Gen Z author and economic educator Kyla Scanlon has built a following of more than one million people across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Substack, drawn to her easy-to-understand way of presenting complex financial topics. We’re excited to have her as the keynote speaker at our free Financial Literacy Month Virtual Conference on April 11. Here are three things you might not know about her.

1. She Coined the Term “Vibecession”

In 2022, Kyla used this phrase to describe the disconnect between economic data and consumer sentiment. Americans felt down about the economy, even though we weren’t in a recession. The vibes, she observed, were off. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

2. She Triple-Majored

Kyla earned a full-ride scholarship to Western Kentucky University and graduated in 2019 with a triple-major in financial management, economics, and business-data analytics. That foundation shows up clearly in how she breaks down complex topics today. (Source: Western Kentucky University)

3. She Was a Top Car Salesperson

A summer internship at a car dealership in Louisville sparked her interest in financial education. She became a top salesperson, selling more than three dozen cars in a few months, but felt uneasy about just how little customers knew about finance. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

Register for Kyla’s keynote session at 10:30am PT / 1:30pm ET on April 11, 2026.

Plus, we’re giving away 200 copies of her New York Times bestselling book In This Economy? How Money and Markets Really Work to lucky session attendees!

About the Author

Hannah Rael

As NGPF's Marketing Communications Manager, Hannah (she/her) helps spread the word about NGPF's mission to improve the financial lives of the next generation of Americans.

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