A Lasting Legacy: Honoring GreenPath Founder Albert O. Horner
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenPath Financial Wellness honors the life and legacy of founder Albert O. Horner, who passed away on September 5th, 2026, at the age of 100. Mr. Horner's vision to change lives laid the foundation for what would become one of the nation's leading nonprofit financial wellness organizations, helping millions of people achieve financial freedom and stability over its 65-year history.
The organization began in the early 1960s as a credit counseling service established through the Michigan Credit Union League. Under Mr. Horner's leadership, it grew into an accredited nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals and families overcome financial challenges and achieve their goals. Mr. Horner served as the President and CEO of GreenPath, originally known as Credit Counseling Centers, for more than 30 years, from 1961 until his retirement in 1997.
Mr. Horner was among the early pioneers of financial counseling, believing that people facing financial hardship deserve compassionate guidance and practical solutions. Helping others navigate and recover from debt and financial stress was Mr. Horner's passion and life's work, and his vision remains central to GreenPath's mission.
"Albert Horner believed financial challenges shouldn't define a person's future and that everyone who comes to us deserves dignity, compassion, and practical support," said Kristen Holt, President and CEO of GreenPath Financial Wellness. "He understood the shame and stigma that can accompany financial hardship and built GreenPath to help people find a path forward without judgment. While we mourn his passing, we celebrate an extraordinary legacy that continues to guide our mission and lives on in every person and family we help."
Today, GreenPath's impact can be measured by the lives transformed through the organization's services. In 2025 alone, the nonprofit provided 121,739 financial counseling services and helped clients repay more than $282 million in debt.
As GreenPath honors Mr. Horner's life and contributions, the organization remains dedicated to the mission he began decades ago: empowering people to lead financially healthy lives.
About GreenPath Financial Wellness
GreenPath Financial Wellness is a trusted, national nonprofit on a mission to empower people to lead financially healthy lives. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, GreenPath offers free financial counseling with NFCC- and HUD-certified experts. If you're struggling to budget, manage debt, or reach your financial goals, you're not alone. Contact GreenPath at (866) 648-8122 or visit www.greenpath.com.
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SOURCE GreenPath Financial Wellness
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