Artwork for podcast Bridges To Excellence
Charting new paths in Fintech Education…Women of Impact Series; Laura Gibson-Lamothe, Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy.
Episode 1129th September 2024 • Bridges To Excellence • Desmond Nicholson
00:00:00 00:58:50

Share Episode

Shownotes

Summary:

In this episode of "Bridges to Excellence," host Desmond Nicholson welcomes Laura Gibson-Lamothe, the Executive Director of the Georgia FinTech Academy. Laura takes us through her incredible journey from a globally diverse upbringing, through a multifaceted career in the FinTech industry, and into her current role. The podcast dives deep into the objectives she aimed to achieve upon stepping into her role in January 2023, including enhancing strategic industry partnerships, increasing student engagement, and boosting the visibility and reputation of the academy.

Laura shares insights about the Academy's programs and partnerships, highlighting FIS as a top sponsor. She outlines her strategic efforts for increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the academy, ensuring a broad representation of students entering the FinTech sector.

Listeners will also get a glimpse of international partnerships, such as the Transatlantic FinTech Exchange in Ireland, and the move to integrate innovative educational models like student exchange and apprenticeship programs. Laura discusses the importance of mentorship in her career and the Academy, offering a heartfelt acknowledgment of mentors who shaped her professional journey.

Desmond and Laura wrap up with a discussion about her leadership style, future goals for the Georgia FinTech Academy, and her personal motivators. Tune in to get inspired by Laura's story and to gain practical insights into the evolving landscape of FinTech education.

Be sure to subscribe to the Bridges to Excellence podcast so you don't miss an episode and remember: the more you expect from yourself, the more you excel.

Key Highlights:

  • Introduction to Laura Gibson-Lamothe and her early life experiences.
  • Laura's objectives and achievements as Executive Director.
  • Strategic partnerships with top-tier companies like FIS.
  • The Georgia FinTech Academy's focus on DEI.
  • International collaboration for advancing FinTech education.
  • The role of mentorship in professional growth.
  • Laura's leadership style and vision for the Academy's future.
  • Insights into career opportunities in the FinTech sector.

For more information, visit the Georgia FinTech Academy on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and their official website at georgiafintechacademy.org.

Be sure to subscribe to the Bridges to Excellence podcast so you don't miss an episode and remember: the more you expect from yourself, the more you excel.

Transcripts

Speaker:

I was born to parents who were

embarking on, international.

2

:

Kind of experience.

3

:

My father played basketball,

professionally overseas.

4

:

I was born in Italy.

5

:

I lived in Spain, Holland, Israel.

6

:

I actually came back to

the States and went to it.

7

:

Mhm.

8

:

Desmond Nicholson: On our show today, we

welcome Laura Gibson Lamothe, Executive

9

:

Director of the Georgia FinTech Academy.

10

:

Mhm.

11

:

Desmond Nicholson: It's now January

:

12

:

Director of the Georgia FinTech Academy.

13

:

You established some objectives you felt

needed to be focused on immediately.

14

:

To what extent have

they been accomplished?

15

:

In other words, how does

your report card read?

16

:

Oh, yes.

17

:

Our report card is

18

:

Welcome to Bridges to Excellence podcast,

inspired leadership in payments and

19

:

fintech, bringing you conversations

with payments, most fascinating

20

:

people on top of their game, leaders,

influencers, experts, and innovators.

21

:

Each weekly episode turns our

guests wisdom into practical advice.

22

:

Their personal journey starts now.

23

:

are meant to inspire and challenge

you to explore your possibilities.

24

:

Here is your host, Desmond Nicholson.

25

:

Picture this for a moment, a dynamic

leader standing at the crossroads

26

:

of technology and finance, guiding

the next generation of innovators.

27

:

Today, as part of our Women of

Impact series, I'm honored to

28

:

introduce Laura Gibson-Lamothe.

29

:

The executive director of

the Georgia FinTech Academy.

30

:

Her journey in FinTech is

nothing short of remarkable.

31

:

And her story is one of bold vision

and transformative leadership.

32

:

When Laura stepped into her

role in January,:

33

:

just did not take on a title.

34

:

She embraced a mission.

35

:

In a short time, she had propelled

the Academy to new heights, expanding

36

:

strategic partnerships that bridge the gap

between academia and industry, increasing

37

:

student engagement, and enhancing the

Academy's visibility in ways that have

38

:

caught the attention of leaders across

Georgia's financial tech community.

39

:

Her influence has not only lifted the

academy, but has positioned it as a

40

:

key player in the fintech ecosystem.

41

:

But Laura's impact goes far

beyond her current role.

42

:

With over two decades of experience,

she has been at the forefront of digital

43

:

transformation, program and product

development, and implementing innovative

44

:

tech solutions that drive growth,

profitability, and customer satisfaction.

45

:

In the payments, financial services, and

fintech sectors, she is known as a trusted

46

:

advisor, one who sees opportunities

where others might see challenges.

47

:

And now, as she shapes the future of

fintech education, Laura's leadership

48

:

earned her recognition as a finalist

for the prestigious Fintech Person of

49

:

the Year 2024 award earlier this year,

and most recently, Named a finalist

50

:

for the 2024 Women in Technology of the

Year Award, a testament to her vision,

51

:

dedication, and drive for excellence.

52

:

Laura's visionary leadership

continues to break boundaries, advance

53

:

diversity, and foster innovation

in a rapidly changing industry.

54

:

Join us on this episode as Laura

takes us on her journey with some

55

:

actionable takeaways along the way.

56

:

Enjoy the episode,

57

:

mhm.

58

:

Desmond Nicholson: Laura, welcome to

the Bridges to Excellence podcast.

59

:

Thank you so much, Desmond, for

having me, and I'm honored to be a

60

:

part of this Women of Impact series.

61

:

Desmond Nicholson: It's

great having you here.

62

:

Someone to talk about the role educational

institutions like the Georgia FinTech

63

:

Academy is playing, preparing the next

generation of FinTech professionals.

64

:

I know as a fact, over the years, the

majority of people entering the payments

65

:

industry got in by happenstance.

66

:

We kind of fell into it, myself included.

67

:

So with that said, we celebrate the

work you and the Academy are doing.

68

:

And for that, we thank you.

69

:

Mhm.

70

:

Let's get to the conversation.

71

:

Start, if you will, by giving us

an introduction overview of Georgia

72

:

Fintech Academy, how it fits into

the overall Georgia State University

73

:

system, its mission, and your

role as the executive director.

74

:

. Yeah.

75

:

So just a, an overview, a brief

overview of the FinTech Academy.

76

:

Uh, we've been around since 2019

and our focus on talent development

77

:

for the industry, for the FinTech

industry specifically, we offer

78

:

a robust FinTech curriculum.

79

:

I call it curriculum as a

service on the backend support.

