Michael Thomas, Jr. | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

Michael G. Thomas Jr., Ph.D., is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) and a lecturer at the University of Georgia. His research focuses on financial empathy, data visualization’s effects on financial behavior, and the connection between brain function and money. Dr. Thomas’ philosophy on how to effectively interact with money can be summed up in his Ted Talk: Financial Empathy: Understanding the Story Beneath the Numbers.

Utilizing financial empathy as a process for active listening and the creation of client-focused financial recommendations are reflected in two financial literacy and capability programs he helped co-create: Money Dawgs and Discovering Money Solutions.

Dr. Thomas’ life-long goal is to help underserved communities establish, grow, and sustain their wealth utilizing an intra and inter-family wealth creation process.

Current position (1)

Teaching Faculty

The University of Georgia

Degrees (2)

Master's Degree, Family Financial Planning

The University of Georgia

2014 to 2016

Bachelor's Degree, Accounting

LaGrange College

2001 to 2005

Presentations

Presentations (9)

Financial Empathy: Understanding the Story Beneath the Numbers

Dr. Michael Thomas (Ph.D., AFC) unpacks his TED talk on financial empathy in a way that provides a clear understanding of what empathy is, the need for financial empathy, and how to operationalize empathy to improve client relationships and outcomes. Empathy is not a fad or trend that will soon pass. It is the deepest expression of seeing the humanity in the people you serve so that you can create lasting solutions that fit the context of their lives.

Diversity and Inclusion: Empathy or Sympathy?

Dr. Michael Thomas uses the platform of empathy and compassion to illustrate how diversity and inclusion efforts are most effective from a place of empathy - not sympathy. During this talk, Dr. Thomas unpacks the differences between empathy and sympathy, the effects on diversity and inclusion based on these lenses, and how to utilize empathy in your diversity and inclusion efforts effectively. At the end of this session, you will clearly understand why an empathetic approach is better than a sympathetic approach and a model for employing empathy in your workplace.

Maybe It’s the System

Social capital, the relationships people have with formal and informal networks, plays a significant role in how people navigate their lives from day to day. Often overlooked, within these social constructs exist invisible systems that set a precedent for how people behave, feel, and interact with one another. These systems, if not explored, can be the very things that are preventing your clients from achieving their financial goals. In this presentation, Dr. Michael Thomas will unpack systems and social capital theories to help you address your clients' systems to encourage sustainable behavioral change.

Understanding the Impact of Data Visualization on Client Behavior

We live in a world where your clients are being inundated with information. Major alerts, breaking news, and micro distractions are ubiquitous in our everyday lives. None of which is random. Your clients navigate systems carefully designed to nudge and encourage their behavior for attention, time, and money. Have you taken the time to consider the impact that visual cues have on behavior and how you can create information that motivates optimal client behavior? In this session, we will explore data visualization’s motivation on human behavior and how you can use it for good.

Financial Socialization

Financial socialization can happen directly, indirectly, or a combination of both. Our words and actions set the bedrock for our children to know and engage with money. In this presentation, Michael will discuss being more intentional about the financial messages we share with our children.

Self-Compassion and Financial Well-being

Gratitude alone is not enough. It is possible for an individual to have gratitude for what they have but not feel deserving of it. The root causes for these feelings can be many; however, it is difficult to move beyond them without also engaging in self-compassion. In this presentation, Michael will unpack compassion and how it can be used for financial well-being.

Employing Financial Empathy within a Relationship

Financial empathy, anyone? We can all agree that communication is the bedrock of any relationship. Whether or not we are doing it effectively is an entirely different matter - especially when it comes to money. In this presentation, Michael will unpack financial empathy and how to employ it when discussing money.

Social Capital and Collegiate Success

The benefits that come from collegiate success are dependent upon one’s ability to matriculate through to graduation. Academic success is not the only component of this equation. Establishing social capital is equally important. In this presentation, Dr. Thomas will discuss social capital's impact on collegiate success.

Access Does Not Equal Success: Investing in the 21st Century

With the advent of applications of apps like Acorn, Cashapp, Robinhood, Coinbase, and others, individual investing is more accessible than it has ever been before. Greater access, however, does not mean greater individual investor success. In this presentation, Dr. Thomas will discuss the impact of data visualization on individuals and gamification on individual investment behavior.

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Expertise (1)

Financial services