Nicole Valentine is the FinTech Director of the Center for Financial Markets at the Milken Institute with over a decade of financial services, international Mergers & Acquisitions, technology, and innovation experience. She leads the FinTech Program with a focus on access to capital, financial inclusion, compliance, and transparency. An attorney by background, Nicole practiced Mergers and Acquisitions and Securities at Wall Street law firm, Debevoise & Plimpton and then served as Assistant General Counsel and Vice President at global financial services firm, Cantor Fitzgerald. Nicole founded Synergy Business Development where she served as business strategist, advisor, and consultant to CEOs and Innovation Leads at Fortune 500 companies, innovative startups, non-profits, and government agencies. Nicole invested in the growth of the SME sector through financial acumen and business strategy tools and has been featured in the media on issues that impact small businesses and technology startups. Nicole Valentine earned her JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and her BA from American University in Political Science. She is a member of the NY Bar.