Agenda

2025 Spring Summit Agenda
(tentative and subject to change)

11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

AFT Registration

11:30 PM - 4:00 PM: 

Optional Activities: 

Solstice Party Yacht - Miami Boat Tour (separate registration required): Experience the vibrant essence of Miami like never before with a private chartered boat tour just for AFT Summit attendees! Glide through the dazzling turquoise waters and take in the breathtaking views of Miami's iconic skyline, luxurious waterfront estates, and pristine beaches. Cruise in maximum comfort and style as you enjoy an open bar with heavy hors d’oeuvres. This unforgettable voyage promises unparalleled relaxation, stunning scenery, and a taste of Miami’s glamorous lifestyle.

Bus departs from the Lobby of the Hotel at 11:30 AM.

Little Havana Food Tour (separate registration required): Explore Little Havana's vibrant Cuban heritage with a blend of traditional and innovative food tastings. Discover the area’s history, music, and lifestyle. Enjoy fresh tropical juice at the oldest open-air fruit market, savor traditional Cuban coffee and pastries, and visit a cigar shop to learn about rolling cigars. Experience landmark sites and end with a family-style Cuban meal in a hidden courtyard on Calle Ocho. The tour includes a fresh juice at the market, a guava pastry, a visit to a cigar factory, a Guayabera store, and a delicious Cuban Sandwich and a  flavorful Mojito. 

Bus departs from the Lobby of the Hotel at 12:00 PM. 

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM (Event Deck)

VIP Toast

It is a long-standing AFT tradition to welcome all first-time attendees to gather prior to the kick-off of the summit. This allows our first-time attendees to learn the lay of the land, meet their ambassadors, and the AFT board.  

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Event Lawn)

Welcome Reception

This is the official kick-off of the AFT Summit. All attendees are invited to come together to reconnect with friends and meet new ones. The welcome reception offers heavy appetizers and drinks. Many attendees make plans for a dinner after the welcome reception. Buses depart at 6:30 PM.

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM (Event Lawn)

Group Workout let by Sara Scott

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Sevilla Prefunction Area)

AFT Registration

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (Alhambra ABC)

Group Breakfast 

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (Sevilla Ballroom)

VIP/First Time Attendee Breakfast

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (Granada)

Spouse/Guest Breakfast

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM (Alhambra DE)

Opening General Session 

Our AFT President welcomes all attendees to the AFT 2025 Spring Summit.

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM (Alhambra DE)

Keynote: Turn the Ship Around

David Marquet, Retired, Navy Captain

Wall Street Journal bestselling author David Marquet was assigned to command the nuclear-powered submarine USS Santa Fe, then ranked last in retention and operational standing. He “turned the ship around” by treating the crew as leaders, not followers, and giving control, not taking control. This revolutionary approach not only took the Santa Fe from “worst to first” in the rankings, it also created more subsequent leaders than any other submarine.

Captain Marquet is the author of Turn the Ship Around, a true story of turning followers into leaders. Fortune magazine named it the #1 must- read business book of the year, and USA Today listed it as one of the top 12 business books of all time. Next came the newly acclaimed book, Leadership is Language. It is time to ditch the Industrial Age playbooks and learn that choosing the right words can improve team decision- making and execution. Leadership is Language is featured in The Wall Street Journal’s Top 10 bestselling business book list, and was named “Book of the Month” for the Financial Times.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM (Alhambra Prefunction Area)

Stretch Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Alhambra DE)

General Session: Thinking Like a Storyteller

Deanna Marsigliese, Character Art Director, Pixar  

Since 2012, Deanna Marsigliese has contributed to such feature films as Incredibles 2, Toy Story 4, Inside Out & The Good Dinosaur, along with the celebrated short, Bao.

Prior to Pixar, Deanna worked as a freelance artist, designing & animating characters for various film, television & commercial projects. Past clients include Laika, Sony Pictures, Universal Feature, Walt Disney Feature, Disney TV, Nickelodeon, among others.

Deanna loves to teach & once served as the Professor of Classical Animation at Seneca College in Toronto for 6 years. She continues to deliver panel talks & lead workshops working most recently with SXSW, D23, ILM, Leaders London, Pixelatl, CTNX & The Walt Disney Family Museum. Deanna can also be found in her own Disney+ featurette, episode 2 of the new Inside Pixar documentary series.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (Event Lawn)

Lunch and Networking 

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

Deep Dives: Apply the concepts you just learned from the main stage to the real world. In Deeper Dives, you'll have an opportunity to ask questions, hear your peers' perspective, and exchange ideas, all within a moderated discussion that's as efficient as it is effective.

