PDX Startup Week - Code, Capital, and Grit: How AI is Changing the Money Game

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Presented By Women Stories Network

The future of finance isn’t just about better algorithms—it’s about the people with the grit to build them.

In an industry defined by high barriers and complex systems, how does a founder move from identifying a systemic gap to engineering a global solution? Join us for an intimate conversation with Ann, Founder of Zelody, as we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, fintech, and the personal evolution required to lead in these spaces.

We’re moving past the buzzwords to discuss the real "why" behind the next generation of fintech. This session dives deep into the technical confidence, the mindset shifts, and the raw determination it takes to disrupt the status quo.

What We’ll Cover:
• The Catalyst: The "aha" moment that turned a professional observation into a mission-driven company.
• The Complexity Gap: Navigating the high-stakes worlds of AI and Fintech, and how the role of women is evolving to lead these technical frontiers.
• The Breakthrough Mindset: Identifying the toughest barriers in deep-tech and the specific shifts used to break through them.
• Portland’s Tech Frontier: A look at the unique opportunities within our local ecosystem and what is still needed to unlock its full potential.

Whether you are a builder, an investor, or a storyteller, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what will define the "winners" in an AI-driven economy and a firsthand look at the grit required to change the money game.

Speaker bio:
Ann is a B2B SaaS leader with 10+ years of technical experience scaling 0-1 builds into massive market movers. She has a proven track record of driving speed and scale, notably growing a product business from a $500k pilot to $110M+ ARR in just four years.

A specialist in high-barrier technical fields, Ann incubated the first Global Payments AI/ML product pod and built the industry's largest bank network at Treasury Prime. Now, as the founder of Zelody, she leverages her deep expertise in automation and strategic partnerships—including work with Google—to redefine the future of AI-driven fintech.

Moderator bio:
Sheikha Aldosary is a media entrepreneur, journalist, and senior communications strategist with over 18 years of experience, including work with The New York Times and The Washington Post. As the Founder and CEO of Women Stories Network (WSN), she is dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and founders with great impact. After a decade of award-winning work in the Middle East focused on women’s empowerment and entrepreneurial ecosystems, Sheikha is now based in Portland. She leads WSN to bridge the gap between powerful storytelling and impact, highlighting amazing women and the organizations that support them.