Accelerate OC

Brooke Ybarra and I dive into the intricacies of innovation and transformation within the banking industry in this episode. She is currently SVP of Innovation and Strategy at the American Bankers Association (ABA). Brooke shares her unique career journey, starting with the CIA, strategy consulting, a significant corporate role during the pandemic, and finally her impactful position at the ABA. We discuss how she has infused creativity and a forward-thinking mindset into the association, particularly focusing on how partnerships between banks and fintechs are evolving and the current state of innovation in banking. Brooke emphasizes the importance of aligning technological advancements with customer needs and how banks can leverage external solutions to meet these needs effectively. We also touch on the challenges of infrastructure upgrades, the relevance of middleware, and the shift towards a more digitized banking environment. Furthermore, we explore the role of AI in banking, how banks can stay competitive with non-bank financial services, and ways to attract new talent into the banking industry. Brooke provides valuable insights on maintaining integrity, continuous learning, and embracing change. This episode is packed with productive thoughts and expert perspectives on how banks can navigate and thrive in the rapidly changing financial landscape. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures. Chapter Markers  00:00 Preview 00:57 Intro 01:13 Sponsor 01:47 Guest Introduction: Brooke Ybarra 02:59 The Intersection of Banking and Technology 04:24 Current State of Innovation in Banking 05:50 Challenges and Opportunities for Banks 08:01 The Role of ABA in Banking Innovation 17:29 Diversifying Revenue Streams for Banks 22:10 Infrastructure Challenges in Banking 26:04 The Digital Transformation Imperative 28:38 Fraud Concerns in Digital Banking 29:49 The Importance of Online Presence 30:58 AI in Banking: Current State and Future Prospects 34:55 Customer Expectations and Personalization 37:26 Challenges in Data Infrastructure and Literacy 39:30 Finding the Right Technology Partners 41:11 Attracting Talent to the Banking Industry 44:10 Non-Bank Competition and Regulation 46:31 Brooke's Journey to the ABA 49:41 Brooke's Core Values 51:13 Brooke's Habits/Rituals 52:37 Advice for Early Professionals 54:48 Outro

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we explore the complex and crucial topic of technology transformation within the banking sector, with Kristiane Koontz, EVP and Director of Treasury Services and Payments at Zions Bancorporation. We dive into the significance of replacing legacy banking systems, a daunting project that Kristiane and her team successfully completed over a decade-long journey. Kristiane sheds light on the challenges of a complete business transformation and how much bigger it is than a "core conversion." She explains how Zions maintained operational continuity while integrating new technologies, and restructured organizational processes and data governance systems. Zions' commitment to this massive overhaul shows their goal of staying competitive and efficient in a rapidly evolving banking industry. We also discuss the broader implications for U.S. community banks and the role of technology partners in driving innovation. Kristiane elaborates on how Zions' transformation efforts have positioned them uniquely and competitively within the market, enabling faster product development cycles, enhanced customer experiences, and improved data utilization for fraud prevention and personalization. Additionally, Kristiane shares her perspective on the future of banking, particularly the importance of easier technology access for community banks and strategic vendor partnerships. She emphasizes that continued innovation and adaptability are vital for community banks to thrive amidst industry consolidation and change. Kristiane generously shares her insights on leading a transformative project and also offers advice to those entering the profession today, highlighting the significance of continuous learning and understanding the core business of banking. Thank you to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures. Chapter Markers 00:00 Preview 01:15 Intro 01:32 Sponsor 02:08 Guest Introduction: Kristiane Koontz 03:26 Challenges of Legacy Banking Technology 05:31 The Complexity of Core Transformation 08:26 Global Perspectives and U.S. Core Providers 12:26 Zions Bank's Core Transformation Journey 22:53  Real-Time System Benefits and ROI 25:59 Team Morale and Future Innovations 29:02 Leveraging Broader Banking Transformation 29:54 Investing in Treasury and Payments 30:36 Customer-Centric Transformation 33:35 Strategic Partnerships and Vendor Management 39:52 Unified Customer Experiences 42:17 Digital Transformation Challenges 47:32 Leadership Insights 51:56 Personal Rituals 54:30 Advice for Future Bankers 56:20 Outro

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we explored the transformation of the banking sector through technology, leadership, and community engagement. Our guest, Marc Rehberger, delves into his journey from technology companies to leading tech-enabled banking at Customers Bank. We discussed cutting-edge advancements in real-time payments, the strategic adoption of technologies like RTP and FedNow, and their long-term impacts on financial institutions. The discussion highlighted how banks have adapted to unprecedented times, emphasizing agility, decision-making, and the integration of modern FinTech solutions with traditional banking practices. We also touched on the invaluable role of community banks in the U.S. financial system, their unique understanding of local markets, and the collaborative ecosystem they foster. Throughout the episode, we emphasized the balance between technological adoption, regulatory compliance, and maintaining personal customer relationships, which we both believe will persist in banking. Marc shared his insights on leadership, the power of mentorship, and the importance of investing in people, concluding with practical advice for professionals eager to innovate in their banking careers. Tune in to discover how combining traditional banking strengths with modern technology creates a dynamic and exciting environment for both customers and employees. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures! CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Preview 00:37 Intro 00:54 Sponsor 01:28 Guest Introduction: Marc Rehberger 02:40 Marc's Career Journey 05:17 Transition to Customers Bank 07:56 Role and Responsibilities at Customers Bank 15:14 Challenges and Successes in Banking 24:37 The Importance of Community Banks 27:28 Challenges Facing Community Banks 29:04 The Importance of Technology Partnerships 31:31 Advice for Bankers on Tech Integration 36:43 The Role of Core Technology in Banking 38:47 The Future of Banking: Open Banking and Portability 47:55 Core Values and Personal Reflections 50:53 Advice for Early Career Professionals 52:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the birth of fintech P2P and marketplace lending with Peter Renton, one of its pioneers. Peter shared his extensive background, starting from his early days as a self-directed investor to founding key fintech companies like Lend Academy and LendIt, which later became Fintech Nexus. We discussed his journey into peer-to-peer lending and its evolution as institutional investors entered the space. The conversation spans the rise of fintech innovation, the challenges of scaling peer-to-peer platforms, and the role of community banks in the future of financial services. Peter recounted the bubble in the fintech lending space around 2015 and how the industry adapted following the Lending Club debacle in 2016. He also shared his advice for fintech founders, emphasizing the importance of diversification in funding sources and customer acquisition strategies.  We delved into notable companies like Upstart and their pivots in the fintech landscape. Additionally, Peter reflected on the transition from LendIt to FinTech Nexus to encompass a broader range of fintech innovations for their content and events. We touched on the increasing interest of banks in fintech events from 2016 onwards and the changing landscape post-pandemic. Peter discussed emerging trends in fintech, such as embedded lending, mobile wallets, and new payment rails. He highlighted the necessity for community banks to adopt technology and attract younger customers. Lastly, Peter introduced his new consulting venture, Renton & Co, aimed at guiding fintech companies through content strategy, marketing, and market analysis. Enjoy this comprehensive look at the past, present, and future of fintech.   CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Preview  00:34 Intro 00:47 Sponsor 01:19 Meet Peter Renton: A Fintech Pioneer 02:50 Peter's Early Fascination with Finance 04:04 Discovering Peer-to-Peer Lending 05:36 Building Lend Academy and LendIt 09:21 The Evolution of Marketplace Lending 18:39 Reflections on the Fintech Lending Boom 27:19 Kudos to Dave Girard (UpStart) and Team 28:04 The Shift to FinTech Nexus 29:04 Expanding Beyond Lending 32:16 Challenges and Stress of the Events Business 32:48 The Impact of the Pandemic 33:54 Future of FinTech and Embedded Lending 37:47 The Role of Community Banks 42:38 Advice for Community Bank CEOs 49:18 Peter's New Venture: Renton & Co

