AAFCS Announces Keynote Speaker for the 2026 Annual Conference
Alexandria, VA. – December 04, 2025, The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) announces that its keynote speaker for the 2026 AAFCS Annual Conference will be Susan Weinstock, CEO of the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).
Susan Weinstock is the CEO of the Consumer Federation of America. Previously, she was vice president of financial resilience programming at AARP, responsible for the overall strategic direction of AARP programs and education competencies to improve the financial security of persons age 50 and older.
Prior to AARP, Susan worked at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. As the director of the office of consumer policy, she focused on emerging trends and the growing use of technology and data in the provision of consumer financial products and services.
Previously, she directed The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Consumer Banking Project, which advocates for policies that protect American consumers and their money. As the lead on Pew’s efforts to improve the safety and transparency of consumer banking products, she directed a team of researchers who identified current practices and consumer needs to inform and promote policy solutions.
Prior to Pew, Susan was the financial reform campaign director at the Consumer Federation of America, leading media, coalition, public education, and grassroots efforts to promote consumer financial protection in the Dodd-Frank Act. She has more than 20 years of advocacy, communications, research, grassroots and legislative experience working to protect consumers.
“Consumer Federation of America is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education. AAFCS elevates Family and Consumer Sciences by inspiring research, leadership, and service to empower individuals, families and communities. Through this collaboration, AAFCS looks forward to gaining insight into emerging consumer needs and challenges and to seek opportunities to collaborate with CFA,” stated Karin Athanas, Executive Director of the AAFCS.
About AAFCS:
The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, founded in 1909, is the only professional association dedicated to Family and Consumer Sciences students and professionals who represent multiple practice settings and content areas. For 114 years, AAFCS has focused its mission on providing leadership and support for professionals whose work assists individuals, families, and communities in making more informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. Through research, experiential education, and technology, our members help people develop the essential knowledge and skills to lead better lives, be work and career ready, build strong families, and make meaningful contributions to our communities.
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Family and consumer sciences or FCS is the field of study focused on the science and the art of living and working well in our complex world. The field represents many areas, including human development, personal and family finance, housing and interior design, food science, nutrition, and wellness, textiles and apparel, and consumer issues.