As the Senior Director of Research, Thea Garon leads the Financial Health Pulse, a critical research initiative on financial health in America. The Pulse is designed to shine a light on the financial lives of people across the United States, inspiring business and policy decisions that can improve financial health for all. In her role, Thea manages the collection and analysis of survey and transactional data to paint a rich portrait of financial health on a national scale.

Thea’s passion for her work derives from her long-standing commitment to social justice and equity. In addition to launching the Financial Health Pulse, her proudest moments with the organization include developing the FinHealth Score®, a tool to help businesses measure and improve the financial health of their customers and employees. Thea also manages the Pulse Advisory Council, which provides valuable guidance and support for the initiative.

Thea previously worked as a Research Assistant at the Financial Access Initiative, where she conducted and edited research. She also served as a policy analyst for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, overseeing research and producing policy recommendations about savings, credit-building, and asset-building initiatives. 

Thea holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service and graduated magna cum laude from Carleton College with bachelor’s degree in History.