In this episode, we get an insider look into the financial technology landscape with Jason Mikula. Jason shares his journey, from his unexpected entry into financial services and digital marketing to launching the publication Fintech Business Weekly. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer acquisition metrics and analyzes the evolution of fintech innovations like online lending, BNPL, Banking as a Service, etc. We delve into the mechanics of Banking as a Service (BaaS) and the complex relationships between fintechs, middleware platforms, and banks. Jason is currently in the middle of reporting on news as it breaks around Synapse, Evolve and several fintechs, as well as the thousands of customers caught in the middle of it. He highlights the regulatory challenges and the balancing act between risk and growth. Our discussion also addresses the current regulatory landscape and the future of partner banking, stressing the need for sustainable and economically sound practices. Tune in for a comprehensive conversation that explores the intricacies of fintech and digital banking services. CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Preview 00:45 Intro 00:58 Sponsor 01:31 Meet Jason Mikula, Analyst and Writer of FinTech Business Weekly 03:23 Jason's Background in Financial Services 04:27 Joining Enova and Learning Subprime Lending 05:22 Marketing Metrics and Customer Acquisition 07:05 Challenges in Digital Financial Services 09:09 The Importance of Digital Marketing in FinTech 14:29 Starting FinTech Business Weekly 17:38 Analyzing the FinTech Landscape 20:10 Insights on BNPL and Market Valuations 23:32 Banking as a Service and Middleware Companies 31:49 Regulatory Challenges and Partner Banking 40:23 Regulatory Priorities and Market Impact 44:46 Systemic Risks and Community Banks 48:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we give you a behind-the-scenes look at company building with Isabella Sun, Founder and CEO of Short Story, a subscription e-commerce company serving petite women. The discussion sheds light on Isabella's journey from a structured finance career to becoming a successful e-commerce entrepreneur catering to a niche market. We explore how a personal pain point sparked the idea for Short Story and how comprehensive market research highlighted the need for better-fitting apparel for petite women. Isabella shares her unconventional path to e-commerce, including her participation in Y Combinator and the early days of building Short Story from her apartment. We discuss the challenges and milestones of growing the company, the importance of understanding customer needs through data, and the nuances of creating products that foster loyalty and excitement among customers. The conversation also covers how Short Story has managed to achieve profitability without heavy reliance on marketing, leveraging organic growth and customer satisfaction. Isabella highlights her strategies for financing the company creatively and the role of technology and data in scaling operations. This episode provides valuable insights into staying ahead in a competitive market through continuous innovation and an unwavering focus on customer experience. Towards the end, we dive into Isabella's personal routines, the mental toughness required for entrepreneurship, and her advice to budding entrepreneurs. This episode offers an inspiring look at how a strong vision and an obsessive customer-centric approach can lead to extraordinary results. Thank you to episode sponsor, BankTech Ventures. CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Preview 01:00 Intro 01:13 Sponsor 01:45 Meet Isabella Sun, Founder of Short Story 03:22 Identifying a Market Need 05:07 Early Challenges and Growth 08:35 Customer Connection and Proud Moments 11:14 Navigating E-commerce and Apparel Industry 14:39 Leveraging Data and Technology 23:41 Future Opportunities and Competitor Insights 28:32 Biggest Misconceptions  31:20 Personal Insights, Rituals, & Entrepreneurial Journey 37:53 Closing Thoughts

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we got a behind-the-scenes look at company building from Tiffany Haynes, COO at Fingercheck. Tiffany discussed her transition from a 19-year career at Jack Henry to her role at Fingercheck, a startup focused on payroll and HR services for small businesses. She highlighted the challenges and learning curves she faced and the importance of establishing foundational structures for growth. Tiffany emphasized the need to slow down before speeding up and building a solid organizational core. Tiffany also reflected on her various roles at Jack Henry, including Chief People Officer and General Manager of a business unit that supported over 100 banks and credit unions. She shared her passion for transformational work and the importance of growth and resilience. These experiences provided her with deep insights into the banking industry's inner workings and maintaining strong customer relationships, which have been invaluable in her current role at Fingercheck. The discussion included Fingercheck's market differentiation by offering enterprise-level capabilities, tailored for small businesses. Tiffany talked about the company's mission to automate administrative tasks, allowing small business owners to focus on what truly matters. She shared her excitement about the company's growth potential and the team's unity, describing the joy of achieving their goals together. She provided strategic insights into the future of banking, emphasizing the need for regulatory clarity and collaboration among traditional banks, fintechs, and other stakeholders. She stressed the importance of a customer-centric approach, balancing personal relationships with digital convenience. Finally, Tiffany offered advice for early career professionals, encouraging them to take risks, stay resilient, and deliver meaningful work that improves lives. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures. CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Preview 00:46 Intro 00:55 Sponsor 01:28 Meet Tiffany Haynes: COO at Fingercheck 02:39 Transitioning from Corporate to Startup 04:13 Challenges and Surprises in a Startup Environment 08:47 Fingercheck's Unique Market Position 13:49 Reflections on Jack Henry and Career Highlights 27:37 Challenges in Banking Sales and Marketing 29:45 Understanding Consumer Needs 32:17 Adapting to Digital Transformation 34:09 Innovative Ideas for Banking Industry 39:52 Personal Journey in Banking Tech 44:04 Balancing Work and Personal Life 47:24 Role and Success as a   49:16 Current Challenges in Sales and Marketing 50:35 Advice for Early Career Professionals 52:12 Closing Remarks

