Sonia Garrison Email & Phone Number

Durham, Nc, Us

Designed and implemented 3-year Financial Capability Initiative to test out a variety of tools and programs aimed at increasing the financial security of credit union members and staff. Results of Initiative include organization-wide adoption and integration of programs directed at deepening member engagement and integrating access to affordable financial products with 1-1 staff support. Developed and currently oversee in-branch financial coaching program with ten plus financial coaches located across the Self-Help footprint.

Durham, Nc

Researcher and project manager specializing in financial capability, community development and consumer finance. Worked with direct-service organizations to increase the financial capabilities and well-being of their program participants. Clients include:• Self-Help Credit Union – Develop organizational efforts to enhance the financial stability of Self-Help members and staff. Projects include an organization-wide needs assessment, the development and management of an in-branch financial coaching pilot, and the research and evaluation of financial capability training options for Self-Help staff.• UNC Center for Community Capital - Contributing researcher and writer on the project, Field Scan on the Intersection Between Housing and Financial Capability. - Designed innovative, research-based financial capability framework for low-income youth for use in existing youth development and college readiness programs. - Contributing researcher and writer on financial capability white paper, All In: Building the Path to Global Prosperity through Financial Capability and Inclusion. Developed survey tool for non-profit housing organizations offering financial capability services. Conducting interviews with eight housing organizations.• Urban Institute - Primary researcher and author of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) Affordable Mortgage Lending Guide for Community Bankers, a three-part series of publications that identifies key resources for community banks to use to increase lending to low- and moderate-income families. • Abt Associates, Inc. Subcontractor and contributing manufactured housing content expert on Federal Housing Finance Agency’s evaluation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s Underserved Market Plans 2018-2020

Designed and executed research reports on personal consumer finance topics including bank accounts, credit cards, and mortgages for personal finance website. Managed every aspect of research, from question formulation and research design through final report publication and dissemination. Managed team of three research assistants. Fielded media inquiries.

Generated analysis for state and federal consumer financial protection legislative initiatives. Designed and managed team of researchers on large scale State of Lending research report. Designed, managed and executed multiple research projects on the sub-prime foreclosure crisis and foreclosure prevention policies (see publication list). Developed congressional testimony. Fielded media inquiries. Presented research findings to internal and external audiences.

Oversaw the development and delivery of affordable mortgage products offered by 32 lender/servicer partners, $4.6 billion; 50,000 loans through the secondary market program. Served as product training and underwriting consultant to lender partners. Spearheaded and designed the execution of Self-Help’s first quality assurance program, resulting in $20 million in lender buybacks to date. Developed internal controls and processes, worked with engineer to develop software, and created management reporting and lender monitoring systems. Managed on-site lender audits. Managed staff for quality assurance processes and analysis. Provided research, due diligence, and recommendation on the transfer of delinquent mortgages to specialty servicer. Advised management on goal of balancing the mission of home ownership for low-wealth individuals with protecting financial health of organization.

Completed feasibility study and educated government officials and community leaders prior to the initial application of community land trust model in Orange County, NC. Marketed and sold first development of CLT units to low- and moderate-income home buyers and educated each buyer on the rights and responsibilities of becoming a community land trust homeowner. Worked with attorneys to ensure legal feasibility of developing a CLT in North Carolina. Researched and developed resale formula. Assisted with board management and development.

First Norwest loan officer in region assigned to community development activities. Assisted low-moderate income first time home buyers by identifying and originating specific mortgage subsidy programs in combination with conventional and government mortgages, appropriately matched to individual needs. Provided individual credit and budget counseling. (Promoted from previous position as Executive Assistant to Norwest's top producing loan officer nationwide in 1996.)

Convened and coordinated effort to increase local low-income housing stock. Developed promotional materials to apply for grants; initiated and staffed emerging agency consortium whose clients would benefit from voicemail boxes for local, phoneless, low-income and homeless persons, and a computerized electronic mail system for service providers. Engaged in community outreach to promote the organization and educate about homeless-related topics. (One year position following service as VISTA summer associate.)