Sheena Allen

Sheena Allen

Keynote Speaker: Entrepreneur, Founder of CapWay (Youngest Female U.S. Digital Bank Owner), Tech Innovator, Author

Sheena Allen Biography

Sheena Allen is a visionary entrepreneur, sought-after keynote speaker, author, and creative architect who has transformed the intersection of technology, social impact, and innovation. From her humble beginnings in Terry, Mississippi, Allen has emerged as a global thought leader, inspiring audiences with her journey from a college student with an idea to a trailblazing founder.

In 2011, while still in college, Allen founded Sheena Allen Apps, a mobile app studio she built from the ground up. Her portfolio of five apps has garnered millions of downloads, proving her ability to disrupt and lead in the tech space. In 2024, she expanded on her expertise in the mobile app industry by launching App It Out, an innovative platform designed to help non-technical entrepreneurs and small business owners transform their app ideas into reality through curated courses, virtual classes, and a hands-on app-launching guide.

Her most notable venture, CapWay, a financial technology startup, revolutionized inclusive banking. As the youngest female in the U.S. to own and operate a digital bank, Allen broke barriers while providing access to digital banking, financial education, and resources for underserved communities. CapWay’s mission to bridge the economic divide highlights Sheena’s commitment to fostering equity in finance and beyond.

A gifted storyteller and dynamic presenter, Allen has graced stages worldwide, sharing her insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the power of resilience. Her work has been spotlighted in Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Business Insider, among others, and she has earned prestigious accolades, including the Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc. 30 Under 30, and the PayPal Maggie Lena Walker Award.

Her influence extends beyond the tech and financial sectors. She was featured in the Webby Award-winning Google documentary series Black Women in Tech and the acclaimed film She Started It, chronicling her journey as a female founder. Her book, "The Starting Guide," has become a trusted resource for aspiring entrepreneurs, offering practical strategies to launch successful ventures.

With her electrifying presence and actionable insights, Allen empowers audiences to embrace bold ideas, break down barriers, and create transformative change. Whether addressing innovation, economic inclusion, or the entrepreneurial mindset, Sheena Allen inspires individuals and organizations to redefine what’s possible.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Sheena Allen and other top speakers and celebrities.

Sheena Allen Speaking Topics

AI for Entrepreneurs & Employees (Workshop)

Generative AI has been a major trend over the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down. While many people are familiar with AI, not everyone understands how it works or how it can boost productivity in their work. Through talks or workshops, Sheena helps entrepreneurs understand how to leverage AI tools to enhance their businesses and stay competitive in today's fast-paced market, or employees remain on trend and be more productive at work. Sheena explains and explores AI-driven software like ChatGPT, Grammarly, Canva, and others, demonstrating how these tools can be leveraged to enhance productivity based on each individual's role and career goals.

Mobile App Mapping & Strategy (Keynote & Workshop)

How many times have you heard someone say, “I have this amazing idea for an app?” Well, a lot of people do! Unfortunately, most people with the idea have no clue what the next step they should take and for those who think they know, they usually assume that means contacting a developer to start coding their idea into an app. They completely skip over understanding the side of their app that should be well understood before ever reaching out to a developer. Is this a free app or does it include in-app purchases? What about UI/UX? How many similar apps are already available? Is this for iOS or Android or both? There is so much to the mapping out of a mobile app that should be done before ever contacting a developer that is never done.

Sheena started her first tech company, Sheena Allen Apps, as a senior in college. With no technical background, Sheena bootstrapped her mobile app company to house five apps and generated millions of downloads. In building her company through trial and error, Sheena was all able to master how to map out the idea of a mobile app before ever contacting a mobile developer. After realizing that not having the proper strategy and flow chart mapped out, the lack of preparation and knowledge would cost more time and money when the app entered into the development stage.

Key lessons from this talk include:

  • Don’t go directly from app idea to app development. That is like having a car (app idea) and tires (app developer), but with no gas (app strategy and mapping).
  • The entire app process - from idea all the way to deployment in the app store.
  • Understanding how the app stores work - Apple AppStore vs. Android
  • How to create a flow-chart
  • What to look for when searching for an app developer and what are the red flags you may be dealing with someone who won’t deliver.

Workshop:

The interactive workshop, called App It Out, will include working hands-on with attendees to allow them to see the missing pieces in their app idea. The beginning of the workshop starts with attendees doing an elevator pitch of their app idea to test how or if their idea is as well-defined as they think. Throughout the workshop, attendees will sketch out the first few pages of their mobile app, challenge each other on holes in their flow process, complete competitive analysis, discuss funding options, traction, hiring developers, and preparing for marketing before and after launching their app.

Financial Inclusion

The traditional banking system was never designed to serve everyone equally, leaving over 2 billion people worldwide financially underserved. Lack of financial inclusion has been a critical issue for decades but has become more discussed and at the forefront in recent years as advocates and startups work to tackle the many challenges involved.

