Boston, MA — MSN — July 30, 2024—

What do motorcycles, kayaking and … financial technology have in common? 

One: They’re fast-paced and exciting. Two: Kathy Sianis has mastered them all.

Although she sold the motorcycle, Kathy has propelled herself forward to the position VP of Strategy and Advisory at Posh — a conversational and generative AI solutions provider for banks and credit unions. Along with her ceaseless drive for adventure and innovation, she brings a wealth of experience from various credit unions, banks, a track record of success, and a passion for advancing AI in financial institutions (FIs).

Kathy’s journey into the financial world began when she took a part-time job at a local bank during college. That’s when, “The banker in me came out,” Kathy told us. After earning her MBA, Kathy would venture out on her journey into financial services.

Thanks to her analytical mindset and dedication, Kathy quickly rose up the ranks wherever she went, earning multiple leadership and VP positions at various banks and credit unions. Eventually, she found herself as the VP of a credit union, managing all of its branches, deposit operations and its contact center with 35 employees handling 50K calls a year. This experience laid the groundwork for her future, but after a while, Kathy knew she needed to take the next step in her career. 

Her next move was taking on a consulting role in fintech contact center solutions, learning from the other side. Clients offered Kathy several positions, and she eventually became a CXO of a credit union. In this role, she successfully transitioned the credit union to the cloud, implemented chat solutions, and began exploring AI integration—leading to her introduction to Posh.

Kathy knew there was more she could be doing — a new and different way to help customers and change the financial services industry for the better. That’s when she joined Posh.

Accepting the offer was an easy decision for Kathy. At Posh, she could fulfill her passion for consultancy, advocacy for banks and credit unions, and desire to be part of something transformative. Moreover, she found a team that shared her curiosity and drive for innovation. 

“I feel like I’m part of something being built,” Kathy said. “We’re developing something together. I love the pace, the mindset, the people and the industry we’re helping. We are focused on an experience that makes a difference. We’re a partner, not a vendor.”

As VP of Strategy and Advisory, she has visibility into all key areas of the organization and how they impact each other to best serve its customers. Having worked on both the client and vendor side, she has knowledge in the critical areas of operations, lending, service and sales — which she puts to great use, whether in navigating boardroom conversations or assisting in internal and external adoption strategies. 

Kathy’s deep understanding of credit unions and banks, combined with her system-thinking approach, gives her unparalleled insights into client perspectives. Working closely with Posh’s clients, she uses her extensive experience to advise them on best practices for integrating AI into their operations.

“It’s all about being able to help them where they’re at,” she told us. “When I meet with a client I see myself back working at a credit union, I put myself in their shoes, and it can really help me relate to them.” This connection has been invaluable, especially when guiding credit unions through major decisions like adopting AI. 

“At the end of the day, they just want to know they’re choosing the right partner. That means being honest, forthcoming and transparent about what the reality is.”

As Kathy says, “The biggest challenge is the unknown.” Clients often come to her with concerns about potential risks, its impacts on teamwork, their Net Promoter Score or the effort required to implement it. “It’s my job to help them learn what they don’t yet know and start defining their roadmap forward.”

Beyond educating Posh’s clients, Kathy’s unique role allows her to explore new ideas and technologies while helping the same industry she’s grown to love. Moreover, her collaborative and consultative approach to leading teams and customers ensures that Posh remains a partner focused on creating meaningful and sustainable success for our clients. 

Kathy’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, dedication and the desire to make a positive impact. At Posh, Kathy is not just building a career; she is shaping the future of financial technology and creating lasting, positive change in the lives of clients and colleagues alike.

About Posh

Posh is a leading provider of AI-driven solutions designed specifically for banks and credit unions. Our mission is to empower FIs with cutting-edge technology that enhances customer experiences, improves operational efficiency and drives innovation. By leveraging advanced conversational AI and machine learning, Posh offers a suite of powerful tools, including:

• Digital Assistant: A self-service chatbot leveraging conversational AI text responses.
• Voice Assistant: A self-service chatbot with AI-generated voice response.
• Knowledge Assistant: An internal knowledge management system built on conversational AI.

Ready to transform your financial institution with Posh? Request a demo and discover the next evolution in AI assistants.