Fintech Corner

What do IPOs, fitness coaching, and crisis management have in common? In this inaugural episode of our new mini-series, Treasury Trailblazers, host Rida Khan, VP of Marketing at Trovata, sits down with Stef Layne, Klaviyo’s VP of Treasury, Payroll, and Go-To-Market Compensation. With not one, not two, but three IPOs under her belt, Stef shares how she’s built resilience in high-stakes environments—from navigating crises like the SVB collapse to laying the groundwork for public company readiness with solid controls and processes.

And as if that weren’t impressive enough, she’s also a gym owner and certified fitness coach, balancing leadership in finance with coaching in the gym. She opens up about the parallels between coaching in the gym and leading global finance teams, and why treating bankers as partners is key to modern treasury success. It’s an episode full of tactical wisdom, candid reflections, and a few laughs about spreadsheets, sweat, and papercuts.

• IPO readiness starts early: Hear how building SOX controls and treasury infrastructure well before going public can drastically reduce chaos and improve strategic cash deployment post-IPO.
• Crises reveal character: Stef’s swift action during the SVB collapse—cutting exposure from 46% to 3% in a single day—highlights the importance of readiness, trust in your instincts, and a strong peer network.
• Fitness & finance parallels: Stef's coaching philosophy—progress over perfection, proper form, and the necessity of rest—mirrors her leadership style in treasury, underscoring the value of balance and patience.
• Treasurers deserve budget, too: Tips to advocate for budget for your own treasury team, to invest in the latest technology and attract top talent.

This episode is brought to you by Trovata. Trovata empowers everyone to analyze, report, forecast, move – manage cash like a pro – no matter who your business banks with. Save time, ensure data accuracy, and drive smarter decisions with access to your data across multiple banks and accounts. Learn more about Trovata at https://bit.ly/3JXHbcC. 

About guest, Stef Layne:

Stef Layne is the Vice President of Treasury, Payroll, and GTM Compensation at Klaviyo, where she leads global financial operations, supports international expansion, and brings deep expertise in scaling teams through hyper-growth. With a track record that includes three successful IPOs (each valued over $1B), Stef has held senior treasury roles at leading tech companies like PayPal, Box, and Unity Technologies. She’s known for taking decisive action under pressure—most notably navigating the SVB collapse by swiftly reducing Klaviyo’s cash exposure from 46% to under 3%. Stef thrives at the intersection of finance, tech, and operations, and leads with authenticity and heart. A certified personal trainer and co-owner of The 5th Element Fitness, she brings the same energy and discipline to the gym as she does to the boardroom.

Connect with Stef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stef-layne/ 

About host, Rida Khan:

Rida leads the Marketing team at Trovata, driving demand and brand awareness in the US. Previously at Rybbon (acquired by Blackhawk Network) and Geospark Analytics (now Seerist), she has focused her career on delivering data-driven results at high-growth start-ups. Rida holds a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in International Relations from Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently residing in Washington, DC, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes and walking her dog through the nation's capital.

Connect with Rida on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ridakhandc/ 

As finance increasingly invests in digital transformation, data accuracy has become essential—from supporting critical decision-making to unlocking AI’s full potential. In this episode of Fintech Corner, Trovata’s Joseph Drambarean and Henry Ball speak with Ron Hill, Director of U.S. Business Development and Relationship Management at BlackRock’s CacheMatrix, about the evolving landscape of cash management, data, and technology in finance. Ron shares BlackRock’s commitment to establishing a “single source of truth” for financial data and highlights the role of APIs in helping clients thrive in an increasingly data-driven world.

Highlights

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About Joseph “JD” Drambarean

JD is Trovata’s Chief Technology Officer. Previously, he was Director of Strategy with the mobile app design firm, Punchkick Interactive. There, he was responsible for developing roadmaps and executing global product launches for brands like Marriott International, Allstate Insurance, and Harley-Davidson. He later served as a Senior Manager in Capital One’s Digital Product Management team. Joseph is a Chicago native, and graduated with a BA in Political Science & Economics from Loyola University of Chicago.

