Meet Dr. Brittany Greene, Self’s New Head of Community

Psst! Guess what? Here at Self there's a new Head of Community – Dr. Brittany Greene. She's stepped into this role to link Self's mission with the diverse voices of our community, our Builders. A speaker, author, and longtime credit coach and financial behavioral strategist, Brittany brings years of experience educating folks on building credit.

In this Q&A, Brittany shares how being denied a job because of her credit shaped her mission, why mindset is key to financial health, and her vision for making credit building more inclusive. Keep reading to learn more about her journey and how she hopes to help the Self community.

1. Tell us about your background—what brought you into the world of personal finance and community building?

My first experience with credit started in college, when I signed up for a credit card in exchange for a free pizza. (Since then, there has been a law enacted around marketing to college students). I would use the credit card during the semester for things I needed, then pay it off when I got my financial aid refund check from the school.

After graduating, I went on to earn my master’s degree while working full-time. I applied for a promotion, but was denied because of my credit score, something I didn’t even realize could impact career opportunities. That moment lit a fire in me, and credit quickly became my passion.

I started learning about credit and sharing information with friends and family. It landed me in a position as a radio host on a small radio show called the Power of Credit Hour, where I would go on-air weekly and talk about credit.

I covered topics like: What is credit? The five factors that make up your FICO® score, and what is a credit report? I talked about all of these things and more in simple language for people who have never had the opportunity to learn about credit.

I've also written and contributed to books on credit and mindset. I've led credit education sessions with college students at over 150 organizations and 16 colleges. I've launched my own courses for college students where the goal was to help them graduate with a 700-plus credit score.

I went back to school, and recently got my Ph.D in Behavioral Sciences. My research was focused on financial literacy and well-being.

All of these experiences have led me here, where I’m able to educate about credit and financial foundations.

2. What motivated you to take on this role? What about Self’s mission gravitated you toward the job?

While I may be new to the team at Self, I'm not new to Self and its products. I've had to build my credit a few times over the years, and my Self account was pivotal to my credit journey.

This role was perfect for me because I've seen what Self has done for my clients over the years, and I've seen what it has done for me. I know that I have all of this wisdom from the customers’ perspective, and I was drawn to the focus on education.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give consumers about improving their finances?

You have to just get started. Improving your finances doesn’t happen overnight, but taking the first step, no matter how small, is the most important advice I can share. That might mean checking your credit report, setting a simple savings goal, or opening a tool like a credit builder loan. The key is momentum. Once you begin, you can build healthier habits over time, and those consistent actions can make a big difference in your financial future.

4. Why do you think hearing other customer stories is important to financial empowerment?

I’m open about my own challenges because storytelling creates connection — it’s about learning from each other, building community, and finding strength in shared experiences. Even our Self logo carries that message: the period isn’t perfectly round, because it’s a nod to the fact that none of us are perfect. And that’s really what financial empowerment is about — embracing imperfection while still taking steps forward together.

5. What are your hopes as Self's Head of Community? What do you hope to achieve?

My hope as Self’s Head of Community is to make credit building more accessible and less intimidating. I want to break down concepts in a way that feels good for people – not overwhelming or complicated – but engaging, relatable, and even fun.

My goal is to have customers feel like, ‘Wow, I get this now. This makes sense.’

6. What’s a personal finance lesson you wish more people knew earlier in life?

I think all the nuances of credit should be taught early because credit can play such a big role in so many life goals. There are a number of things that credit is used for that can make your life a little easier and even more rewarding – whether it's to buy a home, buy a car, start a business, get an apartment, or, in my case, to get a job.

From reporting dates to credit utilization and everything in between, these are the topics to understanding credit. I look forward to helping people tackle topics like this.

7. What kind of Builder are you?

I would say I am a Perspective Builder. I help people see money differently—shifting from stress and survival into clarity and confidence, so they can build wealth without fear or burnout.

I’ve faced a lot, being denied a job because of my credit score, losing jobs, having to rebuild my credit multiple times and becoming an entrepreneur.

I say that to share that I’ve been there, too, and that means I meet Builders where they are. I come with perspective and resilience. Hopefully others can feel inspired to do the same, even when times get tough.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

About the author

A personal finance writer for over 8 years, Jackie Lam covers money management, lending, insurance, investing, and banking, and personal stories. An AFC® accredited financial coach, she is passionate about helping freelance creatives design money systems on irregular income, gain greater awareness of their money narratives, and overcome mental and emotional blocks.

Her work has appeared in publications such as Bankrate, Time's NextAdvisor, CNET, Forbes, Salon.com, and BuzzFeed. She is the 2022 recipient of Money Management International's Financial Literacy and Education in Communities (FLEC) Award, and a two-time Plutus Awards nominee for Best Freelancer in Personal Finance Media. She lives in Los Angeles where she spends her free time swimming, drumming, and daydreaming about stickers.

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