Nyla Maharaj is a proud Bermudian-Canadian making her way in the finance industry. After completing her academic and professional development in Toronto, she recently returned home to contribute to Bermuda’s economy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a Finance to FinTech certification, and is currently preparing for the CFA Level I exam. As a member of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP), Nyla has engaged with a dynamic network that has positively shaped her career path. She brings that same energy and support from the CAUFP to her work in Bermuda. Nyla’s passion for financial literacy is rooted in her own experience. Growing up, she often heard “save your pennies,” but discussions around investing, debt management, and wealth- building were rare. She believes this lack of access to practical financial knowledge is  systemic issue, especially for minorities. Nyla urges that we address this disparity and recognise that financial literacy is not an exclusive skill—it’s a necessity for everyone. She also advocates for it to be an academic requirement because the future is now. Nyla hopes this summit will help shift the narrative from “the rich get richer” to “the aware acquire more,” believing that learning empowers and everyone deserves the tools to build a secure and prosperous life.