Connect with JD on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdrambarean 

About Henry Ball

Henry leads Trovata's business development by spending his time engaging with Trovata's strategic partners and executing on the company's key priorities. Prior to Trovata, Henry spent over a decade at BlackRock across investment strategy, operations and finance teams. Living on the east coast, you might find him and his wife chasing after a toddler, who is chasing after their dog, who is chasing after a squirrel.

Connect with Henry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-ball-7957b916/ 

About Ron Hill

Ron Hill, Director, is a member of BlackRock’s Cachematrix U.S. Business Development and Relationship Management team.  This team is responsible for providing BlackRock Cachematrix solutions to clients across platforms and regions.  Prior to joining the Cachematrix team, Ron was the lead product strategist for BlackRock’s U.S. Cash Management platform.  His team was responsible for delivering customized cash management portfolios to clients.  Ron first joined BlackRock’s Cash Management team in 2006 as part of the Cash Sales and Relationship Management team.  His career with BlackRock began in 2002 as part of the Portfolio Administration team, where he was responsible for oversight of portfolio performance, valuations, and reconciliations.

Connect with Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronald-hill-18591821/ 

Finance practitioners are now tasked with providing strategic foresight and insight through data, all while managing expanding responsibilities. In response to these challenges, Bank of America is evolving to support its corporate clients. In this episode of Fintech Corner, Brett Turner, Founder and CEO of Trovata, speaks with Tom Durkin, Global Product Head of CashPro® in Global Payments Solutions at Bank of America, about how they’re fostering innovation with APIs and transforming the traditional banking portal into a dynamic, cutting-edge digital solution.

Highlights: 

Never be out of the loop on what’s going on in finance, tech, and business. Subscribe to our podcast here.

This episode is brought to you by Trovata.io.

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About Brett Turner: 

After starting his career as a CPA with the Deloitte audit practice, Brett gained progressive experience in corporate finance and accounting managing SEC reporting for Amazon and then becoming VP of Finance for Worldwide Packets (sold for $300M+ in 2008). Across his last three roles as a startup Co-Founder / CFO, Brett has raised over $100M in equity and venture debt financing while helping create over $500M in shareholder value. Today, he is the founder and CEO of the cash management platform, Trovata. Brett is a Seattle native, with a BA in Finance from Seattle Pacific University.

Connect with Brett on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-turner/  

About Tom Durkin: 

Tom Durkin leads the product management team for CashPro®, Bank of America's digital banking platform for transaction banking, covering payments, liquidity, FX, and trade finance. CashPro serves 40,000 clients and 540,000 users worldwide, processing record volumes, including $32 trillion in payment value in 2022. 

Durkin chairs the CashPro client advisory boards and is active in the SWIFT community, regularly speaking at industry events. Under his leadership, CashPro has won multiple awards for innovation and mobile solutions. Before joining Bank of America in 2007, he spent 16 years at ABN AMRO in various transaction banking roles. He has been a Certified Treasury Professional since 2000.

Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-durkin-0265874/

The need to "do more with less" is redefining corporate treasury. Treasurers are now actively involved in validating and organizing data to enhance their strategic capabilities, despite having limited resources. This is sparking an industry-wide drive for automation and seamless data access to drive efficiency. But how do you get started? In this episode of Fintech Corner, Brett Turner sits down with Greg Fortuna, SVP and Interim Head of GlobalLink at State Street, to discuss how holistic, integrated tech eliminates the need for multiple vendors.

Highlights:

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About Brett Turner: 

After starting his career as a CPA with the Deloitte audit practice, Brett gained progressive experience in corporate finance and accounting managing SEC reporting for Amazon and then becoming VP of Finance for Worldwide Packets (sold for $300M+ in 2008). Across his last three roles as a startup Co-Founder / CFO, Brett has raised over $100M in equity and venture debt financing while helping create over $500M in shareholder value. Today, he is the founder and CEO of the cash management platform, Trovata. Brett is a Seattle native, with a BA in Finance from Seattle Pacific University.

Connect with Brett on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-turner/  

About Greg Fortunna:

Gregory P. Fortuna is Senior Vice President and Interim Head of GlobalLink at State Street. Previously, he led the GlobalLink Solutions division, overseeing Product Development, Sales, Operations, and Technology. Greg developed innovative client solutions across multiple asset classes and pioneered platforms like Fund Connect and GlobalLink Digital. Since joining State Street in 1998, he has successfully launched and expanded businesses in Fixed Income, FX, ETFs, and Money Markets.

