What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word "networking"? For me, it's relationships, the  heart  and  soul  of  payments. Some people I met 20 years ago, when I was just getting started, are still part of my network today.

 

When it comes to building a network, there's no better example than PayTech Women, a 20-year-old 501(c) (3) non-profit association serving professional women in fintech and payments. PTW member Dana Sills and PTW's Julianie "Jules" Ferguson discussed the organization and industry trends in a recent Street Smarts edition of the B2B Vault: The Biz-to-Biz Podcast.

 

Sills, a payments veteran and current chair of PTW's Atlanta chapter, and Ferguson, who currently serves as business development coordinator for PayTech Women, reflected on PTW's exponential growth. Originally established in 2005 as Women Networking in Electronic Transactions (Wnet), the organization rebranded to PayTech Women in 2022, to reflect its diverse and global community of over 6,500 members.

 

Getting back to networking, how would you rate your skills in this area? For Sills, there's more to networking than collecting leads or referrals. It's about building relationships. Chairing the Atlanta chapter for PayTech Women has helped her grow professionally.

 

"Networking is about learning, mentorship, and opening doors," she said. "Organizations like PayTech Women provide opportunities outside traditional conferences and trade shows, especially at the regional level."

 

Ferguson noted that local chapters are vital to the organization. "I work closely with our national team and incredible local leaders like Dana," she said, adding the PTW has 16 active chapters around the country, from Los Angeles and Omaha to Chicago and New York, with more in the pipeline. "If you're a woman in the business, this is a great way to network with other women in the business and participate in regional and national shows," she said.

 

Another advantage PayTech Women offers its members, partners, sponsors and advocates is access to the innovators and thought leaders who are shaping the future of fintech and payments. This access is critical in a fast-moving space where change is the only constant.

 

Ferguson recalled coming to the United States from Belize and how much everything has changed during her five years of working with PayTech Women. "Technology is moving at breakneck speed, which means we have to analyze what tech we are selling today and what we'll be selling next week, next month, and next year," she said.