Join us for this In-Person PayTech Women Atlanta Chapter LinkUp!

Talk Like a Visionary Featuring Erin Peterson with Georgia Fintech Academy

To lead change, women must be heard, remembered, and followed. Talk Like a Visionary equips women with clarity, creativity, and conviction. This isn’t about “performing.” It’s about claiming your voice, building trust, and communicating in a way that makes people lean in and say, “I see it too.”

This is an opportunity to both network and help professionals at any stage of their career whether they are students just starting out or fully seasoned fintech professionals move beyond facts and into storytelling that inspires ACTION.

Enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks courtesy of Georgia Fintech Academy while also having the opportunity to network and expand your network both before and after the event.

Agenda/Schedule:
6:00 – 6:30 PM Networking with snacks & beverages
6:30 – 7:30 PM How to Talk Like A Visionary
7:30 – 8:00 PM Networking with snacks & beverages

No Charge to Attend. Donations to PTW Atlanta Chapter to offset operating expenses are most welcome and appreciated at this event. Many thanks to Georgia Fintech Academy for sponsoring their space and hospitality!

What's In It For You:

• How to identify and spotlight the why behind your work
• How to reframe your story so your audience sees themselves as the hero and connects to your vision
• How to craft mic-drop messages people remember and repeat

Speakers:

Erin Peterson
Journalist
Public speaker
Founder
Scout Stories

Erin Peterson is a 28-time Emmy-winning journalist, public speaker and founder of Scout Stories—a storytelling studio that helps visionary leaders turn their message into momentum. Her work has changed federal laws, been featured on shows like HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and helped organizations raise revenue.

Erin blends journalistic clarity with contagious conviction—teaching you to speak with purpose, connect with emotion and lead with story.

Laura Gibson-Lamothe
PTW Board Secretary
Executive Director
Georgia Fintech Academy

Laura Gibson-Lamothe is a dynamic leader in the fintech industry, serving as the Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business. With a mission to bridge the gap between academia and industry, Laura plays a pivotal role in developing and nurturing the next generation of fintech talent across the University System of Georgia's 26 institutions.

Leveraging over 18 years of experience in the fintech sector, Laura is renowned for her strategic vision and ability to foster collaboration between educational institutions and industry leaders. She is deeply committed to advancing the fintech ecosystem in Georgia, driving innovation through partnerships, curriculum development and student engagement.

In addition to her role at the academy, Laura serves on the boards of PayTech Women and LaAmistad. At PayTech Women, an organization dedicated to empowering women in the payments industry, Laura actively supports initiatives that promote gender diversity and professional development within the fintech community. Her involvement with LaAmistad, a nonprofit focused on supporting Latino students and their families, reflects her dedication to education and community engagement, as she works to create opportunities and resources for underserved communities.

Laura’s leadership extends beyond the academy, as she frequently speaks at industry conferences, leads high-impact panels and contributes to key discussions on the future of fintech. Her expertise in fintech, payments and technology, combined with her passion for diversity and inclusion, positions her as a respected voice in the industry.

Laura’s dedication to student success is evident in her relentless pursuit of opportunities that connect students with real-world experiences and career pathways in fintech. She deeply appreciates the power of collaboration, working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure that the Georgia Fintech Academy remains at the forefront of fintech education. Her visionary leadership continues to drive the academy's growth, positioning it as a national leader in fintech talent development.

Dana Sills
PTW Atlanta Chapter Chair

Dana is a serial networker and connector of people. This is how she accidentally fell into the payments industry fresh out of college. The serendipity has continued ever since.

Dana is pleased to have helped PMT Services, Inc., now Elavon, grow organically to go public during her tenure. As the 5th hire in the credit division in a company of approximately 55 employees, she helped Lynk (RBS Lynk/RBS WorldPay, WorldPay, FIS) over 16 years expand from a private company through two acquisitions. While there, she earned Lynk’s first Employee of the Year Award for greatest fiscal contribution among approximately 500 employees with the national release of sales management software.

Among her more recent roles, she developed training, product management and business development while at MainStream, now Heartland, handing opportunity after opportunity off to talented team members that she networked into the organization.

Dana chairs the PayTech Women Atlanta Chapter and welcomes any opportunity to meet and help our growing team of current and future industry leaders. She is actively seeking her next role and would love to have a conversation with you if you are looking to expand your team.