Meet Our Financial Coaches
Debbie Brown
Senior Credit Coach & VITA Site Coordinator
Biography
With over 25 years of professional experience in banking, lending, credit coaching, and financial consulting, Debbie serves as a trusted advocate for individuals and families navigating financial challenges. Her approach emphasizes building rapport and creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients can work through emotions and focus on improvement. As a loving grandmother, she brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to help clients achieve financial stability and opportunity.
Availability & Scheduling
- Video or phone appointments: Tuesday–Friday
- In-person consultations: Fridays at Novato headquarters
- Urgent needs: Email support available outside regulars hours
Contact Debbie
Debbie specializes in helping clients establish or re-establish good credit through confidential personalized, one-on-one coaching sessions. Her comprehensive approach includes:
- Credit-monitoring setup
- Error-dispute resolution
- Credit education and score-improvement strategies
- Credit-rights advocacy
- Assists clients with setting up Credit Karma accounts
- Expert support filing disputes for inaccuracies on credit reports
- Educates clients on their rights under credit laws (e.g., Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Understanding that financial challenges often overlap, Debbie offers holistic support by linking clients to key community resources, including:
- CalFresh program enrollment
- Public benefits navigation and application assistance
- Food resource connections throughout Marin County
- 211 referral services for additional community support
- Coordinated approach to addressing housing, employment, and other basic needs
Arturo Alvarez
Bilingual (Spanish) Financial Coach & Behavioral Support Specialist
Biography
As a passionate financial coach and father of three, Arturo brings comprehensive training including certifications in Family-Centered Coaching, Credit as an Asset, Advanced Financial Coaching Skills, Community Health Work, Financial Coaching for People with Disabilities, Project Management, and Radical Transformation Leadership. His coaching philosophy is rooted in empathy, understanding, and a non-judgmental approach. He believes resilience is key to overcoming life’s barriers and leverages his experience working with diverse backgrounds to build strong relationships and keep clients motivated toward their goals.
Availability & Scheduling
- Video or phone appointments: Monday–Friday
- In-person consultations: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Thursdays as needed) at Novato headquarters
- Urgent needs: Email and phone support available outside regular hours
Contact Arturo
Arturo supports people to make financial decisions based on their values and beliefs, with a core focus on inspiring individuals to pay themselves first when building budgets. He coaches individuals to:
- Establish or improve their credit to reach financial goals efficiently
- Utilize culturally relevant techniques to educate on finances
- Successfully spark interest in budgeting and improving savings
Understanding that financial challenges often overlap, Arturo offers holistic support by linking clients to key community resources, including:
- Public benefits navigation and application assistance
- Food resource connections throughout Marin County
- 211 referral services for additional community support
- Coordinated approach to addressing housing, employment, and other basic needs