Bio:

Michelle Beyo is the CEO and Founder of Finavator, an award-winning payments and future of finance consultancy. With over 20 years of expertise across Payments, Loyalty, Telco, Digital Identity, and Open Data, Michelle has driven innovation across retail and payments sectors, fostering strategic growth for numerous North American companies. She is the author of the upcoming book, Mastering the Future of Finance (Wiley, Sept 2026), and host of the Finavator Podcast, where she explores the intersection of AI and financial services.

A recognized global thought leader and TEDx speaker, Michelle has presented at prominent events such as Money20/20, Fintech Meetup, and Open Banking Expo, passionately igniting discussions on the future of finance. She is a Money20/20 RiseUp alumna and mentor, dedicated to fostering leadership and innovation, and serves as the President of Open Banking Network Canada (OBNC), championing data rights, transparency, and security in the financial landscape.

Michelle’s industry impact is underscored by her consistent recognition on the Open Banking Expo Powerlist in both 2025 and 2026. Her additional accolades include being named one of the “Top 50 Women Leaders of Toronto” in 2023 and a WXN CEDI (Canadian Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) 2022 Award Winner. She is also the creator of the Finavator Future of Finance Master Class and a contributing author to the USA bestseller Habits of Success.

Speaking Topics:

Enabling the Future of Finance

The North American financial landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by the modernization of payments infrastructure, the digitization of commerce, and the reinvention of banking amidst increasing data proliferation and cyber threats. In this keynote, Michelle explores how financial leaders can adapt to these shifts, leverage emerging technologies, and unlock broader payment flows, operational efficiencies, and sustained innovation.

Importance of Open Banking in the Future of Finance

Open banking is a catalyst for the next wave of financial innovation. Michelle delves into how open banking empowers consumers, fuels new business models, and facilitates secure data sharing. She outlines its critical role in fostering more competitive, inclusive, and transparent financial ecosystems across North America and beyond.

Grit, Guts & Gratitude: The Path to Living an Entrepreneurial Life

In this deeply personal keynote, Michelle shares her entrepreneurial journey—from corporate leadership to launching a purpose-driven business. With authenticity and candor, she discusses the grit required to overcome obstacles, the courage to lead with vision, and the gratitude that underpins long-term success. This session is ideal for audiences seeking inspiration, resilience, and actionable insights on building a life of impact.