Vestwell was recently honored to join the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and policymakers at the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland as a member of WEF’s “Unicorns” Innovator Communities. Under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”, the event provided a platform to address some of the most urgent systemic challenges of our time.

I attended the WEF Annual Meeting on behalf of Vestwell, the backbone of the modern American savings economy, to champion creating inclusive, resilient, and future-ready financial systems. Tackling financial insecurity requires not just innovation, but also deep collaboration across sectors and boundaries to build a more empowered and financially secure society.

In line with this mission, I spoke on the panel “An Intelligent Age Requires Generational Economies,” to explore how transforming savings systems can address financial insecurity and create stronger, more resilient communities across generations.

Collaboration for Progress

One of WEF’s central tenets is fostering collaboration across boundaries, and this principle is key to addressing financial insecurity. Bridging the savings gap—a $50 trillion issue in the U.S. alone—and driving systemic change requires partnerships that unite legacy systems with modern innovations, public and private sectors, and local and global efforts.

Modernizing Savings Systems for the Intelligent Age

Outdated savings systems no longer meet the needs of a rapidly changing world. At WEF, the focus on leveraging technology to modernize infrastructure resonates deeply with our mission at Vestwell to simplify savings, remove barriers, and empower individuals to secure their financial futures.

By transforming complex, exclusionary systems into streamlined, adaptable platforms, we can unlock financial opportunities for millions. These advancements are essential not only for individual savers but also for the businesses and governments navigating an increasingly uncertain global landscape.

Vestwell was founded to address this need and has already made significant strides in expanding access to innovative, modern savings for millions of Americans. Led by industry experts, our platform continues to accommodate SECURE Act provisions, making it easier for advisors, employers, and savers to navigate evolving regulations. To reach individuals across all income levels, we have expanded our product offerings to help build short-term and long term financial inclusion. These efforts are helping to break down barriers and make savings solutions more accessible to everyone.

Financial Inclusion: A Shared Responsibility

The savings gap isn’t unique to the U.S. Communities around the world face similar struggles, with underserved populations lacking access to the tools and systems needed to build a secure financial future.

WEF emphasizes the need to address inequality, and our message is clear: financial inclusion must be a cornerstone of a resilient future. Savings systems that fail to serve all demographics risk leaving entire communities behind. At Davos, I advocated for solutions that make savings accessible to everyone, regardless of income, geography, or background.

One of the ways Vestwell has taken action to bridge this gap is as the leading provider of Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) programs, which offer individuals with disabilities a tax-advantaged way to save without jeopardizing essential benefits. These programs, alongside our broader workplace savings solutions, are designed to expand financial access and security for historically underserved populations.

WEF provides a platform to highlight how inclusive systems can bridge generational gaps, ensuring that financial security is not just a privilege but a universal foundation for progress.

Shifting the Global Financial Balance

WEF’s discussions on economic resilience echo Vestwell’s belief that we must move society away from a culture of cheap debt toward one of financial empowerment. Technology is at the heart of this shift, offering a frictionless way to prioritize savings and build long-term security.

Amidst the unique timing of this year’s event, coinciding with the U.S. President's Inauguration, there was much talk about the new administration drumbeat to deglobalization and radical policy shifts. However, regardless of short-term agendas, we must not lose sight of the long-term change impact that can be driven through a financially resilient society. It starts with each individual having access and taking ownership of her or his financial future.

Following Davos, we at Vestwell are calling for a global movement to redefine financial systems. By fostering innovation and shifting societal norms, we can help individuals and communities thrive in the Intelligent Age.

A Call to Action From Davos

WEF 2025 represents a unique opportunity to move from dialogue to action, advancing scalable solutions globally to make financial security a reality for all. By fostering open conversations and sharing innovative ideas, we can transform savings systems worldwide and ensure they work for all—today and for generations to come.

If you’d like to join the conversation, reach out to media@vestwell.com. Together, we can shape a future where financial security is within everyone’s reach.