In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Tamara Laine — Emmy-winning journalist turned FinTech founder — now co-founder of Empower, a platform reimagining how creditworthiness is measured in a world of gig work, AI, and financial exclusion.

Tamara brings a bold, justice-centered approach to innovation — not just because it’s timely, but because it’s long overdue.

🏗️ Why the U.S. credit system is still stuck in the 1950s — and who it’s leaving behind

💳 How Empower is creating holistic credit profiles for gig workers and non-W2 earners

🧠 What investigative journalism taught Tamara about innovation and storytelling

⚠️ Why 97% of AI startups are failing — and how to avoid the “wrapper” trap

🔍 How transparency builds trust in financial tech (and mitigates risk more than compliance)

This one’s for every founder building in FinTech, equity-centered tech, or trying to lead with integrity in an AI era.

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