Amanda E.

Amanda E.Aug 31, 2026

I’ll be speaking at Money20/20 Middle East, 14-16 September in Riyadh. I am joining leaders across fintech to exchange ideas, fresh insights and shape what's next. This Is Where It Starts! Who is joining me? Would love to connect while out there. Use my exclusive discount code SpkNet20 to save $180 on your Silver Plus Pass. Secure your pass here: https://lnkd.in/eQsMqry3 #Fintech #Money2020MiddleEast #SpeakingEngagement #Leadership

Amanda E.Sep 10, 2026

I was asked to do one of my most exciting speaking opportunities....Career Day! Yes, I have been all over the world but sharing what I do, especially with my child in the audience is super exciting to me. It had me reflecting after a full day in the city on how can I explain to a group of 100+ high schoolers what "A day in the Life of a mom who wears many hats...Partnerships, Board Member, Advocate, Advisor and the list goes on.." does for work. Well My day started at Filene Research Institute's CEO Roundtable, where I spent time with Mark Meyer, Jeremy Tollefson and a network of credit union CEOs tackling some of the biggest questions top of mind for credit unions — from attracting the next generation of members to AI, personalization, and the future of the member experience. It reminded of the intentionality among credit unions to serve people throughout their entire financial journey. How important it is within our ecosystem. And increasingly, fintech is becoming part of how that journey gets delivered. We heard from founders building solutions around some very human financial challenges — including Ribbon, founded by Saeid Kian, tackling inheritance management; Casap founded by Shanthi Shanmugam, who is rethinking fraud and disputes; and Rachel Lauren' Debbie Rewards, who is using rewards and incentives to help people improve their financial health. We also sat in on a conversation with @James P. O'Neill, Global Head of Security and Safety at Visa, who reminded us that when we talk about securing financial systems, and the most important asset we're protecting is people. And somehow, that was all before 1 PM. Then it was off to Finovate, where I spent the afternoon talking with founders, watching demos, and meeting startups ready to put their ideas on stage. There's something incredibly energizing about being around builders. I got to catch up with my friend Martha Underwood of Prismm, who's helping families inheritance infrastructure, and Ariel Serber, one of my fellow advocates for financial empowerment. I was especially proud to watch Chanel M. Outlaw and Estado M. Outlaw of On Time Harvest take the stage. I met them this summer and learned about their vision for helping families become more empowered in managing and building their wealth. So back to Career Day. I could give those students my title. I could tell them I am a Fintech Expert. But I think I'll tell them that I get to work with some of the most amazing builders in financial services. I connect people. I give really great advice ( that made a few people profitable), I help architect the right solutions, I spend a lot of time listening, and figuring out how to bring the right organizations together to make it happen. And I get to tell them that I love what I do and that they can find the same on their journey...I think Im ready guys...wish me luck!

Amanda E.Sep 18, 2026

Ambition....ṭumūḥ That was the theme of Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh this year, and after spending the week in the Kingdom, I can’t think of a better word. Saudi Arabia is in a moment where ambition isn’t simply being talked about—it is being built. As Vision 2030 kicks into high gear, you can feel the intention behind the transformation: investment in technology, financial infrastructure, entrepreneurship, talent and the ecosystems needed to support the Kingdom’s continued growth. Throughout the week, I got a chance to experience that intention...that drive! It was amazing to feel...amazing to see. Panel 1- Reimagining Payments, Embedded by Design with Rami Panayoti Co founder and Chief Business officer of SiFi, Stephen Bowe CPO of Paymentology, and Nader Abdelrazik Co-founder CEO of MoneyHash. We discussed how partnerships are enabling the consumer experience when it comes to payments and commerce. Panel 2 - Merchant Multiplier: Who is enabling the next billion businesses to sell digitally? Abdulaziz Abanmi Aldahmash Managing Director of Network International, Dalal Buhejji AlRayes, Co-founder and CEO, Spare and Ahmet KAYHAN, Group Chief Payments & Digital Assets Officer, VEON and Eduardo de Abreu, Global Chief product officer EBANX. We discussed how payment providers are enabling businesses to participate in increasingly digital economies. Panel 3 - Building the Trade Rails of Tomorrow with Laurent Marochini CEO Standard Chartered, Luxembourg and Ahmad Yaacoub, VP MENA & Country Head, Thunes. We As trade corridors evolve, the how digital payments, instant settlement, and cross-border interoperability are reshaping the foundations of regional and global commerce. Panel 4 - Was an intimate conversation with my new boss Scarlett Sieber and my amazing colleague Samantha Pidoux. We discussed leading with intention and focus. How there is success in rediscovery as we build the 3 C's, connection, community and collaboration amongst strong women in finance/fintech. Adding to my busy week was a chance to explore intimate conversations with two leaders aiding in the regions ambition. Podcast 1 - A heart to heart with Miranda Naidoo CEO ad co Founder of Scale. We discussed the importance of building the right foundation for growth. Essential the infrastructure behind the access. Podcast 2 - A discussion on progress and growth of the region with Murat Cagri Suzer GCEO of Network International on how the organization is building the rails and infrastructure to support the regions Payment growth. But my biggest takeaway from Riyadh was Ambition requires infrastructure. Ambition requires investment. Ambition requires talent. And ambition requires partnerships. And if Riyadh was any indication, there is a lot more to come. The ambition is real....... The builders have spoken.... Until next time, Riyadh.... Special thank you to Kinga Swiderska, Klaudia Heldt Christina Mekala, Annabelle Mander, Mike Champion and all for a fantastic show!