Melissa Pancoast
The Beans Founder & CEO
Melissa is the Founder and CEO of The Beans, the trusted Financial OS for Caring Professionals. By automating financial workflows and addressing the leading cause of employee stress - money - The Beans empowers organizations and their workforce. With a background as a VC in artificial intelligence, researcher at the University of Oxford, and former elementary math teacher Melissa brings a unique perspective to her role. She led the development of the Economic Strengthening Program which has been rolled out by the UN, WHO, and CDC to reduce the financial stress of 300 million people globally. She is also an angel investor and advisor, passionate about supporting diverse entrepreneurs. Melissa holds an MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention from the University of Oxford and a BS in Political Science from Stetson University. A former competitive rower and coach, she cherishes any opportunity to be in, on, or near the water.
2026 Agenda Sessions
Fintech Feud - the gameshow
It’s game on as banks and fintechs go head-to-head in this fast-paced, Family Feud-style showdown. Using real-world consumer survey data, teams will battle it out to guess the top answers on financial health, literacy, and behavior. Expect laughs, surprises, and sharp insights - followed by a candid panel unpacking what the results reveal about the future of financial wellbeing
Tuesday 31 March 09:35 - 10:15 The Pulse
