Steve Lear

I have had the pleasure of knowing Dan Hiebert for nearly 20 years, but our collaboration truly deepened in 2022 when I began working with Julie Bunn (Executive Director of the Minnesota Council on Economic Education) on legislation aimed at requiring personal finance classes for high school graduation. Dan is a unique individual with a remarkable blend of personal financial planning expertise, academic rigor, and entrepreneurial experience.

As a kind and patient professional, Dan’s intelligence has evolved into profound wisdom. He excels at convening diverse stakeholders to advocate for a better society, a testament to his commitment to education and community service through his role as a professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato. There, he oversees a program that currently enrolls 150 students, all of whom will be eligible to take the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam upon graduation.

Dan understands that for financial planners to truly serve their clients, they must possess both technical knowledge and emotional intelligence. He is dedicated to imparting this essential understanding to the next generation of financial advisors. I encourage you to pay attention to his work, buy his book, and support his initiatives — they are making a meaningful difference in our industry.

Dan, we are honored to have you as a member of the SteveLear.org community!