With Fintech Meetup just days away, this episode of Fintech Meetup Mashup focuses on one question:

How do you actually make the most of a major industry conference?

Georgia Fintech Academy alum & Truist IT Business Analyst, Astrid Cuellar Benitez joins Pam Kaur, Head of Platform at Alloy Labs, to share practical, real-world advice on navigating large fintech events. From managing your schedule and avoiding burnout to building meaningful connections, this conversation offers a candid look at what it takes to show up prepared and make the experience count.

In this episode:

• Why over-scheduling your meetings can work against you
• How to approach networking without being transactional
• When it’s okay to walk away from a conversation
• The importance of personal connection in a relationship-driven industry
• How early-career professionals can stand out and bring value back to their teams

This episode is part of the 2026 Future Fintech Leaders Cohort series, capturing real-time preparation as students and alumni head to Fintech Meetup in Las Vegas.

Connect with Our Guests

Pam Kaur
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamkaur001/

Astrid Cuellar Benitez
https://www.linkedin.com/in/astrid-cuellarbenitez/

Featured Event

Pam Kaur will be co-hosting a community walk during Fintech Meetup.
More details: https://luma.com/99vc3txh?tk=qogpTe

Learn More

Georgia Fintech Academy
https://georgiafintechacademy.org

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Georgia Fintech Academy
https://www.georgiafintechacademy.org/

LinkedIn (Georgia Fintech Academy)
https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgia-fintech-academy/

In this episode of Fintech Meetup Mashup, Georgia Fintech Academy brings together emerging fintech talent and industry leaders for a candid conversation about careers in financial technology.

Georgia Fintech Academy student Benjamin Willhite-Mettler sits down with Michael Bugno, Vice President of Enterprise Experiential Marketing at Fiserv, to talk about how professionals find their way into fintech, what skills matter most early in a career, and how to make the most of large industry events.

As Benjamin prepares to attend Fintech Meetup for the first time, Michael shares insights from his own journey in the industry and offers practical advice for students and professionals navigating major conferences and networking opportunities.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• How careers in fintech often begin in unexpected ways
• The importance of communication and relationship building
• Advice for first-time attendees at major fintech conferences
• Why curiosity and continuous learning are essential in fintech

This conversation is part of the 2026 Future Fintech Leaders Cohort, where Georgia Fintech Academy students and alumni attend Fintech Meetup to engage directly with leaders across the fintech ecosystem.

Learn more about the Georgia Fintech Academy
https://georgiafintechacademy.org

Connect with our guests

Michael Bugno
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bugno/

Benjamin Willhite-Mettler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-will-mett/

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Support the show

Georgia Fintech Academy
https://www.georgiafintechacademy.org/

LinkedIn (Georgia Fintech Academy)
https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgia-fintech-academy/

What can a small Baltic nation teach the world about resilience, innovation, and digital transformation?

In this episode of Fintech Talks, Georgia Fintech Academy Executive Director Laura Gibson-Lamothe explores Lithuania’s incredible fintech journey, from rebuilding after Soviet occupation to becoming one of Europe’s fastest-growing innovation centers.

Joining the conversation are Grant Wainscott, international trade and cross-border advisor, and Dovydas Špokauskas, Consul General of Lithuania in New York, who share how Lithuania built one of the world’s most digital-first economies and why it’s an ideal partner for Georgia’s fintech ecosystem.

💡 Key Topics:

- How Lithuania leapfrogged legacy systems to lead in digital finance

- The country’s rise as a fintech, IT, and software powerhouse

- Cultural and economic synergies between Lithuania and Georgia

- Lessons in grit, adaptability, and the power of global collaboration

- Opportunities for cross-border startups, talent exchange, and education partnerships

🌍 Global collaboration starts with conversation. Discover how Lithuania and Georgia are shaping the next chapter of fintech innovation.

🔗 Connect with us: Visit www.GeorgiaFintechAcademy.org for more content and events. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates from the Georgia Fintech Academy.

🎧 Fintech Talks — powered by the Georgia Fintech Academy.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Georgia Fintech Academy
https://www.georgiafintechacademy.org/

LinkedIn (Georgia Fintech Academy)
https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgia-fintech-academy/