In this episode of Fintech Talks, host Laura Gibson-Lamothe is joined by Chrissy Wagner, SVP GTM Automated Finance at FIS and student guest host, Senior at Georgia Gwinnett College, Florencia Cosenza Diez for an honest, energizing conversation about building a meaningful career in FinTech. From first jobs to C-level insights, we unpack the moments that shape us—how early experiences teach humility, why mentorship matters, and how inclusivity fuels innovation. Chrissy shares the personal story...

April is Financial Literacy & Inclusion Month — and there’s no better time to dive deep into how fintech and financial services are evolving to meet the needs of all communities. In this special episode of Fintech Talks, recorded during New York Fintech Week, host Laura Gibson-Lamothe is joined by: Amanda Estiverne-Colas, Board Member of NAFLI and Founder of AG Advisors https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-estiverne-colas-37061b28 Castleigh Johnson, CEO & Founder of My Home Pathway ht...

In this episode of Fintech Talks, host Laura Gibson-Lamothe sits down with Crystal Bryant Minter, SVP of Money Movement at Green Dot, for an inspiring conversation about breaking down barriers to financial access. Crystal shares her personal journey — from her family’s early challenges navigating traditional banking to leading innovative solutions that serve millions of Americans today. We explore how Green Dot’s expansive network of over 95,000 locations is making financial services more acc...

In this episode of Fintech Talks, we tackle a topic that resonates deeply across the industry: imposter syndrome. Whether you’re a student stepping into the fintech world or an experienced professional navigating leadership, self-doubt can creep in — but it doesn’t have to hold you back. Join hosts Laura Gibson-Lamothe, Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy, and Asha-Lee Smith, a junior at Kennesaw State University, as they sit down with Kay Taylor, SVP/Chief of Staff, Office of t...

In this episode of "Fintech Talks": AI in Fintech - Transforming Payments, Fraud Detection & Privacy, we dive into the powerful role of AI in shaping the future of financial technology. Join our Executive Director, Laura Gibson-Lamothe, as we speak with Nikhil Kassetty, an experienced engineer, and Christian Samuel, a Georgia State University student, to explore how AI is revolutionizing payments, fraud detection, and privacy. From biometric payments and invisible transactions to AI-power...

Welcome to Fintech Talks: Student Chronicles! In this episode, we sit down with three exceptional Georgia Fintech Academy students and interns—Alison Gregg (Kennesaw State University, Junior), Asha-Lee Smith (Kennesaw State University, Junior), and Kenny Kim (Georgia State University Alumni) —as they share their journeys into fintech, insights on landing internships, and practical advice for students navigating their career paths. From leveraging LinkedIn and networking with industry professi...

Send us a textIn this episode of the Georgia FinTech Academy podcast, Laura Gibson-Lamothe hosts a discussion with UGA/Fintech Academy Alumni Empress Roberson and industry leaders Kathy Kmiotek and Genevieve Dozier about the importance of resilience in the FinTech/Payments sector. They share personal stories and insights on navigating challenges, the significance of community and networking, and the lessons learned from failures. The conversation emphasizes the need for a growth mindset, the ...

Send us a textIn this engaging episode of the Georgia Fintech Academy podcast, Executive Director Laura Gibson-Lamothe is joined by Kenny Kim, a senior finance major at Georgia State University Robinson College of Business, to co-host an insightful conversation with Pari Sawant, Chief Product Officer at Elavon. The discussion dives into Elavon’s innovative new payment gateway and explores how it is revolutionizing the payments landscape by streamlining processes and enhancing user experience....

Send us a textWelcome to another exciting Georgia Fintech Academy Podcast! In this episode, Executive Director Laura Gibson-Lamothe and student co-host Clarissa Guzman from Kennesaw State University sit down with Hailey Hunt, Account Executive Team Lead at HumansDoing. Hailey shares expert insights and practical tips for students and early-career professionals to successfully navigate the job search journey. From building a standout resume and optimizing your LinkedIn presence to leveraging n...

Send us a textIn this engaging episode of the Georgia Fintech Academy Podcast, Executive Director Laura Gibson-Lamothe and guest co-host Didier Lopez-Presiga, a recent graduate of Kennesaw State University and current Acuity Brands intern, are joined by Cyrus Taheri, Chief Growth Officer at True North. Together, they explore the dynamic world of fintech, delving into Cyrus's professional journey, the innovative strategies driving growth at True North, and the key industry trends. From market ...

