior and financial decision-making
    • 2014 | Los Angeles: Innovation in financial services takes center stage
    • 2013 | Miami: Increased focus on measurable financial outcomes
2006-2012
Establishing the Foundation

In its earliest years, EMERGE created space for leaders to come together around a shared challenge—long before “financial health” was widely recognized as a field. We focused on building awareness, fostering early collaboration, and connecting sectors around the idea that financial health is essential to overall household stability and long-term opportunity.

    • 2012 | San Francisco: West Coast expansion and growing national visibility
    • 2011 | New Orleans: Broader engagement across nonprofit and financial sectors
    • 2010 | Miami: Deepened conversations on consumer financial resilience
    • 2009 | Dallas: Sustained momentum despite economic downturn
    • 2008 | Miami: Growing focus on access and inclusion in financial services
    • 2007 | Dallas: Expanded cross-sector dialogue on consumer financial stability
    • 2006 | Chicago: EMERGE launched to convene leaders to explore financial well-being

Watch the Highlights

Join Us to Lead the Future of Financial Health

As financial health becomes an increasingly urgent national priority, EMERGE is the leading forum for leaders committed to building a more financially healthy future. Showcase your commitment with an EMERGE sponsorship. 

Become a Sponsor