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)
• SOAR Certified
• Certified Veterans Peer Support Specialist
• Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)
• Illinois State University - B.S. Psych
• Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary - MA
• Coalition For The Homeless, Lead Agency for The Way Home Continuum of Care
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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.