80

:

26 universities comprised within the

university system of Georgia, these

81

:

public universities and institutions

are able to offer a variety of

82

:

different fintech degrees of study

through the curriculum that we offer

83

:

through those university systems.

84

:

And so, over the years, we've specialized

in very technical areas of focus from

85

:

data science to cyber security and

other disciplines, and we continue

86

:

to mature and build out a very robust

curriculum from six courses to now 42

87

:

and plus, uh, courses that are offered.

88

:

Complementing the curriculum, we have

everything else from a programming

89

:

perspective that's needed to make sure

that students are well rounded and

90

:

prepared to enter into the industry.

91

:

Uh, one of the things I'm excited

to highlight is our speaker series,

92

:

twice a week, each week during

each semester, which is a mouthful.

93

:

We have industry leaders representing

a variety of backgrounds, in areas

94

:

speak to our students virtually on

a platform to provide accessibility

95

:

across the entire university system.

96

:

We have a co host student podcast,

which is focused on providing

97

:

students the opportunity to interview.

98

:

Um, and then we also do career fairs

and student trips where we're visiting

99

:

different, partners and, industry

sponsors who are eager to interact,

100

:

network and attract top talent.

101

:

and so we focus on all these

programming elements, but we're

102

:

in the prime location to do this.

103

:

Uh, the state of Georgia, which

I'm constantly waving the flag

104

:

for from a FinTech perspective is

become a key player in this space.

105

:

we are a FinTech hub also known as

transactionally, to most of the folks

106

:

that have, heard that terminology

before it's because of the fact

107

:

that we, have such a presence here

from a processing perspective.

108

:

I mean, 80 percent of U.

109

:

S.

110

:

payment transactions are processed

through the state of Georgia.

111

:

That's 120 billion plus

transactions annually.

112

:

and those companies that are

facilitating payments, are,

113

:

contributing 70 billion plus in revenue.

114

:

with also 240 billion

plus fintech spending.

115

:

Um, that are also here

in the state of Georgia.

116

:

And so we are bridging the gap, as you

mentioned, between industry and academia.

117

:

by being that partner, we're not only,

intentionally trying to tap into a very

118

:

diverse segment of students to provide

them access, exposure, and pathways into

119

:

the industry, but we're partnering with

a lot of these companies to develop.

120

:

Talent acquisition strategies and

help gain momentum in how they hire

121

:

and staff talent going forward.

122

:

Well done.

123

:

Now let's get more personal

by sharing your backstory.

124

:

So, so Laura, what do I need to know about

you and your earliest years to understand

125

:

the woman who sits in front of me today?

126

:

And what were those formative experiences

that shapes you most profoundly?

127

:

Well, I know we don't have all day and

all night Desmond, so I'll be brief.

128

:

A lot of my background is very

interesting because I was born to

129

:

parents who were embarking on a

international kind of experience.

130

:

My father played baseball.

131

:

Basketball, professionally overseas.

132

:

I was born in Italy.

133

:

I lived in Spain, Holland, Israel.

134

:

I actually came back to the States

and went to a Jewish Orthodox

135

:

school for my elementary education.

136

:

so I had a very diverse, globally

diverse upbringing, uh, exposure.

137

:

I think that complements to my

ability to adapt and to be comfortable

138

:

interacting with people with all

different types of backgrounds.

139

:

Also the athleticism was something

that I inherited from my father.

140

:

I am incredibly grateful.

141

:

I am not 6'10 like my father.

142

:

I used to have a complex, especially

since I've been the same height, 5'8

143

:

almost 5'9 depending on the audience, I

might add a couple of inches, especially

144

:

when I was playing collegiately, I

definitely have lied on the roster,

145

:

But I definitely went through a

period of life where I was following

146

:

the same footsteps of my parents.

147

:

I, was pursuing education academically.

148

:

I also played three sports in college.

149

:

I call it a, it's a triathlete cause I

played three sports, but I also say I

150

:

would try anything for full scholarship.

151

:

And so I played three sports

competitively, division one, basketball,

152

:

volleyball, and softball in that order.

153

:

And I navigated my entire life being, or

most of my life being a student athlete.

154

:

Now retired, I look back and I think

about some of the challenges and

155

:

things I've had to overcome in my

journey, are very much what makes

156

:

me successful, in so many different

functions and roles I've had in my

157

:

professional career from time management.

158

:

Teamwork and being able to be

innovative and think outside of the box.

159

:

These are all skills that I've had

to, obtain over the years from my

160

:

early childhood and going to live

from country to country and, having

161

:

different situations, even academically,

to then playing collegiately and

162

:

adapting to different teams and in

different channels and in areas of

163

:

challenge for me as an athlete, to, post

graduation trying to navigate my career.

164

:

And you mentioned earlier, many of us,

I've been in the industry 20 years,

165

:

which kind of dates me at this point.

166

:

I fell into it, I couldn't find a job and.

167

:

In the arts or in, education,

which is what I was focused

168

:

on, in my undergrad experience.

169

:

And I pretty much just picked up

the first paid internship that I

170

:

could find, which was at the United

States patent and trademark office,

171

:

doing a server migration, underneath

the PMO project management office.

172

:

And I was like, why did

I not know this earlier?

173

:

I love telling people

what to for a living.

174

:

I love.

175

:

Project plans.

176

:

I love, I live by Excel.

177

:

I always have had Excel plans for

everything in my life, including grocery

178

:

shopping, like that's just who I was.

179

:

And I did not know there was a niche

for me with the skills that I didn't

180

:

even look at as skills in this industry.

181

:

and that, gave me the momentum,

and the exposure and the access,

182

:

um, once I had that internship, it

completely changed my life and the

183

:

trajectory, I think of my entire career.

184

:

So how and when did you

actually get into FinTech?

185

:

Take us through the highlights of

your career path and preceding roles

186

:

that ultimately brought you onto the

Georgia State University faculty.

187

:

Yeah, I would just say early 2000s.

188

:

We don't need to get specific

with the numbers, but I started

189

:

off my career at Bank of America.

190

:

Bank of America had a college

pipeline program and actually the

191

:

transition between that internship

I just mentioned in that Bank of

192

:

America gig was that I had a mentor.

193

:

Which is one of the most critical things.

194

:

It was a friend's mother who actually was

training people to get PMP certification.

195

:

I apprenticed under her.

196

:

I had a short stint contract with

security clearance working for

197

:

the Pentagon on a special project.

198

:

Which again, gave me not only the

exposure, but some level of experience

199

:

where I was able to present myself, I

think, in a compelling way and being

200

:

able to navigate to the government

side of things in the organizational

201

:

structure there, but applied for

the Bank of America college pipeline

202

:

program, which was rotational.

203

:

And in that rotational program, I

got a taste for it all, almost like

204

:

a broad enterprise view, change

management and enterprise release

205

:

management to some product lines,

e comm and small business banking.

