BCUW Welcomes Suzanne Johnson as Financial Coach and Resource Coordinator

Burke County's Financial Empowerment Program now offers two certified financial coaches to serve the community

‍MORGANTON, N.C. — Burke County United Way (BCUW) is pleased to welcome Suzanne Johnson as a Financial Coach and Resource Coordinator with the Financial Empowerment Program. Suzanne joined the team in March 2026, bringing the program's certified financial coaching staff to two. She joins Keith Conley, who has served as a Financial Coach at BCUW since 2023.

Suzanne is a NACCC Certified Financial Counselor™ who works one-on-one with community members to build personalized financial goal plans and provide ongoing support. Before joining BCUW, she spent her career with Burke County Public Schools, most recently as the Career and College Promise Coordinator and Burke Middle College school counselor. She has also worked with SPARC Programs and Services as a certified family centered treatment practitioner, where she assisted families navigating trauma and crisis. In her work with clients, Suzanne employs a strength-based approach, focusing on holistic wellness and resilience. 

With Suzanne joining the program, Burke County United Way's Financial Empowerment Program is now equipped to serve more community members who want to take control of their finances. The program's goal is to foster strong financial foundations for individuals and families through personalized coaching and support. BCUW's certified financial coaches work one-on-one with clients to assess their full financial picture, build a personalized goal plan, and provide ongoing support to help them stay on track. Coaching services help clients establish safe and affordable banking, improve their credit score, reduce and manage debt, build emergency savings, and gain confidence and clarity in their financial decisions.

Suzanne and Keith have also taken on the title of Resource Coordinator as BCUW expands its focus on financial wellness. The goal of this expansion is to equip Burke County employees with financial wellness resources and education that build long-term financial stability.

A native of Burke County, Suzanne brings both local roots and professional experience to her new role. She is a graduate of NC State University and Appalachian State University, and her background as a school counselor and Family Centered Treatment practitioner gives her a deep understanding of the challenges facing families across the county. Suzanne lives in Morganton with her husband, Mark, and stays active in the community through her interests in boating, pickleball, and volunteering.