The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) has named a new director of innovation. Kristina Morris will be taking on the role at the Washington, D.C.-based community banking industry organization.
In this role, Morris will be working with the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator, which is held in Little Rock at the Venture Center. She will work with the accelerator cohort and will be heading up portfolio management and program development that drives the organization’s innovation strategy.
“We’re pleased to welcome Kristina as we continue to enhance our ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program to meet community bank business challenges and opportunities,” ICBA Senior Executive Vice President Community Bank Solutions Kevin Tweddle said in a statement. “Kristina’s experience in developing, launching and growing new and existing programs will be instrumental in leveraging the connections forged through this program as our member banks grow, prosper and evolve as part of their innovation journey.”
Before joining ICBA, Morris served as a project manager for FinTech Atlanta, working to establish the Georgia capital as a financial technology hub. She has also held runs at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta.
In June 2020, ICBA renewed its business relationship with the Venture Center, committing to the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program for an additional three years. Launched in 2018, the accelerator was renewed through 2024.
“Because of its highly collaborative nature and direct access to community banking expertise, the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator has developed a reputation within the fintech community as one of the best for entrepreneurs looking to enter the community banking industry,” Tweddle said of the announcement. “This three- year commitment to the program cements ICBA’s mission to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish.”
The first ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator was was held in early 2019 with 10 companies participating in the 12-week program.ICBA ThinkTECH 2.0 was held in 2020 with nine companies. The third cohort completed the 12-week program in March 2021.