Connie Laguna is the President & CEO of the Center for Financial Training, International also known as CFT. CFT is the educational arm of the American Bankers Association. CFT International is housed at Miami Dade College and is a national non-profit 501©3 organization that is dedicated to providing training and education to financial services professionals, precareer students and the community at large. CFT is dedicated to promoting financial services education, workforce development, financial management and financial literacy. CFT is very focused on assisting minority students that are from low to moderate-income areas explore the world of banking and financial services.

Connie joined CFT in March of 1982. She is a member of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools' Academy of Finance Executive Board. She sits on The Beacon Council, One Community One Goal, Banking and Finance Committee, and is an Executive Committee member for the CFT national board. She is a board member for the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and also sits on the Women Society Board. She is also a member of the Great Miami Chamber of Commerce, Banking & Finance Committee and the Florida Bankers Association. Connie regularly speaks on financial awareness and the role of financial management in our schools and communities. Connie's focus is to help students explore next steps to meet their individual, professional and business goals. She helps grow and develop those that are interested in finding opportunities in the industry.

Connie has lived in Miami for the past 58 years and has been active in numerous community development and professional groups throughout the U.S. and Internationally. Connie has undertaken extensive outreach and research initiatives within our community relative to workforce development, financial education/health, and early college and work based opportunities for our youth.