Derek Brainard is a U.S. Navy Veteran, an Accredited Financial Counselor® through the AFCPE®, and Manager of Education Services at the Center for Education and Financial Capability at AccessLex Institute. Since separating from military service, Derek has also worked in both the private financial services sector as a licensed Financial Advisor, and in higher education as financial literacy coordinator at Syracuse University. His financial commentary has been featured on NerdWallet, USA Today, MSN Money, and U.S. News and World Report.