Stacie Whisonant is the founder and CEO of Pay Your Tuition Funds (PYT), an innovative solution that uses technology and data to bridge the higher education funding gap.

PYT focuses on helping consumers utilize crowdfunding to raise money for student loan debt. Some of the top Crowdfunding online platforms include GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo.

"As founder, I wear multiple hats and perform multiple duties. Overall I am responsible (for) project management of the development of the technology platform, financial institution business development, and education institution relationship(s)," she explains on her LinkedIn page.

Stacie has more than 13 years of experience in finance, banking, mortgages, structured settlements, and annuities. She worked for the specialty finance company Stone Street Capital, and also for HSBC, the international banking, and financial services organization.

While earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management from Longwood University, she served for eight years as a United States Army Reservist.

Stacie has been recognized as a fellow of the Halcyon Incubator program in Washington D.C. and was nominated for the Innovate Finance 2017 Women in Fintech Powerlist.

PYT Funds was a rising star at the 2015 Partnership Fund for New York City FinTech Innovation Lab. The FinTech Innovation Lab is a highly competitive 12-week program that helps early-to growth-stage startup companies refine and test their value proposition with the support of the world’s leading financial service firms.