Name: Kristin Wallace
Company: BB&T, Vice President Emerging Payments
Social Platform: 
Background (Education/Career etc):
- Double-majors in English & International Studies from Washington University in St. Louis
- MBA from Duke
- Stints at small, private firms to large, Fortune 50 firms
Connection to Carolina Fintech Hub (CFH):
I was one of the initial BB&T representatives in “The Charlotte Mayor’s Initiative,” the group that originally architected what is now – and worked to align internal company goals with participation in what is now CFH. It’s been a lot of fun to meet fellow BB&T associates, learn their interests and strengths and help them get involved in various aspects of CFH. I am thrilled that BB&T can bring its broader regional presence to help CFH grow beyond Charlotte—like the establishment of the CFH-Raleigh chapter, which has already had 2 successful events.
Main passion:
I have many passions – my “5 Fs”—fintech and family being 2 of them! I had my first baby just before the CFH Hackathon – so I am moving through the fun of being a full-time corporate-mama – who “plays” with digital wallets and explores financial innovations and their potential uses for clients at a regional bank. For fun, I am on the Finsiders CLT and PayCLT Exec Committees, along with promoting BB&T’s involvement in CFH and QC Fintech start-up accelerator. It is an exciting challenge to match traditional banking needs with emerging technologies and payment tools and work to introduce them into the client workflow.
Why Fintech?:
“Chase your interests” – for me that came out of a desire to be where the banking industry was going/growing. In the early 2010s, things were shifting, the payments industry was changing like never before and technology started to fuse with traditional bank offerings. It was really exciting– I believed it was a “blue sky” space where I could make a difference as a 20-something.
I love the diversity of opportunity it presents – I can be “in fintech” at a big, established bank or a small tech start-up, or somewhere in between. Fintech isn’t only for the coders-in-hoodies or the bankers-in-three-piece-suits. Of course, those types are welcome, but fintech lives in the space between—giving the individual options to find the “right fit.”
Why the Carolina Region?:
The weather, of course! In selecting grad schools, I visited on a 70F degree day in December – so was sold on the Triangle. After graduation, I got a paying gig in Charlotte. At this point, the weather makes it too hard to leave! ☺ Seriously, the quality of life in the Carolinas is awesome. I periodically weigh the thought of moving to another fintech-related area – the pros/cons list just hasn’t been compelling, especially with an airport that makes a flight to almost anywhere super-easy.
What is Next?… (for you, the industry, the next 5 years?):
The nascent industry we know as “fintech” is shifting—start-ups are no longer perceived as the disruptive threats to established banks, as they once were, but rather potential partners or service providers. The industry will continue to evolve and mature – we will likely see more collaboration (and “friendly competition”) between small fintech firms and large financial firms. My personal goal is to continue to be at the “edge” of the industry – as that edge moves.
What Advice do you have for others interested in Fintech?
Broadly: “Chase your interests”– and believe that you can find an arrangement that works for you. It may take time and you may have people tell you it is “impossible,” but if you stay steadfast you will find the right fit.
More specifically, to the working mamas out there: Consider fintech! There is a lot of diversity and flexibility in this emerging industry. Not to say that everything is rosy: The flaws of the tech industry and the banking industry with respect to diversity and gender have been well-documented of late. While these industries led to fintech, their sins don’t have to be fintech’s future. Fintech, by virtue of its newness, doesn’t have the baggage of the other industriesy and as such is open to flexible approaches. Sure, every story and every situation is different – but the beauty is that fintech is still malleable. Fintech is open to practices and norms conducive to mamas – if we are intentional in establishing those practices now. That is the exciting part of fintech and the Carolina Fintech Hub – it is evolving, and you can help direct its future!
“For Fun” Reading — A couple of interesting studies on the varied experiences of mothers in technology and women in fintech:
Recode – New Mamas in Tech: https://www.recode.net/2018/1/25/16897330/new-mother-mom-maternity-leave-return-tech-work-jobs-silicon-valley-nursing-pumping-baby
2015 Innotribe White Paper on Women in Fintech: https://innotribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-PowerWomen-in-FinTech-Index-Bridging-the-Gender-Gap.pdf
