Sessions & Speakers

Justin is the president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), serving as the foremost advocate and voice for student financial aid issues. In this role, he is the principal liaison between NASFAA members, the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and the media. Dedicated to aiding underserved populations, Justin has committed most of his career to the idea that post-secondary education should be bound only by ambition and effort, not finances or background.   Since starting his career in 2002, Justin has played pivotal roles in administering, interpreting, communicating, and shaping student financial aid policy. His diverse experience includes positions as a director of financial aid, regulatory and policy analyst, and spokesperson, along with senior roles in government relations, communications, and policy development. Recognized for his expertise, Justin is a frequent source for national and trade press, appearing in the most-read newspapers, radio, and TV shows nationwide, including NBC’s The Today Show, National Public Radio, Fox Business News, CNBC, and C-SPAN.   Justin serves on several boards dedicated to advancing health and education. His academic credentials include an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Baker College. Originally from Toledo, OH, he resides with his wife and family in Fairfax, VA. They are proud parents of one college student and two more teens preparing for their postsecondary journeys.

Helen Faith, FAAC®, is the director of student financial aid at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has 22 years of financial aid and higher education experience, and has previously worked at Lane Community College, the University of Western States, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland State University, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. She earned her bachelor's degree in literature at UC Santa Cruz and a master's degree in education: policy, foundations, and administration at Portland State University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has served in a number of elected and volunteer roles at the state, regional, and national level, and is a past president of Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA) and OASFAA (Oregon) . She has served on NASFAA's Board of Directors as WASFAA regional representative and representative-at-large. She has also participated in negotiated rulemaking with the U.S. Department of Education and has collaborated with several higher education associations on financial aid research and analysis projects. Helen is passionate about financial aid and higher education as critical engines for social change with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Kristi Jovell, FAAC®, is assistant vice president of student financial services and enrollment at Middlebury College. She has served as president of the Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (EASFAA) and on NASFAA's Board of Directors as representative-at-large and regional representative. Kristi has been an active leader in professional association activities at the state, regional, and national levels. She has served NASFAA as a member of the Conference Program Task Force (Chair), Financial Affairs Committee, Pell Restoration Working Group, Awards Task Force, Nominations and Elections Committee, and as a conference and webinar presenter. The heart of her service to EASFAA has been through training, as the training and graduate/professional chair for multiple years and architect of EASFAA Leads and the Tuesdays@2 webinar series. Kristi has received Outstanding Volunteer and Committee of the Year awards from EASFAA and the NASFAA Regional Leadership Award. As a first-generation college student and Pell Grant recipient, Kristi is passionate about access to higher education and its ability to change the trajectory of students' lives. She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration/management and master's degree in education from Elmira College.

Beth is the executive vice president of NASFAA. She has worked for the association since 2008, and in the higher education space for more than two decades. She works closely with the President/CEO and NASFAA Board of Directors, and oversees multiple key functional areas at NASFAA, including communications and communities, web, membership services, operations and accounting. In prior positions she has served as a reporter, editor, public relations and media relations strategist and spokesperson, and corporate communications executive. She has served as an appointed board member to the National Association of College Admissions Counselors. Beth earned her undergraduate degree at the College of Charleston and a certificate in nonprofit leadership from Georgetown University; she lives in Washington, DC with her family.

Karen currently works in NASFAA's division of policy and federal relations, providing a financial aid administrator's "on the ground" perspective to federal student aid policy discussions and debates. She began her career in student aid working in the financial aid offices at several large, four-year institutions, including Boston University, Miami University of Ohio, and The Ohio State University. She began work in NASFAA's training department in 1999 before joining NASFAA's policy team in 2010.

Sharon is currently serving as the Associate Vice Chancellor For Enrollment Management & Academic Affairs. She has over 25 years of experience in financial aid. She is a former SASFAA and NCASFAA President and has served as a regional representative on the NASFAA Board of Directors. As a presenter at national, regional, and state conferences, Sharon stays connected and involved. Additionally, in 2021, she served as a presenter for the Department of Education Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Birds of a Feather.

Rachel contributes to NASFAA's policy and advocacy efforts, representing the association before congressional members and staff and working to enhance the advocacy capacity of its members. Prior to joining NASFAA, Rachel worked in higher education policy analysis and research in Washington, D.C., and began her career in higher education as a high school college advisor assisting low-income and first-generation students through the college application and financial aid process.

Helen Faith, FAAC®, is the director of student financial aid at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has 22 years of financial aid and higher education experience, and has previously worked at Lane Community College, the University of Western States, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland State University, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. She earned her bachelor's degree in literature at UC Santa Cruz and a master's degree in education: policy, foundations, and administration at Portland State University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has served in a number of elected and volunteer roles at the state, regional, and national level, and is a past president of Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA) and OASFAA (Oregon) . She has served on NASFAA's Board of Directors as WASFAA regional representative and representative-at-large. She has also participated in negotiated rulemaking with the U.S. Department of Education and has collaborated with several higher education associations on financial aid research and analysis projects. Helen is passionate about financial aid and higher education as critical engines for social change with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.