206

:

I got a lot of different variety in

that stint of the rotation that they

207

:

built out as part of that cycle.

208

:

And I landed in change management,

again, complimenting, uh, The

209

:

project management, exposure I had

early on, but project management was

210

:

the gateway for me and my career.

211

:

It went from there to bank hopping

in Charlotte, North Carolina, where

212

:

there's so many different banks.

213

:

We like to say, it's almost like,

you go into work and the coal mine,

214

:

back in the day, like everyone's

just riding into the coal mine.

215

:

We're riding into one of the banks.

216

:

And so I went from, bank of America where,

um, I had the tremendous opportunity and

217

:

I have some battle wounds from Countrywide

and Merrill Lynch's acquisition.

218

:

Those were the two things that really

what started out my career working on

219

:

some very challenging projects with a lot

of scrutiny and visibility, it put me in

220

:

kind of that pressure cooker to shine.

221

:

and to be promoted and to be given more

challenging, um, efforts and initiatives.

222

:

I moved over to Wachovia six months

later, they were acquired by Wells Fargo.

223

:

So then now I'm the M and A girl,

I'm the merger and acquisitions girl.

224

:

Cause coming from big America,

countrywide Merrill Lynch.

225

:

Gaining a reputation for helping clean

up, being on a cleanup crew, going over to

226

:

Wachovia, being at the Wells Fargo side,

helping with transition type projects

227

:

and efforts digitally and physically

with some of their branches, and then.

228

:

Moving to Ally.

229

:

Ally was three months in house to bake.

230

:

It had a logo and the team I was

on, was responsible for helping

231

:

stand up, the core platform on FIS,

developing different solutions from

232

:

inbound, outbound customer email.

233

:

I think about some of the things I

implemented during that time, IVR

234

:

for the first time from scratch.

235

:

no longer was I delving

into like enhancements.

236

:

I'm building out new solutions from

scratch, which was what excited me.

237

:

I then became kind of, again, an M and A

girl, a lot of banks that are trying to,

238

:

gain traction speed to market has been

an immense focus because once you have a

239

:

brand and now you're starting to build a

client base, you want to start offering.

240

:

Everything cross selling and being

able to offer a full suite of services.

241

:

So then it was, co brand credit card.

242

:

I helped lead the co

brand credit card with T.

243

:

D.

244

:

Bank.

245

:

The implementation successful.

246

:

You thought about in

sourcing it, which meant.

247

:

We need to be PCI compliant.

248

:

So I led PCI compliance.

249

:

I was responsible for QSA, I was

responsible for building out an

250

:

operations, building out a governance

model to maintain that PCI compliant

251

:

rock that we got for the first

time, some really exciting work.

252

:

Then we acquired an investment

portfolio, we acquired a mortgage,

253

:

we acquired other verticals.

254

:

I started working on the auto dealer

side as well, formerly GMAC and

255

:

an entity, sub entity underneath

the Ally Financial Umbrella.

256

:

I had visibility to basically all

lines of business and experience

257

:

in all lines of business.

258

:

And so what drove me actually to Atlanta

was an opportunity to work for a service

259

:

provider to Ally, which was a amazing

opportunity to really partner and then

260

:

get the endorsement and the approval by

Ally leadership to go over to Feature

261

:

Space, which specializes in, fraud

risk management, leveraging machine

262

:

learning and artificial intelligence.

263

:

a big player here in that, FinTech

ecosystem that I mentioned earlier

264

:

in Atlanta, and I started working for

them, leading operations, replicating a

265

:

lot of the mature operations that were

developed in Cambridge, UK over here

266

:

in Atlanta to service their growing U.

267

:

S.

268

:

portfolio.

269

:

And that was such a amazing journey

for me, but then the pandemic happened.

270

:

I think you might recall right before

the pandemic, There were a whole lot of

271

:

mergers and acquisitions during that time.

272

:

And, pipeline kind of froze,

didn't really make sense for the

273

:

role that I was coming in yet.

274

:

and I pivoted into consulting.

275

:

During the pandemic, I

was completely grounded.

276

:

All the things I used to like love

and admire about consulting, the

277

:

traveling and the status that you

would acquire because you're traveling,

278

:

meeting with clients here and there.

279

:

It's not as sexy when you're

just like working from your

280

:

home office during the pandemic.

281

:

just hours over hours doing,

risk and compliance work,

282

:

which is not my favorite thing.

283

:

I want to do the thing that's

like customer impacting and

284

:

front end type of solutions.

285

:

And I sat during the pandemic

and re evaluated my whole life.

286

:

I know I'm not that old, but I definitely

reflected on my journey and like

287

:

what I want for myself going forward.

288

:

And I said, Hey, maybe there's something

more out there for me that aligns with

289

:

my passions, compliments, some of the

experience that I have where I can

290

:

truly, make an impact, leave a legacy.

291

:

Those things were the things I

thought about and my predecessor,

292

:

Tommy Marshall, who was in the role

I'm in currently was moving off.

293

:

he got bit by the startup bug,

moving off to, to work with a

294

:

startup and mentioned this role

and I was like, Oh, I don't know.

295

:

This is not in my vision

board for my career.

296

:

I want to be CIO, CTO at a bank.

297

:

That's what I wanted for myself.

298

:

And I literally had a heart to heart

with myself, many pros and cons written

299

:

down in a spreadsheet because I told

you already, I love spreadsheets.

300

:

And I really evaluated the opportunity to

join the FinTech Academy, the opportunity

301

:

to now in a post pandemic environment,

work on the scalability, help evolve and

302

:

drive the scalability of the program.

303

:

And yeah, we've seen tremendous results.

304

:

And I would say a couple of years in.

305

:

This is the most fulfilling moment

of my life, the conversations and the

306

:

individuals that we're touching and

reaching is just so fulfilling for me

307

:

to be a part of that and everything I

do, striving to deliver more of that,

308

:

um, deeper across the state of Georgia.

309

:

And now there's opportunities for

expansion beyond the state of Georgia.

310

:

And so it's just been an extremely

rewarding experience to think about.

311

:

My past and how I can help, support

a brighter future for others.

312

:

Okay.

313

:

So it's now January, 2023, and

you are the executive director

314

:

of Georgia Fintech Academy.

315

:

My understanding is that after you

got into the role, you established

316

:

some objectives you felt needed

to be focused on immediately.

317

:

And I've jotted some notes down here.

318

:

Okay.

319

:

Uh, they were, strategic industry

partnerships, student engagement, enhanced

320

:

visibility and reputation, and the

fourth one, internal faculty development.

321

:

Now taken one at a time, in brief,

can you expand on the scope of these

322

:

objectives, starting with the strategic

industry partnerships, and to what

323

:

extent have they been accomplished?

324

:

Okay.

