Georgia Fintech Academy Names Director of Strategic Partnerships to Scale Industry Engagement
-
by
Laura Gibson-Lamothe
- No Comments on Georgia Fintech Academy Names Director of Strategic Partnerships to Scale Industry Engagement
Atlanta, GA — April 9, 2026 — The Georgia Fintech Academy has named Kerel Fryar, MBA as Director of Strategic Partnerships. Since joining the organization, Fryar has been focused on scaling industry engagement and strengthening partnerships that expand pathways from education to careers in fintech.
In this role, Fryar will lead efforts to deepen relationships with fintech companies, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners, while advancing a more structured and scalable approach to partnership engagement. His work will support increased access to internships, experiential learning, and full-time career opportunities for students across the University System of Georgia.
“We’ve built a strong foundation connecting academia and industry,” said Laura Gibson-Lamothe, Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy. “Kerel is stepping in at the right moment to scale that work. His focus will be on expanding our partnerships, driving deeper engagement, and ensuring we continue to deliver meaningful outcomes for both students and employers.”
Fryar brings a combination of technical expertise and strategic relationship management, with a track record of aligning organizational goals with workforce development and industry needs. His work has centered on building systems that translate into real opportunities—from internships to full-time roles.
“The Georgia Fintech Academy has already established a powerful model,” said Fryar. “The opportunity now is to scale it, strengthen how we engage partners, and create more intentional pathways between talent and industry. I’m excited to be part of what comes next.”
In his role, Fryar will focus on:
- Scaling and deepening existing industry partnerships
- Expanding sponsorship and engagement models
- Increasing internship and job placement opportunities for students
- Strengthening the Academy’s role as a connector between talent and the fintech ecosystem
As the Georgia Fintech Academy expands its reach across the University System of Georgia, it continues to serve thousands of students each year while supporting the talent demands of one of the country’s largest fintech hubs..
About the Georgia Fintech Academy
The Georgia Fintech Academy is a statewide initiative that connects the University System of Georgia with the fintech industry to prepare students for careers in financial technology through education, experiential learning, and direct industry engagement.