Session: Fintechs, Trends, Friends, And Frenemies

Session Participants: 

• Laura Gibson-Lamothe
• Shari Krasinski

About the Speaker:

Laura Gibson-Lamothe, the Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy, is a distinguished leader shaping the future of fintech. Within the University System of Georgia (USG), she plays a pivotal role in developing the next wave of fintech talent. Her strategic vision ensures the Academy's curriculum is industry-aligned, enriched with hands-on learning experiences, and bridges the gap between academic study and real-world financial technology challenges. Under her guidance, the program has expanded across 26 universities, fostering a symbiotic relationship between education and industry needs.

With over 20 years of experience, Laura has significantly impacted the financial services, banking, and fintech sectors. Her journey has taken her from strategic roles at Protiviti, a global finance consultancy, to operational leadership at Featurespace, focusing on fraud detection, to pioneering new services as a Director at Ally Bank. Her tenure at Wells Fargo and Bank of America demonstrates her adeptness at steering complex projects and transitions, marking her as a leader of considerable insight and vision.

Beyond her professional achievements, Laura is deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the technology and financial sectors. Her dedication is exemplified by her board positions with PayTech Women, an organization dedicated to empowering women in the tech and finance industries to achieve greater personal success, influence, and professional parity, and LaAmistad, a non-profit that supports Latino students and families in Atlanta, Georgia, with academic and life enrichment programs. Her unwavering commitment to mentorship, resource sharing, and networking within the fintech ecosystem showcases her holistic approach to driving industry progress while fostering a more inclusive, equitable professional community.