325

:

Desmond Nicholson: In other words,

how does your report card read?

326

:

Oh, yes.

327

:

Our report card is strong.

328

:

And this is the competitive

athletic nature in me, Desmond.

329

:

I came into this role, I immediately

in my first like, what, 30,

330

:

60 days did a SWOT analysis.

331

:

I didn't want to come in guns a blazing.

332

:

I was cautious of the environment.

333

:

Academia works very much

differently than the industry does.

334

:

And so there was a period of just

assessing the lay of the land.

335

:

And.

336

:

the things that I identified, which

were the ones that you highlighted

337

:

were what we've really prioritized

focusing on going forward.

338

:

but strategic partnerships

are immensely important.

339

:

So it's one thing to, focus on helping

students, identify FinTech, as a

340

:

path for them and then obviously

support them in their journey.

341

:

But it's another thing to say,

we have jobs for you, students.

342

:

We are working.

343

:

strategically with the industry to ensure

that you're getting the top, best in class

344

:

education, but then we're also preparing

and equipping you to be competitive in

345

:

this very competitive, employer landscape.

346

:

And so, our focus has been on the

industries, partnerships that we have,

347

:

and it's been so meaningful because

we are mostly considered a non profit,

348

:

as far as, the FinTech Academy goes.

349

:

So financially, and then also as part of

influencing the curriculum, and then also

350

:

ensuring that we get those students the

opportunities for internships and jobs.

351

:

I've been the whole point of

navigating and strengthening our

352

:

strategic industry partnerships.

353

:

The student engagement piece we have

really focused on and we've been

354

:

proud to boast about our efforts to

cultivate a diverse talent pipeline.

355

:

When I talk about diversity, I'm

super excited about it because 70

356

:

percent of our student population

represents that underrepresented,

357

:

segment, group of backgrounds.

358

:

And so we are intentionally

striving to pull in diverse talent.

359

:

And then also we are stretching

ourselves across the entire state

360

:

of Georgia, which I mentioned these

universities, the 26 have 350, 000

361

:

students enrolled at them currently.

362

:

And so the student

engagement is key for us.

363

:

It's essential for us to be able to

provide awareness that FinTech exists,

364

:

awareness of the opportunities in FinTech,

awareness around the compensation and

365

:

the monies, the salaries that students

can make in this, in this program.

366

:

dynamic, interesting, field.

367

:

but all of that has been, uh, shared by

way of the channel, of student engagement.

368

:

We have student orgs that were

aligned closely with across each of

369

:

these universities, and I call it the

mega church of FinTech, the Georgia

370

:

FinTech Academy sits at the top.

371

:

We broadcast out all these different

resources, as I highlighted earlier.

372

:

but then we have on campus presence

by way of these student organizations.

373

:

These are influencers, that are

sharing and evangelizing on behalf

374

:

of fintech that, hey, this is

something you should consider.

375

:

And we attract students in, not

only because They get it, they

376

:

see it in the news, they read,

they're also starting their own

377

:

financial literacy journeys as well.

378

:

and so all of that comprised is

what really appeals and brings

379

:

in students, and that's how we

really focus on student engagement.

380

:

The other piece is enhanced

visibility, as you mentioned, and the

381

:

reputation around the FinTech Academy.

382

:

So now we're starting to get

recognize in the state, out of

383

:

the state and even globally.

384

:

the awards that you mentioned,

for me are also mirrored by the

385

:

awards that we're receiving for

the fintech academy in general.

386

:

the, A.C.C.S.B.

387

:

which is an accreditation entity.

388

:

that provides that accreditation for

curriculum across the entire globe.

389

:

Actually, it's not just a U.

390

:

S.

391

:

thing, it's a global thing.

392

:

They're an accreditation entity.

393

:

It's very serious from

an academic perspective.

394

:

we were flagged, or awarded the

:

395

:

Our program, the

structure, how we operate.

396

:

And the metrics are report card of

what we've achieved has, given us that

397

:

recognition to receive that award.

398

:

We also from, the Technology Association

of Georgia were just nominated and then

399

:

selected as a finalist for, tech for good.

400

:

Focusing on diversity and inclusion

are, metrics around, not only how

401

:

we're preparing, and helping cultivate

an inclusive fintech environment

402

:

because of our social efforts and our

programming, but then our intentional.

403

:

approach to be able to attract, students

that represent diverse backgrounds.

404

:

so all of that provides, some visibility

and gives us, some credibility in this

405

:

space, I think, as we continue to grow.

406

:

And lastly, the faculty development,

we've been around for five years

407

:

doing this, and we have a variety of

professors, almost 20 that are aligned to

408

:

the program, representing the different

universities of which they're employed,

409

:

those, faculty members need, some,

there's some investment required there.

410

:

for them, they need access to industry.

411

:

I actually, built, a whole database.

412

:

We have an intake process for volunteers.

413

:

We are constantly matchmaking,

faculty needs with industry.

414

:

Support and resources.

415

:

These faculty members are extremely

passionate about the students that

416

:

they serve, and they're constantly

looking for opportunities, whether

417

:

it be a guest speaker to participate

in the delivery, the facilitation

418

:

of some of the curriculum to.

419

:

experiential learning, which is one

element I'm extremely excited about.

420

:

The experiential learning piece is, it

could be a capstone project or a short,

421

:

hackathon that's aligned to a class.

422

:

we've even had, in the most, extreme,

use case of this is a project that

423

:

turned into a patent in which a

student was listed on this patent.

424

:

I want more of those

opportunities, paid or unpaid

425

:

research, projects or challenges.

426

:

We'll take them all.

427

:

but giving students relevant real

world, experience in the classroom,

428

:

really gets them the opportunity to

apply, the methodology, to a real world.

429

:

So those are the four.

430

:

I know I wasn't brief, Desmond.

431

:

I apologize for that.

432

:

That's quite okay.

433

:

I think that was a requirement.

434

:

You said at the front end, but

yeah, those were the four and four.

435

:

Well, well done.

436

:

Well done.

437

:

Now, if I may be presumptuous, it

appears to me that the heartbeat of your

438

:

program is grounded in your strategic

partnerships and collaboration amongst.

439

:

Stakeholders within the

Georgia Fintech ecosystem.

440

:

So before I get to my next question,

here are some facts I wish to share

441

:

with our listeners as reported

by the Technology Association of

442

:

Georgia Fintech Ecosystem Report.

443

:

Well, first off, Georgia is

recognized as a global Fintech hub,

444

:

and as you mentioned before, home

of some 250 plus Fintech companies.

445

:

Okay, now the 12 public FinTech

companies in Georgia alone

446

:

generates in excess of $50 billion.

447

:

Okay.

448

:

And please, correct me if, uh, some of

these numbers are slightly off and over.

