![Entrepreneurship Seminar January 2026]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1769628274/gunneryorg/ndnoxqv1y1yzvdzyl5qp/IMG_5111.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1769628274/gunneryorg/ndnoxqv1y1yzvdzyl5qp/IMG_5111.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1769628274/gunneryorg/ndnoxqv1y1yzvdzyl5qp/IMG_5111.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1769628274/gunneryorg/ndnoxqv1y1yzvdzyl5qp/IMG_5111.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1769628274/gunneryorg/ndnoxqv1y1yzvdzyl5qp/IMG_5111.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1769628274/gunneryorg/ndnoxqv1y1yzvdzyl5qp/IMG_5111.jpg","width":2200}])
Students in Entrepreneurship Seminar completed a two-day “Adulting 101: Personal Finance” workshop this month, led by guest speakers from the California-based 5 Buckets Foundation. The workshop allowed Highlanders to take a deep dive into understanding their personal relationship with money and level up their financial literacy.
“It was an eye-opening experience that went way beyond just ‘budgeting,’” said Eric Scheidt, Director of Entrepreneurship, who joined the faculty at Gunn this fall.
Scheidt brings to the Entrepreneurship Center 15 years of experience on Wall Street along with start-up savvy and access to his extensive network of business leaders and executives. In addition to expanding the faculty and offerings in Entrepreneurship, he is bringing real-world experience to his students, through guest speakers with backgrounds that range from the entertainment industry to finance, medicine, and law. He was introduced to the 5 Buckets Foundation by his friend, Dan Lufkin, co-founder of investment bank Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.
The nonprofit foundation, which is based in the Bay Area, was started by author Stephen Mayer, who wrote a book, 5 Buckets, 4 Shovels, a Beach and a Map. While the book focuses on Mayer’s financial planning strategy, the goal of the foundation is to increase financial awareness among students.
“Money is the number one source of stress for most Americans across income levels. A lack of financial knowledge can lead to higher rates of poverty, lower employment, and worse health outcomes,” the 5 Buckets Foundation states on its website, noting, “Many young people in particular don’t have the tools they need: 67% of Millennials, for example, have less than three months of emergency savings.”
In Entrepreneurship Seminar, students learned the basics of personal finance from Vicki Terheyden, the foundation’s President and CEO, Pei-Ling Lee, Director of Programs & Partnerships, and Leah Kennedy, Program Coordinator.
“The kids loved it. They loved learning about their mindset with money. It got them very comfortable talking about money. It taught them good ways to be rational with it, how to handle their first paycheck, and how to grow their money,” Scheidt said.
In the coming months, Scheidt expects to see the foundation’s partnerships with other schools, nonprofits, and companies expand and grow, especially on the East Coast. “I’m very grateful to Dan for introducing us to the 5 Buckets Foundation. Whether you're looking to gain confidence in your spending or plan for the future, we cannot recommend this organization enough,” he said.
Photos by: Eric Scheidt, Ali Heck Southworth, and Rachel Duffy
