Fintech Advisory Board

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

Senior Chargeback Analyst
ConnexPay

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.

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.

Aylin Orial

Chief Technology Officer
Padgea

A dynamic and results-driven executive with a robust background in technology and innovation leadership. With over a decade of experience in FinTech, PropTech, Healthcare, Manufacturing, eCommerce, High Tech, Insurance, Real Estate and Energy sectors. Aylin has a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. Her expertise spans across various domains including AI, cybersecurity, solutions architecture, and digital transformation with Agile, where she has consistently delivered exceptional results by leveraging her strategic vision and leadership skills. Aylin's commitment to excellence and her ability to build and nurture strong relationships have been key factors in her successful career.

Currently, Aylin serves as a pivotal figure at Padgea, where she spearheads initiatives that drive AI based innovation which leads business expansion and enhanced customer engagement. Her adeptness at identifying market opportunities and implementing effective strategies has positioned her as a trusted advisor and leader within her industry. Aylin's passion for technology, especially in FinTech enables her to stay ahead of market trends, ensuring her company remains competitive and innovative. With a strong educational background and a relentless drive for success, Aylin Orial continues to make significant contributions to the growth and advancement of her field.

As the Founder of Think Techmode, Aylin leads a forward-thinking company dedicated to transforming businesses through innovative and AI based technology solutions. Under her leadership, Think Techmode has become a trusted partner for organizations seeking to navigate the complexities of AI integration, digital transformation and more... Aylin's strategic insight and commitment to excellence have driven the company’s growth, enabling it to deliver cutting-edge services that enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainable success for clients. Her vision for Think Techmode focuses on leveraging emerging technologies to create bespoke solutions that address the unique challenges faced by each client, ensuring they achieve their business objectives in an increasingly digital world.

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.

Aakash Shah

Chief Product Officer
Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited

Aakash Shah is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in product management, operations, and customer experience across financial services, fintech, and e-commerce. At Citi, as Head of Client Experience, he led transformative digital initiatives across multiple regions, modernizing customer-facing platforms and significantly improving customer engagement. At Green Dot, Aakash led operations and stabilized key operational functions, enhancing compliance and streamlining processes to improve efficiency and customer experience.

At Amazon, he spearheaded innovative marketplace solutions, optimizing seller and customer experiences through launch of innovative digital and machine learning products. As a founding executive at Oxygen, Aakash helped launch and scale key product and operational initiatives, driving growth in a competitive fintech landscape. Currently, he serves as Chief Product Officer of Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited.

Known for his ability to align technology and business strategy, Aakash brings a wealth of expertise in driving innovation and fostering collaboration. His leadership will bring invaluable insights to the university's fintech-focused board, empowering students to excel in a rapidly evolving industry.

JC Titus

Vice President of Software Delivery
Ingenico

JC Titus is the Vice President of Software Delivery at Ingenico, overseeing teams across 27 countries to deliver and support payment applications for clients worldwide. Since October 2023, JC has been leading this global effort. Based in Atlanta, Georgia since June 2024, after spending 20 years in Canada, JC continues to enhance payment experiences for small and medium-sized businesses using modern mobile design and cloud integration technologies. A dual citizen of France and Canada, JC is a certified agile coach, scrum master, and Six Sigma Green Belt. He is passionate about supporting his team's growth, diverse backgrounds, and aspirations. Outside of work, JC enjoys spending time with his wife of 20 years and their two children.

JC Titus, vice president of software delivery at Ingenico

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.