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we dive deep into the evolution of 'Banking as a Service' (BaaS) and its complexities. My guest, Rafael DeLeon, the SVP of Industry Engagement at NContracts, shares his extensive insights on the partnership dynamics between community banks and fintech companies. We explored how these relationships started, the operational challenges they faced, and how they've matured over time. Rafael discussed the importance of trust, risk management, and regulatory compliance in these partnerships, highlighting the transition from what he calls the 'Wild West' of BaaS to a more structured environment today. We also talked about the broader regulatory environment in the banking industry, focusing on how regulators are handling the rapid pace of change, interest rates, and macroeconomic challenges. Rafael provided his perspective on recent enforcement actions and what they signal to the industry, emphasizing the need for transparency, strong risk management systems, and strategic planning. From there we addressed the impact of technology on smaller banks and how it can enable them to be more efficient and competitive. Rafael shared his optimistic outlook on the future of community banking, particularly how fintech partnerships and regulatory guidelines will shape the industry's landscape. Towards the end of our conversation, Rafael reflected on his career transition from a long tenure at the OCC to his current role at Ncontracts. He discussed how his new position allows him to leverage his regulatory expertise and passion for the banking industry to foster innovation and compliance. This episode provided a comprehensive look at the current and future state of community banking, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in financial services, fintech, and regulatory affairs. Thank you to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures. EPISODE CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Preview 00:36 Intro 00:49 Sponsor 01:21 Meet Rafael DeLeon: SVP of Industry Engagement at Ncontracts 02:27 Banking as a Service: Challenges and Evolution 05:58 Regulatory Oversight and Compliance 10:56 Risk Management in Banking Partnerships 19:46 Future of Banking and Regulatory Environment 35:36 Technology's Role in Small Banks 38:09 Bridging the Tech-Bank Language Gap 41:27 Journey to Becoming a Bank Regulator 47:20 Transition to NContracts 50:19 NContracts' Growth and Innovations 53:38 Rafael's Superpower: Connecting People 56:23 Future of Banking: AI and Payments 57:50 Regulatory Vigilance and Risk Management 59:47 Accountability in Regulatory Agencies 01:01:05 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we delve into the use of AI & Machine Learning within the commercial real estate lending industry. My guest is Shayne Skaff, co-founder and CEO of Blooma, a SaaS company revolutionizing commercial real estate lending and portfolio management. Our discussion outlines Shane's entrepreneurial journey, the origins of Blooma, and the challenges and opportunities within the commercial real estate market. Shane shares insights into the impact of technology on underwriting and portfolio management, the adaptability of the workforce to technological advancements, and the significance of community banks to the economy. The conversation also touches on the future of machine learning and AI in banking, the importance of data quality, and the vision for Blooma to facilitate lender and borrower connections and streamline the syndication process within commercial real estate. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures. CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Preview 00:33 Intro 00:46 Sponsor 01:16 Meet Shayne Skaff: Co-Founder & CEO of Blooma 02:26 Navigating the Complex Landscape of Commercial Real Estate Loans 07:16 The Evolution of Blooma: From Idea to Industry Innovation 10:08 Bridging the Gap: Technology Adoption Across Generations 17:55 The Future of Commercial Real Estate: A Vision for Innovation 20:18 Harnessing AI and ML: The Backbone of Blooma's Technology 25:40 The Challenge of Data Management in Banking 27:42 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Insights from Shane Scaff 38:47 Mentorship and Continuous Learning: A Founder's Perspective 43:53 Looking Ahead: Family, Business, and the Future

In this episode, we delve into cybersecurity and the importance of making it relevant to each individual, beyond just their organization. My guest is David Shipley, Co-founder and CEO of Beauceron Security. David shares his journey from a career-altering cybersecurity incident at the University of New Brunswick to leading a cloud-based platform designed to enhance personal and organizational cybersecurity practices by empowering people to be in control of technology. The discussion explores current cybercrime trends in the banking industry, as well as the impact of geopolitical instability and technological advancements on cyber risk, the role of AI in both aiding and complicating cybersecurity efforts, and strategies for building positive security cultures within organizations. He also reflects on the challenges and rewards of growing a startup in Canada, emphasizing the importance of team resiliency, continuous learning, and embracing failure as a pathway to innovation.  Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures. CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Meet David Shipley: From Military to Cybersecurity CEO 02:28 Current Cybersecurity Challenges and Trends 07:36 Strategies for Banks to Combat Cyber Threats 17:23 The Beauceron Inception Story: A Cybersecurity Journey 26:05 Evolving Security Awareness Training 26:59 Customer Success Stories: Phishing Defense and Employee Training 30:13 Reflections on the Startup Journey 33:27 The Impact of Cybersecurity Work 35:45 Operating a Canadian Startup 41:14 Looking Ahead: Growth, AI, and the Future of Cybersecurity 46:34 David's Rituals & Disciplines 50:24 Closing Remarks

