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As Beyond Finance’s Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer, Yolanda oversees corporate communications (internal and external), public affairs and government relations. In addition to supervising her team, Yolanda manages lobbyists in crucial states to shape policymakers’ education for the organization and the debt consolidation services industry.
During her leadership on the executive team, Beyond Finance has grown its internal outreach from 400 employees to more than 2,000 across 49 states. Externally, her focus has been telling the story of a new brand in a niche market, which has now grown into one of the country's largest and most influential debt consolidation organizations.
Beyond Finance’s media and public information campaigns educate the public and policymakers about how this industry should serve clients more holistically. Beyond Finance is the only company moving people beyond debt to offer free group financial therapy to those enrolled in their customized debt program. Moreover, Beyond Finance has worked with the psychoanalyst who coined the term “Acute Financial Stress” to help media, policymakers and clients understand the mental health and physical debilitations that become part of “financial PTSD” triggers.
The debt consolidation services industry is regulated at the federal and state levels and constantly seeks to promote sound policy. Sometimes, these efforts include managing accessed information and, occasionally, misinformation with policymakers and regulators. Yolanda works with lobbyists in critical states and Congress to develop strategies that protect consumer rights governing access to debt solutions they may not otherwise understand or leverage.
Most recently, she has been instrumental in helping to stave off potentially restrictive legislation in debt consolidation services and programs for North Carolina consumers. She has also helped with vigorous efforts to transform potentially harmful policies in California. In states such as New York and New Jersey, Yolanda has been part of a nationwide team to initiate favorable industry legislation by introducing a model bill.
Yolanda makes it a priority to serve others beyond her pivotal role at Beyond Finance. She serves on the American Association of Debt Resolution board, one of the industry’s leading trade associations (formerly known as the American Fair Credit Council). She is also regarded for her commitment to important causes. She serves on the boards of two nonprofits: Women of Debt Relief, which brings women in the financial services industry together to provide opportunities to grow personally and professionally, and Mentoring Brother2Brother, which provides mentoring to at-risk African American male youth.
She is a proud and active Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. member and has a ministry where she mentors women of all ages to live their best lives.
Nomination Title: Yolanda Schufford | Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer
