Social Justice Speaker Series Presents
The Application of Financial Psychology to Promote Social Justice
Presenter: Mikaru S. Lasher, Ph.D. and Brian J. Lasher, M.B.A.
Date & Time: Thursday, April 16th, 2026 from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Eastern Time
Location: Live Via Zoom (Zoom Link: Emailed with ticket)
Webinar will be recorded (video not eligible for CE)
Cost:
FREE to attend
FREE CE for CPA Members (Log into account to access discount!)
$15.00 CE Processing Fee for Non-members
Continuing Education: Eligible for 1 CE
Abstract:
Financial health is an aspect of social justice work that is essential for improving quality of life and reducing poverty. In many BIPOC and immigrant communities, historical racism has reduced access to financial services and systems that can help create wealth and financial stability. Multigenerational trauma and cultural factors have also played a role. Reducing financial health disparities requires changes at the systemic level. It also involves providing individuals with education in financial literacy and addressing beliefs and emotions about money that can interfere with healthy financial behaviors. This discussion focuses on specific steps to decrease disparities and increase financial literacy by both a psychologist and financial planner to help psychologists and/or behavioral health professionals bring this to their sessions.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
1. Identify at least 2 barriers to economic equality for communities of color.
2. Describe financial literacy and at least 1 practical skill and/or competency it includes.
3. Explain financial psychology and at least 1 way it can help people develop healthy financial behaviors.
Research Citations
lvarez, Brenda and Amanda Litvinov. 2023. Financial literacy to help close wealth gaps. NEA Today, June 7 2023.
Hidalgo-Mayorga, Mariela de los Ángeles, Mariana Isabel Puente-Riofrio, Francisco Paúl Pérez-Salas, Katherine Geovanna Guerrero-Arrieta, and Alexandra Lorena López-Naranjo. 2025. Financial literacy as a tool for social inclusion and reduction of inequalities: A systematic review. Social Sciences 14: 658.
Klontz, B., C. Chaffin, and T. Klontz. 2023. Psychology of Financial Planning: The Practitioner’s Guide to Money and Behavior. Wiley,
Presenter Biography
Dr. Mikaru (Miki) Lasher is a neuropsychologist and financial behavior specialist. She is currently completing a graduate certificate in Financial Psychology and Behavioral Finance from Creighton University, and holds a Ph.D. from Wayne State University in psychology. Miki has had a private practice in Wilton, CT doing assessment and therapy with children and adolescents for the past fifteen years. Recently, she has also been working in an integrated financial advising program at Euclid Harding, LLC.
Brian Lasher is Managing Director and Senior Advisor at Euclid Harding, where he helps clients navigate the human side of major financial and life transitions. For more than 25 years, Brian has advised high-net-worth individuals and families in senior leadership roles, including Chief Investment Officer of a private equity firm, Managing Director at a subsidiary of a Fortune 50 insurance company, and Vice President at a Forbes 400 family office. He holds an MBA in Investment Management and Finance from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Post-Webinar Evaluation Form:
Post-webinar evaluation form will be provided during the event and must be completed to receive a Continuing Education (CE) certificate.
Closed Captions: Live audio captions are accessible for this event. If you need additional disability-related accommodations, please contact us by email us at info@connpsych.org or by phone (860) 404-0333. Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of workshop date.
Refund Policy: Participants may direct questions to CPA by email at info@connpsych.org or by phone at (860) 404-0333. Registrants may cancel and receive a full refund up to two-weeks in advance of workshop date. An administrative fee of $30 will be charged for cancellation of registration within two weeks of the workshop date (Social Justice events will not be charged an administrative fee). Please note, no refunds will be granted within 24 hours of workshop date.
Continuing Education Approval:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education for psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for the program and its content. CPA will issue certificates of completion. APA CE rules require that we only issue credits to those who attend the entire workshop. Those logging into the Zoom webinar more than 15 minutes late or logging off before the entire workshop is completed will not receive CE credits (i.e., partial CE credit will not be issued).
CPA GRIEVANCE POLICY:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists. The CPA will comply with all legal and ethical guidelines for non-discrimination in promotional activities, program content, and in the treatment of CE participants. While the CPA strives to assure fair treatment for all participants and to anticipate problems before they occur, occasionally grievances may be filed. In cases where a participant files a written or oral grievance, the following actions are taken:
If the grievance concerns the content of the workshop, a CPA representative will mediate and will be the final arbitrator. If the participant requests action, the CPA will either provide a credit for a subsequent CE offering or provide a partial or full refund of the CE fee already paid. Actions involving a credit or a refund will require a written note documenting the grievance for record-keeping purposes. The aggrieved individual need not sign the note. If the grievance specifically concerns the CPA, the CPA will attempt to arbitrate.
Direct correspondence to: The Connecticut Psychological Association, P.O. Box #1167, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 or by email to executivedirector@connpsych.org.
