Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Leadership: Jorge Ospino

4/2/25 Pratt School of Engineering

Duke University’s Master’s in Financial Technology (FinTech) program is known for producing graduates who go on to become leaders in financial innovation. Among the current students preparing to follow that path is Jorge Ospino, an online student in the Duke FinTech program and Business Intelligence Lead at Ardan Inc.

Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Leadership: Jorge Ospino

Duke University’s Master’s in Financial Technology (FinTech) program is known for producing graduates who go on to become leaders in financial innovation. Among the current students preparing to follow that path is Jorge Ospino, an online student in the Duke FinTech program and Business Intelligence Lead at Ardan Inc.

After earning his MBA with a concentration in Business Systems and Analytics from La Salle University, Jorge recognized there was a growing need for leaders to blend practical, technical skills with strategic leadership. Additionally, with over a decade of work experience under his belt, he saw how upper management and technical professionals were often disconnected. This led him to enroll in the FinTech program, where he has explored topics such as machine learning, programming, blockchain, portfolio management, and FinTech management. Exploring these topics has helped Jorge develop a well-rounded skill set, which he plans to use to bridge the gap between strong collaboration and effective decision-making, which he has seen while working in the industry.

In addition to being a student, Jorge is the Business Intelligence Lead at Ardan Inc. He oversees several subsidiaries, including the fifth-largest title insurance underwriter in the United States (Westcor) and tech-driven, alternative services within the insurance industry (X1 and Grid 151). He manages dashboard reporting at Ardan and its subsidiaries, in which he creates actionable insights for management by leveraging Power BI. One of his recent projects allowed him to leverage his machine learning knowledge from the Duke FinTech program, in which he developed machine learning models that predict agent churn. The deeper understanding of machine learning he gained through the program allowed him to strategically apply different models and techniques to his project, which, in turn, helps Ardan take proactive measures to optimize their business strategy. While being an online student and a working professional is demanding, Jorge mentioned how the flexibility of the program has allowed him to continue learning while maintaining a busy schedule.

As a father of seven, full-time employee, and someone building an analytics consulting startup on the side, flexibility is absolutely essential. The structure of the program allowed me to manage my time effectively and fit coursework into an already packed schedule without compromising the quality of the learning experience.

Jorge Ospino Duke FinTech, Class of 2025

When reflecting on how the program has prepared him to advance his career, Jorge mentioned how Duke FinTech has positioned him well for future leadership opportunities. It has enhanced his programming skills, which he has used to develop automations that have improved efficiency across the Business Intelligence department. He gained skills in technical problem-solving, allowing him to develop a critical mindset about applying machine learning and programming techniques to real-world challenges. Jorge has also gained skills in cross-functional communication, which has been incredibly valuable when communicating with stakeholders with differing levels of technology expertise. Additionally, the program has provided a deeper understanding of tools and technologies he uses every day, strengthening his ability to lead and manage a technical team.

Jorge will graduate from the Duke FinTech program in December 2025.

If you are interested in our online program, please contact pratt_fintech@duke.edu.