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we delve into the essential role that technology and data analytics play in the banking industry's future. My guest was Brian Bauer, CEO of Revio, a promising banking and analytics technology startup that's making waves by assisting banks in leveraging their core banking transaction data to foster growth. Brian shares his journey from a 10-year military career to becoming a leader in the FinTech and banking sectors, emphasizing his participation in a FinTech accelerator and his experience co-founding a banking startup in the cannabis sector. Our discussion includes the significant impact of technology on banks' competitiveness, the shift towards a practical approach to innovation within community banks, and how data analytics can aid banks in understanding their customers better. Brian elaborates on how Revio empowers banks to not only identify but act on business opportunities through insightful analytics of customers' external financial activities. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of banking technology and how banks' ability to make timely decisions significantly influences their readiness for future challenges. Highlighting the importance of culture, team building, and the role of entrepreneurship in driving change, this episode provides a comprehensive look at how banks can navigate the volatile financial world by embracing innovation and data-driven strategies. CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Preview 00:33 Intro 00:45 Sponsor 01:17 Brian Bauer, CEO at Revio 02:48 Banking in a Year of Change: Insights and Adaptations 07:35 The Shift Towards Practical Innovation in Banking 10:03 Revio's Mission: Deepening Bank-Customer Relationships Through Data 20:45 Real-World Impact: How Revio Empowers Banks with Data-Driven Insights 26:35 Competitive Analysis: A New Perspective for Banks 27:51 The Roadmap Ahead: Enhancing Bank Insights 30:57 Data Literacy and Infrastructure in Banking 37:21 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Lessons from a Fintech Accelerator 45:02 Cultivating High Performance and Looking Forward And thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures!

Given all that is going on in partner banking between community banks and fintechs, it was good timing to have Adam Shapiro on from Klaros Group. We took a deep dive into the evolving landscape of the financial industry, particularly at the intersection of banking, innovation, and regulation. Adam shared his extensive experience in it. Our discussion focused on 'banking as a service' (BaaS), diving into the regulatory scrutiny it is facing and the importance of understanding the changing regulatory landscape for banks and fintechs. Adam provided insights into compliance, risk management, and the potential of technology to address these challenges effectively. He also touched on the impact of recent regulatory actions, the importance of banks investing in lines of business like BaaS, and strategies for fintechs in partnering with banks. Looking forward, Adam shared his optimistic view on the future of finance, highlighting the roles of embedded finance and technology in shaping a compliant, innovative, and consumer-friendly financial ecosystem. This episode offers invaluable insights for financial industry professionals, regulators, and anyone interested in the future of banking and fintech partnerships. CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Highlight 00:16 Intro 00:28 Sponsor 00:59 Adam Shapiro, Partner/Co-founder of Klaros Group 02:03 Banking as a Service (BaaS): Navigating Regulatory Waters 03:54 The Importance of Compliance and Risk Management in BaaS 08:52 Advising Fintechs in a Tightening Regulatory Environment 18:33 The Future of Banking and Fintech Collaboration 21:48 The Genesis of Klaros Group 23:56 Reflecting on Four Years at Klaros 34:43 Predictions for Banking, Regulation, and Fintech in 2024 38:14 Adam Shapiro's Personal Insights and Rituals 43:02 Looking Ahead with Klaros Group Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

Entrepreneurs always inspire me, and Michael Berman re-affirmed that when we met a couple years ago. It's also been a pleasure to build a partnership with him and his company, NContracts. He shared a lot of company and personal history, as well as industry perspective, in this conversation. With an increased need for efficient and effective risk, vendor and compliance management in banks, NContracts is well-positioned to help community banks to better compete. And that's what we align on so strongly between our 2 firms. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

In this episode, I interviewed Winter Mead, founder and CEO of Coolwater Capital, an incubator/accelerator that helps launch and scale venture capital funds, as well as a fund to invest in them and community to support them. This was a super fun, engaging and important conversation for emerging fund managers. He's met and worked with thousands of them! Winter shares how the venture capital fundraising environment has shifted over the past few years, from an incredibly hot market in 2020-2021 to more challenging conditions in 2023. He remains optimistic for 2024 based on renewed LP interest and attractive valuation opportunities. When asked if VC can drive value at scale, Winter argues it becomes more like growth investing, focused on larger, de-risked opportunities. The best VCs balance ambition with patience to invest at the right pace and scale. On emerging manager success, Winter says early portfolio validation and liquidity events demonstrate traction, while regular LP reporting builds confidence and alignment. He emphasizes the importance of building out operations to prove institutional readiness. Coolwater's mission is to incubate the next generation of net positive, founder-friendly VCs globally. Winter is excited about their back office program helping funds prepare for operational due diligence and their salon events that educate LPs on early-stage investing. Winter believes success requires a flexible, long-term mindset. As he says, "If you believe the world is zero sum, then you've missed the point of venture." Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures, as well.

It was an absolute pleasure to have Kraig Lounsberry and Mike Kelley from Community Bankers Association of Illinois on the podcast. As the leaders of the association and service corporation, respectively, they advocate for and support community banks at one of the largest bank state associations in the country. 2024 is also their golden anniversary (50 years), and demonstrates how relevant and effective they have been for decades. This conversation was fun to learn the history of CBAI, how they have adapted and evolved, and what they see happening in the years ahead for community banks and their association. We've been so fortunate to develop a partnership in the past few years, and we share a belief in the importance of community banks to their communities, see the servant leaders that work in community banks and want to support them, and want to help community banks evolve and transform as effective technology can make them high tech and high touch. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.  

I was excited to record my conversation with Tara Schultz, as we've had several good discussions since meeting and she always has so many ideas and perspectives to share. She has been a key part of CSI for several years, and discussed her career path in and around banking, how CSI is evolving  and adjusting to life as a private equity-owned company, and what's ahead for them and her. From the #4 core banking vendor to a much more diversifed banking technology and services company and active partner with fintechs, Tara shares what she thinks this world will look like in the years ahead. Enjoy this conversation and thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

My latest guest is Amber Illig, General Partner at The Council.  What started, as she told me, as her desire to do angel investing eventually expanded to a community and then a fund a couple of years ago. The Council Fund typically invests about $50-100K into pre-seed startups, and then she also has a group called the Council Angels, which has become a consortium of over a hundred angels.  Prior to that, she has a really interesting history in both startups and established tech companies. She's worked in names you would definitely recognize: companies like Atmos, Cruise, Snap, and even Apple. She started her career in engineering roles at Eli Lilly and Delta Faucet, two of Indiana's most well known companies. And she also graduated from my arch rival school, Purdue. But I was still excited to speak with her. We had a fun conversation covering her journey, the current state of VC, where she sees exciting opportunities, life as an emerging manager, and some examples of companies and less obvious industries where she's finding great investments. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.  

