About FinovoAI

Why FinovoAI Exists

Four years ago, I stood exactly where many community bank and credit union leaders stand today at the threshold of AI adoption with limited resources and no clear roadmap. While senior leadership was eager to support AI initiatives, we encountered AI as an entirely new concept, with no existing playbook for navigating terminology, vendor contracts, implementation strategies, and the overall adoption process.

The few resources available during those early exploration phases came with a concerning caveat: much of the advice seemed designed to benefit vendors rather than provide truly objective guidance for financial institutions. I found myself constantly questioning whether recommendations served our institution's best interests or simply advanced someone else's sales agenda.

Through trial, learning, and eventual success, I gained insights that proved invaluable not just to our institution, but to the broader community banking sector.

The Breakthrough Moment

The turning point came in 2023 when I shared our AI adoption journey at Q2's national technology conference in Texas. What started as a breakout session called "What's All the Bruhaha About AI?" became one of the most attended presentations of the entire conference.

Our success did not go unnoticed by industry partners either. Engageware, our AI service provider, conducted an in depth interview to understand how we achieved some of the strongest performance metrics in our industry sector. We had become one of their top performing clients, and they wanted to learn from our approach.

This experience revealed something profound: there was tremendous hunger in the community banking sector for practical, objective AI guidance but almost no one providing it without a vendor agenda.

That realization drove me to create FinovoAI. Not as another technology reseller, but as an independent consulting practice dedicated to providing the exact resources I wished existed during my AI exploration and adoption journey.

The FinovoAI Difference

My experiences at the Q2 conference and as a top performing Engageware client illuminated a significant market gap: high demand for AI guidance, low supply of objective resources, and zero comprehensive solutions designed specifically for small and medium sized institutions.

I do not sell AI tools or platforms. I am not a reseller, and I do not earn commissions from vendor recommendations. This independence means my only incentive is your success not closing a software deal.

I understand your world. As a former Director of Digital Engagement at a credit union, I led our AI program implementation, managed our mobile app and website, oversaw electronic bill pay and online member applications. I have sat in your meetings, dealt with your regulators, worked within your budget constraints, and navigated the challenge of delivering modern digital experiences while maintaining compliance and member trust.

I speak both languages. My Ph.D. in Leadership and Organization Management provides the theoretical foundation, my MBA brings the business application lens, and my experience leading digital engagement and AI implementation grounds everything in real world execution. I can translate complex AI concepts into practical business decisions that resonate with boards and executive teams while understanding the organizational change management required for successful adoption.

My Approach

FinovoAI engagements start with listening. Before recommending any strategy or vendor, I invest time understanding your institution's unique situation: your regulatory environment, your risk tolerance, your technology maturity, and your strategic goals.

Then we build a roadmap together one that prioritizes regulatory compliance, manages risk appropriately, and focuses on achievable wins rather than moonshot promises. Whether you are exploring AI for the first time through our free AI Readiness Lab or implementing enterprise wide solutions, my role is to be your unbiased advisor throughout the journey.

Either Outcome is Valuable

Here is what sets FinovoAI apart: some institutions may discover that now is the ideal time to begin their AI evaluation and adoption journey. Others may conclude that AI is not the right fit for them at this time. Both outcomes are equally valuable.

What matters is that you understand the reasoning behind your decision rather than remaining paralyzed by uncertainty. I want every community financial institution to have clear, objective reasons for either pursuing AI or choosing to wait replacing hesitation with confidence in their strategic direction.

Financial institutions deserve better than one size fits all AI solutions and vendor driven strategies. You deserve an advisor who helps you make the right decision for your institution, even if that decision is to wait.