Our
Story
Get to Know Us
The Fintech and Innovation Club began with six business students who traveled to Brazil to study emerging financial technologies and their real-world impact. Seeing how fintech was expanding access, driving efficiency, and reshaping economies sparked meaningful conversations and a shared vision among them. What started as curiosity turned into action, and they founded the club to create a space where students could explore innovation in finance together. Since then, the club has grown significantly, expanding its membership, initiatives, and impact across campus. Built on curiosity and continuous growth, the Fintech and Innovation Club exists to push students beyond their comfort zones and into the future of finance and technology.
Meet The Team

Co-Founder & CEO
Loc Le
Loc Le serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Fintech and Innovation Club, where he leads the overall vision and direction of the organization. He is responsible for organizing initiatives, coordinating the executive team, and turning ideas into action. From planning events to driving strategic growth, Loc ensures that the club operates efficiently and continues to expand its impact on campus. His leadership keeps the team aligned, focused, and constantly moving forward.

Co-Founder & COO
Lisa Ruiz
Lisa Ruiz serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Fintech and Innovation Club, overseeing the club’s internal operations and ensuring that ideas are effectively executed. She coordinates events, manages logistics, and works closely with the executive team to keep initiatives organized and aligned with the club’s long-term vision. Through strong operational leadership and cross-team collaboration, Lisa helps drive the club’s continued growth and impact across campus.

Co-Founder & CFO
Omar Ferrufino
Omar Ferrufino serves as Chief Financial Officer of the FinTech & Innovation Club, leading the club’s financial planning and helping guide resource allocation to support student programs and growth. A senior at San Francisco State University (SFSU) and participant in the FinTech Fellowship Program, he brings a multidisciplinary interest in FinTech, blockchain, cybersecurity, and AI. Omar has competed in the Bloomberg Trading Challenge 2025, Collegiate Penetration Test Competition (CPTC25), and the CFA Institute Research Challenge 2026, reflecting his commitment to both financial strategy and technical innovation. Looking toward the future of finance, he is focused on creating impact where technology, security, and strategic decision-making intersect.
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CTO
Noah Bran
Noah Bran serves as Chief Technology Officer of the Fintech and Innovation Club, leading the club’s technical initiatives and digital presence. He builds and manages the club’s website while collaborating with students and faculty in the Computer Science department to strengthen the bridge between finance and technology. Always looking toward the future of fintech, Noah focuses on innovation, systems thinking, and creating opportunities where financial strategy and technical execution intersect.

Co-Founder & CMO
Kenny Estrella
Kenny Estrella serves as Chief Marketing Officer for the Fintech and Innovation Club, leading the club’s branding and outreach efforts. He is a third-year finance student from Irvine, CA with strong interests in the stock market, real estate, and cryptocurrency investing. Kenny has participated in the Bloomberg Trading Challenge and is involved in both the Fintech Fellowship Program and CREATE fellowship. Outside of finance, he enjoys powerlifting and martial arts, and is passionate about giving back through community service. As a first-generation Mexican-American, he hopes to inspire others to pursue success in their chosen fields.

Co-Founder & External Relations Officer
Justin Calderon
Justin Calderon serves as the External Relations Officer for the FinTech & Innovation Club, where he builds partnerships with companies and community organizations while fostering meaningful connections with students to expand access to industry knowledge and real-world experience in finance and technology. Raised in the Bay Area, Justin is driven by service and purpose-centered work, bringing experience in nonprofit leadership, youth development, and media development that uplifts community initiatives. Guided by his faith, he leads with integrity, humility, and a genuine desire to support others. Outside of academics, he enjoys traveling, playing soulful piano, swimming, and spending time with his family and friends. Justin hopes to integrate finance, technology, and creative storytelling to empower communities and contribute to long-term sustainable impact.
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Financial Guidance Officer
Jose L. Ordonez
Jose L. Ordonez serves as the Financial Guidance Officer for the FinTech Club, where he focuses on creating practical financial awareness for all students. As a Finance major with an Accounting minor, he is really interested in technology transforming the finance world, from digital assets to modern personal finance. He enjoys helping others build confidence with money by turning overcomplicated financial plans into clear plans that students can quickly apply to their own lives. Jose’s passion for finance began at just 14 years old when he launched an Amazon FBA business with his brother, sparking his curiosity about the financial world. That early entrepreneurial experience shaped his long-term goal of achieving financial independence while still helping others do the same. Outside of finance, he enjoys fishing, cooking, following UFC events, and keeping up with European soccer. Whether he is studying the market or watching the Champions League Final, he is always trying to learn about things that interest him and learn from others.

Fintech Data & Accounting Analyst
Yukti Chandarana
Yukti Chandarana serves as an Accounting & Legal Analyst for the Fintech and Innovation Club. She focuses on understanding why fintech and crypto companies fail, often due to weak internal controls, poor risk management, or compliance breakdowns rather than technology itself. Her role focuses on turning numbers into insights that help guide strategic decisions and ensure operational efficiency. Yukti helps strengthen the club's analytical foundation.
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Vice President of Technology
Mario Jimenez Illesca serves as Vice President of Technology for the FinTech and Innovation Club. He supports the organization by leading the development and implementation of technical initiatives that power the club’s projects and platforms. His role focuses on overseeing the technology team, guiding system architecture, and ensuring the successful integration of tools and frameworks used across the club’s work. Through strong technical leadership and collaboration, Mario helps drive innovation, build scalable solutions, and align the club’s technology efforts with its mission to foster education, real-world experience, and advancement in financial technology.

Growth Analyst
Samia Raoufi
Samia Raoufi serves as Growth Analyst for the FinTech and Innovation Club. She supports the organization by analyzing user behavior, identifying growth opportunities, and optimizing strategies that drive engagement and expansion. Her role focuses on tracking key performance metrics, refining acquisition channels, and implementing data-driven initiatives to improve outreach and retention. Through a combination of analytical insight and strategic thinking, Samia helps ensure the club’s growth efforts are intentional, measurable, and aligned with its mission to foster innovation, education, and collaboration in financial technology.

Marketing Strategist
Weedah Sharifi
Weedah Sharifi serves as Marketing Strategist for the FinTech and Innovation Club. She supports the organization by developing strategic marketing initiatives that strengthen the club’s brand, expand its reach, and promote its events and programs. Her role focuses on identifying target audiences, shaping messaging, and coordinating campaigns across digital platforms to increase awareness and engagement within the university community. Through thoughtful planning and creative strategy, Weedah helps ensure the club’s marketing efforts are cohesive, impactful, and aligned with its mission to foster innovation, education, and collaboration in financial technology.

Social Media Director
Brithany Giron
Brithany Giron serves as Social Media Marketing Director of the Fintech and Innovation Club, leading the club’s digital presence across social platforms. She develops content strategies, manages engagement, and ensures consistent branding that reflects the club’s mission and innovation-driven culture. Through creative storytelling and strategic outreach, Brithany helps expand the club’s visibility and connect with students across campus.

Communications & Data Analyst
Dianna Elias
Dianna Elias serves as the Communications and Data Analyst for the Fintech and Innovation Club. She supports the organization by analyzing engagement metrics, evaluating performance data, and translating insights into clear, impactful communication strategies. Her role focuses on transforming complex information into accessible content that strengthens outreach and member engagement. Through data-informed communication and strategic analysis, Dianna helps enhance the club’s visibility, messaging, and overall effectiveness.
