Friday, Sept. 24 11:00 – 12:15
General Session: Evaluating & Aligning Technology Panel
Moderated by Wayne Miller, Executive Director, The Venture Center
For entrepreneurs in financial technology, or fintech, Little Rock is in the big leagues of business accelerators. Preserving and enhancing that reputation is the role of Venture Center Executive Director Wayne Miller, a mission he has executed with aplomb.
Miller, who came to the organization in 2017, oversaw the 2018 iteration of the nonprofit group’s 12-week startup program including knitting together a coalition of mentors and support from Fortune 500 Fidelity Information Services, local business leaders and entrepreneurs.
From the success of the fintech accelerator, Miller negotiated a partnership with the Independent Community Bankers of America to launch the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator. That cohort, a first-of-its-kind community bank-focused fintech accelerator program, has the aim of helping community banks directly engage and partner with early stage fintech companies focusing exclusively on product development.
Prior to coming to Little Rock, Miller was CEO of Enovative Technologies, LLC, a private equity-backed medical device manufacturer in Bishopville, Md., and was COO of a $45 million transportation and logistics company with more than 1000 vehicles, five facilities and staff of 1,500.
In all, he’s worked with 12 startup technology companies in health care, cybersecurity, advertising and internet consulting, as well as taught entrepreneurship as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and serves on a variety of boards of directors.
Demonstrating the path, while relentlessly moving forward, Chris is passionate about inspiring others with a vision of the future. His ideas and enthusiasm create excitement and energy in others.
Think|Stack has an extraordinary team, delivering cyber security and infrastructure services. Finding the best talent and supporting them to lead in their own way, is a core tenant of the Think|Stack culture. As CEO, Chris feels his role is to help his talent blossom, achieving their maximum potential, by clearing the path and supporting the culture. He loves teaching design thinking and encouraging his folks to have new experiences, helping them bring their ideas to life.
Chris selflessly serves his family, company, and community. He is most proud of his role as a husband and father of three. When he isn’t spending time with his family, playing in the mountains, QB’ing flag football or leading Think|Stack, he can be found serving community workforce development. Chris assists and encourages young people to pursue careers in cyber security, design thinking and technology and see this as a path to elevate Baltimore. Chris serves as the vice-chair of the Governors Workforce Development Board, and as a board director for CAMI. He also supports YearUp and Junior Achievement in their efforts to develop our youth.
A dedicated technology executive, Mazhar previously served as Chief of Staff for OCIO at the Department of Education, where she led the modernization efforts to deliver a more secure, impactful, and accessible technology environment, as Chief of Communication for US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Linguist for the FBI. Prior to her Civil Service career, she served as an executive in a number of financial institutions, where she shaped the growth and expansion of those institutions into new markets.
Zunera Mazhar is a passionate advocate of inclusion in tech and serves in a number of organizations dedicated to advancing opportunities for women and minorities. She earned her BS in Economics from George Mason University and is currently completing her Executive MBA.
For entrepreneurs in financial technology, or fintech, Little Rock is in the big leagues of business accelerators. Preserving and enhancing that reputation is the role of Venture Center Executive Director Wayne Miller, a mission he has executed with aplomb.
Miller, who came to the organization in 2017, oversaw the 2018 iteration of the nonprofit group’s 12-week startup program including knitting together a coalition of mentors and support from Fortune 500 Fidelity Information Services, local business leaders and entrepreneurs.
From the success of the fintech accelerator, Miller negotiated a partnership with the Independent Community Bankers of America to launch the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator. That cohort, a first-of-its-kind community bank-focused fintech accelerator program, has the aim of helping community banks directly engage and partner with early stage fintech companies focusing exclusively on product development.
Prior to coming to Little Rock, Miller was CEO of Enovative Technologies, LLC, a private equity-backed medical device manufacturer in Bishopville, Md., and was COO of a $45 million transportation and logistics company with more than 1000 vehicles, five facilities and staff of 1,500.
In all, he’s worked with 12 startup technology companies in health care, cybersecurity, advertising and internet consulting, as well as taught entrepreneurship as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and serves on a variety of boards of directors.
- Chris Sachse, CEO & Founder, Think|Stack
Demonstrating the path, while relentlessly moving forward, Chris is passionate about inspiring others with a vision of the future. His ideas and enthusiasm create excitement and energy in others.
Think|Stack has an extraordinary team, delivering cyber security and infrastructure services. Finding the best talent and supporting them to lead in their own way, is a core tenant of the Think|Stack culture. As CEO, Chris feels his role is to help his talent blossom, achieving their maximum potential, by clearing the path and supporting the culture. He loves teaching design thinking and encouraging his folks to have new experiences, helping them bring their ideas to life.
Chris selflessly serves his family, company, and community. He is most proud of his role as a husband and father of three. When he isn’t spending time with his family, playing in the mountains, QB’ing flag football or leading Think|Stack, he can be found serving community workforce development. Chris assists and encourages young people to pursue careers in cyber security, design thinking and technology and see this as a path to elevate Baltimore. Chris serves as the vice-chair of the Governors Workforce Development Board, and as a board director for CAMI. He also supports YearUp and Junior Achievement in their efforts to develop our youth.
- Aaron Biehl, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer, RIT Banking
- Zunera Mazhar, Deputy Chief Innovation Officer, Office of Innovations (FDITECH), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
A dedicated technology executive, Mazhar previously served as Chief of Staff for OCIO at the Department of Education, where she led the modernization efforts to deliver a more secure, impactful, and accessible technology environment, as Chief of Communication for US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Linguist for the FBI. Prior to her Civil Service career, she served as an executive in a number of financial institutions, where she shaped the growth and expansion of those institutions into new markets.
Zunera Mazhar is a passionate advocate of inclusion in tech and serves in a number of organizations dedicated to advancing opportunities for women and minorities. She earned her BS in Economics from George Mason University and is currently completing her Executive MBA.