Greg holds several board and committee positions within State Street and co-leads GlobalLink's diversity and inclusion efforts. Before State Street, he worked as a financial analyst for Thomson Financial and Fidelity Management. Greg is a CFA charterholder and a cum laude graduate of Boston College, holding NASD Series 7, 63, 3, and 24 licenses.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-fortuna-cfa-3248237/

Corporate bank portals have typically required finance professionals to navigate fragmented services across siloed applications, leading to a disjointed experience. In response, Citizens is adopting a client-centered technology strategy focused on creating a unified, user-friendly experience. In this episode, host Joseph Drambarean speaks with Matt Richardson, Head of Product Solutions for Treasury at Citizens, about how the bank is transforming client experiences by building a marketplace of strategic partnerships, unifying banking services into a single, user-friendly portal, and using APIs for seamless integration with client systems.

Highlights:

Never be out of the loop on what’s going on in finance, tech, and business. Subscribe to our podcast here. This episode is brought to you by Trovata.io.

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About Joseph “JD” Drambarean

JD is Trovata’s Chief Technology Officer. Previously, he was Director of Strategy with the mobile app design firm, Punchkick Interactive. There, he was responsible for developing roadmaps and executing global product launches for brands like Marriott International, Allstate Insurance, and Harley-Davidson. He later served as a Senior Manager in Capital One’s Digital Product Management team. Joseph is a Chicago native, and graduated with a BA in Political Science & Economics from Loyola University of Chicago.

Connect with JD on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdrambarean 

About Matt Richardson

Matt has over 20 years of Treasury Management experience in sales, product and business administration roles.  Currently the head of Product Solutions for Treasury Solutions at Citizens, he leads a team that is driving innovation in the treasury management product suite across customer experience and payments.  Matt is also responsible for the bank’s Sponsorship Management business.  Previously Matt had served in a variety of roles in Treasury Solutions, including sales and sales management in multiple industry segments and verticals and as Business Manager/COO for Treasury Solutions.  

Matt is a recognized expert in domestic cash management and speaks regularly at industry forums including AFP, NACHA, and FEI.  Matt holds a BA in Economics from the University of Massachusetts and has completed professional training including the RBS/Harvard Business School Senior Manager Program and the Advanced Leadership Development Program through Babson Executive Education.  

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-richardson-7843936/

When it comes to talks of innovation in treasury, it’s starting to feel a bit like Groundhog Day. Automation and digital transformation promise big advances, but for many teams, the reality remains stuck in a cycle of outdated processes and systems. In this episode of Fintech Corner, Trovata’s Joseph Drambarean sits down with Paul Bramwell and Valerio Trinchi, Treasury Practice Leader at RSM, to unpack why this cycle persists. They explore how APIs, AI, and a thoughtful data strategy are key to breaking free of old habits, overcoming barriers, and getting treasury teams to make the most of new technology.

Highlights:

Never be out of the loop on what’s going on in finance, tech, and business. Subscribe to our podcast here. This episode is brought to you by Trovata.io

Connect with our speakers:

About Joseph “JD” Drambarean

JD is Trovata’s Chief Technology Officer. Previously, he was Director of Strategy with the mobile app design firm, Punchkick Interactive. There, he was responsible for developing roadmaps and executing global product launches for brands like Marriott International, Allstate Insurance, and Harley-Davidson. He later served as a Senior Manager in Capital One’s Digital Product Management team. Joseph is a Chicago native, and graduated with a BA in Political Science & Economics from Loyola University of Chicago.

Connect with JD on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdrambarean 

About Paul Bramwell:

Paul is Trovata's Enterprise Treasury Lead and brings over 3 decades of experience in the corporate treasury world. Paul has worked for two of the largest treasury system vendors in various senior roles and was a Partner in Ernst & Young's treasury advisory service. Paul has worked with some of the largest and most complex global treasury groups in all aspects of the treasury function. Originally from the UK, Paul has lived in the US since 2003 and is a self-confessed gadget addict.

