Renzo Meza has built his career around helping others imagine what’s possible. From teaching bilingual students in Oklahoma to helping Portland-area high schoolers map out their futures, he’s spent years guiding people toward their next steps. Now, as Stakeholder Engagement Director for Treasury’s Upward Oregon, he’s bringing that same approach to communities across the state by connecting Oregonians with savings programs like OregonSaves, Embark, and Oregon ABLE.

What is your professional background and what brought you to this role?

My savings journey and affinity for financial education began when a friend gave me a personal finance book. It inspired me to open a Roth IRA on my 18th birthday and commit to saving each month – a decision that becomes more rewarding with time.

When I learned that Treasury was looking for someone to elevate OregonSaves, an innovative program designed to make retirement savings more accessible, I promptly applied.

Before joining Treasury, I started my career as teacher at Title I Spanish-immersion elementary school in Oklahoma through Teach for America. When I moved to Portland in 2015, I joined Latino Network, where my roles allowed me to help high schoolers hone their leadership skills and map out their education journey. These experiences cemented my commitment to work that makes a positive impact on communities.

How does your time with the Latino Network, working in education access and youth development, shape the way you approach your work here at Treasury and Upward Oregon?

At LatNet, I met many bright, motivated students who felt stuck because they weren’t sure how to navigate the roads ahead. They were looking for clarity and guidance from someone they trusted.

I see a similar need in my work today. Many people want to improve their financial situation but aren’t sure where to begin. That’s where Upward Oregon comes in. We work hard to make saving easy and rewarding for everyone in Oregon. We’re cooking up promising initiatives for 2027. Stay tuned!

You are able to break down language barriers with Oregon’s Spanish-speaking communities. How does that open the conversations?

Speaking Spanish and being able to connect on a cultural level goes a long way. But I’d argue that it’s more important to establish trust. It takes time and entails being honest, mindful, and reliable. With any community, once you have built trust, the door for conversation opens up.

What aspects of your work are you most passionate about?

Getting started is often the hardest part of saving for the future. I started because someone I trusted made it feel simple. I’m grateful that my work lets me use my experience and skills to cultivate financial confidence and make it easy for Oregonians to start saving.

OregonSaves, Embark, and Oregon Able each serve people at different stages of life. Is there a common thread in what people need to hear to take that first step to start saving?

Our savings programs offer a ton of benefits. Pinpointing what ultimately compels someone to start saving is tricky. I pay close attention to what seems to resonate with people and use that to guide the conversation. A couple of points I always try to emphasize are that every penny counts and it’s never too late to start saving.