As Senior Manager of Incubation Research at Filene, Bella oversees research supporting credit unions' efforts to expand financial access and cultivate community well-being. Driven by the principle that innovation should catalyze positive social change, she bridges the gap between complex research and strategic action, empowering credit union leaders to make informed decisions that drive meaningful results.
Bella's research background includes work in academic and applied settings, focusing on areas like human behavior, sleep, and mental health. Drawing on a decade of research experience at institutions like Stanford, Brown, and UT Southwestern, her interdisciplinary approach brings a valuable perspective to the financial services and wellness space. Driven by a desire to see her research applied in the real world, she shifted her focus from academia to user experience research, working with startups and eventually becoming a design researcher for Blue Cross Blue Shield’s innovation lab. Through her work in healthcare innovation, Bella honed her ability to translate complex insights into effective solutions. Seeking a role where she could directly apply her knowledge to address real-world needs and contribute to community wellness, Bella found a natural alignment with Filene's cooperative ethos and people-centered approach, as it mirrored her dedication to creating solutions where profit serves people, not the other way around.
Bella holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Texas and a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from the University of Southern California. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys yoga, making music, community advocacy, and lively discussions on topics ranging from the implications of time-space compression to the genius behind K-Pop marketing strategy.