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-bramwell/ 

About Valerio Trinchi: 

Valerio Trinchi is a seasoned treasury and finance automation expert with over 25 years of international experience in both corporate and consulting roles. Currently serving as the Treasury Practice Leader at RSM US LLP, Valerio leads functional and technology advisory initiatives, leveraging his extensive expertise in treasury technology. His career spans leadership roles in treasury automation, product development, and business strategy. In previous roles, Valerio held senior positions at H.J. Heinz Company and Prima North America, where he was instrumental in overseeing treasury operations, financial planning, and process automation. He also co-led a treasury software startup, gaining deep insights into product development and market expansion.

In this special episode of Fintech Corner, Trovata’s Joseph Drambarean and guest Chris Noe, Head of Wholesale Payments Product at Truist, dive into a fiery lineup of hot sauces and even hotter topics. From how AI can help corporate clients discover financial services to ongoing challenges with KYC compliance, they share hot takes on new possibilities within banking. All while trying to survive an increasingly scorching lineup of hot sauces complemented by Nashville’s legendary hot chicken from Hattie B’s. 

Highlights

About Joseph “JD” Drambarean

JD is Trovata’s Chief Technology Officer. Previously, he was Director of Strategy with the mobile app design firm, Punchkick Interactive. There, he was responsible for developing roadmaps and executing global product launches for brands like Marriott International, Allstate Insurance, and Harley-Davidson. He later served as a Senior Manager in Capital One’s Digital Product Management team. Joseph is a Chicago native, and graduated with a BA in Political Science & Economics from Loyola University of Chicago.

Connect with JD on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdrambarean 

About Chris Noe: 

Chris Noe is the head of Wholesale Payments Product for Truist Financial and joined the company in March 2023. As head of product, Chris is responsible for driving innovation and enabling client success through successful product management and development of our Treasury, Liquidity, Merchant and Commercial Card businesses. Chris has more than 25 years of product management and design experience with a focus on client experience, fostering innovation and driving execution. Chris joined Truist from Wells Fargo where he most recently served as head of embedded finance and sales engineering for Commercial Digital. In this role and others, Chris was focused on leveraging new technology

and strategic relationships with market-leading fintechs to help create best-in-class digital experiences for cash management.

Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Chris and was previously Application Manager at Wachovia Bank. Prior to that, he was a Systems Engineer/Analyst at First Union National Bank. Chris has a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelink/ 

Middle-market companies face the same challenges as larger enterprises but with fewer resources. KeyBank is addressing this gap by providing cutting-edge technology to this underserved segment, helping them streamline their financial operations and make better strategic decisions. In this episode of Fintech Corner, Brett Turner, Founder and CEO of Trovata, speaks with Matt Vickers, Senior Vice President and Digital Director at KeyBank, and Mark Smith, Head of Commercial Digital & Strategy at KeyBank, about how KeyBank is leveraging the power of APIs to deliver tailored solutions, dismantle data silos, and equip mid-market companies with sophisticated tools for greater efficiency.

Highlights

Never be out of the loop on what’s going on in finance, tech, and business. Subscribe to our podcast here.

This episode is brought to you by Trovata.

Trovata empowers everyone to analyze, report, forecast, move – manage cash like a pro – no matter who your business banks with. Save time, ensure data accuracy, and drive smarter decisions with access to your data across multiple banks and accounts. Learn more about Trovata at https://bit.ly/3JXHbcC. 

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About Mark Smith:

Mark Smith is the Head of Commercial Digital Platforms at KeyBank, overseeing digital solutions that support clients from small businesses to large institutions. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Mark brings 13 years of experience across multiple roles within the bank, including Finance, Corporate Strategy, and Payments Product. In his current role, he leads strategy and prioritization for Key’s Commercial Onboarding and Servicing organization, in addition to managing Key’s Commercial Credit capabilities.

