Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Commission Bios
Officers - Voting
Bretta Carithers, Kennesaw State University, Southern Representative
Bretta Carithers has worked in higher education since 2007 and currently serves as the director of processing and scholarships at Kennesaw State University. Bretta began her career in financial aid as an intake specialist at her alma mater in the office of financial aid at the University of South Florida. She has bachelor’s degrees in finance and management and a master’s degree in business administration. She earned her FAAC® designation in January 2024 and has earned 12 NASFAA professional credentials. Bretta is an active member of her state and regional associations of student financial aid administrators, where she has served on committees, presented on special topics, and served as an instructor at the SASFAA New Aid Officer Workshop.
Bretta has a passion for serving and educating students and her community. In her free time, she actively volunteers in the community, engaging with at-risk youth and those facing housing insecurities. Through service and advocacy, Bretta continuously strives to be a source of hope for her community.
Juan "Chico" Dimas, University of Denver, Rocky Mountain Representative
Chico Dimas is a committed financial aid professional who began his career at the University of Denver as a financial aid advisor. He brings a student-centered, culturally responsive approach to his work, helping students navigate the financial aid process with empathy and insight. Chico has actively contributed to the financial aid community through conference presentations at RMASFAA and CAFAA (Colorado), and by developing a DEIB mentorship policy for his institution. As a member of the RMASFAA DEI Committee, he supports diversity efforts across the region. Chico also was a member of NASFAA's DLP Class for 2023-24.
Elizabeth Amador, University of New Mexico, Commission Chair, Southwestern Representative
Elizabeth Jacquez-Amador is the director of student financial aid at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. She holds the FAAC® designation and she has a master's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in organizational leadership. Elizabeth began in financial aid as a work-study student in 2007 and has made a career, working her way through various roles, and overseeing different areas, such as scholarships/funds and student employment. Since 2015, Elizabeth has been actively involved with NMASFAA (New Mexico), SWASFAA (Southwest) and NASFAA. She will be serving as the SWASFAA President in 2025 and was part of the 2021-22 NASFAA Diversity Leadership Program. Outside of the financial aid world, Elizabeth enjoys traveling with her son and husband.
Commissioners
Tayler Kreutter, Mount Holyoke College, Eastern Representative
Tayler Kreutter serves as the associate vice president for enrollment at Mount Holyoke College, where she oversees financial aid, student accounts, and student employment while leading strategic enrollment initiatives across the institution. She currently serves on the NASFAA Board of Directors and recently completed her term as president of the EASFAA. Tayler is passionate about leadership development, access and affordability, operational strategy, and advancing diversity and inclusion within the financial aid profession.
Chad Olson, Iowa State University, Midwest Representative
Chad is the director of student financial aid at Iowa State University. Chad began his financial aid adventure as a graduate assistant at Iowa State over 20 years ago. He has served as MASFAA (Midwest) and IASFAA (Iowa) president and enjoys serving on the Site Committee for both associations. He has been recognized with the MASFAA Meritorious Service Award and the IASFAA John Heisner Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kimber Wellman, California State University, Bakersfield, Western Representative
Kimber Wellman is the scholarship coordinator at California State University, Bakersfield, where she supports student access and success through effective scholarship administration and financial aid services. With experience in higher education since 2006 and in financial aid since 2014, she has a strong foundation in student-centered service, program management, and regulatory compliance. Kimber holds the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® (FAAC®) designation and is committed to upholding the highest standards of the profession. She earned a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, bringing both analytical and strategic perspectives to her work. Throughout her career, Kimber has focused on improving processes, expanding equitable access to financial resources, and enhancing student experience. She remains actively engaged in professional development and is dedicated to advancing excellence and growth within the financial aid community.
Lauren Greider, Indiana University Indianapolis, Commissioner-At-Large
Lauren Greider is executive director of the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at IU Indianapolis, with prior experience at Indiana University Southeast and the University of Louisville. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in higher education administration from the University of Louisville. Lauren holds all 17 NASFAA Professional Credentials and was part of the inaugural cohort of FAACs in May 2019. Lauren has been actively engaged in professional service, including roles with MASFAA and ISFAA. Her past service includes serving as association president, as well as the Nominations & Elections Committee, Training Committee, Delegate At-Large, and chairing the Long-Range Site Committee. She is also a participant in NASFAA’s inaugural Executive Leadership Collective. Lauren is passionate about fostering collaboration, advancing professional development, and promoting inclusive practices within the financial aid community, while maintaining a strong commitment to student service and regulatory compliance.
Public Representative
Adrienne Sutton, IOM, Limitless Association Solution Resource, Public Representative
With decades of experience in association management and leadership, Adrienne specializes in credentialing, professional development, and operational strategy. Her background includes leading roles at NBSTSA and Partners in Association Management, where she advanced national credentialing initiatives and launched education foundations. As COO and Chairman of Limitless Association Solution Resource, she helps organizations build high-impact certification programs – from concept to accreditation –helping associations drive relevance, value, and growth through smart strategy and streamlined execution. Adrienne currently also serves as Public Member for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.
Officers - Nonvoting
Dana Kelly, NASFAA, Fiscal Officer (nonvoting member)
Dana has over 20 years of experience working in the higher education community and has been active in multiple state and regional associations. She is a former president of NCASFAA and has been an active member of SASFAA. Prior to joining NASFAA, Dana served as the director of financial planning at High Point University in North Carolina for 12 years. She has also worked on both the lender and servicer side of student aid, most recently for Nelnet. She received her bachelor's degree from Guilford College and she holds a master's degree in public administration and a master's degree in organizational management. Dana has daughter, Sloane. She is by far her greatest accomplishment.
Susan Shogren, NASFAA, Director of Certification and Credentialing (nonvoting member)
Susan Shogren is the director of certification and credentialing for NASFAA. Her passion is helping financial aid professionals gain the recognition they deserve for the work they do supporting the dreams and aspirations of college students across the country. Susan has worked in financial aid for over 30 years, including at the University of Portland and the University of Maine. Prior to joining NASFAA, she provided Title IV regulatory compliance training to schools across the country on behalf of NELA and USA Funds. She has been recognized for her contributions over the years by both the Oregon Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA) and the Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA).
Susan graduated from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and holds the Association for Talent Development's Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) certification, as well as the Certified Credentialing Professional (ICE-CCP) certification from the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. She works remotely from Portland, Oregon.
