Payments Industry Leaders Helping KSU Grow

The Coles College Fintech Advisory Board is a collection of payments industry leaders offering insight and guidance to help grow Kennesaw State University’s graduate and undergraduate digital payments programs. Board members support the Coles College fintech programs through:

  • Advising faculty and program leadership on the latest developments in the payments ecosystem.
  • Providing guidance on aligning academic initiatives with industry needs.
  • Directly enhancing the student experience by hosting guest lectures, student projects, internships, and field trips.

Meet the Fintech Advisory Board

Corey Bingham

Vice President, Senior Product Manager
Bank of America

Experienced fintech leader with a proven track record of success in the payments industry. Corey has spent over two decades working in various roles within the payments space, from technical support to strategic relationship management.

As a Team Lead at Bank of America Global Payment Solutions, Corey oversaw the Acquirer Payment Compliance team, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and industry standards. Prior to this role, Corey held Card Brand Relationship Manager positions at Worldpay, where he managed relationships with Visa, Mastercard, and various debit networks.

With a strong foundation in technical operations and a deep understanding of payment processing and compliance, Corey brings a unique perspective to the fintech industry. His experience, combined with his ability to build and maintain strong relationships, makes him a valuable asset to any organization.

Corey Bingham.

Nayelli Cruz

Americas People and Culture Lead & Global Solutions HR Partner
Ingenico

For more than 15 years, Nayelli has helped people and organizations develop themselves in changing and challenging environments. Her international experience since her university days has given her a deep understanding of cultural differences and how to leverage them to boost individuals and teams.

As the Americas People and Culture Head at Ingenico and a North American Board member, Nayelli leads HR efforts across the United States, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and Colombia. She plays a crucial role in aligning HR strategies with business objectives, ensuring that Ingenico's team members are recognized, engaged, and motivated. In the fast-paced and constantly evolving payment industry, Nayelli develops and implements HR strategies that promote agility and innovation, enabling the company to adapt and thrive.

Nayelli believes that a strong HR function is integral to business success. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, she ensures that employees are equipped with the skills needed to meet future challenges. Her leadership in talent management, diversity and inclusion, and employee well-being directly supports Ingenico's growth and competitiveness.

Outside of her professional life, swimming provides Nayelli with a space to maintain a strong mind and body, helping her cultivate discipline and organize her busy life. She has been passionate about swimming for over ten years.

nayelli cruz.

Clay Worley

Director, Strategic Programs

Data Commerce Solutions

Clay Worley is a technology industry leader with 30 years of experience.  He was worked in both the public and private sectors at entities like Dell Technologies, First USA Bank, Shaw Industries, the US Department of Defense, WorldPay, FIS, and now Fiserv.  An Atlanta native, Clay graduated from high school in Cartersville, Georgia and is a member of the Kennesaw State University graduating class of 1994.  Clay earned his Master of Science degree at Florida State University in 2015 and spent many years as an adjunct professor for the MBA program at Concordia University in Austin, Texas.  He is a disabled American combat veteran with service in Iraq and a peacekeeping tour in Bosnia-Herzegovina.  Clay leads business support operations for the Data Commerce Solutions division at Fiserv.  In his spare time, he also leads the Alpharetta site’s Disability Associate Council, an employee resource group called, Thrive.  Clay enjoys Classic and Southern Rock music, Science Fiction, wild hog hunting, and teaching predator awareness/avoidance to disadvantaged youth.

clay worley.

Kerri Sauer

Managing Director
Sia Partners

Kerri Sauer is a Managing Director with Sia Partners, one of the fastest growing next generation Consulting companies in the US.  She joins us as a seasoned leader with 23 years of experience in FinTech, Financial Services, and Innovation.  Prior to joining Sia Partners, Sauer was the head of Transformation for Fannie Mae.  In this role, Sauer led their Digital Transformation, Agile Transformation, and modernization initiatives helping reshape their business and technology organizations.  At Sia Partners, Kerri is the Agile leader and Executive Coach as well as a co-leader for their US Payments practice within Financial Services.  Throughout her career, Kerri has been the key leader for delivery and transformation, including leadership roles at US Bank and Truist.  Outside of work, Sauer is a leader in the Atlanta community serving on multiple Non-Profit Boards.  She is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2017 and the Leadership Cobb class of 2022 and holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business as well as a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems from Auburn University.  

Kerri Sauer.