Joanna Smith-Ramani

Joanna Smith-Ramani is the managing director of the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, where she oversees research, convenings, and strategic initiatives focused on Americans’ financial health and security. In this role, Smith-Ramani leads efforts to address financial challenges facing U.S. households, including the conceptualization and launch of the Expanding Prosperity Impact Collaborative (EPIC), an initiative that accelerates knowledge synthesis and problem-solving across sectors to advance financial security.

With more than 15 years of experience in community development, personal finance, and asset development, Smith-Ramani has designed, tested, and scaled financial service innovations. At Commonwealth, formerly D2D Fund, as senior innovation director, she contributed to the development of solutions such as prize-linked savings, tax-time savings, gamification, and emergency savings products. Smith-Ramani has also led national and state legislative campaigns, resulting in the passage of a federal law and more than 10 state laws expanding access to savings innovations, demonstrating her ability to translate research and innovation into policy change.

Smith-Ramani’s expertise has been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times, National Public Radio, and Fox Cable News. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor of Arts in urban studies from Barnard College, Columbia University. Smith-Ramani serves on nonprofit boards and has participated in leadership development programs. Her career reflects a combination of thought leadership, practical innovation, and public engagement in the fields of financial security and policy innovation.