I've really enjoyed working with Sean Willett over the last couple of years, and it was a special treat to have him on the podcast. I'm grateful for the friendship we've developed and how generous he is with his perspective and feedback. We always have productive and future-focused conversations as we both work closely in the area of making community banks more capable, competitive and digitally transformed. He's made a big impact at Five Star Bank in his time there. This was a typical conversation that we have, covering a lot of ground and challenging ideas and each other in the process. If you want to learn a lot about how community banks are evaluating and embracing the changing environment and their opportunities, Sean is a great teacher. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.  

Kristin Marcuccilli joined me to share the STAR Financial journey, which is in its 80th year and has had at least one member of her family involved since inception. She's a great example of a next generation business leader, fully aware of the opportunities and challenges that technology and change present, and embracing them for how they can strengthen their bank and the communities they serve. She's clearly comfortable with technology, and also recognizes how important it is to intentionally invest in team learning and development so they can use it and be enabled by it as well. Learn about the bank's founding and why it's called STAR. Find out how they have defined their primary community of family businesses. Hear what they learned from being an early adopter of bitcoin in banking. And much more! My takeaway: with great leadership, an organization can not only make the transition to its next generation, but it can also surge ahead and thrive in the years to come. I have great confidence that Kristin and STAR will be in that position. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

John Mizzi from Vero Technologies joined me to talk about his founder journey and the dual value proposition his company offers to banks and some of the larger commercial customers who hold and sell physical inventory. We discussed how challenging it's been for many banks to manage their wholesale finance business, and how Vero built the modern platform to make it better, faster and more scalable. They've already brought banks back to this line of business, and are also showing banks how offering it can help them gain banking business from auto, equipment and other dealers of larger ticket merchandise; and in many cases earning the primary bank deposit business from them in the process.  John also shared a lot about his entrepreneurial journey and how this one is different from his past experiences, as well as how he's benefited from working with strategic accelerators like ICBA's ThinkTECH one. Thanks also to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

This conversation has been a long time coming, as Zac Lyons and I have been talking about Jobs-To-Be-Done and its applicability to how startups identify and build the most important products.  It was so fun to record our discussion, and you'll find me in the zone during many parts of it, as it's a topic that has become near and dear to me. Zac has developed very cool tools at his firm, Agile Innovation Advisors, to help companies and founders identify valuable opportunities, using things like the Heat Map of Market Opportunity and JTBD Solution Sprint. This helps them better focus their design and development efforts, win with customers, and achieve their business objectives. I love his approach for framing up innovation challenges in customers' terms, and it's led me to ask many founders questions about how customers describe their problems and what they think they want and need. As Zac's approach is focused on identifying and prioritizing the needs of customers, based on the jobs they are trying to get done, he can better identify true opportunities for innovation. And I believe this is a critical approach nearly every founder should also apply to her process for evaluating opportunities and where they should (or shouldn't) spend their time. Enjoy this conversation. I guarantee you will be challenged in your thinking and will learn something from it! Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

  The heart of a community banker is a real thing. I remember it from my childhood, growing up in a community where my family was involved in the local community bank. My grandfather's and father's friends were bankers and they were passionate about the community and what the bank could do to help it thrive. Not everyone has had that experience, but Brad Bolton has, and he lives it by example every day in his community in Alabama and at his bank, Community Spirit Bank.  He also lives it through his involvement in the ICBA (Independent Community Bankers of America), where he was recently Chairman, and traveled the country meeting with his fellow community bankers.  It was an inspiring and insightful conversation to hear about his journey, his perspective and his passion for community banking. And I'm also excited about his resolve for how community banks will continue to effectively serve their communities from coast to coast. It's been a wild year so far for banks, and Brad's thoughts on what it means for community banks is worth a listen. Enjoy! Thanks to BankTech Ventures for sponsoring as well.

  I really enjoyed my conversation with Samantha Berg, the Chief HR Officer at Choice Bank. She's spent most of her career there and has grown and advanced inside of the bank, and embodies its culture. She also has a fresh and relevant perspective as an HR leader, and shared a lot of those thoughts and ideas in this episode. Choice is a progressive bank with one of the most active banking-as-a-service businesses in the industry, and we talked about how that affects talent and culture across the bank, and whether to silo or integrate it. Enjoy this discussion with a people leader who thinks a lot about attracting and retaining talent in the banking industry, clearly the most important topic facing her peer bank leaders across the country. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

In this episode, Heath Fountain, CEO of Colony Bank, delves into the world of community banking and how Colony Bank has navigated growth and innovation amidst the current economic uncertainty. He discusses the importance of incorporating technology to create efficiency for the bank and better experiences for customers, the need to redefine community beyond geographical boundaries, and the role of community banks in revitalizing rural areas. Heath also highlights the value of personal touches and ease of doing business that community banks provide in comparison to national and regional banks. Additionally, he shares insights into his strategic planning process, leadership perspectives, and personal habits for growth and development. Heath has built a culture that attracts and retains talent, and creates a desire to compete and win in serving customers and building a future-oriented bank. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

Greg Ohlendorf is the President and CEO of First Community Bank & Trust in Beecher, Illinois. He has over 35 years of experience in community banking and is known for his active leadership and advocacy for community banks. Greg has served as both a board director for the ICBA and his state banking association, and he is a vocal advocate for digital transformation in banking and collaboration with fintechs. He has been an early and aggressive adopter of new solutions, positioning his bank to compete effectively in the changing landscape. Greg's vision for the future of his bank revolves around meeting evolving customer expectations while remaining committed to serving the community. He is comfortable with digital transformation and fintech collaboration and encourages his peers to embrace change and speed. Greg effectively filters through the numerous fintechs, using partnerships with the ICBA and BankTech Ventures to help him identify valuable opportunities. He also provides advice to fintechs on improving their relationships with banks, as well as helping banks to more productively work with fintechs as well. Outside of banking, Greg's personal interests contribute to his professional development and shape his leadership style. He maintains habits of personal development to stay energized and motivated. When asked why a business should work with a community bank as a financial partner, Greg emphasizes the benefits of personalized service and a deep understanding of the local community. He is excited about the bank's prospects for the year and also looks forward to playing golf at various courses - he is a world class golf aficionado. Thanks to BankTech Ventures for supporting the show.  

