Leah Collins
Leah Collins

Leah Collins

Financial educator, entrepreneur, and speaker helping students build practical money confidence.

Leah Collins is a financial educator, speaker, and host of the hit financial television show “Maxxed Out”, currently streaming on HBO Max and Discovery+. Her journey started with paying off $40K in debt, raising her credit score to over 800, and purchasing investment properties across the nation, all within 18 months, and she has used her real world experiences to help others build their roadmaps to financial success. Leah’s work today focuses on helping people understand how their financial decisions are shaped by real life—relationships, environment, lifestyle, and the moments where money decisions actually happen. She is currently bringing this work to college campuses through interactive financial preparedness programming designed specifically for students. Leah’s sessions go beyond traditional financial literacy by incorporating storytelling, fun case studies, and real-life decision-making experiences that allow students to actually see the consequences of their choices in real time.

  • Contact Speaker information below

  • 3 Presentations

  • 4 Videos

Contact Info

Email: leah@greekuniversity.org Office: 203-58-GREEK To book Leah for your campus or conference: bookings@greekuniversity.org

Presentations

PRESENTATION: Ballin’ on a Budget: The Real Cost of Greek Life

(For Fraternity & Sorority Members) From formals to tabs to “just Venmo me later,” Greek life can quietly become one of the most expensive experiences in college—and many students don’t realize how fast it adds up until they’re already in debt. In this eye-opening and interactive session, Leah Collins breaks down the real cost of common Greek life decisions, including credit card use, social spending, sports betting, and lifestyle inflation. Through live scenarios, audience polling, and real-life case studies, students will see how small financial habits today can snowball into long-term consequences—or, if handled correctly, become the foundation for financial freedom. This isn’t about restriction—it’s about awareness, control, and making smarter choices without sacrificing the experience. Learning Objectives:

  • Understand how everyday Greek life spending habits (social events, trips, tabs) impact long-term financial health.
  • Identify warning signs of unhealthy financial behaviors like credit card dependency and sports gambling. 3, Learn practical strategies to manage spending while still fully participating in chapter life.
  • Develop a personal “financial decision filter” to guide smarter choices in real time.

PRESENTATION: From NIL to Net Worth: Don’t Blow Your First Bag

(For Student-Athletes) For the first time ever, student-athletes are earning money through NIL deals—but most aren’t prepared for what comes next. Taxes, inconsistent income, pressure from friends and family, and lifestyle creep can quickly turn opportunity into stress. In this high-impact session, Leah Collins walks student-athletes through the realities of managing their income now and in the future—from understanding tax obligations to building a sustainable financial plan. Using relatable athlete scenarios and real-world examples, Leah shows how to turn short-term earnings into long-term wealth, avoid common pitfalls, and build a financial game plan that lasts well beyond college. Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the basics of NIL income, including taxes, savings, and financial obligations.
  • Learn how to budget now and in the future with inconsistent income streams and avoid lifestyle inflation.
  • Identify common financial traps facing student-athletes (peer pressure, bad investments, overspending).
  • Build a simple, sustainable financial plan that supports life after sports.

PRESENTATION: Turn Your Passion Into a Paycheck: Build a Life That Pays You Back

(For All College Students) Leah Collins didn’t just learn financial literacy—she turned it into a career, a brand, and a hit TV show on HBO Max . In this inspiring and practical keynote, Leah shares how students can identify what they care about, build skills around it, and turn that passion into real opportunities. This session goes beyond “follow your dreams” clichés. Students will learn how to test ideas, build a personal brand, leverage their environment (including college and Greek life), and take strategic steps toward a career that aligns with both purpose and income. Through storytelling and actionable exercises, Leah helps students see that passion and practicality don’t have to be opposites—they can be the same path. Learning Objectives:

  • Identify personal interests and strengths that can be developed into career opportunities.
  • Learn how to test and validate ideas before fully committing to a path.
  • Understand how to build a personal brand and create opportunities while still in college.
  • Develop a step-by-step action plan to turn passion into a sustainable income stream.

Videos

Meet Leah Collins!

Leah's TEDx Talk

Featured Video

Featured Video

Photos

Leah Collins