Theodora Lau

Co-Founder

Washington, DC, United States26 yrs 1 mo experience
AI Enabled

Key Highlights

  • Founder of Unconventional Ventures focusing on underrepresented entrepreneurs.
  • Three-time author on AI and fintech innovation.
  • Keynote speaker on gender equity and inclusion.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Fintech expert with a strong focus on AI and inclusion.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

FintechLeadershipPublic SpeakingNon-fiction WriterDiversity & InclusionVenture Capital

Other Skills

StrategyEnterprise SoftwareStart-upsManagement ConsultingBook authorLongevityEntrepreneurshipStartupFinancial ServicesArtificial Intelligence (AI)BankingIntegrationProgram ManagementTelecommunicationsCRM

About

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.

Experience

26 yrs 1 mo
Total Experience
3 yrs 2 mos
Average Tenure
2 yrs
Current Experience

Palgrave macmillan

Author

Jan 2025Present · 1 yr 4 mos

  • Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: Navigating the Realities of AI in Financial Services
  • eBook is now published !
  • https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-81647-5
FinTechNon-fiction WriterFinancial ServicesArtificial Intelligence (AI)

Henry stewart publications

Editorial Board for the Journal of Digital Banking

Nov 2024Present · 1 yr 6 mos

FinTechBankingNon-fiction WriterFinancial ServicesArtificial Intelligence (AI)Book author

B21 ventures

Advisor

May 2024Present · 2 yrs

  • www.b21.vc
FinTechVenture CapitalArtificial Intelligence (AI)

Forbes technology council

Forbes Technology Council Member & Contributor

Nov 2023Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

FinTechArtificial Intelligence (AI)Public SpeakingBook author

Kogan page

Book Author

Mar 2021Present · 5 yrs 2 mos

  • Author of Beyond Good (2021) and The Metaverse Economy (2023)
  • When we think of global corporations and business in general, do we feel pride in how we do things? Are we doing enough, given the undeniable reality of global climate change and the inequality faced by millions of people every day? Beyond Good is a call to arms for business leaders to recognize how they can do well by doing good
Diversity & InclusionNon-fiction Writer

Holt accelerator

Advisor

Apr 2020Dec 2021 · 1 yr 8 mos

Bond.ai

Advisor

Mar 2019Present · 7 yrs 2 mos

Diversity & Inclusion

One vision podcast

Podcaster - One Vision

Jan 2019Present · 7 yrs 4 mos

  • https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/one-vision-podcast/
FinTechDiversity & InclusionLongevityEntrepreneurshipStartupPublic Speaking

Envel

Advisory Board Member

Sep 2018Jul 2019 · 10 mos

Vc innovations

Steering Committee Member

Jan 2018Dec 2022 · 4 yrs 11 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

  • FinTech Talents is new two-day tech festival for London, focusing on the technology transforming financial services and the creators, innovators and users that are powering change. It is an event that aims to bring together a unique community of academia, financial services institutions, fintechs, service providers and the talent of today and tomorrow and explore the tech and talent driven future of financial services.
  • https://www.fintechtalents.com/

Unconventional ventures

Founder

Nov 2017Present · 8 yrs 6 mos · Washington DC-Baltimore Area

  • Developing and growing ecosystem to make banking better - and to better address unmet needs of consumers, including older adults and women. Connecting founders with funders - with specific focus on underrepresented entrepreneurs.
FinTechStrategyEnterprise SoftwareStart-upsManagement ConsultingDiversity & Inclusion+3

Aarp

Director, Market Innovation

Aug 2015Dec 2017 · 2 yrs 4 mos

  • Foster ecosystem of startup entrepreneurs, VCs, and thought leaders to generate awareness of needs & wants of 50-plus. Collaborate with internal and external entities to spark innovation in the 50-plus market, to create better solutions to empower older adults to live the lives that they want, with focus on FinTech, Digital Health, and Caregiving. Manage the Financial Services portion of the AARP LivePitch Program. Launch the first edition of the financial services frontier to quantify and qualify opportunities in the marketplace for older adults and caregivers.

Talkspace

Head of Operations

Dec 2014Aug 2015 · 8 mos

  • Lead customer-centric consultation team; responsible for user engagement and retention. Ensure operational readiness with new feature capability deployment.
  • Collect and analyze operational data. Provide critical insights to C-Level; drive strategies to increase adoption of our cloud-based multi-channel technology platform and enhance overall customer experience.
  • Create and optimize internal processes to improve operational efficiencies and scalability.
  • Leverage cross-functional product, development, and marketing resources to continuously improve our text and video solution offerings. Ensure operational readiness with new product releases.
  • Develop quality metrics and monitor performance of providers. Drive customer success and help customers achieve target results through utilization of our platform.
Diversity & Inclusion

Self employed

Independent Consultant

Jan 2011Nov 2014 · 3 yrs 10 mos · Washington DC-Baltimore Area

  • Act as subject matter expert for Business Support Systems:
  • Establish platform requirements and solution architecture for an operator in support of next generation network
  • Provide vision on launch and future state strategy
  • Develop artifacts for RFP
  • Oversee vendor solution assessment and provide recommendation for solution implementation
  • Establish resource and budget requirements

Amdocs

Customer Solution / Program Manager

Feb 2007Jan 2011 · 3 yrs 11 mos

  • Responsible for Amdocs solution management at Clear; ensure alignment and integration cross solution teams to support customer's needs.
  • Responsible for release management and program management of Amdocs solution implementation at XOHM; lead internal delivery teams and collaborate with external stakeholders in requirements rationalization and implementation while maintaining alignment with strategic objectives; manage prioritization of requirements pipeline; ensure successful and timely delivery of releases to support business needs. Develop trusted advisor relationships and serve as customer advocate to Amdocs to ensure high customer satisfaction.

Sherwood brown consulting

Manager

Feb 2006Feb 2007 · 1 yr

  • IT Operations Management and Strategy Consulting

Excelacom

Senior Manager, Wireless Solutions

Jun 2005Feb 2006 · 8 mos

  • Responsible for managing teams to provide technology and business consulting services to telecommunications clients.

Nextel communications

Senior Project Manager

May 2003Jun 2005 · 2 yrs 1 mo

  • Responsible for conceptual business case evaluation and solution design in support of CBS strategic efforts. Provided technology consulting and analytical services to various business organizations within Nextel.

Sotas

Project Manager

Mar 2001May 2003 · 2 yrs 2 mos · Washington DC-Baltimore Area

  • Complete responsibility for the implementation of SOTAS solutions for Fortune 100 telecommunications providers. Defined and documented project requirements, timelines, and resources to ensure on time delivery within budget constraints. Conducted risk assessment and implemented appropriate mitigation plan.

Teligent

Product Development Manager

Jan 2000Jan 2001 · 1 yr

  • Responsible for creation of functional service requirements and implementation of new voice and data products. Managed project activities to ensure objectives were met within schedule, budget, and staffing constraints.

Education

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Artificial Intelligence

Jan 2024Present

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Bachelor of Science (BS) — Chemical Engineering

Jan 1992Jan 1996

The George Washington University

MS — Project Management

Sep 2000May 2002

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