  Zach Duke is the founder and CEO of Finosec, a company that provides a governance automation platform for financial institutions. They offer automated solutions, relentless protection, continuous monitoring, and actionable insights to help financial institutions save time and enhance exam preparedness. Their platform is designed to simplify cybersecurity management and reduce cybersecurity liability. They are passionate about community banking and all of their services are designed to help financial institutions manage evolving threats. Zach and I had a great conversation that spanned his career and entrepreneurial journey, his love for community banking, bank technology and cyber security, and his advice for other founders out there. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures!

  Ian White and I have known each other for nearly 20 years, and intertwined through several parallel entrepreneurial adventures. I was excited to finally record one of our conversations and let him talk about Koffie Financial, the company he co-founded a few years ago, that is disrupting the $100B+ commercial truck insurance market. We also talked about some of his prior entrepreneurial endeavors, our shared love of data and its value in the world, and one of my favorite stories about how he used Craigslist to recruit for his business and ended up on an FBI list. He has great stories and perspectives, and is the type of entrepreneur I love - obsessive about learning and figuring out how and why things are the way they are, and could be better.  We always laugh and explore when we're together and he always manages to enlighten me on a new topic or 2. There were many in this episode! Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures!

  It's been an absolute pleasure to be alongside Jacob Ruytenbeek for his founder's journey since the very early days of SailPlan. His passion for the maritime industry was evident from the moment we met, and then combining that with a curiosity and openness to the customers and their biggest challenges, it was easy to be convinced that he'd find his way. I'm so glad to be able to record this conversation, which details his journey so far, as well as the progress of the company, so this is instructive for founders, investors, anyone in the maritime industry, as well as those interested in carbon-reducing innovation. Please reach out to Jacob or me with any follow up questions, comments or thoughts, as this will be a compelling story to watch in the next couple of years! And thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures

Nicky Senyard takes me on the journey of her career as a successful entrepreneur and how that passion led her to do it again for a new customer segment in the financial services industry. Her company, Fintel Connect, is at the intersection of 2 major trends in the digitization of marketing and banking.  Since we both work a lot with community banks, we also discuss the state of digital products and marketing there, as they have historically been less advanced in embracing how to meet their current and prospective customers online. Nicky and team are working diligently to help them! She's a great inspiration for other entrepreneurs as well and shares several great stories in our conversation.  And thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures

  Nathan Baumeister is a co-founder and the CEO of ZSuite, and it was a pleasure to have him on the podcast. We talked about the founding of ZSuite within a community bank, and how it's now working with dozens of banks to help them with commercial escrow accounts, and also expanding bank deposits as a result of it. It's been a pleasure to get to work with him and his team, and become an investor in the company in the past year. Nathan is a super talented guy, exceptional leader, and is very experienced in the bank tech industry. We can all learn a lot from his perspectives on the industry, business and life.  Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures  

It is so fun to get introduced to awesome new people, and I had a strong feeling that Teddy Mitrosilis and I would have a good conversation and connection. We did and I think you'll enjoy his stories and ideas thoroughly. (Thanks for the introduction, Mallory Maske!) We talked about his journey to becoming an entrepreneur, how the market wanted something different from him than he initially anticipated, and how he's working with a number of people on their personal brands and stories, and challenging them to think about creating value for others in their organizations. We also talked about our shared experiences on LinkedIn, which we both use extensively. Not surprisingly, Teddy has a strong drive and process, which has served him well in athletics, business and life. Great lessons to learn here. And thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

Rex Salisbury has a great story as his path into venture capital and transition from Andreessen Horowitz to founding Cambrian. It was fun recording our conversation so he could tell that story and inspire others who can now consider other paths to get there. His development of a community of fintech founders was definitely rooted in great timing and his personal passion, and also led him to realize that investing in this community was what he was also meant to do.  His instincts led him to San Francisco where he thought his community would be, then to A16Z and ultimately to starting his own fund.  Enjoy this conversation and the many things Rex has learned by serving the community around him. Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

  Charles Potts is my favorite bank technology historian. And he happens to also be my partner in BankTech Ventures. This was a conversation I wanted to have and record for a long time, and I'm excited to share it. Charles is currently the Chief Innovation Officer of the ICBA (Independent Community Bankers of America) and it is a perfect role for him, as he is part banker, part technologist, part entrepreneur and part futurist. He gives a great history lesson in here on how bank technology has evolved. We also talked about bankers' priorities in 2023, how the ICBA ThinkTECH accelerator came to be, what's ahead for it, and the questions and advice he finds that he is consistently giving to bankers across the country. Enjoy this one!

This episode was an absolute treat. Eric Sprink is what I call a human energizer bunny. He demonstrates abundance to his peers in community banking as he's taught dozens of others how to do banking as a service right, which we talk about in the conversation. Eric is the CEO of Coastal Community Bank in the greater Seattle area, and yet his community bank now supports millions of customer accounts through some very large partners whose names you're likely to recognize.  He's been a banker for most of his career, yet exhibits a growth mindset that is not so common amongst his peers. It's served him well as they've been one of the top performing banks in the country in the last few years. I'm also fortunate to count Eric as a partner in BankTech Ventures. It's been an absolute pleasure to know him for the past 5 years.   

It was great to have Wayne Miller on the podcast and record our conversation, which wasn't far from a typical one we have all the time. Wayne recently joined ICBA to continue and expand the great work he's been doing with bank technology innovation and startups, and he's a key enabler of the future of community banking. Wayne and I talked a lot about what is on banks' agendas for the new year and how we're all working together to help them. I consider Wayne sort of a "founder whisperer" as he's worked with well over 100 of them in the last 6 years through a couple accelerator programs he oversaw. And with a focus on business development for the startups going through the program, it has been true business acceleration for them, and a big reason why it was named the fintech accelerator of the year a couple of years ago. Enjoy Wayne - some great sound bites, stories and sayings. One of my favorites is "if people aren't buying what you're selling, you don't have a business." Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

  Brent Jackson saw the opportunity for Torpago inside the finance and accounting organization of a prior company. I always enjoy when a founder just sees the opportunity and goes for it. He has a good focus on customers and ensuring he has happy ones with stories of high impact. And while he's in a hypercompetitive market of corporate spend management, he's carved out a great niche and continues to grow quickly. Brent has also been scrappy to get the company started, built and growing, and he's added great members to his team in recent years. It's been a pleasure to get to know Brent in the last couple of years. Enjoy this conversation with a coachable entrepreneur who is growing himself and his company simultaneously. And thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.  