Drawing from her personal experience growing up in Mississippi, the poorest state in the U.S., as well as her professional expertise running her fintech startup, CapWay, Sheena highlights the difficulties faced by people living in banking deserts and those who are unbanked or underbanked. She also addresses the barriers created by a lack of trust in traditional banks and how factors such as race, age, gender, culture, and geography can limit access to financial services.

Sheena also explores the role of technology in addressing these challenges, noting how digital innovations have already disrupted industries like transportation (Uber vs. taxis) and hospitality (Airbnb vs. hotels). Similarly, technology has made significant strides in expanding financial access and creating new opportunities. However, Sheena emphasizes that much more work is needed to achieve true financial inclusion for all.

Thriving as a Non-Techie in the Tech Space

When most people think of the tech industry, they often imagine introverted developers immersed in their computers with headphones on, coding away in a focused, solitary state. However, tech companies are made up of much more than just developers. So, if you're non-technical and passionate about joining the tech world, don't let that hold you back. Building a successful company requires a diverse team with a wide range of skills—coders, designers, marketers, salespeople, and more. In fact, many successful tech founders were non-technical themselves, including Steve Jobs (Apple), Brian Chesky (Airbnb), and Evan Spiegel (Snapchat).

Sheena, a non-technical founder of multiple startups, shares her insights on recruiting the right team by understanding your strengths and weaknesses, developing a clear vision, and focusing on other key factors for building a successful tech company. She also highlights the unique and valuable qualities that non-technical individuals bring to the table of a tech company.

Bootstrapping vs. Fundraising from Venture Capitalists (VC) & Angel Investors

Many startups aim to secure funding from venture capitalists (VCs) or angel investors, often believing it's the only way to succeed. After all, the companies raising millions in funding are the ones making headlines in top media outlets, giving founders the illusion that raising money equates to success. However, venture capital may not be the right path for every founder. In the rush to raise money, many entrepreneurs lose sight of building their businesses or fail to fully understand the implications of taking on investment. The truth is, with each investment, a company becomes less controlled by its founder or founding team.

Bootstrapping—funding a startup without external investment—has been largely overlooked. While both bootstrapping and raising venture capital have their advantages and drawbacks, unfortunately, the media tends to focus more on the benefits of securing outside investment.

Sheena Allen, who bootstrapped her first company, Sheena Allen Apps, to millions of app downloads and later raised numerous rounds of funding for her second startup, CapWay, has experienced both sides of the funding equation. Sheena offers valuable insights on the pros and cons of each approach.

Key lessons from this talk include:

  • The reality of raising outside capital: loss of control, the pressure to deliver returns, and more.
  • Alternative ways to fund your business beyond traditional venture capital, including crowdfunding
  • Strategies for bootstrapping as long as possible.
  • Determine if VC funding is the right choice for your business or if bootstrapping is a more suitable path.

Sheena Allen Videos

Black Women in Tech: Sheena Allen creates equitable financial ...
SEfintechVC Interview with Sheena Allen

How do I book Sheena Allen to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Sheena Allen for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Sheena Allen, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Sheena Allen or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Sheena Allen for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Sheena Allen, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Sheena Allen are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Sheena Allen, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Sheena Allen speak about?

Sheena Allen is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Entrepreneurship, Women in Business, Technology, Computer Science, Finance, FinTech, Diversity & Inclusion, Business, Venture Capital, Artificial Intelligence, Social Activism, Social Justice and Civil Rights.

Where does Sheena Allen travel from?

Sheena Allen generally travels from Georgia and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Sheena Allen?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Sheena Allen for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Sheena Allen for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Sheena Allen or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Sheena Allen is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Entrepreneurship, Women in Business and Technology. The estimated speaking fee range to book Sheena Allen for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Sheena Allen generally travels from Georgia and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Aniyia Williams, Nicole Yeary and Joy Buolamwini. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Sheena Allen for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 24/01/2025.

Sheena Allen Speaking Topics

  • AI for Entrepreneurs & Employees (Workshop)

    Generative AI has been a major trend over the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down. While many people are familiar with AI, not everyone understands how it works or how it can boost productivity in their work. Through talks or workshops, Sheena helps entrepreneurs understand how to leverage AI tools to enhance their businesses and stay competitive in today's fast-paced market, or employees remain on trend and be more productive at work. Sheena explains and explores AI-driven software like ChatGPT, Grammarly, Canva, and others, demonstrating how these tools can be leveraged to enhance productivity based on each individual's role and career goals.

  • Mobile App Mapping & Strategy (Keynote & Workshop)

    How many times have you heard someone say, “I have this amazing idea for an app?” Well, a lot of people do! Unfortunately, most people with the idea have no clue what the next step they should take and for those who think they know, they usually assume that means contacting a developer to start coding their idea into an app. They completely skip over understanding the side of their app that should be well understood before ever reaching out to a developer. Is this a free app or does it include in-app purchases? What about UI/UX? How many similar apps are already available? Is this for iOS or Android or both? There is so much to the mapping out of a mobile app that should be done before ever contacting a developer that is never done.

    Sheena started her first tech company, Sheena Allen Apps, as a senior in college. With no technical background, Sheena bootstrapped her mobile app company to house five apps and generated millions of downloads. In building her company through trial and error, Sheena was all able to master how to map out the idea of a mobile app before ever contacting a mobile developer. After realizing that not having the proper strategy and flow chart mapped out, the lack of preparation and knowledge would cost more time and money when the app entered into the development stage.

    Key lessons from this talk include:

    • Don’t go directly from app idea to app development. That is like having a car (app idea) and tires (app developer), but with no gas (app strategy and mapping).
    • The entire app process - from idea all the way to deployment in the app store.
    • Understanding how the app stores work - Apple AppStore vs. Android
    • How to create a flow-chart
    • What to look for when searching for an app developer and what are the red flags you may be dealing with someone who won’t deliver.

    Workshop:

    The interactive workshop, called App It Out, will include working hands-on with attendees to allow them to see the missing pieces in their app idea. The beginning of the workshop starts with attendees doing an elevator pitch of their app idea to test how or if their idea is as well-defined as they think. Throughout the workshop, attendees will sketch out the first few pages of their mobile app, challenge each other on holes in their flow process, complete competitive analysis, discuss funding options, traction, hiring developers, and preparing for marketing before and after launching their app.

  • Financial Inclusion

    The traditional banking system was never designed to serve everyone equally, leaving over 2 billion people worldwide financially underserved. Lack of financial inclusion has been a critical issue for decades but has become more discussed and at the forefront in recent years as advocates and startups work to tackle the many challenges involved.

    Drawing from her personal experience growing up in Mississippi, the poorest state in the U.S., as well as her professional expertise running her fintech startup, CapWay, Sheena highlights the difficulties faced by people living in banking deserts and those who are unbanked or underbanked. She also addresses the barriers created by a lack of trust in traditional banks and how factors such as race, age, gender, culture, and geography can limit access to financial services.

    Sheena also explores the role of technology in addressing these challenges, noting how digital innovations have already disrupted industries like transportation (Uber vs. taxis) and hospitality (Airbnb vs. hotels). Similarly, technology has made significant strides in expanding financial access and creating new opportunities. However, Sheena emphasizes that much more work is needed to achieve true financial inclusion for all.

  • Thriving as a Non-Techie in the Tech Space

    When most people think of the tech industry, they often imagine introverted developers immersed in their computers with headphones on, coding away in a focused, solitary state. However, tech companies are made up of much more than just developers. So, if you're non-technical and passionate about joining the tech world, don't let that hold you back. Building a successful company requires a diverse team with a wide range of skills—coders, designers, marketers, salespeople, and more. In fact, many successful tech founders were non-technical themselves, including Steve Jobs (Apple), Brian Chesky (Airbnb), and Evan Spiegel (Snapchat).

    Sheena, a non-technical founder of multiple startups, shares her insights on recruiting the right team by understanding your strengths and weaknesses, developing a clear vision, and focusing on other key factors for building a successful tech company. She also highlights the unique and valuable qualities that non-technical individuals bring to the table of a tech company.

  • Bootstrapping vs. Fundraising from Venture Capitalists (VC) & Angel Investors

    Many startups aim to secure funding from venture capitalists (VCs) or angel investors, often believing it's the only way to succeed. After all, the companies raising millions in funding are the ones making headlines in top media outlets, giving founders the illusion that raising money equates to success. However, venture capital may not be the right path for every founder. In the rush to raise money, many entrepreneurs lose sight of building their businesses or fail to fully understand the implications of taking on investment. The truth is, with each investment, a company becomes less controlled by its founder or founding team.

    Bootstrapping—funding a startup without external investment—has been largely overlooked. While both bootstrapping and raising venture capital have their advantages and drawbacks, unfortunately, the media tends to focus more on the benefits of securing outside investment.

    Sheena Allen, who bootstrapped her first company, Sheena Allen Apps, to millions of app downloads and later raised numerous rounds of funding for her second startup, CapWay, has experienced both sides of the funding equation. Sheena offers valuable insights on the pros and cons of each approach.

    Key lessons from this talk include:

    • The reality of raising outside capital: loss of control, the pressure to deliver returns, and more.
    • Alternative ways to fund your business beyond traditional venture capital, including crowdfunding
    • Strategies for bootstrapping as long as possible.
    • Determine if VC funding is the right choice for your business or if bootstrapping is a more suitable path.

Sheena Allen Videos

Black Women in Tech: Sheena Allen creates equitable financial ...
SEfintechVC Interview with Sheena Allen

Sheena Allen News

  • How do I book Sheena Allen to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Sheena Allen for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Sheena Allen, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Sheena Allen or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Sheena Allen for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Sheena Allen, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Sheena Allen are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Sheena Allen, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Sheena Allen speak about?

    Sheena Allen is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Entrepreneurship, Women in Business, Technology, Computer Science, Finance, FinTech, Diversity & Inclusion, Business, Venture Capital, Artificial Intelligence, Social Activism, Social Justice and Civil Rights.
  • Where does Sheena Allen travel from?

    Sheena Allen generally travels from Georgia and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Sheena Allen?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Sheena Allen for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Sheena Allen for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Sheena Allen or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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