Dr. Paris Woods on helping young people build wealth and plan for financial freedom

Dr. Paris Woods is an education leader, social entrepreneur, and advocate for financial empowerment, dedicated to driving positive change in education and economic mobility. With over two decades of experience in educational settings, Dr. Woods has established a track record of innovation, leadership, and impact. Dr. Woods’s commitment to education is reflected in her roles as a senior leader across education nonprofits. Her leadership has supported the development and leadership of diverse high-performing teams, resulting in increased access to high-wage, high-growth career pathways and postsecondary credentials. With a strong emphasis on equitable outcomes, Dr. Woods has built cohesive teams dedicated to fostering positive change. As the Co-Founder and Executive Director of College Beyond, Dr. Woods addressed the critical need for college success among low-income youth. Her innovative strategies led to unprecedented increases in first-year college retention rates. She was recognized for exceptional leadership by The Gambit’s 40 Under 40, Millennial Award in Education, and Tulane University Hometown Hero. Paris Woods, PhD, is a lifelong educator and leading voice in economic mobility and financial empowerment. Her book, The Student’s Guide to Financial Freedom: A Real-World Money Guide to Help Young People Build Wealth, Avoid Traps, and Plan for Freedom fills a critical gap in financial education. It is a peer-to-peer guide that helps high school and college students—especially first-generation, low-income, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth—plan early for lifelong financial independence. Drawing from her own journey as a first-generation Harvard graduate who grew up working class, Dr. Woods combines personal storytelling with clear and practical advice on credit, saving, investing, and education costs. Dr. Woods is also the author of The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom, which has empowered thousands and gained widespread recognition. Dr. Woods has created a movement that reshapes financial narratives. Dr. Woods currently serves at Chief Program Officer for StriveTogether, a national movement whose purpose is helping every child succeed in school and in life from cradle to career, regardless of race, ethnicity, zip code or circumstance. As CPO, she leads impact acceleration and scale to create better, faster and more equitable outcomes for youth across the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network and beyond. Outside her professional accomplishments, Dr. Woods remains deeply engaged in her community. She serves on the boards of Believe STL Academy, 4.0 Schools, and College Beyond, further amplifying her commitment to advancing educational equity. She is also an adjunct faculty member of educational leadership at Tulane University. Dr. Woods earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Harvard University, and her doctorate in education from The University of Texas at Austin.   Host/producer/engineer:  Donna Morrow Wolfe