Burke United Way welcomes Johnson as financial coach, resource coordinator

Suzanne Johnson recently joined Burke County United Way’s (BCUW) Financial Empowerment Program as a financial coach and resource coordinator.

Johnson, who is certified with the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors, joined BCUW in March, bringing the program’s certified financial coaching staff to two. Keith Conley has served as a financial coach at BCUW since 2023.

Before joining BCUW, Johnson spent her professional career with Burke County Public Schools, most recently as the career and college promise coordinator and Burke Middle College school counselor. She has also worked with SPARC Programs and Services as a certified family centered treatment practitioner, assisting families navigating trauma and crisis by focusing on holistic wellness and resilience.

Now that BCUW’s Financial Empowerment Program has doubled its staff, it is equipped to serve more community members who want to take control of their finances. The program’s goal is to foster strong financial foundations for individuals and families through personalized coaching and support.

BCUW’s certified financial coaches work one-on-one with clients to assess their full financial picture, build a personalized goal plan, and provide ongoing support to help them stay on track. Coaching services help clients establish safe and affordable banking, improve their credit score, reduce and manage debt, build emergency savings, and gain confidence and clarity in their financial decisions.

Johnson and Conley have also each added the title of resource coordinator as BCUW expands its focus on financial wellness. The goal of this expansion is to equip Burke County employees with financial wellness resources and education that build long-term financial stability.

A Burke native, Johnson brings both local roots and professional experience to her new role. She is a graduate of North Carolina State University and Appalachian State University, and her background as a school counselor and family centered treatment practitioner give her a deep understanding of the challenges facing families across the county.

Johnson lives in Morganton with her husband, Mark, and stays active in the community through her interests in boating, pickleball, and volunteering.

To learn more about BCUW’s Financial Empowerment Program, visit bcuw.org/financial.

— JM