Last month, Stephanie Swetland celebrated 27 years with Treasury. Stephanie has helped thousands of Oregonians navigate education savings, disability planning, and major financial decisions. Her depth of experience and dedication has made her one of the most knowledgeable 529 and ABLE practitioners in the country. Today, Stephanie continues to ensure Upward Oregon’s customers receive exceptional service, stepping in to handle the most complex situations with expertise and care.
What is your professional background and what brought you to this role?
Before moving to Oregon, I worked at the Idaho Industrial Commission in the Legal Department, supporting attorneys who presided over workers’ compensation and unemployment benefits cases.
My husband and I moved to Oregon in 1989 after our first son was born. I worked briefly for ODOT before starting my own part-time housecleaning business after our second son arrived. With my husband traveling frequently, I needed flexibility to be there for our boys.
Once both kids were in school, I joined Treasury’s Debt Management Division in 1999 as a part-time employee. In 2003, I transitioned to executive assistant for what is now Upward Oregon, and I’ve grown with this division as I’ve moved through several roles to where I am today – Plan Specialist.
What aspects of your work are you most passionate about?
I love helping people understand how our savings plans can truly benefit them. I serve as the bridge between plan participants and our program administrator, resolving issues and cutting through confusion.
For ABLE participants especially, I work to provide clarity around a complex program and advocate for enhancements that make it more user-friendly.
When I can help someone understand their options and feel confident about their financial decisions, that’s when this work feels most meaningful.
What do you wish more Oregonians understood about Embark savings plans or ABLE accounts?
Simply that these plans exist and are designed specifically for you. They are practical, accessible tools that can help meet the diverse needs of many. Embark plans are sound investments for education expenses and ABLE accounts can provide a path to financial independence and security for those with disabilities. More people could benefit if they knew these options were here.
You’ve helped countless Oregon families plan for college, disability expenses, and major life milestones. How has your work shaped the way you think about financial planning and security?
I have learned so much working with our plans! The knowledge I’ve gained has empowered me to make smarter investment choices for my retirement through the Oregon Savings Growth Plan (a voluntary deferred compensation plan for state of Oregon public employees), and it’s opened my eyes to other financial planning steps I need to take.
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