Fintech Meetup Flashback: A Conversation with Laura Gibson-Lamothe, Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy
- John San Filippo
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
By John San Filippo
Laura Gibson-Lamothe was one of Finopotamus’ “meetups” at the 2025 Fintech Meetup, held March 10-13 in Las Vegas. The Georgia Fintech Academy brings together the fintech industry and the University System of Georgia offering education and training on a wide range of fintech topics and career pathways. The Academy’s structure allows employers to partner with multiple USG institutions.
The fintech revolution is reshaping the financial landscape, demanding a new breed of professionals equipped to navigate its complexities. Leading the charge in meeting this demand is the Georgia Fintech Academy, an innovative program spearheaded by Laura Gibson-Lamothe, whose passion and vision are transforming how students prepare for careers in this dynamic field. Gibson-Lamothe provided Finopotamus with a compelling look at the academy’s journey, impact, and its unique approach to bridging the gap between education and the real-world demands of fintech, with a particular focus on the growing role of credit unions.
From Banking to Building the Future: A Passion Ignited
Gibson-Lamothe’s path to the Georgia Fintech Academy was paved with nearly two decades of experience in the banking and financial services industry. This journey, encompassing roles from systems analyst to project manager and product lead, provided a front-row seat to the industry’s technological transformation.
Reflecting on her career, she shared, “When I got my hands on anything that was digitally-first customer experience related, I found it was my passion influencing the actual technology that we touch and use.” This passion for shaping customer-centric technology fueled her involvement in initiatives like co-branded credit card deployments and complex mergers and acquisitions.
A surprising turn towards risk and compliance, a field she initially “dreaded,” further solidified her fascination with fintech. “Now I love that we’re kind of integrating it throughout change management time cycles,” she noted, highlighting her embrace of the evolving regulatory landscape.
A Collaborative Vision: Addressing the Fintech Talent Gap
The Georgia Fintech Academy arose from a shared recognition of a critical need. Industry leaders, academics, and influential organizations like the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce and the American Transaction Processors Coalition foresaw a looming talent shortage in the rapidly expanding fintech sector. With Atlanta serving as a major fintech hub, processing a significant portion of US-based transactions, the need for skilled professionals was particularly acute.
Gibson-Lamothe explained, “There was an evaluation of the fact that we had such a booming ecosystem here in Atlanta and the growing demand for talent was just a constant theme of discussion.” The academy, launched in 2019, emerged as a collaborative response to this challenge, aiming to create a robust pipeline of talent equipped to meet the industry’s demands.
Evolving to Meet the Need: Building a Fintech Ecosystem
The academy began with a focused curriculum centered on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning in risk management, cybersecurity, and the fundamentals of payments. Since then, it has blossomed into a comprehensive program offering 42 courses through a network of 26 partner universities across Georgia.
“We started off with just a few courses,” Gibson-Lamothe remarked, highlighting the academy’s rapid growth and adaptation. While students receive degrees from their respective universities, the academy provides essential support through targeted programming, industry events, career fairs, a dedicated job board, and a student-co-hosted podcast.
“The student doesn’t actually get a degree from the Fintech Academy,” Gibson-Lamothe clarified. “They get it from the university they’re enrolled in, but it’s on the backend, supported by the Fintech Academy.” This holistic approach creates a thriving ecosystem, connecting students with resources and opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.
Experiential Learning: Bringing Fintech to Life
A defining characteristic of the Georgia Fintech Academy is its emphasis on experiential learning. Gibson-Lamothe firmly believes in bridging the gap between theory and practice. “We’re creating unique opportunities for students to learn and to demonstrate skills,” she explained.
Through collaborations with leading companies like US Bank, students engage in real-world projects, mentored by industry professionals and presenting their findings to company executives. “It gives students an opportunity to work in a project team type format and then at the end, they have a report out in front of US Bank leadership and executives,” she said, emphasizing the value of practical experience. This hands-on approach not only reinforces classroom learning, but also often translates into job offers, solidifying the academy’s success in preparing students for impactful careers.
Measuring Impact: Beyond Numbers to Individual Stories
While metrics like enrollment and hiring rates are important indicators, Gibson-Lamothe stresses the importance of individual stories in capturing the true impact of the academy. “Fundamentally, it’s about how much engagement we can get,” she stated, highlighting the importance of student participation. She shared a particularly poignant anecdote about a first-generation immigrant student who quickly secured a role at Truist after graduating from the program. Witnessing the student’s success and the inspiration it sparked in younger students, Gibson-Lamothe reflected, “That was just such a rewarding moment…to have those conversations with those students.”
These personal narratives demonstrate the transformative power of the academy, nurturing not only professional skills but also personal growth and a sense of belonging within the fintech community.
The Power of Partnership: Engaging the Industry and Empowering Students
Gibson-Lamothe continually emphasizes the crucial role of industry partners. “I’m always fundraising for needs-based scholarships in the fintech space,” she shared, noting the importance of financial support. Beyond funding, she stressed the value of time and expertise. Guest speakers, mentors, and companies offering project challenges provide invaluable insights.
“We’re always looking for mentors. We’re always looking for volunteers to speak and to participate in the program,” she said, inviting industry professionals to contribute to the development of the next generation of fintech leaders.
Credit Unions: A Growing Force in the Fintech Future
A promising trend Gibson-Lamothe highlighted is the increasing involvement of credit unions in the Academy’s ecosystem. “We’ve had a number of credit unions and community banks that we’ve talked to here in the state of Georgia,” she noted.
The local focus and community-centric values of credit unions resonate strongly with students, particularly in the post-pandemic era. Partnerships with organizations like Georgia’s Own Credit Union and the League of Southeastern Credit Unions create valuable opportunities for students to connect with these organizations.
“Being able to market it to our extensive community of students has been where we’ve seen more success across the board, but specifically for credit unions and community banks,” Gibson-Lamothe observed. This mutually beneficial relationship strengthens credit unions by providing access to a talented pool of emerging professionals while offering students fulfilling career paths within values-driven organizations.
Expanding Horizons: A Model for the Future of Fintech Education
The Georgia Fintech Academy’s innovative model is attracting attention from other states and even internationally. “We have had conversations in Florida, in North Carolina,” Gibson-Lamothe revealed, indicating growing interest in replicating the Academy’s approach. International collaborations, such as a memorandum of understanding with universities in Ireland, are also underway, expanding the program’s reach and influence.
“We’re now adding faculty development and apprenticeships to that list,” she added, highlighting the academy’s evolving global focus. By sharing best practices and fostering collaboration, the Georgia Fintech Academy is poised to serve as a blueprint for fintech education and workforce development on a broader scale, shaping the future of the industry worldwide.
A Catalyst for Transformation
The Georgia Fintech Academy, under the passionate leadership of Laura Gibson-Lamothe, is more than an educational program—it’s a catalyst for transformation. By connecting students with the resources, experiences, and people they need to thrive in the fintech world, the academy is building a brighter future for the industry and the individuals it serves. Its focus on experiential learning, its strong industry partnerships, and its growing engagement with credit unions position the academy as a vital force in shaping the future of financial services, empowering the next generation of fintech leaders to innovate, disrupt, and create positive change.