Fintech Talks (a Georgia Fintech Academy podcast)

Fintech Talks: Money20/20 Europe | Hugo Horton: Modernizing Cross-Border Payments & Global Expansion Recorded live at Money20/20 Europe , Laura Gibson-Lamothe sits down with Hugo Horton , Enterprise Partnerships Manager at Sokin, to discuss how fintech companies are modernizing cross-border payments, simplifying global banking infrastructure, and expanding into new markets. Hugo shares how Sok...

Recorded live at Money20/20 Europe , Laura Gibson-Lamothe sits down with Reshmi Suresh , Head of Agentic Commerce, and Nabil Manji , Executive Lead, Enterprise Growth & Partnerships at Global Payments, to discuss how AI, agentic commerce, stablecoins, and real time payments are reshaping financial services. The conversation explores the rise of agentic AI, the growing role of stablecoins in cr...

In this episode of Fintech Talks, Laura Gibson-Lamothe sits down with West Richards, with The Fintech Accord at Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam, to discuss stablecoins, fintech regulation, digital assets, and the future of global payments. The conversation explores Georgia's leadership in stablecoin legislation, the growing importance of the UK-US fintech corridor, the role of industry advocac...

In this episode of Fintech Talks , we explore how digital assets are converging with traditional finance through the lens of Annelise Osborne , Chief Business Officer at Kadena and author of From Hoodies to Suits: Innovating Digital Assets for Traditional Finance . Co-hosted by Laura Gibson-Lamothe , Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy, and Christian Samuel , a recent Georgia State U...

In 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 revolutioniz...

With Fintech Meetup just days away, this episode of Fintech Meetup Mashup focuses on one question: How do you actually make the most of a major industry conference? Georgia Fintech Academy alum & Truist IT Business Analyst,  Astrid Cuellar Benitez joins Pam Kaur , Head of Platform at Alloy Labs, to share practical, real-world advice on navigating large fintech events. From managing your schedu...

In this episode of Fintech Meetup Mashup , Georgia Fintech Academy brings together emerging fintech talent and industry leaders for a candid conversation about careers in financial technology. Georgia Fintech Academy student Benjamin Willhite-Mettler sits down with Michael Bugno , Vice President of Enterprise Experiential Marketing at Fiserv , to talk about how professionals find their way into fi...

What can a small Baltic nation teach the world about resilience, innovation, and digital transformation?  In this episode of Fintech Talks, Georgia Fintech Academy Executive Director Laura Gibson-Lamothe explores Lithuania’s incredible fintech journey, from rebuilding after Soviet occupation to becoming one of Europe’s fastest-growing innovation centers.  Joining the conversation are Grant Wainsco...

In this episode of Fintech Talks , we sit down with Larry Anderson, a seasoned recruiter who has worked with Fortune 500s, startups, and everything in between. Larry shares insider advice on what makes a resume stand out, common pitfalls students should avoid, and how to translate experiences—from class projects to part-time jobs—into measurable value. We also dive into how AI is reshaping recruit...

Is crypto just hype — or is it finally becoming fintech’s next big frontier? In this episode of Fintech Talks, Laura Gibson-Lamothe is joined by Greg Johnson, Co-founder & CEO of Rubicon Crypto, and Tyler Acree, Fintech Academy-UGA alum and rising fintech professional. Together, they unpack why crypto and stablecoins are no longer optional knowledge for anyone serious about finance, tech, or i...

Think AI is just another tech trend? Think again. In this episode of Fintech Talks, Laura Gibson-Lamothe sits down with Billy Harbinson of Go Studio (InComm Payments) to break down the AI concepts that are reshaping how we work, learn, and innovate. We unpack: ✔️ What agentic AI actually means ✔️ How Large Action Models (LAMs) are changing automation ✔️ What today’s students and professionals real...

In this episode, we explore how Georgia’s fintech ecosystem is making global waves—powered by innovation, collaboration, and a deep investment in talent. Hosted by Laura Gibson-Lamothe , Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy, the conversation features two leaders shaping the region’s fintech landscape: Ania Lackey , Executive Director of Fintech Atlanta ( LinkedIn ), and Grant Wainscot...

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 humilit...

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.co...

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 explor...

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 ju...

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 revolu...

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 stud...

In 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 lea...

Welcome 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. Fr...

In 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 innov...

Join 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,...

This 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 Geo...

Join 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 f...

Navigating 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 j...