Banking modernization doesn’t just happen, it’s driven by people who challenge the status quo, embrace technology, and push the industry forward.
That’s why we’re thrilled to celebrate Jessica Brown and Nicolette Barbitta, recognized as 2025 nCino Champions. Out of thousands of nCino experts worldwide, only 16 were selected, and two of them are right here, leading the charge in banking innovation.
Their paths into banking technology were anything but traditional. Jessica started as an ‘accidental admin,’ while Nicolette discovered her passion for problem-solving over coding. Different backgrounds, same drive—helping banks work smarter, faster, and better.
Here’s a look at their journeys, insights, and what’s next for the industry.
From accidental admins to industry leaders
Jessica and Nicolette didn’t set out to become banking technology experts, but sometimes, the best careers happen by accident.
Jessica started as a teller, but her curiosity about technology quickly made her the go-to resource in loan operations. “People kept coming to me with tech questions, and I liked figuring things out,” she recalls. That problem-solving mindset led her to a pivotal moment: in 2013, her manager asked her to help evaluate a new platform called nCino.
She took on the challenge, while still juggling loan operations and government-guaranteed loans. “It was trial by fire,” she says. “But I saw the potential, and I was all in.” Over time, she became a champion for standardization, helping banks move away from over-customization and toward more scalable, efficient systems.
For Nicolette, the path was different but just as unexpected. She had always enjoyed helping people with technology, but the coding side wasn’t for her. “I liked making things work better, but I wasn’t a developer,” she says.
She was working at a copy repair company when a friend in HR encouraged her to apply for a role in banking. What started as a system implementation job soon turned into something bigger when she was introduced to nCino and Salesforce. “I saw the connection, and I knew I wanted to be part of it,” she says.
She dove into learning, Trailheads, admin podcasts, anything she could find. Before her bank even went live with nCino, she was already answering community questions and sharing insights.