2026 MDT CEO Forum

Lee Wetherington is Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at Jack Henry (NASDAQ: JKHY). Lee directs the development of actionable insights, forecasts, and strategy for Jack Henry and the financial services industry at large. To this end, he guides a team of analysts who track the trends and implications of emerging technologies disrupting and transforming the financial services industry. Lee delivers keynotes nationwide focusing on opportunities and challenges in fintech, payments, and digital banking, and he is widely known for his unique style of delivery.

Lee has delivered over 600 keynotes for states, national, and international trade groups, including Finovate, FinXTech, Credit Union National Association (CUNA), Credit Union Executive Society (CUES), National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU), American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), and the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU). He has also served as Technology Faculty Chair for several graduate schools of banking and management and has delivered guest lectures on leadership and technology at universities across the country. He was named “Strategic Alliance Executive of the Year” at the Golden Bridge Awards, which recognizes the world’s top executives across every major industry globally. Lee’s articles and commentary have been published widely across the financial services industry, and he’s a popular guest on fintech podcasts.

Lee received bachelor’s degrees in Economics and English from Duke University in 1990, and in 1993 he completed graduate studies at Emory University before joining a fintech born out of the backroom of a community financial institution in deep South Georgia.

Contact: lwetherington@jackhenry.com or www.jackhenry.com/lee-wetherington

Nicole has a passion for empowering mission-driven organizations to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete. She is currently Director of Corporate Strategy at Jack Henry (NASDAQ: JKHY), a leading financial technology company offering financial institutions access to a growing ecosystem of modern capabilities and leading fintechs through open integration.

In her role, she drives research to vet acquisition, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities across the fintech ecosystem. She leads an industry research analyst team covering digital, lending, blockchain & digital currency, payments, and financial crimes. Prior to Jack Henry, Nicole served in senior-executive leadership roles leading digital, marketing, and retail for forward-thinking credit unions, real estate associations, and leading financial software and identity theft protection providers. Her unique blend of experience as a practitioner and analyst of a leading S&P 500 technology solution provider allows her to contribute thought leadership through multiple lenses of the financial services ecosystem.

Nicole is active in the fintech community and serves on the Financial Health Network Member Advisory Committee and CUNA’s ABM Advisory Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. She also has an MIT Sloan Executive Certificate in AI: Implications for Business Strategy and completed the post-graduate program in AI for Leaders from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.

Chris Kowal is the President and Chief Executive Officer of MDT, a CUSO that helps credit unions navigate complex financial technology ecosystems. Since joining MDT in 2008, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic vision and long-term growth, bringing deep financial expertise and a passion for innovation to the organization.

Throughout his tenure, Chris has overseen a wide range of functional areas including Accounting and Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Human Resources, Facilities, and Internal Audit and Compliance. He is a driving force behind MDT’s innovation initiatives, including the company’s signature “Shark Tank”-style Innovation Challenge, and has led the development of MDT’s corporate mission, vision, purpose, and strategic growth plan.

Prior to joining MDT, Chris held leadership roles in commercial real estate, audit, and consulting. He has lived and worked across the country, including Chicago, Silicon Valley, Washington, D.C., and Indiana—and brings a diverse professional perspective shaped by experience across multiple industries.

Chris earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University and an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He met his spouse, Sara, while in the MBA program at Indiana. They have two children, one currently in college and another starting college in the fall.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time in northern Michigan, traveling, playing golf and hockey, skiing, and cheering on the Michigan State Spartans at football games. With a deep appreciation for culture and community, he brings a people-first philosophy to leadership at MDT.

Shanon McLachlan is Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Jack Henry. McLachlan oversees all business lines and infrastructure, focusing on strategic objectives, technology modernization, and operational optimization to enhance value for associates, clients, and shareholders. He has more than 30 years of financial services experience in the banking and credit union industries.