The American Fintech Council (AFC) recently held its 2024 Policy Summit, where it announced the winners of the inaugural AFC Awards. The awards aim to honor leaders and advocates in the fintech sector who are committed to responsible innovation and advancing inclusive, transparent financial services.
Phil Goldfeder, Chief Executive Officer of AFC, expressed his gratitude towards the awardees by stating, "AFC is proud to congratulate each of our 2024 AFC Awards recipients on their accomplishments and thank them for their passion and service to the fintech and financial services community."
The award for Fintech Advocate of the Year was presented to Nat Hoopes and Gilberto Soria Mendoza from Upstart Network. They were recognized for their leadership in public policy standards within fintech and their efforts in promoting a transparent, innovative financial system.
Claudia Flores from DailyPay received the Emerging Policy Leader award. Her work focuses on transforming payroll services to provide workers with more control over their wages, showcasing her dedication to improving financial wellness.
Julian Alcazar from Federal Reserve Financial Services was honored with the Public Service Award for his contributions to enhancing payment systems at the Federal Reserve. His work emphasizes collaboration within the industry to improve efficiency and security in payments.
Laura Kornhauser, CEO and Co-Founder of Stratyfy, was awarded Exceptional Woman in Fintech for her role in advocating gender equity while leading innovations in machine learning solutions for financial institutions.
Chris Black, CEO of Thread Bank, received recognition as Innovative Banker of the Year. His leadership at Thread Bank highlights his ability to manage growth and innovation responsibly at the intersection of banking and technology.
The AFC continues its mission as a trade association representing major fintech companies and innovative banks. It supports responsible innovation through sound public policy while fostering competition in consumer finance.