Theodora Lau — Co-Founder
Theo is a public speaker, writer, and advisor, who work seeks to spark innovation in the public and private sectors for the benefits of the forgotten demographics and to create a more inclusive society. She is the founder of Unconventional Ventures, which focuses on developing and growing an ecosystem of financial institutions, corporations, startups, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and accelerators to better address the unmet needs of consumers, with keen interests in women and underrepresented founders. As part of her work, she regularly mentors and advises startups in both financial services and healthcare/caregiving space. She is the advisor for B21 Ventures, focusing on entrepreneurs disrupting finance and health with AI. Theo speakers regularly on the topics of AI, Gender Equity, FinTech, Inclusion, and Longevity. She is a guest contributor for various top industry events, publications, and podcasts, including Fintech Futures, American Banker, BBC, Journal of Digital Banking, Harvard Business Review, Nikkei Asia, MIT Tech Review, Money20/20, Finovate, RISE, FinTech Week Hong Kong, Breaking Banks, Financial Brand, Irish Tech News, and Forbes Technology Councils. She is the author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence (2025). She is also the co-author of Beyond Good - How technology is leading a purpose-driven business revolution (2021), and co-author of The Metaverse Economy (2023). She is the host of One Vision, a podcast on innovation and fintech, runs a weekly LinkedIn newsletter (FinTech Prose) on emerging technologies (such as Voice and AI), inclusion, longevity, fintech, innovation, and using technology for good. Her monthly column on Fintech Futures explores the intersection of fintech and humanity. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and a Master of Science in Project Management from George Washington University.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Fintech expert with a strong focus on AI and inclusion.
Location: Washington, DC, United States
Experience: 26 yrs 1 mo
Skills
- Fintech
- Leadership
- Public Speaking
- Non-fiction Writer
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Venture Capital
Career Highlights
- Founder of Unconventional Ventures focusing on underrepresented entrepreneurs.
- Three-time author on AI and fintech innovation.
- Keynote speaker on gender equity and inclusion.
Work Experience
Palgrave Macmillan
Author (1 yr 4 mos)
Henry Stewart Publications
Editorial Board for the Journal of Digital Banking (1 yr 6 mos)
B21 Ventures
Advisor (2 yrs)
Forbes Technology Council
Forbes Technology Council Member & Contributor (2 yrs 6 mos)
Kogan Page
Book Author (5 yrs 2 mos)
Holt Accelerator
Advisor (1 yr 8 mos)
BOND.AI
Advisor (7 yrs 2 mos)
One Vision Podcast
Podcaster - One Vision (7 yrs 4 mos)
Envel
Advisory Board Member (10 mos)
VC Innovations
Steering Committee Member (4 yrs 11 mos)
Unconventional Ventures
Founder (8 yrs 6 mos)
AARP
Director, Market Innovation (2 yrs 4 mos)
Talkspace
Head of Operations (8 mos)
Self Employed
Independent Consultant (3 yrs 10 mos)
Amdocs
Customer Solution / Program Manager (3 yrs 11 mos)
Sherwood Brown Consulting
Manager (1 yr)
Excelacom
Senior Manager, Wireless Solutions (8 mos)
Nextel Communications
Senior Project Manager (2 yrs 1 mo)
SOTAS
Project Manager (2 yrs 2 mos)
Teligent
Product Development Manager (1 yr)
Education
Artificial Intelligence at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Bachelor of Science (BS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
MS at The George Washington University