Champions & Challengers: Discussions on the Legal Edge of Fintech

Bricker Graydon Wyatt, Greg Lestini

Welcome to Champions & Challengers, hosted by leading Midwest law firm, Bricker Graydon Wyatt. Featuring innovative CEOs and founders, legal advisors, and industry professionals from the world of FinTech, this limited series podcast will explore business, technology, and regulatory trends, as well as legal developments that are reshaping the financial services industry.

  1. 10/29/2025

    The Heartland of Risk and Innovation

    On this episode of Champions and Challengers, host Greg Lestini sits down with Robert Bell, Executive Director of the Nebraska Insurance Federation, to explore why Nebraska has become a powerful hub for insurance and InsurTech innovation right in the heart of the country. Robert shares how the Federation unites insurance companies across all sectors while helping lawmakers understand the intricate issues that shape effective regulation. That educational mission is key to ensuring policies support both consumer protection and industry growth, especially as technology continues to change the playing field. The conversation highlights Nebraska’s rapidly expanding InsurTech ecosystem, anchored by the InsurTech on the Silicon Prairie conference, where startups, established insurers, and regulators come together to engage openly on new products, AI adoption, and evolving risk models. With a competitive premium tax rate and a workforce of more than 30,000 strong, Nebraska is positioning itself as a forward-looking leader in the future of insurance. Listeners will gain insight into how innovation and advocacy intersect, why AI remains the hottest topic in risk management, and how collaboration is fueling bold new ideas from the Midwest. Key Topics Legislative education and industry advocacy InsurTech momentum in the Silicon Prairie AI’s growing impact on underwriting and risk management Why collaboration with regulators encourages innovation Nebraska’s strong insurance workforce and business climate

  2. 05/28/2025

    Speed Data and the Future of Information Security

    On this episode of Champions and Challengers, host Greg Lestini, Public Finance Attorney at Bricker Graydon, sits down with Megan Garza, Communications Manager at Varonis, to explore the fast-evolving world of cybersecurity—especially at the intersection of FinTech, data protection, and AI. From the risks posed by social media to the necessity of robust incident response plans, Megan shares insights drawn from her own podcast, Speed Data, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Varonis helps organizations understand and reduce their data risk. Together, they unpack what it means to take a truly data-centric approach to security and why it’s more important than ever in today’s regulatory and digital climate. Listeners will also hear about Varonis' presence at industry events like RSA, the value of free data risk assessments, and the personal challenges that shape professional grit. Key Topics: Data-centric cybersecurity in FinTech AI's dual role in innovation and risk The growing importance of data privacy Why “you need to have a game plan” What makes Varonis a leader in the space

  3. 04/30/2025

    Bridging Innovation and Insurance with AI, Startups, and the Future of InsurTech

    In this episode of Champions and Challengers, host Greg Lestini explores the rapidly evolving world of InsurTech and insurance innovation. He is joined by the CEO of Scout InsurTech, Chris Luiz, who shares insights on how technology is reshaping the industry, from underwriting and claims automation to regulatory challenges and emerging AI applications. The discussion highlights how Scout serves as an ecosystem partner, helping startups connect with established carriers to drive innovation and create new opportunities. The conversation also delves into the regulatory landscape, examining how compliance requirements can serve as both obstacles and catalysts for better model development. AI’s increasing role in insurance is explored, with a focus on how it presents both opportunities for efficiency and challenges related to implementation and oversight. Another key topic is the growing need for technology partnerships and how mid-size mutuals can leverage innovation to stay competitive. The episode also touches on the current state of life insurance, an area that lags behind in modernization and could benefit from greater investment in digital transformation. Beyond the technical aspects, the guest reflects on the entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of personal support systems in navigating the challenges of building and scaling a company in the InsurTech space. The conversation ultimately underscores the value of collaboration, strategic partnerships, and forward-thinking approaches in driving meaningful change in the insurance industry.

