News & Press

PayTech Women in the Spotlight: CEO Dr. Gail Burgos Featured on WRBL

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 20:14:00 GMT

COLUMBUS, GA (WRBL) - PayTech Women (PTW) CEO Dr. Gail Burgos was recently featured on WRBL Channel 3 in Columbus, GA, during their Midday Interview segment on February 21. In the interview, Dr. Burgos shared insights on her transition into the CEO role and highlighted PTW’s mission to empower women in fintech through education, networking and leadership opportunities.

She discussed the organization’s commitment to advancing gender equity in the industry and the many resources available to support women at all career stages. From mentorship programs to leadership development and professional connections, PTW is dedicated to helping women rise, thrive and connect in paytech.

Watch the full interview

Celebrating Excellence: PTW Recognizes Chapters of the Year and Corporate Champions at Summit

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 17:25:00 GMT

PayTech Women (PTW) honored its outstanding Corporate Champions and Chapters of the Year during the annual Leadership Summit, sponsored by FIS. As the organization has flourished into a global community of over 6,000 members, with corporate partners representing an impressive 91% of this membership, the contributions of these dedicated chapters and champions were pivotal to PTW's success.

PTW President-Elect Audrey Blackmon, Sr. Enterprise Sales Executive at Euronet, presented special recognition pins to the Corporate Champions, who serve as vital links between PTW and their organizations, facilitating member onboarding and communication. The winning Corporate Champions represent these PTW partner companies:

Argyle Payments
Datacap Systems
Discover
Featurespace
FIS
Fiserv
Fortis Pay
Global Payments
Ingenico
JP Morgan Chase
Mastercard
Maverick Payments
Shazam
U.S. Alliance Group (USAG)

In addition to Corporate Champions, the 15 PTW Chapters across the U.S. and Canada were recognized for their outstanding efforts in 2024. Four chapters were awarded the prestigious Chapter of the Year title and recognition pins celebrating their commitment to leadership development, local outreach and member engagement, by PTW Vice President of Member Relations and Content Strategy, Jewel Hazelton. The 2024 Chapters of the Year are:

California
Omaha-Lincoln
Toronto
Tampa Bay

Congratulations to all!

PayTech Women 20 Years Later

Mon, 13 May 2024 18:45:00 GMT

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 -- Digital Transactions

By Rebecca Walden, PTW PAC Member & Summit Co-Chair, CMO, Corvia

The PTW community helps women break through barriers to achieve career goals in the payments industry.

Tiny ideas that are against the norm can take on a life of their own, leading to systemic change.

Just ask Holli Targan, Diane Faro, Mary Gerdts, and Linda Perry, four women who came together to talk about starting an organization for women in the payments industry. Their vision? A community to provide education and professional growth opportunities, offer a mentoring platform, and create a national network of peers and friends.

That vision has morphed into a professional payments-association powerhouse with more than 5,500 members across 250-plus companies.

PayTech Women began as the Women’s Network in Electronic Transactions (Wnet). It emerged as a platform for women to connect in a payments world dominated by men. As its networking and leadership-development offerings grew, so did the association. Today, PTW serves a diverse community of women, and the men who advocate for them, from across the financial-services ecosystem.

When this association needed buy-in and public support to succeed, several senior executives stepped up, including Paul Garcia, Ed Labry, Bob Carr, and Pamela Joseph. “Although women have held key positions and made significant contributions in the payments industry, 20 years ago there wasn’t a formal support network,” says Garcia. “So, when Diane, Linda, Holli, and Mary created Wnet, we were proud to be early supporters. The organization today is going strong!”

Labry commented, “Years ago, a small group of talented, successful women had a goal to teach and inspire other women in the payments space. I have seen firsthand how it shaped my daughter into a successful leader. Thank you for letting me be a small part of it.”

Corporate entities like Visa, Jaffe Raitt Law (now Taft Law), Post Integrations, and First Data (now part of Fiserv) also provided critical support.

Why It Makes a Difference

PayTech Women, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, serves professional women in the payments industry. This distinguishing factor makes it accessible for women to join and benefit, no matter where they are in their careers—and with or without corporate sponsorship.

Its goal is simple. It is to actively support and champion women’s professional growth and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Instead of simply talking, PTW serves as a catalyst for change, offering a supportive network of global female role models, mentorship opportunities, and ongoing career-development resources.

PTW’s tagline, “Rise, Thrive, and Connect,” permeates everything the group offers, including the annual Leadership Summit, the Executive Academy, local chapters, webinars, and the new ConneX Cohorts program, offering consistent engagement and intensive skill-building opportunities.

With volunteer leaders from across the industry, PTW also helps businesses empower female employees through an encouraging network of peers and mentors. This comprehensive system encompasses hands-on learning opportunities, preparing women at all career levels for increased responsibilities and leadership positions.

Who We Are Today

The growing, diverse PTW community currently comprises 5,500 members, hailing from startups to Fortune 100s, with 41% being senior leaders (15+ years of experience), 12% mid-level professionals (10 to14 years), and an ever-growing number of up-and-comers. Our membership is expanding to students and retirees, providing even more support for women on the fringes of payments.

This growth is stimulated by challenging the status quo, fostering an inclusive environment, and supporting corporate partners in training and retaining valuable employees. “PayTech Women elevates your brand, supports women’s advancement, and strengthens the payments network overall,” said PTW president Polly Van Duser, senior professional in human resources and vice president, talent acquisition, at One Inc.

