Wharton FinTech Podcast

In today’s episode, Kimberly Zhang sits down with Ram Mahidhara, former Chief Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group. Ram reflects on his decades of experience investing across emerging markets, driving inclusive growth through private capital, and championing the role of fintech in global development. Tune in to hear about: • How technology and private investment are reshaping financial inclusion in emerging economies • Lessons from leading cross-border investment strategies at scale • Ram’s perspective on the role of fintech in sustainable development and what’s next for innovation in underserved markets

In this episode of the Wharton Fintech Podcast, hosts Sabrina Fathi and Wesley Aster speak with Yoonkee Sull, General Partner at ICONIQ, about building category-defining fintech companies through every market cycle. Yoonkee reflects on his journey from early ICONIQ associate to GP, lessons from backing leaders like Chime, Groww, Adyen, Wealthsimple, and Ramp, and what it takes to earn trust with founders over the long term. They unpack how startups can differentiate in a crowded space, how embedded finance is reshaping distribution, and why knowing your customer better than anyone else is the ultimate moat. With thoughtful takes on unit economics, financial inclusion, and the real use cases for AI and blockchain, this conversation is a must-listen for founders, operators, and investors navigating the next chapter of fintech.

In this episode of the Wharton Fintech Podcast, host Sabrina Fathi chats with Seth Rosenberg, General Partner at Greylock, about what it takes to build and back enduring companies at the intersection of fintech and AI. Seth shares lessons from launching Facebook Messenger, insights on founder-market fit, and how great early-stage companies validate ideas, build defensibility, and navigate market shifts. With deep takes on AI, blockchain, and the future of financial services, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for builders and investors alike.

In today’s episode, Kimberly Zhang sits down with Anré Williams, Senior Executive Advisor at American Express and former CEO of American Express National Bank. Anré reflects on his 35-year journey at American Express—leading global merchant services, digital innovation, and banking operations—while offering an inside look at how to drive transformation in a legacy financial institution. Tune in to hear about: • Key lessons from leading large-scale digital initiatives in highly regulated environments • How to balance innovation with compliance and customer trust in a changing financial landscape • Anré’s perspective on the future of AI, embedded finance, and what it takes to build resilient, forward-looking financial services

Shensi Ding, co-founder and CEO of Merge, shares her expertise in B2B integration through a unified API platform. She discusses the essential role of developer empathy and thorough documentation as a competitive advantage. Shensi explores the founding dynamics with her co-founder, emphasizing teamwork and complementary skills. She also sheds light on the challenges of scaling within a crowded API market, fundraising hurdles, and the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly for Fortune 500 companies seeking integration solutions.

Catherine Porter, Chief Business Officer at Prove, a leader in digital identity verification, shares her innovative journey from Silicon Valley. She discusses how AI is revolutionizing fraud prevention and the evolving concept of portable identity. Catherine emphasizes the critical balance between user experience and security, advocating for simpler, trust-building solutions. Her insights on adapting to tech trends and overcoming skepticism towards authentication methods provide a roadmap for navigating the fintech landscape.

Melissa Wasser, Partner and Head of the Fintech Capital Network at Andreessen Horowitz, shares her impressive career journey from Goldman Sachs to venture capital. She discusses how the Fintech Capital Network empowers founders in fundraising and strategic partnerships. The conversation dives into the trade-offs between equity and debt financing, revealing smarter capital strategies for fintech startups. Melissa emphasizes the importance of a curated network for business growth and the emotional challenges of securing funding in today’s competitive market.

In today’s episode, Zoey Tang speaks with Marc Andrusko, Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where he focuses on fintech and B2B software investments. Marc’s current investment interests span capital markets, AI applications, payments infrastructure, and companies operating at the intersection of fintech and other sectors. Marc shares how his journey—from working in interest rate sales and trading at Goldman Sachs to leading personal financial management at Plaid—influenced his perspective on fintech and broader B2B applications. In addition to his work at a16z, Marc is known for hosting what some may call "the Met Ball of finance"—a gathering that bridges executives and startups within New York City’s vibrant financial services ecosystem. Tune in to hear about: -Marc’s path from Goldman Sachs to Plaid and eventually a16z -Opportunities in Capital Markets -AI and Finance -AI x Accounting (read more about Marc's latest perspectives here: https://a16z.com/generative-ai-in-accounting/) For more FinTech insights, follow us on: Medium: medium.com/wharton-fintech Twitter: twitter.com/whartonfintech Instagram: instagram.com/whartonfintech

In this episode, Ezra Kebrab, Founder and CEO of Caliza, shares his journey from Visa to revolutionizing cross-border payments with stablecoins. He discusses how Caliza addresses payment inefficiencies in Brazil and its expansion to Mexico and Asia. Ezra highlights the advantages of stablecoins over traditional systems like SWIFT and their potential for economic opportunities in Latin America. Additionally, he reflects on fundraising efforts and the importance of maintaining personal convictions as a founder while navigating diverse advice.

In this episode of the Wharton Fintech Podcast, Sabrina Fathi sits down with Tom DeBow, CTO of Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, to explore how AI and advanced technology are reshaping modern hedge funds. Tom shares insights from his journey through top-tier firms like SAC Capital and Alphadyne, and dives into Schonfeld’s pragmatic yet forward-thinking approach to AI adoption. From developing the firm’s in-house AI tool to enhancing talent workflows and unifying data systems, Tom discusses how AI is driving smarter, faster decision-making across the organization without replacing the human edge.