American Fintech Council Adds Government Affairs and Fintech Veteran, Elizabeth Gorz as New Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Legislative Affairs

The American Fintech Council (AFC), the premier industry association representing responsible fintech companies and innovative banks has announced that it has chosen Elizabeth Gorz as their new Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Legislative Affairs. Gorz brings more than a decade of government, legislative and fintech experience from the private and public sectors including nearly 10 years in various roles in Michigan State Government including two years as a Senior Policy Advisor to former Governor Rick Snyder and most recently as Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Pathward (formerly MetaBank), a leading innovative BaaS bank.

“Elizabeth is smart, enthusiastic and a recognized strategic leader in government, fintech, BaaS and banking,” said Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council. “With both state and federal legislative experience, Elizabeth is the perfect candidate to lead our strategy and legislative engagement. At a time when responsible fintech companies and innovative BaaS banks are driving transformative and positive change for consumers, it’s important that we embrace regulatory standards and work in collaboration with policy makers to support the future of finance creating critical access to financial services.”

Most recently, Gorz served as the Vice President and Head of Public Policy at Pathward. In that role, she was responsible for developing and executing public policy strategies to support and enable the company to execute its long-term strategic goals, in addition to advocating for the bank’s fintech partners. Prior to that, she was a senior policy advisor to former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and has extensive experience in strategy development and legislative advocacy including roles with the former Michigan Senate Majority Leader.

Gorz also has extensive experience advocating for a diverse list of organizations and industries for a Michigan-based multi-client state lobbying firm. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the James Madison College at Michigan State University and a Juris Doctorate from Michigan State College of Law.

“It is a privilege to join the executive team of this coalition of industry-leading companies,” said Elizabeth Gorz, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Legislative Affairs at AFC. “Communication, education, and authentic relationships provide the sound foundation for industry innovation and collaboration, as well as effective engagement in the public policy landscape. I am eager to work for the AFC membership to foster this practice with our stakeholders.”

AFC and its members deliver for customers by leading and advocating for the next generation of companies at the intersection of technology and financial services. It fosters innovative, transparent, and responsible products that promote competition, consumer protection, financial health, inclusion, and equity. AFC is committed to robust industry standards, with a focus on consumer protection and regulatory compliance, in addition to advocating for and embracing appropriate government regulation.