From her success as an investor, business owner, and policymaker to her seminal research at Harvard Business School, KAREN G. MILLS is a leading voice in how artificial intelligence is driving change at an unparalleled pace across the small business sector, with significant implications for our nation’s economy. As technology opens the doors to vast troves of data, opportunities are emerging to create new insights on a small business’s health and prospects. In a future where business owners can more clearly interpret trends and help them plan more effectively and where lenders can better understand their creditworthiness, a “Small Business Utopia” is possible. Mills offers insights and predictions on how small businesses can leverage innovative technology to improve longevity, drive growth, and prepare for the future.

Fintech innovators are disrupting nearly every aspect of the financial sector, ushering in a new era of opportunity and innovation for small business owners while traditional banks scramble to catch up. In this substantive, engaging, and actionable talk, KAREN G. MILLS takes audiences behind the in-depth research of her new book Fintech, Small Business & The American Dream to reveal how technology will transform the small business lending market and facilitate entrepreneurship, and how traditional lending institutions can create an impetus for innovation and change. Drawing on her extensive experience as former head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (2009-13) and current fintech backer, Mills provides in-depth analysis and tangible takeaways on fintech’s implications for both small businesses and the economy at large. Covering key issues such as the historical role of credit markets, the dynamics of innovation cycles, and the policy implications for regulation, Mills customizes her talk for bankers, investors, and regulators.

An entrepreneurial mindset is not just for running a business, it’s a leadership quality that often defines success, progress and innovation. Thinking outside the box to confront disruption, challenges or simply the unknown is what America’s entrepreneurs – and business leaders – must do every day. Throughout her career KAREN G. MILLS has drawn on innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to succeed at the highest levels of both business and government. When she joined the White House economic team at the height of the Great Recession, her bold actions helped save small businesses owners trapped by frozen credit markets. Karen’s unique experiences in Washington and as a venture capitalist offer practical and inspirational insights for leaders of any organization.

Americans should be optimistic about the opportunities available in the “new” economy. While the first two decades of the 21^st century have been marked by tepid growth, a great recession and a global pandemic, bright spots are emerging that are driving the creation of good-paying jobs and economic opportunity. Economic forces are shifting and key players – including entrepreneurs and small supply chain companies – are proving their resilience through reinvention and innovation, supported by a growing movement of collaboration between government, philanthropy and business sectors. With unique perspective and insight gained from her successful leadership at the highest levels of both business and government, KAREN G. MILLS will share why she’s optimistic and believes this cross-sector collaboration may well define the 21^st century economy.

Fintech innovators are disrupting nearly every aspect of the financial sector. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the small business economy. While the loan application process at banks can take weeks, fintech startups are putting capital in the hands of small business owners within days, and even minutes. It's a classic David vs. Goliath story, with online startups taking market share from community banks and Wall Street giants alike. But the truth is, sometimes David wins, sometimes Goliath wins, and sometimes the right solution involves a combination of the two. From leading a $100 billion loan portfolio at the U.S. Small Business Administration to her seminal research at Harvard Business School, KAREN G. MILLS continues to have a front-row seat to how this dynamic and evolving financial sector is changing the landscape and opportunities for small businesses and our nation’s economy. In this highly-competitive space, Karen offers game-changing insights and analysis for convenings of community bankers, regional banking executives, internal bank leadership teams and fintechs.

America’s community of nearly 30 million small businesses is diverse. From manufacturing suppliers and distributors to Main Street shops and tech companies, they collectively drive job creation, innovation and our nation’s competitiveness. Quite simply, their success is America’s success. Yet the challenges facing small businesses can be numerous and daunting. Drawing on her success as a small business owner and investor, to her leadership at the U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington, KAREN G. MILLS has the playbook for helping small businesses successfully tackle the challenges head on. As you convene your suppliers, distributors, franchisees and members, let Karen share the Small Business Playbook for getting (1) the money, (2) the customers and (3) the skilled workforce to grow and succeed.