From Idea to Stage:
The Journey
Sharing the process, the lessons, and the passion behind spreading financial literacy.
Chasing Big Goals, Sharing The Process
This site is a space to share the process—the wins, the lessons, and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into preparing for a TEDx talk. My hope is that by documenting this experience, I can not only celebrate the opportunity but also inspire others to chase their own big goals. Along the way, you’ll also find links to my broader mission—helping families and kids learn about money through Total Cents.
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY
Meet Tom Henske
Tom Henske has spent over three decades as a leader in the financial industry, helping individuals and families navigate the complex world of planning, insurance, and wealth building. He began his career in 1994 with Cowan Financial Group before launching his own firm, Henske Advisors. In 2003, his firm was acquired by National Financial Partners and merged into Lenox Advisors, where Tom became an equity partner until his retirement in 2020. From there, he shifted his focus fully to life insurance and to building Total Cents, a platform dedicated to financial literacy.
But Tom’s story isn’t just about finance—it’s also about teamwork, grit, and leadership. As a 2x All-American and 3x NCAA Division I Champion goalkeeper at the University of Virginia, Tom helped lead his team to the 1991 national title with a walk-off save in the championship’s penalty kick shootout. That experience shaped his lifelong commitment to coaching others, both on and off the field.
Today, Tom combines his athletic discipline and financial expertise to make financial literacy accessible and practical for the next generation. His mission is to equip children and young adults everywhere with the knowledge and confidence to make sound financial decisions that will serve them throughout their lives.
Tom’s TEDx journey is a natural extension of this mission—sharing his belief that financial education isn’t just about numbers, but about preparing the next generation for life’s biggest opportunities.
want to see the bigger picture?
Learn more about tom’s work in financial literacy.
Learn how advisors around the country are using financial literacy as their cause-marketing effort to not only enhance relationships with current clients, but prospect their future clients using the Total Cents platform.
Tom teaches personal finance to student-athletes across the country—both in the classroom and through Total Cents University, one of the most practical, sport-specific financial education platforms in college athletics.