About Neale

Neale Godfrey

Neale S. Godfrey is an acknowledged expert on family and children's finances. She has been in the financial field for over 30 years. She began her career as one of the first female executives at The Chase Manhattan Bank. She then became the President of The First Women's Bank and founder of The First Children's Bank. That started the conversation about children and money in the United States.

Neale formed Children's Financial Network, Inc to promote the mission of education for children and their parents. She has authored 16 books dealing with money, life skills and values.

Neale's first adult book, MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES: A PARENT'S GUIDE TO RAISING FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CHILDREN became #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List. Her latest book, released in March 2007, is LIFE, Inc.: THE ULTIMATE CAREER GUIDE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

In addition to her books, Neale has developed THE ONE AND ONLY COMMON SENSE/CENTS SERIES, the first money curriculum for Grades 1 to 8 along with a CD-ROM, MONEY TOWN, for children from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Neale is a dedicated and serious advocate for women. Her books and programs aim to empower women to take charge of their financial lives. She has two books for women, MAKING CHANGE and MOM, INC.: TAKING YOUR WORK SKILLS HOME. She frequently speaks on the subject to groups focusing on assistance to women as well as supporting the education of their children. Presently, she is on the board of directors of UNIFEM (United Nations Agency for International Women's Rights) and has held successful fundraisers for them.

Neale is available to corporations both domestic and international to make keynote presentations, conduct seminars, and act as a spokesperson. She has been a speaker for Merrill Lynch, Paine Webber, AIG, AG Edwards, Fleet and New York Life. She has served as national spokesperson for Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Fidelity Bank, Quaker Oats, UPS, AIG, Proctor & Gamble and Nuveen. Recently, she has been selected as spokesperson for AOL Cash Card. She is a financial literacy advocate for the American Bankers Association.

Neale appears often on radio and television on such shows as Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, Today Show, CNBC, NBC, CNN and CNN-fin.

She has been awarded "Woman of the Year," "Banker of the Year," and "Child Advocate of the Year." She has served on a White House Task Force and a Governor's Task Force as well as the board of directors of The New York Board of Trade, UNICEF, University of Charleston, and YPO (Young President's Organization). Presently, in addition to her work with UNIFEM, she is on the board of directors of the Morris County New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Advisory Board of Girls, Inc. Neale frequently answers questions regarding financial matters. For answers to previously submitted requests see "Ask Neale." You may submit a question if you can't find an answer by clicking on "Contact us."