FinTech Female Fridays: Meet Amanda Estiverne-Colas, Board Member for the National Alliance for Financial Literacy and Inclusion (NAFLI) and Founder of AGE Advisors

Amanda Estiverne-Colas began her professional career in traditional finance, managing P&L responsibilities at an asset management firm right out of college. Her foundation in finance eventually led her to fintech, where she joined Synchrony Financial and developed her

expertise in payments by working within the Payment Network group. At Synchrony, she managed strategic relationships with major payment networks and acquirers, ultimately leading initiatives within PayPal’s co-branded program.

Seeking a more strategy-driven role, Amanda joined Endava, an IT consulting firm, where she led large-scale projects and strategic initiatives across banking, payments, and fintech. Her ability to blend technology, strategy, and relationship management enabled her to drive core modernization efforts, emerging payment technology initiatives, and financial inclusion projects for top-tier financial institutions.

In addition to her corporate leadership and advisory work, Amanda expanded her portfolio to include philanthropy, driven by a deep commitment to financial literacy and inclusion. She

serves as a Board Member for the National Alliance for Financial Literacy and Inclusion

(NAFLI), where she works to bridge gaps in financial education and protection within

underserved communities. NAFLI is a culture of thought leaders dedicated to equipping

Individuals, Financial institutions, fintechs, policy makers and small businesses with the tools needed for economic empowerment. She collaborates with financial institutions to drive awareness, build impactful financial education programs, and integrate emerging technologies such as blockchain, credit innovations, and digital identity to expand financial access.

Amanda invites others to join the mission—advancing financial literacy and inclusion for all.

In addition to her advocacy in financial literacy, Amanda is the Founder & Advisor of AGE

Advisors, an advisory firm dedicated to guiding fintech startups and financial institutions in

navigating emerging payment technologies, financial inclusion strategies, and digital

transformation initiatives. Beyond fintech and Financial literacy, Amanda is a Board

Financial Advisor for TruBai, an AI-driven urban planning tool focused on leveraging

artificial intelligence to enhance city planning and infrastructure development.

Amanda is also a recognized leader in fintech and DEI advocacy. As a Global Advisor for

Money20/20, a mentor with Women in Payments, and a sought-after global speaker, she

actively works to amplify diverse voices and empower the next generation of fintech leaders.

Recently, she led the Rise Up program in Bangkok, hosting 30 women and guiding them in

their pursuit of professional growth and leadership development. Her impact in fintech has

earned her a place on the 2024 Innovate Finance Women in Fintech Powerlist, recognizing her contributions to shaping the future of financial services.

Amanda’s career has been defined by innovation, leadership, and advocacy. Whether advising fintech startups, driving industry-wide discussions, or leading large-scale strategic initiatives, she remains committed to creating impact, challenging the status quo, and shaping the future of finance.

More on Amanda

Where you currently live: Norwalk, CT

Family at home: 2 Preteens 1 4 year old yorkiepoo

Hometown: Stamford, CT

Favorite hobby: Long morning power walk 

Favorite Book: Malcolm Gladwell “Outliers”

Tell us a bit more about your current employer/company. What is its vision/mission and its competitive advantage? 

In 2025, NAFLI is focused on raising awareness of financial literacy and inclusion challenges while providing institutions with actionable content to empower their communities. We invite financial institutions to join our mission of building a more equitable and financially resilient society. By partnering with NAFLI, organizations can access thought leadership, social media content, newsletters, and white papers to educate and engage their customers. Our goal is to collaborate with 20 financial institutions to reach 500,000 individuals through shared educational content.This effort will demonstrate the potential to impact 10 million people through the customer base of our partners. Join NAFLI today and be part of the movement driving financial literacy and inclusion at scale  (nafli.org).

How are you working and impacting FinTech?

I am actively shaping the FinTech landscape by advising startups and financial institutions on

emerging payment technologies, financial inclusion, and technological innovations. Through

AGE Advisors, I provide strategic insights that help fintech founders scale and bring innovative solutions to the market. As a board member at NAFLI, I drive initiatives that promote financial literacy and inclusion, ensuring progressive conversations on better to serve diverse communities by gaining access to critical financial tools. My work with organizations like Money20/20, PayTech Women, and Women in Payments allows me to advocate for diversity and equity within the industry. By speaking at global conferences, I share expertise on trends like digital identity, credit innovations, and blockchain, shaping industry conversations. Through strategic partnerships and thought leadership, I am driving innovation and fostering a more inclusive financial ecosystem for all.

How do you challenge yourself in your role? How do you differentiate yourself at your role (so that other FinTech women can reference to model their career pathways)?

I challenge myself by staying ahead of industry trends, continuously learning, and collaborating with innovative startups and financial institutions to refine my expertise. I set ambitious goals, such as expanding my global speaking engagements and leading initiatives that promote financial inclusion. I push myself to advocate for greater diversity and equity, particularly for women and professionals of color in FinTech. My differentiation lies in my ability to integrate strategy, technology, and financial inclusion into actionable insights that drive change. I focus on building strong relationships and championing initiatives that empower underserved communities. For other women in FinTech, I emphasize the importance of adaptability, diverse experiences, and aligning personal values with career goals.

What is one piece of advice someone told you that resonated with you that can give to other women in FinTech?

One piece of advice that has resonated deeply with me and that I often share with other women in FinTech is to be intentional about the paths you choose in your career journey. A mentor once told me that the skills you acquire along the way—whether technical, strategic, or relational— will not only build your expertise but also give you the resilience and flexibility to adapt as the industry evolves. Each step you take shapes your ability to navigate change and seize new opportunities. So, focus on acquiring diverse skills, trust your instincts, and make decisions that align with your long-term goals, knowing that every experience adds value to your growth and adaptability.

Do you have any productivity hacks and what keeps you motivated?

Sundays are my planning days. I map out my week, making sure my kids’ activities are set so I

can optimize my time. I spend 30–40 minutes daily reviewing my schedule, adjusting as needed, and ensuring I stay focused.

I also leverage tools that help me work smarter:

• ChatGPT to refine content and streamline my thoughts .

• OneNote for organizing every aspect of my life—speaking, mentoring, work. Every

contact, every task, every note has a place.

• My calendar to ensure I’m making time for what truly matters.

At the core of it all, my biggest motivators are impact, legacy, and growth. I stay inspired by

learning, building, and surrounding myself with people who challenge and uplift me. And

Through it all, I remind myself—I am building my legacy by being the example. So with that in mind, I show up every day, and make it count.

Daily Diary

6:00am - “Get some sun” 3-4 mile morning walk

8:00am - School Drop off/Walk Luna - 3 year old Yorkipoo

8:45am - Wall Street podcast

9:00am - Research which includes - Client Interviews/Articles/Podcast

10:00am - Meetings ( Clients/Board Meetings)

11:00am - Mentor/Mentee meeting ( reviewing Resumes, interview prep or a career strategizing)

12:00pm - Lunch with Luna

1:00pm - Content creating - Linkedin post/Speaking submissions or workshop panel prep

2:00pm - Meeting ( Clients/Founders/Bank reader Interviews/Board Meetings)

3:30pm - School Pick up

4:00pm - Meetings ( Clients/Founders/Bank leader Interviews/Board Meetings)

5:00pm - Dinner with my crew

5:30pm - Soccer practice drop off/Walk and chat with Soccer team parents

8:00pm - Tea/in bed/reading