Financial Counselor – Financial Empowerment Center

Stephanie Portal is a certified Financial Counselor for the Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), which is a collaboration between Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP), the City of Gaithersburg, and the Cities for Financial Empowerment that launched in January 2022.

Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center | Gaithersburg, MD (gaithersburgmd.gov)

Through the FEC, Stephanie helps improve the financial stability of low- and moderate-income residents of the City of Gaithersburg by providing them with high-quality, one-on-one financial education and coaching. Counseling services are available free of charge regardless of income or age. Everyone’s financial goals are different, and Stephanie works to create a plan that will help clients meet their unique goals and needs.

Stephanie joined HIP in September 2024 and brings a wealth of skills from her previous experiences in the accounting and sales sectors, including her work with Metropolitan Accounting Services where she managed more than 20 business accounts. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from University of Maryland, and is fluent in Spanish and English, with proficiency in French.

Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys learning about new cultures through travel and the unique flavors of their local cuisines, and spending quality time with her family.

She can be reached in the Gaithersburg office by appointment, and at 240-454-3522, or by email.