It was a really fun first episode to start the year. Ron Shevlin from Cornerstone Advisors had a lot of great thoughts and insights to share and we covered a lot of ground. Ron talked about the strategic imperative for community banks and had a number of very clear action items banks can take to have more success in the coming years.  A few areas we discussed: 1. Financial products vs. services 2. The re-thinking of and opportunity in what defines a bank's community 3. How banks can learn a lot from the health care industry 4. What he would do as a new bank CEO 5. What it means to really build a capability of partnership 6. How to attract more digital and younger talent into banking If you are in financial services or fintech, this is an episode you will absolutely enjoy to kick of 2023. Happy New Year, Operate listeners! And thanks to sponsor, BankTech Ventures!

  Serial entrepreneur, Howard Makler, has been growing Innovation Refunds at 200% per quarter this year. Few companies ever do that quarter over quarter, as the numbers get big very quickly. It's been amazing to watch, and I was thrilled to have him join me to talk about the experience, his personal and leadership philosophies and what's unique about this opportunity vs. others he's built. He also highlights how important passion and purpose are in fueling us day to day. Enjoy this conversation with Howard! Thanks to episode sponsor, BankTech Ventures

David Wexler joined me to discuss a critical innovation and transformation topic in banking - integrations. This has been an expensive and painful area for banks and their technology partners for a long time, and few in community banking have embraced integration platforms, and that's slowed down their ability to digitally transform. I've had the pleasure of working closely with David over the last year, and we share some very strong views about the  future state technology architecture of the financial services industry, and we discussed it on this episode. He is the co-founder and CEO of PortX, a leading integration-as-as-service platform for financial services. He works with dozens of community financial institutions and fintech companies, enabling them to work together more efficiently and consistently. He has a long history in application integration and services, including time at Mulesoft and Microsoft. He's a big champion of community banks and enabling them to more effectively compete with digital products. We also talked about what the industry has historically gotten wrong in implementing new software, how PortX is changing it, and how he's evolving and learning as a CEO of a key company in this market. Also check out our sponsor, BankTech Ventures!  

Zack DeFord joined me to discuss his experiences as a lifelong gamer, and how his younger brother was bullied while playing online games. Zack's desire to make gaming safer and more fun for his brother led him to start Smerf, and that authenticity has served him well as he's built the company. Zack and his co-founder, Ben, have developed Smerf to be a critical identity and social layer across gaming platforms, and they're being noticed by some of the largest gaming companies in the world. We talked about his experience engaging with the CEO of one of them early in Smerf's life. I've also seen Zack mature so rapidly as a founder becoming the CEO of a company with incredible potential to impact millions of gamers in a positive way. It's such a pleasure to get to work with him through Operate. Enjoy this conversation!

Cat Berman and I met several years ago, so it was fun to finally have a recorded conversation. She is inspiring in her leadership of CNote and bringing more impact to the financial services world through the products that they offer. Community financial institutions have impact in their communities. It's central to who they are as businesses. They engage and support the people where they are based. CNote works with them to get credit for the lending and banking they do in their communities, which is often ignored by larger financial institutions and even the broader market. This was so evident during PPP, where community banks all over the country rallied to support their local businesses, delivering twice as much support volume than their market share for financial services.  Enjoy a passionate entrepreneur and her mission to drive more impact. It was a fun conversation and we're excited (at BankTech Ventures) to be on the journey with her and her team.  And thanks to BankTech Ventures for sponsoring.

Jason Yeh and I had a super fun chat about founders, how to help them better tell their stories, and some great examples he's seen. We also talked about the changes in the venture capital landscape in the last year, and what's likely ahead. He's spent a lot of time internationally as well, especially Brazil, so we discussed his experiences there. Jason was early at MLB Advanced Media 15 years ago, was an investor and entrepreneur in residence at Greycroft, he's been a founder multiple times himself and now works with as many others as he can help at Adamant. He puts out great content, too, on social media, his podcast, FundedPod, as well as his weekly newsletter, adamant.beehiiv.com. Listen to this one to hear why he loved delivering pizzas earlier in life, as well as what he's learned being part of Delta Airlines' Technical Advisory Board. Learn about show sponsor, BankTech Ventures, here.

  Bradley Leimer and I were destined to meet, and we finally did in NY earlier this year at Finovate, where we were on a panel together entitled "How Community Banks & Credit Unions Can Embrace Change to Compete In A Digital World." We both determined that we'd have a lot to talk about after the panel, so we decided to record it. Bradley is a career innovator and fintech champion. He is the co-founder of Unconventional Ventures, advisor at Gauss Ventures and ambassador at Invest Tokyo. He is also an author and podcast co-host, who shares his expertise in promoting innovation and financial wellness. His book, Beyond Good, challenges leaders to focus on doing good and that their businesses and they can do well through that. Listen to our conversation and the many elements about making banking better that we discussed. And thanks to sponsor, BankTech Ventures, which is helping community banks to invest in and benefit from the most innovative startups in bank and financial technology.

Bradley Leimer and I were destined to meet, and we finally did in NY earlier this year at Finovate, where we were on a panel together entitled "How Community Banks & Credit Unions Can Embrace Change to Compete In A Digital World." We both determined that we'd have a lot to talk about after the panel, so we decided to record it. Bradley is a career innovator and fintech champion. He is the co-founder of Unconventional Ventures, advisor at Gauss Ventures and ambassador at Invest Tokyo. He is also an author and podcast co-host, who shares his expertise in promoting innovation and financial wellness. His book, Beyond Good, challenges leaders to focus on doing good and that their businesses and they can do well through that. Listen to our conversation and the many elements about making banking better that we discussed. And thanks to sponsor, BankTech Ventures, which is helping community banks to invest in and benefit from the most innovative startups in bank and financial technology.  

