Meet the Team

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.

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Jerry Basford, Ph.D. (he, him) has had a passion for helping others with their finances since he was an undergraduate student at Colorado Mesa University where he volunteered in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. After graduating WITH A B.A. in Business Administration, he completed his master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver and a Ph.D. from Walden University in Applied Management and Decision Science. 

Dr. Basford came to the University of Utah in 1998 as a Senior Finance Analyst where he worked for almost five years before moving to Student Affairs. In 2001 he started teaching FINAN 1200, a personal finance class for undergraduate students. He is still teaching that class 25 year later. He has also taught FCS 3450, a class for upper division undergraduates as well as Continuing Education classes called Finance for Non-Financial Managers and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers. 

Dr. Basford created the Financial Wellness Center on campus and led that organization for over ten years. He has a passion about helping others gain their full potential as a complete person and believes finances are an important part of a person’s wellness. 

He is currently the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Finance and Operations. Outside his professional role he enjoys fishing, reading, watching sports, and spending time with his family and affectionate dog, Iggy. 

Beth Hunsaker, M.S., CFP®, AFC® (she/her), serves as one of the Associate Directors of the Financial Wellness Center, where she combines technical expertise and overall financial wellbeing. Since earning her graduate degree from the University of Utah and beginning her teaching career in 2005, Beth has helped students and her clients build healthy financial habits that support their broader life goals. She is both a Certified Financial Planner® professional and an Accredited Financial Counselor® and regularly presents on financial wellness at state and national conferences.

Beth views financial wellness as inseparable from emotional, social, and physical wellness and encourages others to make financial choices that align with who they are and what they value. 

She is a proud mom of three future Utes and one spoiled dog, Jimmy, and can often be found reading, gardening or planning her next travel adventure.

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Elsa Osborne (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.

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Elisa (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.

Liam (he/him) is a senior at the University of Utah, majoring in economics and minoring in financial planning. He was born and raised in Park City, Utah. Liam enjoys learning how economic policy impacts his community and teaching others financial literacy, which he believes is a lifelong, invaluable skill. His passion for personal finance started from listening to financial podcasts, reading books, and applying those lessons—ultimately improving his own finances and reducing stress.

He hopes to become a financial planner and is currently preparing for the CFP exam. In his free time, Liam enjoys skiing, hiking, playing basketball, and meeting new people to help them feel confident and empowered in their finances.

Jade (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.

Gilda (She/Her) earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Nevada State University but has found her true passion in student advocacy and support. She is now pursuing an M.Ed. in Education Leadership and Policy with an emphasis in Student Affairs at the University of Utah. She is now serving as the new Graduate Assistant at the FWC. As a first-generation college graduate with experience in leadership, mentorship, and community engagement, Gilda is committed to creating inclusive spaces where students feel empowered in their financial and educational journeys. 

Zhiting (She/Her) is a first-generation undergraduate at the University of Utah. She is passionate about supporting students with financial wellness, especially with scholarships and financial aid. Having faced challenges with healthcare costs, insurance, and paying for school herself, Zhiting is dedicated to empowering peers to manage their finances. As a First-Generation Mentor, she connects students to resources and encourages them to explore opportunities to fund their education and succeed.

Chloe (she/her) is a freshman at the University of Utah majoring in Writing and Rhetoric Studies. As a Student Admin at the Financial Wellness Center, she’s excited to support students with questions and create a welcoming space (with coffee, too). Chloe plans to pursue law after graduation but mostly just loves learning. Beginning her own financial wellness journey, she sees it as a balance of knowledge and growth. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gaming, and good conversations. She looks forward to meeting you!

Lauren (She/Her) is a senior at the University of Utah. She is pursuing a double major in Mathematics and Financial Counseling & Planning. She is also an AFC candidate and is looking forward to tackling this new challenge. Lauren has been with the FWC for one year, and her favorite part of this journey has been participating in the VITA tax clinics during tax season. She decided to pursue a path in personal finance after seeing the dramatic impact that personal finance education has had in her own life. She hopes to continue to educate and impact students at the Utah through personal finance education. Lauren believes that taking charge of one's financial journey is one of the best and most empowering things a person can do, and she can't wait to share that with all of you!

Leonardo (He/Him) is a sophomore at the University of Utah, studying Finance and Information Systems at the David Eccles School of Business. He enjoys all types of games—video, card, and board games—and is always willing to try something new, even if it means losing. Leonardo values spending time with others and helping however he can. He loves to learn and use his knowledge to support those around him. If you see him in the office or on campus, feel free to say hello—he’s always happy to connect and lend a hand whenever possible.

Dulce (She/Her) is a senior at the University of Utah majoring in Accounting with a minor in Entrepreneurship. In addition to her roles as a Presidential Intern with the Financial Wellness Center and Marriott Student Ambassador, she is deeply involved with Doman Innovation Studios, the J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute, First Ascent Scholars, and the Eccles School of Business. She is passionate about uplifting marginalized communities and building spaces of connection. Outside of academics, Dulce enjoys traveling, baking, and exploring new places.

Kelani (she/her) is a sophomore at the University of Utah, majoring in finance. Originally from Taiwan, she has lived in Utah for the past 16 years. Outside of academics, Kelani enjoys traveling, exploring culinary experiences, photography, and watching shows. She is enthusiastic about her role as a Peer Wellbeing Ambassador at the Financial Wellness Center and looks forward to growing in the position while learning how to better support her peers.

Zoey (she/her)  recently joined the team as a Student Admin and is excited to begin this new chapter. She is pursuing a major in Communication with an emphasis in Strategic Communication, where she has developed a strong interest in how effective messaging and connection can make a difference in people’s lives. Zoey is passionate about helping others and is eager to use her communication skills to support the team’s mission and growth. She looks forward to learning from her peers and gaining valuable experience in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Ky (He, Him)  is a new Peer Educator at the Financial Wellness Center. He is a senior pursuing a double major in Financial Planning & Counseling and Psychology. He is interested in how behavior and mental health influence spending habits and personal finance. By combining these two fields of study, he hopes to improve the financial well-being of others and alleviate financial stress among his fellow students. Ky plans to pursue a career in financial planning and is currently preparing for the CFP exam. Outside of campus, he enjoys playing bass guitar in his band, snowboarding at Brighton, camping, and hiking.

Rubi Coria (She/Her) originally from Ogden, Utah, earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Southern Utah University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership & Policy from the University of Utah. She now serves as the Associate Director for the Financial Wellness Center at the University of Utah, where she enjoys helping students feel more confident and supported in their financial lives.

In her role, Rubi hopes to help students build a strong financial foundation and feel confident throughout their college experience. As an underrepresented student herself, she understands the barriers many students face and is dedicated to creating accessible, student-centered resources that help them thrive academically, personally, and financially.

Rubi is passionate about advancing her career in Student Affairs and remains committed to advocating for underrepresented students as they navigate their higher education journeys.

Outside of work, Rubi enjoys reading, baking, crocheting, running, and relaxing with her favorite shows.

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Joshua (he/him) is a new Peer Mentor at the Financial Wellness Center. He is pursuing a double major in Financial Counseling & Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in Music, with percussion as his primary instrument. Although these two degrees may seem unrelated, Joshua has discovered many similarities between them. He has a deep passion for helping people achieve their financial goals and live the lives they aspire to. Growing up in an immigrant family, experiencing entrepreneurial ventures, and witnessing firsthand the importance of money for individuals and families have all shaped his unique perspective on financial well-being. Joshua looks forward to being part of the team and learning from such a talented group of people.