Andrea Caceres-Santamaria, MAEEE Class of 2017, serves as a senior member of the St. Louis Fed’s Economic Education team, where she has contributed to more than 20 lesson plans, research articles, and educational videos. She is especially proud of her work with the Native Economic and Financial Education Empowerment (NEFEE) program, which expands personal finance access in Indigenous communities. She has visited numerous reservations and collaborated with leaders to drive community-focused change through financial education.
Why is this news valuable to educators considering the MAEEE program?
Education builds the foundation for unimaginable opportunities. The MAEEE program helped prepare me for a career I never dreamed was possible.
What did you learn through the MAEEE program that you wouldn’t have learned elsewhere?
Being a student again made me a better teacher. Sitting for exams and studying hard reminded me of what my own students go through—and helped me empathize and grow.
Describe an important connection made through the program.
Meeting Dr. Bonnie Meszaros and Dr. Mary Suiter in 2013 inspired me to pursue MAEEE and set clear goals. Their support—along with encouragement from Dr. Carlos Asarta—led to my dream job at the Fed. I’m forever grateful for every person who saw in me what I couldn’t yet see myself.
Other opportunities provided by the MAEEE program:
Co-authoring behavioral economics lessons with Dr. Bill Bosshardt, teaching more effectively, and publishing widely at the St. Louis Fed.
If you were to describe your classmates in one word:
Enriching. Our experiences—good, challenging, and everything in between—made the program more meaningful.
The MAEEE program helped me become…
An educator to both students and teachers in ways I never imagined.
Advice to future or current MAEEE students:
Make the experience your own. Listen to others—but build your own story. Your path will be unique and valuable.
Anything else you’d like to share?
It’s an honor to now call the people I once admired my colleagues. I’m constantly pinching myself. I’m also the proud mom of two boys, Alex (5) and Adrian (2), who inspire everything I do.