Throughout the month of March, Finopotamus will celebrate Women’s History Month by featuring intriguing profiles and unique stories impacting the credit union and fintech industry. In the latest installment in our “Women in Technology” series, we visited with KlariVis Chief Business Intelligence Officer Ashley Fiore.
By W.B. King
The way executives wind up in technological roles is often a circuitous journey. This was the case for Ashley Fiore. Starting her career in accounting, she held positions such as controller at a community bank and vice president of accounting at a credit union, among other roles.
“I worked for a technical college with 27 locations across the U.S., then moved to an international manufacturing company with 35 locations. In both roles, I was responsible for implementing new ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems,” she told Finopotamus. “I worked closely with developers to customize functionality and, as the business user, handled final testing, validation and project sign-off.”
Initially, she didn’t quite realize just how crucial understanding data flow would be to advancing her career. “About 15 years ago, I transitioned into banking and soon found myself in the middle of yet another system conversion. I discovered that I love chasing down data, figuring out why systems behave the way they do, and solving complex problems—especially when math is involved,” she shared. “Over time and through experience, this became a natural fit for me.”
Shifting Dynamics
In 2019, she joined KlariVis as its chief business intelligence officer. The Roanoke, Va.-based fintech offers an enterprise dashboard and analytics tool designed by bankers for bankers.
Over the years, Fiore has seen many operational changes—both back office and consumer facing. She noted how financial institutions no longer rely solely on core providers for data and processing solutions.
“When I first entered the industry, cloud technology was still new and viewed as a security risk—few financial institutions were willing to be the first to take the plunge. Because of this, core providers were the go-to, all-in-one solution, and they controlled financial institutions' data as if they owned it,” she said. “That dynamic has shifted significantly. The rise of fintech solutions has given financial institutions more options to stay competitive against big banks with massive resources. These new technologies have not only provided better business opportunities but have also changed the relationship between financial institutions and their core providers.”
As a result, she added that more financial institutions recognize “the immense value of their data and are pushing core providers to grant access and acknowledge that the institutions—not the providers—are the rightful owners of that data.”
Fearless Female Leaders
Another change Fiore noticed are the types of roles women are assuming in the financial services space, especially when it comes to technology.
“Years ago, the only time you’d typically see a woman at the executive table was in human resources or marketing. While these roles are critical, they often weren’t taken as seriously in the boardroom,” she reflected.
“Today, I do see more women in leadership positions—CEOs, CFOs, and CISOs—but there’s still a long way to go. Women bring unique perspectives and often approach problems differently, but change isn’t always easily accepted,” she continued. “As a result, many women feel the need to tailor their tone, behavior, and even work-life balance to mirror their male counterparts—all while working just as hard, if not harder, and often earning less. While these efforts have helped gain seats at the table, they also risk watering down the trailblazing spirit that got us here in the first place.”
For Fiore, getting a seat at the table wouldn’t have been possible without mentors. At every turn throughout her career, she benefited from a champion in her corner.
“Early in my career, a mentor taught me not to take everything so seriously—to be able to laugh at myself. I also had an employee who, despite being in a seemingly mundane role, found deep satisfaction in his work,” she said. “He helped me realize that my self-worth shouldn’t come from my employer but from something greater. As an introvert, I’ve also learned from extroverted sales associates who effortlessly build relationships.”
Another pivotal mentor is KlariVis CEO Kim Snyder, who Fiore called an inspiring, “fearless female" leader.
“She sets the bar high, proving that success and integrity can go hand in hand. But what stands out most is her unwavering support—not just professionally, but personally,” she continued. “She has shown up for her staff at some of the most challenging points in their lives, proving that true leadership isn’t just about driving results; it’s about uplifting people.”
Fiore pays these experiences forward by having an open-door policy—always willing to help a colleague who has the courage to ask for assistance or guidance.
“I remember what it felt like to be a young employee, intimidated by executive leadership, and I never want anyone to feel that way around me. At the end of the day, titles, experience, and luck don’t make someone inherently more valuable than anyone else,” she noted. “I make it a point to let the people I work with know that I see them and value what they do. No task is beneath me, and no question isn’t worth asking. Creating an environment where people feel heard and supported isn’t just important—it’s essential.”
Unwavering Commitment to Membership
Among technology trends on Fiore’s radar are core-as-a-service models, which she believes reduce infrastructure costs and increase agility for credit unions.
“By moving away from traditional, on-premise core systems, they’re gaining more flexibility, scalability, and better integration capabilities with fintech partners. Early adopters of this approach are positioning themselves strategically for the future,” she told Finopotamus. “It allows credit unions to be more responsive to member needs, roll out new services faster, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.”
Fiore is also excited about how credit unions are embracing buy now, pay later (BNPL) platforms, noting that younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, think differently about finances.
“They’re more mindful of interest rates and strategic about how they use their money. Credit unions are capitalizing on this by offering split-payment options and, in many cases, interest-free spending power,” she said. “This not only attracts younger members but also aligns with their values. When combined with credit unions’ strong commitment to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), community initiatives, and sustainability, I believe these trends will foster long-term loyalty and relationships.”
Prioritize Financial Well-Being
The credit union industry’s unwavering commitment to members sets it apart from other financial institutions, she said. Credit unions, she added, work backwards from the member experience—serving needs over competitive practices that focus on the bottom line.
“Rather than competing with one another for cutting-edge technology, credit unions take a more collaborative approach. They leverage shared platforms and technology providers to pool resources, making it possible to implement sophisticated solutions that might otherwise be out of reach,” she shared. “This cooperative mindset isn’t just a business strategy—it’s a reflection of their core philosophy: people helping people.”
To ensure that ethos is realized, Fiore said partnerships with fintechs who share the same mission are critical. She added that not all fintechs share the “cooperative, member-first philosophy” of credit unions—many are profit driven.
“When organizations share similar goals, priorities, communication styles, and cultures, it reduces friction—especially during complex transitions. When everyone is aligned on urgency and expectations while also understanding external challenges and competing priorities, collaboration becomes much smoother,” she said.
“Partnering with fintechs that prioritize financial well-being over just boosting revenue ensures that technology investments truly benefit members—not just the bottom line,” Fiore continued. “At the end of the day, credit unions exist to serve their members, and working with fintechs that share that commitment leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.”