National Alliance on Student Loan Debt
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About National Alliance on Student Loan Debt
National Alliance on Student Loan Debt (NASLD) exists to educate and support student borrowers across multiple socioecultural demographics who have been taken advantage of by predatory colleges, universities, training programs, private/federal lenders, and loan servicers.
Here at NASLD, we see the value in everyone. We want to be a catalyst for positive change, and since our beginnings in 2023, we’ve been driven by the same ideas we initially founded our Non-Profit Organization upon: support, empowerment and progress.
Dealing with the challenges of today requires problem-solvers who bring different perspectives and are willing to take risks. NASLD emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the student borrower community, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words.
Meet Our Team
Where Passion and Dedication Meet
Comprising seasoned professionals and visionaries, our team is united by a shared commitment to educate and support student borrowers. With diverse expertise and a passion for student loan advocacy, each member brings a unique perspective that enriches our collective approach.
Dr. Carol Deas-Lopez
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
"Experienced, trustworthy and driven. These are just a few of the ways that coworkers describe this invaluable member of our team. Dr. Carol is truly inspirational and makes it a pleasure to come to work."
Carol Deas-Lopez, PsyD earned Doctorate and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology, a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with Emphasis in Substance Use Disorders, as well as certifications in Addiction Studies, Addiction Counseling, and Life Coaching. She is a lifelong advocate for students, women, and veterans.
Dr. Carol has immersed herself in advocating for student borrowers since her experience of attending a for- profit university where numerous violations took place, one of the most egregious was students across the country having their financial aid stolen by the new owner’s of the school after the previous owners filed bankruptcy. The school abruptly closed and left students hanging. Many of us were blessed to have a teachout agreement with another school and graduated on time, but others were not so lucky. They either abandoned their education entirely due to the stress and expense or sought out another school to finish their degrees at enormous added cost.
Dr. Carol wears many hats in her professional life. She often collaborates with other nonprofit organizations, such as the Debt Collective and Student Loan Justice, and works tirelessly advocating for change and speaking truth to power. She has a strong belief in holding elected officials responsible for their actions or inactions as in the case of the student debt crisis. She has been interviewed on the podcast Busted Pencils about the mental health toll on student borrowers and speaks publicly about this issue in numerous other venues. In addition to her advocacy work, she has a private therapy practice and is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Empowering Breakthroughs, LLC, a consulting and life coaching organization. She is also an adjunct professor at a Bay Area university, teaching several psychology classes at the graduate level and mentoring students during their field training.
Personally, Dr. Carol is a mother and grandmother who are all the light of her life. She enjoys gardening, painting, traveling, socializing, reading, and watching rom-coms and thrillers. She spends her life living in gratitude for all of the ups and downs that have brought her to this amazing place in her life.
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Ms. Victoria Weiley
Executive Director
"An invaluable part of the National Alliance on Student Loan Debt staff and leadership, Ms. Victoria Weiley has witnessed the continued evolution of our programs from that start. With extensive experience in both the non-profit and private sectors, Victoria offers a unique skill-set that ensures undeniable impact."
Victoria is engrossed with staying current on the student debt crisis because she had student loan debt for 38 years and knows first hand the ravages that can be caused due to long term chronic financial stress and is very active as an advocate for The Debt Collective and Student Loan Justice grassroots groups. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Life with coursework in Consumer Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a master’s degree in Information Science with a concentration in Social Informatics.
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She has worked in non-profits for over 30 years in the area of education, data and research and had a profound impact in both the pediatric and pathology fields prior to her retirement. She also received a scholarship to Coach Training Alliance in Seattle, Washington. She continues to hone her skills by continuing her education: Certified Money Coach – Money Coaching Institute, LLC; Certified Financial Education Instructor – National Financial Educators Council; Patient Financial Advocacy Boot Camp – Association of Community Cancer Centers. Her focus is on consumer awareness and empowerment. Lastly, she was trained in money management from the University of Illinois and is a certified Financial Social Worker with several years of volunteer work as a money management educator and coach.
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Victoria also has interests in the environmental, political, spiritual and economic affairs and enjoys technology, and all forms of music, dance, and art. Victoria is currently road-tripping across the country.