Keynote Speakers

"Keynote Lunch Panel Discussion - Navigating Modern Banking Challenges: Balancing AI, Language Learning Models, and Human Engagement for Client Discussions"
Session 5 (12:20pm-1:35pm)
Speaker(s): Pete Lunenfeld - CurrentWave AI
Ken Kruszka - Fintech Expert and Former Head of Payments at Amazon
Zoya Lieberman - Moderator - Endava

Join us for an illuminating session as we delve into the complexities of modern banking. In an era where artificial intelligence, language learning models, and vast datasets reign supreme, mastering the art of seamless client communication and engaging subject matter experts is paramount.
Amid this technological surge, a pertinent question arises: Are we over-prioritizing machine learning at the cost of vital human interaction and practical wisdom? Is our journey just beginning, or have we ventured further than we realize?

Participate in a dynamic panel discussion featuring industry titans with contrasting viewpoints. This is your opportunity to gain insights from thought leaders who embody divergent strategies. Actively engage in this discourse, gaining invaluable interactive insights that could reshape your perspective.


Pete Lunenfeld - CurrentWave AI
Pete Lunenfeld, the driving force behind CurrentWave AI, brings over 30 years of experience navigating the technology landscape with a blend of leadership and customer-centric wisdom. From igniting innovation in startups to successfully leading large enterprise teams with over 350 engineers, Pete's career is marked by groundbreaking achievements.
Prior to CurrentWave AI, Pete served as CTO of Truckstop, a powerhouse SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) freight services company. While at the helm, he oversaw all aspects of technology, R&D, software development, and service delivery. Moreover, Pete also served as Truckstop's Chief Product Officer, showcasing his exceptional skill in fostering connections, capturing customer loyalty, and understanding markets.
During his tenure at Truckstop, Pete pioneered one of the industry's first generative AI products. This achievement not only highlighted his commitment to build tools that solve customer problems, but also fueled his inspiration to establish CurrentWave AI and bring the transformative power of generative AI to the business world.

Pete has also played a pivotal role in shaping startup companies, including RMIS, an industry-leading (SaaS) provider of logistics compliance services. From inception to acquisition, Pete led the software development, engineering, customer success, and product creation teams, sharpening his ability to create innovative technology and deliver superior product-market fit. As the Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President, Pete led the way in creating software and products customers loved.
Pete brings to the table the seamless combination of technical expertise and business insight, all guided by a straightforward yet powerful belief: AI's power is in benefiting people. This principle resonates through our vision and sets our goal of making AI and the customer experience the heart of our innovation.


Ken Kruszka - Fintech Expert and Former Head of Payments at Amazon
Ken is a FinTech and Payments pioneer, who holds the distinction of being the first person to send $1 around the world by mobile transfer. In his career, Ken has launched: the first mobile remittances service in the US, the first global mobile bank account, the first neobank for immigrants in the US, and the first decoupled business payments smart switch.

Ken most recently was the Head of Product for AWS Payments where he drove the global roadmap for the expansion of payment functionality for all AWS customers worldwide. Previously, Ken led SnapCheck in revolutionizing business-to-business payments: eliminating $50 Billion in costs, removing $20 Billion in fraud. Prior to SnapCheck, as co-founder and CEO of m-Via, Ken grew the company into an industry-recognized leader in mobile financial services for the underserved.

Ken is a Founding Member of the Faster Payments Council, as well as a member of the Federal Reserve's Business Payments Coalition and the FedNow Community. Ken has been named a Top Innovator to Watch by Bank Innovation, a Top FinTech Innovator by Aspioneer, a Top 25 FinTech CEO by Technology Innovators, a Top CEO in Mobile Payments by Boardroom Media, and a Leading Corporate Digital Transformation Innovator by Databird.


Zoya Lieberman - Moderator - Endava
Zoya has 20+ years of experience in the business and commercial banking space. Zoya currently functions as a Principal Consultant at Endava and her responsibilities are focused on strategic initiatives and knowledge deepening within payments ecosystems, treasury management, global trade, merchant services, credit & stored value cards, and commercial liquidity space. Zoya has deep subject matter expertise in both traditional and alternative banking solutions, including payables, receivable, digital banking, user experiences and competitive market intelligence. Zoya has dedicated her professional time to public speaking at the industry events, forum & panel discussion moderating and thought leadership.

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