449

:

$2 billion in venture capital was

invested in Georgia early stage fintechs

450

:

from 2020 to 2022 Atlanta, his home of

one of the 12 Federal Reserve banks.

451

:

21, 000 people are employed by

the top fintech companies in metro

452

:

Atlanta and 42, 000 people overall.

453

:

with an additional 8, 000

employed in Columbus, Georgia.

454

:

Now, in addition, um, a recent Wall

Street Journal article rated Atlanta

455

:

as a prime job market in the nation for

grads in search of fintech opportunities.

456

:

So, based upon these stats, the

academy appears to be operating in

457

:

an opportunity rich environment,

which leads to my next question.

458

:

Who are some of your top

tier sponsors and partners?

459

:

And how does, Georgia Fintech

Academy provides for these companies?

460

:

Yeah, I think about, our

top, tier, I would call it

461

:

like platinum sponsor is FIS.

462

:

FIS.

463

:

Has been a long way the entire

journey since the inception of

464

:

the Georgia Fintech Academy.

465

:

They recently renewed last year for

another $1, 000, 000 contribution and

466

:

gift, which was hugely impactful for

the ongoing development enhancements

467

:

that we're making to ensure alignment

with industry demands from an FIS.

468

:

Perspective, we've done it all.

469

:

All the things that I

highlighted that the Academy.

470

:

Is intending to do on

behalf of our students.

471

:

we've done in partnership with, sponsors

and partners like FIS income and, U.

472

:

S.

473

:

Bank, Elevon and visa these brands.

474

:

We work diligently with to ensure

that we've calibrated the curriculum.

475

:

We're constantly looking for

ways to involve into enhance it.

476

:

we also work side by side from a talent

acquisition perspective to ensure we

477

:

understand their evolving needs for

talent and how we can continue to,

478

:

provide the right level of education,

in skills development to ensure that

479

:

our students are, ready for those roles.

480

:

and so our partnership has evolved

over the years to think more

481

:

innovatively when it comes to.

482

:

How you source and bring in talent.

483

:

I think one of the things that I'm most

excited about, we did with FIS last

484

:

semester, which was, looking at their

Jacksonville headquarters, location,

485

:

there were a lot of early talent roles,

available at that specific location.

486

:

We took, 55 students from the

most Southern universities.

487

:

So thinking about like Columbus

state university, Savannah state,

488

:

Albany, a couple from up north.

489

:

So Georgia Tech also kind of came

in with that batch, but a quarter of

490

:

them were offered and accepted job

positions last spring from that one trip.

491

:

That trip was a scouting opportunity.

492

:

We proactively did some work

upfront our due diligence to make

493

:

sure we bought in top talent.

494

:

We had them apply prior to the trip.

495

:

The trip was really just kind of the

last check the box type of exercise.

496

:

But I think now employers have to

be more strategic and intentional

497

:

with that recruiting process and

that recruiting journey, to ensure

498

:

that they're bringing in talent.

499

:

And then also, being intentional when

we talk about diverse talent as well.

500

:

And so, it was a win win situation,

but I think that's an example of how

501

:

effective, these, you know, collaborative

relationships can be with a very,

502

:

interested and committed industry partner.

503

:

Good.

504

:

I understand that DEI, Diversity, Equity,

and Inclusion is a foundational pillar

505

:

deeply rooted in the DNA of the Academy.

506

:

Talk to us about the extent of

which this culture is infused in

507

:

the overall running of the Academy.

508

:

Yeah, I think one of the things that

people assume if you look at the landscape

509

:

of Georgia, we're very diverse, but some

of the campuses I, I'm at most frequently

510

:

have a large population of black students.

511

:

I recently found out there's a term for

it, predominantly black institution, PBI.

512

:

So, Georgia State, which is

not an HBCU, it is a PBI.

513

:

It's a predominantly black institution.

514

:

It's got over 55, 000 students enrolled

in that one specific university.

515

:

And our focus for DEI has been to not only

provide access and maybe visibility, To

516

:

diverse representation in the industry.

517

:

So we're bringing, you know,

leaders to speak with students.

518

:

We want the leaders to reflect also who

the students that we serve, and it's

519

:

important to provide that visibility.

520

:

I know for myself, uh, coming up

in banking, I definitely, was the

521

:

only one in the room and I didn't

see anyone that looked like me.

522

:

That didn't stop me by any means.

523

:

I was like, I don't mind being

the first, but for some of these

524

:

students, it's extremely important.

525

:

They need to be able to connect.

526

:

With who they see and how

they see themselves being in

527

:

that industry in the future.

528

:

And so from a DEI

perspective, we focus on.

529

:

Providing access to a diverse

representation of leadership, diverse

530

:

backgrounds, and by backgrounds, I mean,

we've talked about a lot of folks falling

531

:

into this industry, such as myself.

532

:

There are a lot of different pathways

people have taken in the industry.

533

:

So it's great to have

that representation there.

534

:

And then also being a

resource for students.

535

:

So the other side of things is you think

about how the industry has evolved and

536

:

They're now offering at the corporate

level on the corporate side, DEI

537

:

training and guidance and insights.

538

:

We do the same with our students.

539

:

So I think also preparing them

to transition into the industry

540

:

means making sure that they're

well rounded individuals.

541

:

And so from a DEI perspective,

it's important on both sides to

542

:

ensure that we're providing kind

of the cultural elements of that.

543

:

foundationally for our students,

544

:

Mhm.

545

:

let's talk about, artificial intelligence

and machine learning in the ever

546

:

evolving landscape of this technology.

547

:

How does the Academy stay ahead

of the curve to remain relevant

548

:

to meet the needs of the industry?

549

:

Yeah, it's so funny.

550

:

AI is like a trigger word for me now.

551

:

Cause it's every single place I

go, every event I've attended,

552

:

there's a, an AI track or.

553

:

Some AI panels, AI and machine learning

was at the beginning of how the

554

:

curriculum was developed at the academy.

555

:

And from a use case perspective,

it was predictive analytics,

556

:

looking at fraud trends, like that

type of applicability from an AI

557

:

and machine learning perspective.

558

:

Our students are not only gaining the

credential from, um, the university

559

:

perspective, but they're also.

560

:

Complimenting it with some

industry certs certificates.

561

:

And so while we have built the entire

package that has to continue to

562

:

evolve, there are unique use cases.

563

:

There are other channels where we're

looking at like ethical AI, for

564

:

example, and some other, adjacent,

but very dependent kind of areas

565

:

that need to be focused on when it

comes to AI and machine learning.

566

:

the future is, generative AI and I

get asked this question quite often.

567

:

it's interesting to see that the

industry hasn't solved it, but it is

568

:

very much academia to play a role in

solving kind of what generative AI,

569

:

large language models, et cetera, mean

to the fintech industry going forward.

570

:

And so.

