Rosalind M. Simmons
Rosalind Simmons is a Board-Certified Chaplain, Certified Financial Coach, author, and speaker, committed to empowering individuals to achieve financial stability and lasting well-being. With over 20 years of experience spanning finance, psychology, veteran case management, and clinical support, she has developed a distinctive approach that blends strategic financial guidance with compassionate, faith-centered coaching. Rosalind has a proven record of helping unhoused veterans and adults with limited income regain control of their finances, secure stable housing, and build resilience for the future.
As the founder and CEO of the Financial Management Institute (FMI), Rosalind designed programs to prevent homelessness and support adults navigating financial crises, including layoffs, divorce, or unstable income. Through initiatives such as the R.I.S.E. Program and the “3 Keys to Financial Transformation,” she provides practical tools, actionable strategies, and motivational support that transform lives. Her work spans the nation, partnering with churches, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to expand access to financial wellness education for those who might otherwise lack resources.
An accomplished author, Rosalind wrote The Heart of Faith: Your Guide to Resilience and Security, sharing her personal journey from homelessness to becoming a National Board-Certified Chaplain and Certified Financial Coach. Beyond her professional achievements, she is passionate about volunteer work, mentorship, and faith-based financial ministry. In her personal life, Rosalind enjoys skating and takes great joy in positively impacting the lives of others, reflecting her lifelong commitment to service, empowerment, and community transformation.
• Financial Coach Master Trainer (FCMT)
• Illinois State University - B.S. Psych
• Coalition For The Homeless, Lead Agency for The Way Home Continuum of Care
What do you attribute your success to?
After experiencing personal tragedy that upended my life, I channeled my corporate supervisory experience at AT&T and my Master of Divinity into a focused mission: preventing homelessness before it begins. As the founder of the Financial Management Institute, I serve as a financial recovery coach, combining strategic guidance with compassionate support. I focus on empowering women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s with limited income, recognizing that half of the homeless population is over 50—a number projected to triple by 2030. I work nationwide, partnering with churches and community organizations to deliver urgent training on financial stability and the real risks of homelessness. My greatest reward is “touching a life,” as with my first client, who went from homelessness to homeownership in six months and remains in touch years later. As the author of Money for Life: Strategies for Increasing Wealth, I strive to combine my expertise and heart for service to fortify churches as vital community lifelines, demonstrating that from profound loss can emerge a profound force for healing and home.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A friend suggested that I enrolled in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) which is foundational training to become a healthcare chaplain. It is a combination of classroom training and on-call clinical training in a hospital setting. The hands on training was exactly what I needed to identify my true calling. It provided a platform for my spiritual gifts, personal strengths and passion. It has been an invaluable resource for my work with veterans and as a financial coach.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
As a financial coach, training is very important. You are being equipped to impact lives. So learn from the best. Most organizations offer training for estate and retirement planning. However it is equally important to be prepared to help women and families with unstable incomes. This is a growing need due to job loss, divorce and the homeless crisis.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As a Financial Coach and Chaplain, I believe that the biggest challenge to financial coaching is creating partnerships with churches and megachurches to provide financial recovery training. Why is it necessary? This is a critical need because there are thousands of women attending church (37 mega churches in Houston alone) that are struggling to navigate job loss, divorce, unstable income and the risk of homelessness.
Establishing a financial training partnership is challenging because historically churches have not addressed finances within the church. Financial recovery training is outside of the church’s ability to provide. Nevertheless, speaking as a chaplain, taking care of our members is the mission. Providing access to certified Faith-based financial training is a solution to a nation-wide problem.
This is also a great opportunity to demonstrate the gospel message. Training: a) offers dignity, b) allows women to become their own hero c) reduces ongoing requests for assistance d) promotes spiritual health and e) gives members a reason to love and serve.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, compassion and inclusion are extremely important values to me. As a chaplain, I realize that one of the greatest barriers to talking openly about personal finance is shame and fear of judgment. When coaches treat clients with compassion, they realize that they are safe, and are not being judged. Being proficient in culturally inclusivity is equally important. It is absolutely necessary for creating a warm and trusting environment for transparency and growth.
In my personal life, family, courage, and discipline have been the values that have changed my life. Spending time with family keeps me grounded and fills my heart with peace. I have found courage and discipline to be life-changing values. Without courage fear will trap us in stagnation and defeat. But discipline and courage will provide the strategy and ability to move forward, despite fear. Without courage, faith and discipline I would have thrown out the 42-page application for national chaplain certification. By the grace of God, courage and discipline was rewarded. I was offered a position and a seat on the Certification Committee during my oral exam.
