Dr. Sonia Lewis is the visionary founder and CEO of The Student Loan Doctor LLC, the first African American and
woman-owned student-loan repayment firm in the U.S., headquartered in Philadelphia. With over 14 years of
practical experience in higher education and financial aid, she has earned widespread recognition as the people’s
expert on student loan debt repayment, helping over 50,000 clients across the nation navigate federal and
private loan challenges through strategic planning and empathetic guidance.

Once self-dubbed the “Overdraft Queen,” Dr. Lewis turned her own struggle with student loans and financial
mismanagement into a mission to empower others. In 2016, she transformed grassroots community coaching
into a thriving enterprise dedicated to teaching borrowers—especially women in Black and Brown communities—
how to reclaim control over their finances, save significantly on loan payments, and build pathways toward
wealth and social mobility. Her authentic, nonjudgmental approach has earned her features in prominent outlets
such as Forbes, Essence, and Money Magazine, as well as invitations to speak at the White House Briefing on
Advancing Equity for Women and Girls of Color.