571

:

What we've developed is opportunities

for students to be creative, uh, for

572

:

students to apply some of what they've

learned in the classroom, through

573

:

these, experiential learning projects.

574

:

Just getting them experience and getting

their hands on, certain technology,

575

:

sets the tone for their ability

to be a sponge, to be adaptive, to

576

:

have critical thinking skills, then

that's what employers truly want.

577

:

so while we're not necessarily certifying

the students or, giving them degrees

578

:

in generative AI from a AI, and machine

learning perspective, they're the data

579

:

science competencies and all of the

skillsets there are already foundational

580

:

in what they're learning, but they're also

being challenged to start to explore some

581

:

of these evolving emerging technologies so

that when they are on the employer side.

582

:

They're ready to grow with the

organization they're going into

583

:

good, What career opportunities

awaits graduates of the program?

584

:

Yeah, we try to highlight

our top focus areas.

585

:

There's a lot out there.

586

:

And to be honest, I struggle with

some of the students who have

587

:

this very rigid formula approach.

588

:

They have a degree.

589

:

In a specific area and they

believe they can only apply

590

:

to two jobs in the industry.

591

:

And I'm like, it's not

necessarily that cut and dry.

592

:

to be honest, why even limit yourself?

593

:

our focus has been to outline a good core

set of roles, whether it be technical or

594

:

non technical buckets that I call them.

595

:

You have the engineering, the

cybersecurity, the data analytics.

596

:

The data visualization, which is

actually a huge area where we have

597

:

a lot of students that are focusing

on the visualization of data.

598

:

And then you have the other side,

which could be business administration,

599

:

product slash project management.

600

:

marketing is even something that has

tremendously grown in the past couple

601

:

of years from a fintech perspective.

602

:

A lot of students that are coming in,

with marketing backgrounds and interests,

603

:

but apply to the fintech industry.

604

:

and so some of those areas,

oh, and I, I forgot to add, um,

605

:

business development and sales.

606

:

that's also an attractive,

niche and area for, students.

607

:

Entry level.

608

:

And to be honest, I feel like

that's a hot one because, a lot

609

:

of these, BDR sales roles, give

students a great foundation of.

610

:

Not only a solution, but being able to

articulate the problem and understand

611

:

why the technology works that way and why

it's been built and designed that way.

612

:

And they're learning how to speak

and interact with customers.

613

:

It's just a really, a great way to

kind of catapult, you know, Into your

614

:

career, starting off at an entry level.

615

:

And so those are kind of the key

roles that we continue to share and

616

:

refine and prepare students to look

for, but we're seeing all kinds

617

:

of roles that have been launched.

618

:

There's, I think, also

a shift where companies.

619

:

Who might not have had previously the

capacity to do a rotational process,

620

:

like I mentioned with my own professional

journey at the beginning, they're starting

621

:

to develop that now, which is amazingly

helpful for a lot of students who don't

622

:

really know they haven't figured it out.

623

:

They figured they like FinTech, they're

interested in certain areas within

624

:

FinTech, but they haven't necessarily

outside of an internship, which lasts

625

:

for such a short period of time at

a lot of experience in the industry.

626

:

And so those programs, especially

rotation is extremely helpful because

627

:

they get a taste of some of those roles

that I just mentioned, and they can

628

:

really choose their destination once

they've actually had the exposure.

629

:

Good.

630

:

Um, I'm curious, what's the stats on

FinTech position placements locally

631

:

since the Academy's inception in 2019?

632

:

Yeah, so fortunately, we've been able

to track out of the 8, 000 we've had

633

:

come through the academy, over 2,

500 have been placed in fintech jobs.

634

:

mostly here locally.

635

:

Unfortunately, those numbers are very

manual, and I know we've probably

636

:

placed more than what we've been able to

track, but it's a very manual process.

637

:

But for us, the reward is to see

the placement and to continue

638

:

to drive placement numbers.

639

:

This past spring semester, I had the

honor of attending a conference where they

640

:

were representing students, graduates,

alumni's were representing a variety

641

:

of different brands on an expo floor.

642

:

And that was extremely exciting for

me to see full circle the student in

643

:

the classroom to now the student who's

employed and representing a company.

644

:

And then also bringing in

talent themselves and working

645

:

from that perspective as well.

646

:

Desmond Nicholson: Let's

switch gears for a moment.

647

:

Mhm.

648

:

Desmond Nicholson: Earlier this year,

you were part of a group from the U.

649

:

S.

650

:

attending the Transatlantic FinTech

Exchange in Belfast, Ireland.

651

:

What was that about?

652

:

Were there any takeaways

from the experience you felt

653

:

could apply at the Academy?

654

:

Yes, that was such a rewarding experience.

655

:

I went along with the American

Transaction Processors Coalition.

656

:

They are a government

lobbying trade association.

657

:

Their efforts have spanned across from

transactionality to, the broader U.

658

:

S.

659

:

to now global, partnering with.

660

:

Ireland and cultivating this

experience where we got to not only

661

:

see Belfast, but we also did a Dublin.

662

:

So Southern and Northern Ireland,

both in the same trip, they

663

:

rolled out the red carpet.

664

:

There's a little bit of economic

development, conversation, which workforce

665

:

rolls up into, which is what I represent.

666

:

And I represent that here in Atlanta as

well with, our close partners, the Metro,

667

:

Chamber of Commerce, but there in Ireland.

668

:

It also bridge conversations.

669

:

We had a couple of panel discussions

as well in both areas, but it bridge

670

:

conversations with universities.

671

:

They're universities that also have a

fintech focus the numbers that we have

672

:

the volume from a curriculum perspective,

but then the numbers of students.

673

:

overshadow what they have, in Ireland

in general, And so our conversations

674

:

were around student apprenticeships.

675

:

Apprenticeship models are very common

in the UK, and we are embarking on a

676

:

journey to look at alternative academic

pathways, I call it, here in the U.

677

:

S.

678

:

Students don't necessarily want

to wait four years and make such

679

:

a hefty investment in education

before they can start working.

680

:

And so we're creatively

working with partners like

681

:

those in Ireland who have run.

682

:

Apprenticeship programs for years

in building out what that could look

683

:

like for the Fintech Academy to have

a registered apprenticeship program.

684

:

The other piece is, study

abroad student exchange.

685

:

maybe even a micro credential that could

be shared cross, areas, territories.

686

:

And I think the fun pieces we talk about

faculty development, giving faculty an

687

:

opportunity to stretch grow and develop

themselves beyond where they are now.

688

:

All of those things could happen with

these global, strategic partnerships,

689

:

through the relationships we have,

through associations and organizations,

690

:

and then our, industry partners,

and then also these universities

691

:

that are, located elsewhere that

also are tied together through the

692

:

shared common interest of fintech.

693

:

And that was 1 of those things that

we explored what that would look

694

:

like through that Ireland trip.

695

:

So it was very successful.

