Welcome, Spoken Word, and Opening Plenary

Reimagining Social Work Through a Financial Wellness Lens

Kick off the first-ever Social Work Wealth Conference with an inspiring welcome from Dr. Carmela Daniels and conference founder Eva Forde, followed by an energizing spoken word performance from Kenneth “TJ” Joyner that reminds us all: Social Workers Make Real Money. 💰

This opening plenary dives into a bold and necessary conversation: what does it take to truly modernize social work? Our panelists explore how financial health intersects with the mission of social work—and how rethinking education, practice, and professional identity can empower social workers and the communities they serve.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Why social work must evolve to better serve both professionals and clients
✅ How financial wellness fits into the future of social work
✅ Steps for modernizing social work through money, mission, and health
✅ How to advocate for systemic change and economic empowerment in the field

Meet the Panelists:

🔹 Reeta Wolfsohn, CMSW – Center for Financial Social Work
🔹 Dr. Matthew L. Schwartz, DSW, LCSW, MBA, CFSW – Certified Financial Social Worker & Implementation Scientist
🔹 Clare Dubé – Founder, SMARTchats®

🎤 Moderator: Dr. Veronica Hardy, LCSW, NCC – Author, Educator & Editor, The Social Work Wealth Magazine

🎤 Opening Remarks:
Dr. Carmela Daniels (MC)
Eva Forde – Founder, The Social Work Wealth Conference
🎤 Spoken Word by: Kenneth “TJ” Joyner – Social Worker & Artist