The Team
Who We Are
A team of financial practitioners, technologists, and innovators committed to financial capability, fintech advancement, and community impact.
Casey Ariel Dike'
Founder & CEO
Casey Ariel Diké is an author, global management consultant, and educator focused on financial systems, capital access, and community economic development. She brings more than 15 years of experience across corporate banking, credit, liquidity & interest rate risk management, and strategy.
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As Founder & CEO of Blaze Group®, Casey leads the firm’s work helping institutions strengthen financial capability, modernize financial systems, develop emerging practitioners, and build more regenerative pathways to capital.
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Throughout her career, Casey has advised complex organizations, structured and managed large-scale financial exposures, developed financial talent, and built programs connecting diverse ecosystems.
Timothy Smith III
The Financial Technician
Accounting || Alabama A&M University
Timothy Smith III is an emerging accounting and finance professional with strengths in financial analysis, technology, market research, and strategic problem-solving.
As The Financial Technician, Timothy brings a precise, analytical lens to Blaze Group’s work—helping translate financial concepts into practical insight, supporting financial modeling and technical thinking, and contributing to capital and program-related initiatives.
His experience across fintech, fundraising strategy, accounting, and leadership reinforces his ability to approach complex financial questions with rigor and professionalism.
Jay Mayes, Jr.
The Creative Visionary
Accounting || Alabama A&M University
Jay Mayes, Jr. is a multidisciplinary accounting and creative professional with experience across marketing, graphic design, photography, videography, and brand storytelling.
As The Creative Visionary, Jay helps shape how Blaze Group’s work is seen, experienced, and shared—capturing program content, developing creative concepts, supporting digital storytelling, and helping drive campus excitement around Blaze activations.
His ability to combine financial knowledge with creative execution allows him to make complex ideas feel engaging, relevant, and accessible.
Kai Hardimon
The Cultural Economist
Economics | Spelman College
Kai Hardimon is an economist, entrepreneur, and financial practitioner focused on community economics, venture capital, entrepreneurship, and capital access.
As The Cultural Economist, Kai brings a systems-oriented lens to Blaze Group’s work—connecting financial infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and community outcomes while supporting market development, financial education, and client-facing programming.
Her experience across investment, advisory, entrepreneurship, and research strengthens her ability to examine how capital systems can be redesigned to better serve underrepresented founders and communities.
