MASIC's Story

Where It All Began

On his first day of 8th grade, Nicolas Roht (MASIC’s Founder & Executive Director) was sitting in his math classroom at Furnace Brook Middle School in Marshfield, MA. His teacher shared her background in finance, which immediately resonated with Nicolas. He had just completed a summer financial internship where he learned the fundamentals of investing and the importance of financial literacy. Seeing this connection, Nicolas approached his teacher with the idea of starting an investment club where students could collaborate and learn about investing. From day one, students showed up eager to participate.

That experience sparked Nicolas’s realization: there is a need for more financial education in schools. Late-night research revealed that while some schools offered investment clubs, many did not—and those that did often lacked the resources and strategies to truly engage students. The solution became clear: an organization was needed to provide support, resources, and a sense of unity among investment clubs across the Commonwealth.

Studies show that finance is the number one industry Gen Z aspires to enter. MASIC is working to prepare future generations for success whether that means preparing people to manage day-to-day personal finances or pursuing careers in the financial sector. Our goal is that every school, whether through an investment club or an elective, provides students with the education and tools they need to succeed with money in the real world.

Furnace Brook Middle School