• Fintech Fusion: What Makes a Winning Partnership? Facilitated by Steve DuPerrieu, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Computer Services, Inc.  (Alhambra ABC)

• AI/ML/IRL: How Are Banks Embracing NextGen Products? Facilitated by Alex McLeod, Founder & CEO, Parlay Finance (Sevilla Ballroom)

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM (Alhambra Prefunction Area)

PM Refreshment Break

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM 

Deep Dives:

• Navigating the Shift: How to Master Risk Management for the Next Four Years. Facilitated by Mary Beth Marchione, CPA, CISA, CISSP, Partner, Wipfli (Alhambra ABC)

• Building and Finding Leaders in Your Organization. Facilitated by Mike Alles, Founder, Alles Leadership Coaching (Sevilla Ballroom)

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM (Alhambra DE and any available meeting space)

Intersections

• Individually Planned Meet-Ups

• Hosted/Themed Round Table Discussions

  • Deeper Dives Continued:

    • Regulatory

    • Leadership

    • Product/AI

    • Partnerships

  • Ask a Core

    • Table 1: Jack Henry and CSI

    • Table 2: COCC, Nymbus, DCI

  • Ask a Founder

    • Plinqit

    • Marstone

    • Stratyfy

  • Trendspotters

  • Venture & Investment

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM (Komodo Lounge)

Past Presidents/Past Board Members Reception

Bus departs from the Hotel Lobby at 5:30 PM

6:30 PM - 10:00 PM (Komodo Miami)

Monday Night Dinner Event

Bus departs from the Hotel Lobby at 6:00 PM

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM (Event Lawn)

Group Workout let by Sara Scott

7:30 AM - 2:30 PM (Sevilla Prefunction Area)

AFT Registration

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (Event Lawn)

Group Breakfast 

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM (Alhambra DE)

General Session: Welcome Back / Updates

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM (Alhambra DE)

Brandon DeWitt Technology Keynote

Ben Metz, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer , Jack Henry & Wade Arnold, CEO, Moov & 

Wes Hummel, Chief Product and Technology Officer, MX 

This keynote will be led by technology leaders who can share their unique journey innovating technology in support of the banking industry.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM (Alhambra Prefunction Area)

Stretch Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Alhambra DE)

BaaS Panel: The Future of Banking-as-a-Service: Innovation, Investment, and Regulation in 2025 

Matthew Kelley, Director, JAM FINTOP, Peter Hazlehurst, CEO & Co-Founder, Synctera , Susan French, Wise Owl Advisors, and Bryan Mulcahey, Managing Partner, FS Vector 

Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) has transformed the financial ecosystem, enabling fintechs and banks to offer embedded financial products with unprecedented speed. But as the market matures, challenges are emerging—shifting regulations, evolving business models, and increasing scrutiny from both investors and regulators. Join us for a lively and insightful discussion with industry leaders across the BaaS landscape. Whether you're a fintech founder, banker, investor, or compliance professional, this discussion will provide actionable insights into the evolving BaaS landscape. Don’t miss the chance to hear from the top minds shaping the future of embedded finance!

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (Event Lawn)

Group Lunch

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM (Alhambra DE)

"How Can I Help AFT?" Podcast

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez & Michael Lopez

Miami’s Role as a Fintech Hub

• How Miami has positioned itself as a growing fintech and innovation hub.

• The city’s efforts to attract startups, VCs, and financial institutions.

• Lessons from Miami's approach that fintech leaders can apply to their own markets.

The Intersection of Fintech and Public Policy

• How local governments can support fintech growth while ensuring responsible innovation.

• The role of regulatory frameworks in fostering a competitive, safe, and inclusive fintech ecosystem.

• Public-private partnerships that drive financial inclusion and economic development.

The Future of Digital Payments and Banking

• How emerging technologies like blockchain, AI, and digital payments are shaping financial services.

• The impact of fintech advancements on local economies and financial accessibility.

• How cities can prepare for a more digital, decentralized financial future.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Alhambra DE)

General Session: Bridging the Fintech Gap: Fintech Content that Works

Sam Kilmer, Managing Director, Cornerstone Advisors 

Join us for an insightful session designed specifically for AFT members, where we unveil a framework for crafting exceptional fintech content that not only captivates but also drives substantial pipeline opportunities. Discover through illustrative examples what makes content truly effective and why. This session offers highly prescriptive takeaways, empowering both early and mature stage companies to self-assess and significantly enhance their content strategies. Whether you choose to refine your approach independently or with the guidance of expert advisors, the knowledge gained here will be indispensable in elevating your fintech content to new heights. Don’t miss the chance to transform your content and advance your business objectives! 

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Alhambra Prefunction Area)

PM Refreshment Break

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Alhambra DE)

General Session: AFTerthoughts - The ROI of Emotional Intelligence in Fintech Innovation

Meg Poag, CEO & Founder, Mission Squared 

Join us for an inspiring keynote by Meg Poag, leadership expert and author of The Adversity Hack: Get Out of Your Own Way, Shift Your Thinking, and Change Your World. Meg will explore the ROI of emotional intelligence (EI) and why failing to invest in this critical skill can slow down innovation—a costly misstep in today’s hyper-competitive fintech landscape.

Drawing from the insights in her book and years of experience coaching leaders, Meg will reveal how emotional intelligence is the key to finding clarity amidst chaos, overcoming challenges, and unlocking new levels of success. Attendees will gain practical tools to:

• Address dysfunction—in their own behavior and within their teams

• Cultivate deeper self-awareness to become more effective leaders

• Identify and reverse trust-eroding habits that hinder collaboration and execution

• Use adversity as a catalyst for growth rather than a roadblock

Through engaging stories and actionable strategies, Meg will demonstrate how fintech leaders can leverage EI to drive innovation, build high-performing teams, and create a culture of resilience and trust. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how mastering emotional intelligence can lead to real, measurable business impact.

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Free Time

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Alhambra Prefunction and Terrace)

Farewell Reception