Meet our Staff

Gabrielle McAllaster, Ph.D., AFC®

Director

Gabrielle McAllaster, Ph.D. (she, her), is a scholar-practitioner and an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) from Denver, Colorado. She completed her M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs in Colorado, and her Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in higher education at Rowan University. Her academic journey is complemented by a professional background spanning various facets of higher education.  As the Director for The Financial Wellness Center at the University of Utah, Dr. McAllaster brings a holistic approach to financial education and wellness. With her commitment to supporting students on their unique financial journeys, she combines her passion for financial well-being with her expertise in higher education. She strongly holds the belief that financial well-being is a fundamental component of overall well-being. As such, it is her commitment to support each of our students on their unique financial journeys, helping them navigate the path to financial wellness. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her family and beloved dogs.

Contact: gmcallaster@sa.utah.edu

Beth Hunsaker, M.S., AFC®

Associate Director

Beth Hunsaker (she, her) is the Associate Director of the Financial Wellness Center. Teaching people about financial wellness through small and consistent habits has been one of Beth's goals since she began teaching personal finance in 2005 for the department of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah after earning her graduate degree from the U. Beth has earned her Accredited Financial Counseling (AFC) and has presented on the topics of financial wellness at state and national conferences.

Beth views financial wellness as just part of the equation when it comes to overall wellness and believes that all areas of the person are important to consider when making financial decisions.

Beth loves being a mom to three amazing future Utes and one spoiled dog, Jimmy. She loves to read, garden and watch cheesy zombie movies.

Contact: bhunsaker@sa.utah.edu

Elsa Osborne, H.B.S, AFC®

Program Coordinator

Elsa (she/her) is the Program Coordinator at the Financial Wellness Center and an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®). She holds a degree in Health, Society & Policy with a minor in Sociology from the University of Utah. Elsa is passionate about providing holistic financial wellness education tailored to the needs of college students, focusing on empowering them to manage their finances in ways that enhance their overall well-being.

With a strong belief in the connection between financial health and personal wellness, Elsa helps students create spending plans, save with high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs), identify their financial values, set goals, and implement intentional behavior changes. Her goal is to promote both individual and community-level well-being through thoughtful financial education and counseling.

In her free time, Elsa enjoys practicing yoga, singing, staying active through climbing and exercise, and always seeks opportunities to learn new things. She is also affiliated with the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education® (AFCPE®), the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance (HEFWA), and ACPA—College Student Educators International.

Contact: eosborne@sa.utah.edu

Alex Lewis, AFC Candidate

Peer Mentor

Alex Lewis (he, him) is a fourth-year student at the University of Utah, where he is pursuing a double major in accounting and financial planning and counseling. Originating from Ogden, Utah, Alex holds a deep appreciation for outdoor activities, with a special interest in mountain biking and camping. In his free time, he enjoys playing instruments, learning Spanish, gardening, and growing houseplants. Alex is preparing to become a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Financial Counselor. He is involved in the Financial Planning student club and the Financial Planning Association. For Alex, learning how to manage money is more than a skill – it's a source of satisfaction and fulfillment. He is genuinely excited about helping fellow students on their journey of financial empowerment.

Elisa Gott

Peer Mentor

Elisa Gott (she, her) is an undergraduate student majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. She was born and raised in Argentina and moved to the U.S. in her early twenties. She believes that knowledge is the biggest resource we have to improve our lives, and loves sharing principles and experiences that have benefited her life. She is committed to keep learning and growing her own understanding to better serve her community. When she is not in school or doing homework, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She believes that the best place to rejuvenate is outside, on a hike, camping or in your own backyard surrounded by nature.

Evelyn Ezikwelu

Graduate Assistant

Evelyn Ezikwelu (she/her) is a Ph.D. candidate in Education, Culture, and Society at the University of Utah's College of Education. With a background in education, public health, statistics, and project management, she approaches her research from an interdisciplinary perspective. Evelyn specializes in multi-methodology research, utilizing quantitative, mixed-methods, and qualitative techniques to examine the complexities of social relationships and their impact on well-being. Recognizing the critical role that financial wellness plays in overall well-being, her work aligns closely with the mission of the Financial Wellness Center (FWC).

Jade Ramirez-Barraza, AFC Candidate

Peer Mentor

Jade Ramirez-Barraza (she, her) is an undergraduate student double majoring in Economics and Linguistics with an emphasis in Computational Linguistics. She enjoys learning about economic models and language learning models in her respective majors and tries to complement them with her programming skills. Outside of school, Jade likes playing video games, reading, and traveling. She says her best purchase of the summer was her Nintendo switch. She got into personal finance through her parents who she watched navigate their own finances through the help of self-help books, and in her own transition to adulthood she continues to educate herself on the topic. After volunteering to prepare taxes for lower income communities Jade realized the power of financial education, and guiding others to the resources available to them. She sees financial wellness as a skill people develop and refine, and also believes it’s important to examine finances in the context of a person’s values and community.

Keagan Karstens

Peer Mentor

Keagan Karstens (he, him) is a senior at the University of Utah pursuing a degree in finance. He has a passion for personal finance and loves to teach others how to manage their wealth. He believes that financial literacy is one of the most invaluable skills an individual can have, as it is not only good for the wallet, but the mind too. His favorite part of it is creating a sense of mindfulness, so that we can put more energy into other aspects of our lives. For him those are hobbies such as skiing, fishing, and cooking. Born in Chicago, he moved to Salt Lake City to pursue freestyle skiing. He is a dedicated skier, and loves to spend time on the mountain riding and filming with his friends. He understands how important a healthy life balance is and has ventured into the world of financial wellness, believing that it is the source of freedom, and is passionate in helping others get there.

Lucy Christensen

Student Advocate

Lucy Christensen (she, her) is a second-year student at the U and is studying international studies with a minor in business. Following much introspection, she has decided to continue her educational journey by going to law school. She plans to pursue a career through the mediation of foreign affairs. She has traveled to 27 countries and hopes to study abroad during her college experience. With a background in nonprofit marketing, Lucy serves as the student advocate and marketing student at the Financial Wellness Center. She loves using tools like Canva Pro for projects and promoting financial education among her peers.