Stacie Whisonant

Stacie Whisonant is the Founder and CEO of a DC FinTech startup called Pay Your Tuition Funds. PYT Funds focuses on providing students with the opportunity to utilize the shared economy method called crowdfunding to reduce the burden of student loan debt. PYT Funds is considered a disruptor to the finance industry and is an innovative solution to the country's student loan crisis. Stacie has not always been battling the $1.2 trillion national student debt crisis. This Virginia native has more than 13 years of experience in the finance and banking industries with a background in mortgages, structured settlements, and annuities where she worked for the specialty finance company Stone Street Capital, and also for HSBC, the world’s largest international banking and financial services organization. Stacie received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management from Longwood University, and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, where she continues her service to mankind through community service projects. Stacie is also a military veteran and served eight years as a United States Army Reservist. Lastly, Stacie likes to spend her free time with family, traveling, keeping up on the latest technologies and playing UNO. Accolades and recognition include 2016 chosen fellow of the prestigious Halcyon Incubator program in D.C.; graduate of the Lighthouse Labs accelerator program; selection for the Innovate Finance 2017 Women in Fintech Powerlist; and grand prize recipient of the StartRight! Women’s Business Plan Competition. PYT Funds is also a notable winner of the Partnership Fund of New York City FinTech Innovation Lab in 2015.

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