696

:

And now it gave me, let's just say 120

more to dues on my to do list coming

697

:

out of it because I'm like, all of it.

698

:

Great.

699

:

Right?

700

:

But like, my priority is to

help getting students hired.

701

:

And so that's always been the focus

Priority and the driving force, of

702

:

which we're marching towards for the

academy, but there's a lot of other

703

:

opportunities to help and amplify

and help grow and develop what we're

704

:

doing, by diversifying our offering.

705

:

And so I'm really excited to, to

be a part of that Ireland trip.

706

:

Yeah.

707

:

Um, and have those conversations there

and as we speak, any of these initiatives

708

:

being implemented at the academy.

709

:

Yeah, I think the 1 that was

implemented is kind of that exchange.

710

:

We've stood up routines.

711

:

We started building out our

project plan per se, and how we

712

:

develop, but it's still early days.

713

:

We went.

714

:

What was it?

715

:

May, this year and the

fall semester is heavy.

716

:

The fall semester is an intense

period because it's just the fall

717

:

semester is busy, but then on the

industry side it's just full of

718

:

conferences, get togethers, galas, etc.

719

:

And so we are just immensely

focused on both sides.

720

:

On current state, While we're in parallel,

at least making partial investments in,

721

:

nurturing and developing that plan to get

to some of those things that I highlighted

722

:

that we came away with from our trip.

723

:

Now, switching gears again, What are

your thoughts on mentorship and what

724

:

role mentoring played in your career?

725

:

Does any one person come to mind?

726

:

Yeah, a mentorship is key.

727

:

I came in thinking I could create some

sort of office hours on my calendar and

728

:

meet with every student that had a need.

729

:

And I realized really quickly, I can't,

I don't have the capacity to do so.

730

:

and so we built this like volunteer

form, which we have one of the areas

731

:

that people can volunteer from the

industry, uh, being that of mentorship,

732

:

which we're strategically planning

and aligning students with industry

733

:

mentors and they're providing.

734

:

That access to the mentorship

there, but it plays a huge role.

735

:

We have students from all different

backgrounds, some undergraduate,

736

:

some graduate level students.

737

:

So they have different needs some

students who are, early days,

738

:

not sure what they want to do.

739

:

And some who have a very detailed

plan and really just need some

740

:

coaching on what next steps to take.

741

:

And so we've been, intentionally building

out that mentorship or I should say

742

:

evolving that mentorship offering.

743

:

One thing I'm really excited

about and this is where.

744

:

Like worlds collide, right?

745

:

Because I'm on the

board for PayTech Women.

746

:

I also have been as part of the membership

engagement strategy kind of track.

747

:

And then as part of that

Next Gen has been a focus.

748

:

And so win, win kind of situation

for me is tying some of the students

749

:

that we have through the academy

and funneling them through the

750

:

resources pay tech women has to offer.

751

:

And so the mentorship piece there

has been really beneficial for me.

752

:

And as we embark on our journey

to mature, our mentorship.

753

:

Offering more broadly within the FinTech

Academy, leveraging what we have at

754

:

Paytech Woman has been very helpful,

but mentorship is extremely beneficial.

755

:

I think about how, as we started this

call, I talked about how I fell into this

756

:

industry, a friend of mine's, mother was

training people in project management,

757

:

PMP certification, and she became my

mentor and to be honest, I don't even

758

:

think I would have considered banking.

759

:

I knew she knew some

folks at Bank of America.

760

:

Next thing I know, she's advising me

on my application and coaching me on

761

:

my interview skills and really hands on

providing that level of guidance, which

762

:

is what I had hoped to be for everybody.

763

:

But I realize it's not realistic,

but I think that mentorship,

764

:

is it incredibly helpful?

765

:

and it played a huge role in my

ability to land the first job that

766

:

really set the tone for the rest

of my 20 year career in banking.

767

:

And so we're really strategically looking

to develop a mentorship offering that

768

:

continues to evolve with the evolution of

the type of students that we're serving.

769

:

And it's been incredibly

meaningful to see those mentorship

770

:

relationships, develop very good.

771

:

Laura, as you go about your daily task

as the Executive Director of the Fintech

772

:

Academy, have you come to terms in

understanding your leadership style?

773

:

And if so, how would you describe

your style of leadership and the

774

:

guiding principles behind it?

775

:

My leadership style is pretty open.

776

:

I'd like to say I take the

servant leadership approach.

777

:

so there's one thing that I really

enjoy about being a leader, and it's

778

:

the strategy, the big picture vision,

but I love being able to work within

779

:

a team to articulate the approach to

achieving that vision and making sure

780

:

everyone is on board and aligned.

781

:

We constantly focus with my board to

recalibrate what we have and ensure that

782

:

we're aligned to our core objectives for

the year and strategically identifying

783

:

initiatives that help further the

development of those objectives and the

784

:

progress made towards those objectives,

but my leadership style has always been

785

:

to be hands on, but not all the way in

the weeds to be able to delegate to the

786

:

team and empower them to be able to do

what they need to do to be successful.

787

:

And then to also just be a support.

788

:

That's what I guess I mean by the

servant leadership pieces to provide

789

:

that support when it's needed.

790

:

and to have emotional intelligence

enough to understand when there

791

:

needs to be a different approach

taken or some aid, in regards to some

792

:

of the things that we have to do.

793

:

Now.

794

:

What are you most excited about

Georgia FinTech's Academy future?

795

:

Well, this thing could go so far.

796

:

right now.

797

:

I'm challenged to not introduce

scope creep on a daily basis.

798

:

the fact that we're now gaining

reputation and Fintech education.

799

:

There's an opportunity to.

800

:

Continue to work and evolve our

executive education offering.

801

:

We actually did a partnership with

Fiserv and Synchrony last year,

802

:

where we were focused on diversity

supplier, supply chain, type initiative

803

:

where they were bringing in, diverse

suppliers, providing some training

804

:

and then putting them through their

third party supplier risk management.

805

:

Program in the hopes of being

selected to be a supplier to Fiserv

806

:

and to Synchrony and a part of that

training was fintech like foundations.

807

:

We took our core course

and we tailored it.

808

:

We basically white labeled it and it

was so exciting to see that happen.

809

:

But then I'm like.

810

:

There's a market for this.

811

:

we literally can go pro,

you know what I mean?

812

:

Like now there's an opportunity to

provide and supply a lot of these

813

:

companies, the same opportunity to

white label some of our curriculum and,

814

:

to integrate it within their learning

management, portals and programs.

815

:

And so we were working with a couple

of companies now to evaluate what

816

:

that looks like, to pilot in 2025.

817

:

So I'm really excited about that.

818

:

The other piece is, obviously

right now our brand and our name

819

:

is the Georgia Fintech Academy.

