Charlie Youakim
About Charlie Youakim
Charlie Youakim serves as the CEO of Sezzle, where he has focused on empowering young consumers through innovative payment solutions. He played a significant role in Sezzle's certification as a B-corp and developed Sezzle Up, a unique credit-building product in the Buy Now Pay Later sector.
Work at Sezzle
Charlie Youakim has served as the CEO of Sezzle since 2016. Under his leadership, the company has focused on financially empowering young consumers through innovative payment solutions. He played a significant role in Sezzle's certification as a B-corp, which emphasizes a stakeholder-driven approach to business. Additionally, he developed Sezzle Up, the first credit-building product in the interest-free Buy Now Pay Later industry, further enhancing Sezzle's offerings in the financial technology space.
Previous Experience at Passport
Before joining Sezzle, Charlie Youakim co-founded Passport and served as co-CEO from 2010 to 2015. During his tenure at Passport, which is based in the Charlotte, North Carolina Area, he contributed to the company's growth and development in the mobile payments sector. His experience at Passport laid the groundwork for his subsequent ventures in financial technology.
Educational Background
Charlie Youakim studied at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (BME) from 1995 to 1999. He later returned to the University of Minnesota to pursue an MBA at the Carlson School of Management, focusing on Finance, Strategy, and Marketing from 2008 to 2010. This educational background provided him with a solid foundation for his career in business and technology.
Focus on Financial Empowerment
At Sezzle, Charlie Youakim emphasizes the importance of financially empowering young consumers. His leadership has driven the development of innovative payment solutions that cater to the needs of this demographic. This focus aligns with Sezzle's mission to provide accessible financial tools and services that promote responsible spending and credit building.