As seen in Millionaire MNL, Alexandra McLeod is a rising force in the fintech world, redefining how community banks and credit unions approach small business lending. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, McLeod is the Founder & CEO of Parlay Finance, an AI-first platform designed to streamline and democratize SBA and SMB loan access.
With an MBA from the University at Buffalo (SUNY) and an MPhil from the University of Cambridge, her career bridges rigorous academic training with bold entrepreneurial execution.
Parlay Finance: Redefining Lending Through Intelligence
Launched in 2023 and fresh from Techstars ’23, Parlay Finance is on a mission to modernize the $1 trillion community lending market. At its core is the Loan Intelligence System (LIS) – a proprietary AI engine that helps community banks and credit unions underwrite loans faster, more fairly, and with greater insight.
Just weeks ago, Parlay closed a $2 million seed round, positioning the platform for rapid growth across underserved markets in the U.S.
Scaling With Purpose: Equity, Inclusion, and Intelligence
Alexandra isn’t just building software, she’s shaping an inclusive financial infrastructure. Through partnerships with Stratyfy and the Center for Accelerating Financial Equity (CAFE), Parlay actively supports mission-aligned efforts to fund underrepresented founders and Main Street businesses.
Her emphasis on equity resonates throughout the brand, earning her a spot on NYC FinTech Women’s “Inspiring Women in Fintech 2024” list and placing Parlay among the fastest-growing military-founded startups.
A Voice in the Room: TEDx, Techstars, and Beyond
A dynamic speaker and advocate for data-driven financial empowerment, Alexandra has taken the stage at major events like Fintech Meetup 2025, and appeared as a TEDx speaker and coach, amplifying her message about responsible AI in lending.
She’s also a published fintech thinker, contributing thought leadership to platforms like The Financial Brand on how community lenders can transform data into a competitive advantage.
Community-Rooted and VC-Backed
Parlay’s success is deeply rooted in community. With a veteran-led team and hands-on collaborations with local lenders and credit unions, Alexandra is helping close the capital access gap for small businesses often left behind by traditional finance.
Backed by Techstars and a growing ecosystem of fintech allies, her startup blends hyperlocal impact with institutional credibility.