820

:

So we have a strong focus on

Georgia, but we recently were

821

:

tapped on the shoulder from Visa's,

CEO, Ryan McCurney to do a non for

822

:

credit fintech class at Notre Dame.

823

:

Wow.

824

:

First of the kind, where this fall, we,

helped them develop a, I don't like to

825

:

use the word curriculum, but we helped

them develop an extracurricular class,

826

:

with a capstone project in FinTech.

827

:

the hope was to provide students

exposure, the same thing we're doing at

828

:

the FinTech Academy, but at Notre Dame.

829

:

And that's one of the first use

cases where we're starting to

830

:

partner and consult, I think,

externally from the state of Georgia.

831

:

And so there's opportunities on both sides

academically to spread beyond the state.

832

:

To provide guidance and SME insights.

833

:

And then on the other side, from a

continued education, there's upskilling.

834

:

As you mentioned, many of us have fallen

into this industry and had no training.

835

:

My training was the practical

real world experiences that

836

:

developed my knowledge of payments.

837

:

and to be honest, it was

like, learn as you go.

838

:

it wasn't, I can relate me.

839

:

Yeah.

840

:

And so it was learn as you go.

841

:

And so I think a lot of companies could

benefit, a lot of individuals could

842

:

benefit from, taking some of the courses

that we've, worked so hard to refine.

843

:

and so those two channels, I think are

the things that I'm most excited about.

844

:

'cause that completely changes.

845

:

the layout of how we operate

at the FinTech Academy.

846

:

It also spreads our, the demographics of

who we serve and there's opportunities

847

:

for revenue, which is one thing

that as a nonprofit, I strive for,

848

:

because I'm constantly fundraising

849

:

the lifeblood of the business.

850

:

Yes.

851

:

Yes.

852

:

What do you attribute your

overall success and wellbeing?

853

:

Hmm.

854

:

I attribute the fact that.

855

:

I don't even know if this fits the

well being part, and that could be

856

:

questionable, Desmond, but the success

is attributed to the fact that I am

857

:

hungry, passionate, highly driven and

motivated to, the success of this program.

858

:

This is so fulfilling

as I mentioned earlier.

859

:

And not only do I get excited

about it, the people I talk to

860

:

seem to get excited about it.

861

:

I don't know, maybe my energy is a

little bit of a turnoff, but I feel

862

:

like when I talk to people about it,

they're like, Oh, I can get behind this.

863

:

And I see why this is a need.

864

:

And I love This and why wasn't this,

available when I was in college?

865

:

Like these are the reactions I get

and that's what fuels, myself and all

866

:

of the folks that, currently work and

or partner with the FinTech Academy.

867

:

And I think that's, attributed,

uh, to the success of the program.

868

:

but I think from a wellness perspective,

there's also a balance, right?

869

:

Like you talked about it, before, like

all of the things that we're trying

870

:

to achieve, it can take a toll if you

don't create some sort of balance.

871

:

And I haven't quite figured that out

because I just love this so much.

872

:

I live, breathe, eat, dream, everything.

873

:

FinTech Academy.

874

:

And I do know that lessons learned

from some of my previous roles

875

:

that I do need to think about

what that balance looks like.

876

:

Good.

877

:

We'll be right back for our final segment.

878

:

The lightning round bridges to

excellence inspired leadership

879

:

in payments and fintech.

880

:

Okay, Laura, quick

questions quick responses.

881

:

I pose the following questions and you

respond with one word or sentence or two.

882

:

Are you ready.

883

:

I am.

884

:

The lightning round.

885

:

What one word.

886

:

you would use to describe

your career journey so far?

887

:

I would say perseverance.

888

:

What is the best career

advice you have ever received?

889

:

Never give up.

890

:

How would you define

yourself in one or two words?

891

:

Highly motivated and driven.

892

:

What is one thing the people you work

with would be surprised to learn?

893

:

Oh, that's a hard one.

894

:

My, my creativity, my artistic side.

895

:

What's a cause that is

important to you and why?

896

:

Well, obvious 1, the next gen working

with young people is a cause, but I

897

:

also am on the board for a program

nonprofit that focuses on Hispanic Latino

898

:

communities, providing after school

care and education programs and ESL.

899

:

Uh, training as well, and I'd love to

help identify ways to support folks

900

:

that are immigrating and folks that have

unique challenges, language barriers.

901

:

It's a passion of mine as well.

902

:

What one book would you recommend

to our listeners and why?

903

:

You know, it's funny, I don't

know why this came straight to

904

:

mind, but the 48 laws of power.

905

:

Uh, I don't know if you're familiar with

the text, but there's a chapter that

906

:

in the middle of my career, I remember.

907

:

Reading it, it resonated so much with me

because it said never outshine the master.

908

:

I had a manager at the time that

really actually gave me an opportunity

909

:

to grow in ways I did not realize.

910

:

But that chapter in that particular

book was extremely important for me.

911

:

What's your guilty pleasure?

912

:

Uh, desserts, all of the desserts.

913

:

What drives Laura?

914

:

I would say where I am at now, the

Fintech Academy, working with young

915

:

people and then also working with

people who I can help and make an impact

916

:

and influence, encourage, support.

917

:

That's what drives me is

seeing others succeed.

918

:

mhm.

919

:

Laura, it's been great having you on

the show and congratulations to you

920

:

and the faculty members of the Academy

for your outstanding contribution

921

:

to the Georgia FinTech community and

of course to the industry at large.

922

:

For the FinTech executive listening to

this episode or anyone else who wishes to

923

:

support the work of the Academy, how can

they get in touch for more information?

924

:

Just informing everyone to

connect with us on LinkedIn.

925

:

We're also on Instagram and

YouTube channel as well.

926

:

We have a podcast out there.

927

:

It's just called Georgia FinTech

Academy, where our students

928

:

are actively, interviewing a

variety of industry leaders.

929

:

So just connect with us on those channels.

930

:

And I look forward to engaging with

some of you as we're always looking

931

:

for folks to contribute, to mentor,

to volunteer as part of our program.

932

:

The website, georgia fintechacademy.

933

:

org and, uh, Laura, again, we thank you.

934

:

And that's our conversation

a wrap up for this week.

935

:

Our guests, Laura Gibson-Lamothe,

Executive Director of the

936

:

Georgia FinTech Academy.

937

:

To our listeners, thanks for your

continued support and remember hit the

938

:

subscribe button so as never to miss an

episode and never forget the more you

939

:

expect from yourself, the more you excel.

940

:

You've been listening to Bridges

to Excellence podcast, inspired

941

:

leadership and payments and fintech.

942

:

Be sure to join us next time for more

conversations with another of your

943

:

colleagues in payments and fintech.

944

:

Insightful conversations in their

journey to excellence for transcripts

945

:

and other materials covered on the show.

946

:

Visit us at DesmondNicholson.

947

:

com.

Links

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube