2025 AGENDA
Monday
March 3
8:00 AM Registration Opens
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Networking breakfast
9:00 AM Opening remarks
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM Session 1: Generating Returns on AI Investment
- Rules for effective AI, cloud strategies and implementation
- The realities of ROI on automation, AI tech spend, agentic AI
- Has gen AI fulfilled its expectations for financial services application
PANELISTS:
- Bernard Aceituno, President & Co-Founder, Stack AI
- Dominic Cugini, Chief Transformation Officer, KeyBank
- Danielle Jennings, Primus Practice Director- Intelligent Automation, Primus Software
- Hemal Nagarsheth, Head of Strategy Banking, Lending, & Trust, Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management
- Jude Schramm, Chief Information Officer, Fifth Third
- Ninish Ukkan, Chief Technology Officer, Arvest Bank
MODERATOR:
📸 Complimentary Headshots
Ballroom Pre-function | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sponsored By:
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Session 2: Fireside Chat
During this session, a member of the Bank Automation News team will sit down with Koren Picariello, Managing Director, Head of Generative AI Strategy & Execution at Morgan Stanley, for a discussion on crucial technology and automation trends, developments and investments.
MODERATOR:
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM Morning coffee break
☕ Networking with Sponsors
Take a moment to recharge! Enjoy a specialty coffee at the espresso cart, sponsored by LemonadeLXP, while networking with fellow attendees and sponsors. This is the perfect opportunity to connect, refresh, and fuel up for the next session.
Specialty Handcrafted Coffees at the Espresso Cart
Available in the ballroom pre-function from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Sponsored by:
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Session 3: The Operational Paradigm: Identifying and implementing internal efficiency initiatives
- Implementing workflow automation
- Effectively combining human and technology resources
- Determining which tech to keep or scrap during digital transformation
PANELISTS:
- Andrew Braun, Director of Engineering & Platforms, Grasshopper Bank
- Narasimha Reddy Goli, Chief Technology & Product Officer, Iron Mountain
- Bob Lamendola, Chief Digital Services & Delivery Officer, Ricoh
- Sathishkumar Palanisamy, Expert Enterprise Architect, Discover Financial Services
MODERATOR:
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM Networking luncheon
Join us for a delicious networking luncheon and connect with industry peers. During lunch, enjoy an engaging presentation from Finzly, offering valuable insights to power your innovation and growth strategies. Don’t miss this opportunity to network and learn!
PRESENTER:
Sponsored By:
1:15 PM – 3:15 PM Session 4: AI in action demo challenge: Demos of new technologies and solutions
From AI chatbots to biometric solutions to technologies you haven’t encountered, you will see demos of curated new products and solutions that will get your “brainstorming” juices flowing.
MODERATORS:
- Dan Roselli, Co-Founder & Managing Director, RevTech Labs
- Sara Garcés Roselli, Co-Founder & Foundation President, RevTech Labs
Demo Challenge Partner:
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM Afternoon coffee break
☕ Networking with Sponsors
Recharge your afternoon with a specialty coffee at the espresso cart, sponsored by Ushur. Connect with fellow attendees and sponsors while enjoying your favorite espresso drink and gearing up for the next session.
Specialty Handcrafted Coffees at the Espresso Cart
Available in the ballroom pre-function from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Sponsored by:
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM Session 5 Demo Challenge Awards
JUDGES:
- Pam Kaur, Head of Bank Technology, BankTech Ventures
- Robert “Red” Daniel, Fintech Catalyst, Advanced Technology Development Center
- Brittani Roberts, Principal, FINTOP Capital
MODERATOR:
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Session 6: Inside the current fintech scene: New startups, ideas and opportunities
- 2025 global state of fintech funding
- AI investment drives funding rounds
- How investment priorities are changing to maximize profitability over growth
PANELISTS:
- Sabrina Tharani, SVP, Global Fintech Programs, Mastercard
- Katie Quilligan, Investor, BankTech Ventures
MODERATOR:
5:00 PM Cocktail reception
🍸 Networking & Connections
Unwind and connect with fellow attendees at the cocktail reception. Enjoy drinks, light bites, and great conversation in a relaxed atmosphere—the perfect way to wrap up the day and expand your network.
Tuesday
March 4
8:00 AM Registration
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Networking breakfast
📸 Complimentary Headshots
Ballroom Pre-function | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Sponsored By:
9:00 AM Welcoming remarks
9:05 AM – 10:00 AM Session 7: Finding financial success in the new regulatory-mandated open banking
- The evolution of embedded finance
- How to ensure FIs are providing modern, compliant and seamless payment processing
- The state of open banking compliance
PANELISTS:
- Steve Bishop, EVP & Chief Innovation Officer, Old Missouri Bank (OMB)
- AnaLiza Grandner, Chief Payments Officer, First Bank of the Lake
- Jim McCarthy, Founder & Chairman, McCarthy Hatch
- Ethan Geiling, Strategic Financial Institution Partnerships Lead, Plaid
MODERATOR:
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Morning coffee break
☕ Networking & Refreshment
Take a break, grab a coffee, and connect with fellow attendees. This is the perfect opportunity to recharge and engage in meaningful conversations before the next session.
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM Session 8: Opportunities for banks in digital banking solutions for SMBs
- Launching data-driven business intelligence tools
- Tapping AI for SMB clients
- How banks can serve as tech providers for SMB clients
PANELISTS:
- Sharif Alexandre, EVP & Chief Technology Officer, ConnectOne Bank
- Matthew McCown, Executive Director – Data & Analytics Team, J.P. Morgan Payments
- Jennifer Taylor, SVP & Head of Commercial Digital, Axos Bank
- Mark Williams, Head of Business Banking Sales Transformation, Citizens Bank
MODERATOR:
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Session 9: What’s new in digital assistants: Implementing AI for better returns and efficiency
- Innovation and technology updates for self-service capabilities
- Promoting virtual-assistant adoption
- Internal and external uses for virtual assistants
PANELISTS:
- Ashleigh Ashbrook, VP of Digital Service Experience, MSUFCU
- Kenneth Upchurch, Global Head of AI Automation, Paysafe
- Joanne Wyper, EVP, Head of Digital & Operations, Citizens Commercial Banking
MODERATOR:
Sponsored by:
