Bio
Robert Wesley is an Adjunct Professor of Accounting and Finance at the Baker School of Business. With over 30 years of business knowledge and experience, Robert brings a wealth of experience in starting, building, and turning around companies to his classroom. His career encompasses a broad spectrum of accounting and financial roles both in the United States and international markets.
Robert began his career in the Audit Services group of PwC and subsequently held various financial and accounting positions at American Express and Cendant. He has contributed to mobile payments, mobile cloud-based POS systems, EMV smart cards, contactless payments, and retail digital marketing. Notably, Robert has successfully guided major enterprise retailers and solution providers in adopting innovative payment methods.
Throughout his career, Robert has held diverse leadership positions in various financial services and fintech companies. His roles have included CEO, Chief Acquisition Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Head of Worldwide Sales, and Head of Business Development at companies such as American Express, MasterCard, Cendant, Leaf Holdings (acquired by Heartland Payments), Modiv Media, GoDaddy, Poynt (acquired by GoDaddy), and Aurus.
Robert’s professional journey has been enriched by international experiences as an expatriate in Japan, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. Currently residing in Mt Pleasant, SC, he enjoys a range of activities outside of work, including spending time with his family, golf, boating, fishing, hiking, theater, and swimming.
Robert has also contributed to the industry through his articles on smart cards and as a speaker at various financial industry events. He has served on the board of directors for the Smart Card Forum and has been recognized by the New Zealand Government and Queen Elizabeth for his contributions to developing the country’s tourism strategy. In 2005, he was acknowledged by the Mobile Star Awards as one of the “Leaders in Mobile Solution Companies.”
Robert holds an MBA with honors from Boston University and a BS in Accounting with Magna Cum Laude from Boston College, where he was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma society. He also became a CPA in New York. His extensive expertise, diverse experiences, and continuous commitment to innovation make him a prominent figure in the global digital payments’ transformation landscape.
Degrees
MBA – Boston University (with honors)
BS – Boston College
CPA in New York