This episode was a bit of a "turn the tables" one, as Kiah Haslett is an accomplished and energetic journalist who covers the banking industry. She's done so for 10 years, and you can find her at Bank Director, where she's Managing Editor. Kiah has covered the full spectrum of banking from policy, strategy, trends, technology and M&A. She has a unique vantage point for what's happening in banking and bank technology, and we covered a lot of ground in this conversation. Listen as we discuss topics like "what is a bank (really)?"; "what do banks do (really)?" & "how do banks make money?"; and what's ahead for banks and rapid digital transformation in the industry. She calls on bankers to be far more curious than they tend to be, as a way to help them evolve. She also has a fun origin story of how a game introduced her to money, ownership and even M&A. Find Kiah here or here. Learn more about BankTech Ventures here.  

Mark Forbis joined me on the podcast and we covered a lot of ground about culture, innovation and the history of technology in banking. He is the former Chief Technology Officer of Jack Henry, one of the largest technology companies in the banking industry, and he's also a current Board Director at Incredible Bank in Wisconsin and Citizens Bank in Arkansas, as well as companies like Teslar Software, Digital Check Corp and InvestorKeep.   Mark is one of the original folks in fintech and banktech, starting his career at Systematics, which became FIS. Then he had a long career in banking technology, which we discussed. If you're following innovation in banking and fintech, you'll enjoy this conversation.

  I'm excited to bring back the podcast with Alice Frazier, CEO of Bank of Charles Town (BCT).  Alice is one of the most progressive leaders in community banking, and leads her bank that way. She's active with the ICBA as its current Chair of the Policy Development Committee,  and previously served as Secretary,. She is also active in her state with the Community Bankers of West Virginia and  Virginia Association of Community Banks, where she is a past Chairperson. We had a great discussion about her bank, the last 2 years of challenges and opportunities, how her bank has adapted and thrived, and how she's planning for the next seasons for it.  We also discussed her leading role in investing in BankTech Ventures, a new fund in which I'm involved. The episode is also sponsored by BankTech Ventures, the first strategic investment fund designed by the community banking industry for community bank innovation and investment. BankTech identifies leading products and technologies for community banks, and works with the founders and management teams to maximize the impact for community banks and their businesses. If you're a bank looking to innovate and invest in the future, or a founder who wants to work with community banks, reach out to BankTech Ventures – banktechventures.com

Doug Holte is the Founder and CEO of Agile Workweek Investments, his startup that is investing in disruptive technologies and modernized properties for a more efficient and agile workweek.  Doug's inspiration for AWI was not Covid, but rather accelerated by it; the changes he began to see in how people want to live and work started several years ago. Doug has had an illustrious career in commercial real estate, most recently as President of Irvine Company for over 10 years, and a longtime senior partner and West Coast leader at Hines.  He's also currently a senior advisor to a new proptech venture capital fund, and on the board of important Orange County organizations such as UCI Beall Applied Innovation and CEO Leadership Alliance. He is a visionary with a huge heart for an inclusive, collaborative and supportive community that works for everyone, and he leads by example in his efforts there.  I'm always inspired by our conversations and appreciate his friendship. Doug is also a great storyteller, which you'll experience in our conversation. It is so exciting to see him building on the vision he has, and to have him on the podcast.  Hear about the inception of AWI, Doug's amazing journey into the entrepreneurial realm, and how everything has now changed in how most of us will design and live our (work) weeks moving forward. Thanks also to show sponsor, Collective Genius, for helping high performance teams to be agile, aligned and more effective.  

Fred Thiel is currently the CEO of Marathon Digital Holdings (NASDAQ:MARA), a digital asset technology company that mines cryptocurrencies with a focus on the blockchain ecosystem and the generation of digital assets. He is a respected expert and frequent speaker on FinTech, digital assets, Blockchain, bitcoin, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, venture capital and private equity and digital transformations of companies and industries. Fred has over 25 years operating experience leading companies in digital assets, semiconductor, data communications, Internet, IoT, AI, as well as digital media and software. His breadth of knowledge and experiences is incredible. As a CEO, Fred has led companies through rapid growth to IPO, repositioned companies for high-value exits to strategic and financial acquirers, led M&A and roll-up strategies. Fred and I go back nearly 20 years to when I first moved to Southern California, and I've always enjoyed his friendship and perspective – we always can cover a lot of ground and topics when we meet. It's exciting to see him now at the forefront of digital assets, and he shared some great wisdom and insights in this conversation! Thanks also to show sponsor, Collective Genius. Their Peak Planning program is the ideal one to build your unstoppable high growth team.

Dave Ferrera is currently the General Partner of Treadstone Holdings, a venture studio focused on catheter-based diagnostic and interventional radiology technologies.  They work with doctors and entrepreneurs and use or create intellectual property to develop new companies.  Dave is a board member for a number of early stage medical device companies as well. Throughout Dave's career he's been a researcher, product developer and technologist in medical devices, so he's well-suited to run a venture studio.  He is an engineer by training, transplanting here from the east coast many years ago. He's also a recent book author – releasing “Innovation in Translation – How Big Ideas Really Happen” earlier this year.  We had a good discussion about it and how it came to be. Dave and I talked about how we've both launched venture studios and why we try to take on multiple projects at the same time. Dave also described how he thinks about developing ideas and finding ones that solve real problems - so useful for entrepreneurs to learn! Thanks also to show sponsor, Collective Genius - if you want to build an unstoppable team for your high growth company, you should meet them and learn about Peak Planning.

Sloane Keane is currently the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and Inland Empire, a role she's had for nearly 3 years, and after several years with the organization in senior development roles. Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the highest impact non-profits in the area, and country, providing mentoring and support to thousands of children here every year. Prior to BBBS, she was an advertising executive across several prominent media companies, including the Orange County Register.  And like me, she's also a Big Ten graduate.  We had a great chat about the importance of showing up, and how mentorship and support for youth had steadily reduced the number of "opportunity youth" across the country. Covid has caused some negative trends there and there's a lot of work to do in the years ahead to recover from that, and Sloane and her team are leading the way. She is an inspiring leader in our community - you'll enjoy this conversation!