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-smith-1575941b/

About Matt Vickers:

Matt Vickers is the Head of Product for KeyNavigator, a suite of online and mobile solutions tailored for KeyBank's commercial and institutional clients. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Matt brings over 21 years of experience at KeyBank, holding various roles in technology and digital innovation. He has led fintech partnerships to deliver next-generation solutions to market and is passionate about mentoring young professionals, helping to shape the next generation of leaders in the industry.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattvickers12/ 

While consumer apps excel in intuitive, self-serve design, corporate tools like legacy Treasury Management Systems often lack this user-focused approach, leading to friction and reduced engagement. In this episode of Fintech Corner, Joseph Drambarean sits down with Bruce Edlund, Group Director and Assistant Treasurer at Cloud Software Group, to dive into the limitations of legacy Treasury Management Systems and the role of human-centered design, APIs, and AI in shaping the future of treasury tech. Together, they discuss how the next generation of treasury tech will prioritize ease of use, integration, and automation, paving the way for a more agile, efficient, and responsive treasury experience.

Highlights:

Never be out of the loop on what’s going on in finance, tech, and business. Subscribe to our podcast here. This episode is brought to you by Trovata.io.

Connect with our hosts:

About Joseph “JD” Drambarean

JD is Trovata’s Chief Technology Officer. Previously, he was Director of Strategy with the mobile app design firm, Punchkick Interactive. There, he was responsible for developing roadmaps and executing global product launches for brands like Marriott International, Allstate Insurance, and Harley-Davidson. He later served as a Senior Manager in Capital One’s Digital Product Management team. Joseph is a Chicago native, and graduated with a BA in Political Science & Economics from Loyola University of Chicago.

Connect with JD on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdrambarean 

About Bruce Edlund

Bruce Edlund is Group Director and Assistant Treasurer at Cloud Software Group, bringing over two decades of corporate treasury expertise to the role. After starting his career with five years in investment banking, Mr. Edlund has developed extensive experience in cash and liquidity management, investments, cash forecasting, FX and interest rate hedging, debt capital markets, rating agency relations, and stock repurchases. His career spans public and private companies in various industries, including telecommunications, retail, and IT, with notable positions at Walmart and Citrix.

Bruce also serves as a guest judge at FORAD finance competitions and re-created a multinational simulation used by international business schools. Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, he has worked in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. In his personal life, Bruce is a passionate foodie, wine enthusiast, cycling fan, hiker, and photographer.

Connect with Bruce on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruceedlund/

In this special, spicy episode of Fintech Corner, Chris Allen, VP of Sales at Trovata, and Brett Turner, Founder & CEO of Trovata, dive into technology innovation in finance—all while putting their taste buds to the test! Chris and Brett navigate a gauntlet of increasingly spicy hot sauces complemented by a serving of Nashville’s legendary hot chicken from Hattie B’s.

From the evolution of Trovata’s data-driven solutions to the critical role of AI and automation in transforming treasury and finance, Chris and Brett push through the heat as they discuss the tech innovations reshaping the industry. Hear Brett's insights on the role of APIs in streamlining bank data, the impact of AI in finance, and what Trovata has in store for 2025. Whether you’re here for the fintech insights or the fiery hot sauce reactions, this episode is one you won’t want to miss!

Highlights & Sauces:

Check out all of the sauces sampled here: https://heatonist.com/products/hot-ones-hot-sauce-10-pack-season-25

Never be out of the loop on what’s going on in finance, tech, and business. Subscribe to our podcast here. This episode is brought to you by Trovata.io.

Connect with our hosts:

About Brett Turner: 

After starting his career as a CPA with the Deloitte audit practice, Brett gained progressive experience in corporate finance and accounting managing SEC reporting for Amazon and then becoming VP of Finance for Worldwide Packets (sold for $300M+ in 2008). Across his last three roles as a startup Co-Founder / CFO, Brett has raised over $100M in equity and venture debt financing while helping create over $500M in shareholder value. Today, he is the founder and CEO of the cash management platform, Trovata. Brett is a Seattle native, with a BA in Finance from Seattle Pacific University.

Connect with Brett on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-turner/  

About Chris Allen: 

Chris Allen is the VP of Sales at Trovata, bringing over 15 years of experience in tech and SaaS sales across various industries. He has a strong track record in building and scaling successful sales teams. Before joining Trovata, Chris led Enterprise go-to-market functions at Podium, helping the company grow from $5 million to $200 million ARR. He has spoken at finance and treasury events such as the Northwest Association for Finance Professionals and the San Francisco Treasury Management Association. Chris has also collaborated with banks, including the Bank of New Zealand, to deliver thought leadership at client events.

Connect with Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-allen-9451821a/