Send us a textJoin us in this episode of the Georgia Fintech Academy Podcast as we delve into the dynamic world of fintech with Terra Wallace-Hearn, Head of Sales Education and Engagement at Elavon. Hosted by Laura Gibson-Lamothe, Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy, and Empress Roberson, a recent graduate from the University of Georgia, this episode explores Terra's inspiring career journey, the latest industry trends, and innovative practices at U.S. Bank/Elavon.Discover how T...

Send us a textThis special edition turns the tables, with Georgia State University seniors Scott Thompson and Gharam Mansour, co-founders of the student organization FTO (Financial Technology Organization) at GSU, taking the lead as hosts. In this episode, they sit down with fintech leaders Ben Jackson, COO of the Innovative Payments Association (IPA), and Laura Gibson-Lamothe, Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy, to explore the critical importance of financial literacy in ...

Send us a textJoin us on a captivating discussion with Systems and Methods, Inc. (SMI), a family-owned trailblazer in government payment services with over 50 years of innovation and commitment to improving lives. In this must-listen episode, we sit down with Bo Stone, Chief Strategy Officer at SMI, and Wesley Stone Director of Government Affairs at SMI, alongside graduating senior Astrid Cuellar Benitez from Kennesaw State University, and Laura Gibson-Lamothe, Executive Director at the Georg...

Send us a textNavigating Fintech Frontiers: A Deep Dive into Product Management with Naomi Donaldson Join Executive Director, Laura Gibson-Lamothe and KSU Senior, Julianie Ferguson in this insightful episode of the Georgia Fintech Academy podcast as we unravel the intricacies of product management in the dynamic realm of Fintech. Our special guest, Naomi Donaldson, shares her invaluable experience and career journey, offering a profound understanding of the strategic and innovative lands...

Send us a textWelcome to the Georgia Fintech Academy Podcast, where innovation meets insight! In our latest episode, we're thrilled to have Steven Nigri, Co-founder of Nxt-Moves, and Yagazie Anyanwu, international MBA student at Georgia State University - Robinson College of Business and entrepreneur.Join us as we embark on a captivating conversation, exploring the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship in fintech. Steven Nigri, with his wealth of experience as a co-founder, brings invaluable pers...

Send us a textWe are thrilled to bring you an exclusive episode of the Georgia FinTech Academy Podcast, featuring Momnt President and Co-founder, Brian Lanehart! Join us as we embark on a deep dive into the dynamic world of Embedded Payments.Episode Highlights:🌐 Exploring Embedded Payments: Unravel the mysteries behind Embedded Payments and understand how this transformative technology is reshaping the landscape of financial services.🚀 Innovation Unveiled: Discover the cutting-edge solutions ...

Send us a textAre you ready to dive into the world of FinTech and explore a groundbreaking partnership aimed at shaping the future of finance? We're thrilled to invite you to an exclusive podcast recording featuring Georgia FinTech Academy and Kennesaw State University, two powerhouse institutions coming together to fuel the development of FinTech talent!Join us as we discuss the remarkable partnership, the KSU FinTech Program, its cutting-edge curriculum, and much more!Georgia Fintech A...

Send us a textA new episode of the Georgia Fintech Academy podcast is here! Join Laura Gibson-Lamothe (Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy) and Morgan Blackmon (GSU graduating senior) as we discuss with Jennifer Frasier (Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at FIS) the approach FIS is taking for Inclusion and Diversity both internally and externally, as demonstrated by the partnership with Greenwood's Ryan Wilson (Chief of Community and CEO of The Gathering Spot), whose mission...

Send us a textWelcome as we kick off Season 4 of the podcast with an intro to the new Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy, Laura Gibson-Lamothe. Georgia Fintech Academy https://www.georgiafintechacademy.org/LinkedIn (Georgia Fintech Academy) https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgia-fintech-academy/

Send us a textKevin Lee is a serial fintech and technology entrepreneur in Atlanta and the CEO of Kobiton. He has led fintech companies including CRE Secure, TransCentra, Vanco Payment and more. He discusses Kobiton's business and the challenges fintech's face in developing applications for mobile devices. Georgia Fintech Academy https://www.georgiafintechacademy.org/LinkedIn (Georgia Fintech Academy) https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgia-fintech-academy/