  4. 03/26/2025

    Leading the Way in Insurance Regulation with Commissioner Jon Godfread

    In this episode of Champions and Challengers, host Greg Lestini sits down with North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread to explore the evolving landscape of insurance regulation. Originally recorded at the 2023 NAIC Spring National Meeting in Louisville, this discussion remains as relevant as ever as Commissioner Godfread begins his term as President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

  5. 03/06/2025

    Securing America's Tech Leadership in the Age of AI

    In this episode of Champions and Challengers, host Greg Lestini speaks with Doug Kelly, CEO of the American Edge Project, about the importance of American innovation in the technology sector. They discuss the impact of offshoring on American jobs, the race for AI supremacy with China, and the need for policy changes to support technological leadership. Doug emphasizes the significance of innovation ecosystems across the country and the role of both large and small companies in driving progress. The conversation concludes with insights into the future of American tech and the mission of the American Edge Project.

  6. 01/29/2025

    Navigating Change: Stefanie Altman on Marketing Strategies, Technology, and the Evolving Insurance Landscape

    In this episode of Champions and Challengers, host Greg Lestini speaks with marketing consultant Stefanie Altman about her journey in the consulting space, focusing on marketing strategies for insurance agents and the importance of leveraging technology. They discuss the shift from captive to independent agents, the impact of industry consolidation, and the future of embedded insurance. Stefanie emphasizes the role of AI in enhancing efficiency while maintaining the human element in client relationships. The conversation concludes with insights on personal growth and the importance of mentorship in one's career.

  7. 12/04/2024

    Building Resilience: Preparing for, Managing, & Recovering from Disruptive Cyber Events

    In this episode, Greg Lestini and Jeff Knight dive into the critical world of risk management and business continuity with Tom Perry of 1Resilience, a seasoned expert whose journey spans fire service, law enforcement, and public-sector risk management. His broad experience offers a unique lens on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disruptive events. Tom discusses the essence of continuity as ensuring the seamless operation of business-critical functions before, during, and after an incident. He emphasizes the importance of proactive planning and preparation, including tailored safety and security strategies, robust training, and awareness programs. According to Tom, no organization is immune to incidents, but thoughtful preparation can significantly reduce the impact and help companies thrive beyond survival. The group explores the incident management lifecycle, from pre-event preparations like developing actionable plans to post-event recovery strategies. Tom highlights the importance of avoiding the "blame game" during incidents, as it delays response and amplifies the crisis. Instead, companies should focus on maintaining clear, client-specific plans—whether checklists, flowcharts, or other tools—to manage cascading events effectively. Tom also explains the costs and challenges of recovery, underscoring the importance of using incidents as learning opportunities. Companies should document timelines, analyze events, and create comprehensive reviews for leadership to build stronger strategies for the future. He also underscores the inevitability of incidents and the need for resilience-focused solutions. Tom’s goal is to provide organizations with a clear, actionable roadmap to mitigate risks and ensure they’re not just reacting to events but are prepared to move forward stronger than ever before.

  8. 10/29/2024

    Fintech, Family, and the Future of Wealth: Inside Resolute's Personal Touch

    In this episode hosted by Christina Cross, Beau Bryant from Resolute Wealth Advisors discusses how personalized advice is the cornerstone of their success and how fintech plays a crucial role in enhancing the client experience. He emphasizes that AI won't replace advisors but will improve efficiency, allowing more time for personalized financial planning. With clients in Northwest Ohio and Arizona, technology helps them expand their reach, especially post-COVID. Beau highlights the importance of maintaining a personal connection, especially for clients like educators or those facing sudden wealth, as AI lacks the emotional nuance needed for such relationships. He talks about family wealth, privacy, and confidentiality, stressing how personal relationships allow them to ask the tough, emotionally charged questions that AI cannot. Beau also discusses how they engage with younger audiences through proactive family planning conversations and his upcoming "Wealth Guardians" YouTube series, aimed at educating people on financial topics slotted to be released in Q1 of 2025.

See All (27)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to Champions & Challengers, hosted by leading Midwest law firm, Bricker Graydon Wyatt. Featuring innovative CEOs and founders, legal advisors, and industry professionals from the world of FinTech, this limited series podcast will explore business, technology, and regulatory trends, as well as legal developments that are reshaping the financial services industry.

Information