“PayTech Women elevates your brand, supports women’s advancement, and strengthens the payments network overall.”

Polly Van Duser
PTW Board President
Vice President, Talent Acquisition
One Inc

“Joining prominent PTW corporate partners, like FIS, Fiserv, Global Payments, JPMorgan, Discover, Bank of America, Visa, and Mastercard, aligns your company with an organization at the forefront of fostering diversity and inclusivity,” remarked PTW past president Kelly Beatty, chief performance officer and head of global solutions at FIS.

PTW chief executive Wendy Holliday, M.Ed. and a certified association executive, believes PayTech Women is more than an organization. It’s a confidence amplifier, a supportive family propelling its members into fulfilling careers. Partnering with PTW, she adds, is an investment in tangible, positive change for employees, shaping the industry’s future and fostering a boundary-breaking community.

What Our Members Are Saying

To truly understand PTW’s essence, turn to its members and their experiences.

From the pioneering founders to longstanding members and rising stars, each individual contributes to the energy and community that define PayTech Women.

PTW Board member Dr. Gail Burgos, chief executive and founder, BCG Inc., notes that “as a proud member of PayTech Women for over a decade, I’ve experienced firsthand the empowering impact of [its] educational programs, networking opportunities, mentorship and events, which have played a crucial role in advancing women in the fintech industry.”

Adds PTW board director Laura Gibson-Lamothe, executive director at the Georgia FinTech Academy: “In my five years with PayTech Women, I’ve connected with peers from other companies, which allowed me to gain valuable perspectives and experiences to move my career forward in a short time. PTW has become my lifecycle companion, supporting me throughout my professional journey and helping me empower the next generation of fintech professionals.”

As PayTech Women gets ready to celebrate 20 years of empowerment, it stands as an ever-evolving force in the financial sector. Investing in the future, alongside PayTech Women, fills me with anticipation and purpose, knowing that, together, we are shaping a more inclusive, vibrant, and educated payments world for generations to come.”

View original article in Digital Transactions.

Become a PTW Corporate Partner: Empower the Potential of Your Whole Team!

Stewart Russell Named A 2024 Top 100 Woman in Technology

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 02:25:00 GMT

In honour of International Women’s Month, Technology Magazine releases its annual Top 100 Women in Technology

In association with: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Accenture & NTT DATA

Technology Magazine — April 17, 2024 — In celebration of International Women’s Month, Technology Magazine has launched its annual Top 100 Women supplement for 2024.

This definitive list of 100 women champions the influential leaders and pioneers in technology who are elevating and driving momentum for the movement, as well as those who are leading the charge when it comes to investment, innovation, capitalising on strategic opportunities, and supporting other underrepresented groups.

Paving the way for future generations, these women — including PayTech Women Board Director Whitney Stewart Russell, President, Digital Channels at Fiserv — are creating space at the table for new faces, growth and innovations.

Read the original article recognizing Whitney Stewart Russell, and all the honorees, here.

Kmiotek Named A Top 30 Most Influential Fintech Marketer

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 02:30:00 GMT

An annual list of 30 of the most influential marketers in the fintech sector

In partnership with: Innovate/Finance

Fintech Marketing Hub — April 10, 2024 — In its 4th edition, the Top 30 Most Influential Fintech Marketers honour listing aims to recognise the faces behind the fintech sector's success and increase awareness about the critical role of marketing. In this way, we also hope to encourage more young and talented marketers to enter the sector.

The 30 most influential fintech marketers — including PayTech Women Board Director Kathryn Kmiotek, Marketing Director, Fortis — have been selected by our esteemed judges based on the degree of their influence and achievements over the past year – incl. their total reach across different channels, engagement levels, insights relevance, community involvement, media appearance, and any notable achievements like brand campaigns, projects, awards, etc.

Read the original article recognizing Kathryn Kmiotek, and all the honorees, here.

Targan Named Notable Women in Law By Crain’s Detroit Business

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:22:00 GMT

TAFT LAW News -- February 26, 2024 -- Taft Southfield partner Holli Targan has been named a Notable Women in Law by Crain’s Detroit Business. The Notable Women in Law award recognizes individuals seeking justice, setting precedent, and managing high-profile cases for their corporate clients. The women on this list are mentors, champions, and beacons of their community with a proven track record of success.

Holli counsels financial institutions and payments, fintech, and merchant acquiring businesses on contractual and compliance matters. She advises companies and private equity investors in the payments industry internationally on strategic direction and on merger and acquisition transactions. She also negotiates paytech contracts and counsels companies on card brand regulatory issues and on state and federal legal compliance matters. Holli is widely recognized as a leading national authority on payments legal issues.

Read the original article about PayTech Women, formerly Wnet, Founder Holli Targan, Attorney & Partner - Paytech and Payment Systems, Taft Law, here.

The Top 50 Women Chief Executive Officers of 2024

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 19:23:00 GMT

Posted On : February 15, 2024 Published By : Women We Admire

Women We Admire is pleased to announce the Top 50 Women Chief Executive Officers of 2024. One of the most important leadership functions in a company or organization is the Chief Executive Officer. As the highest ranking executive, the CEO is responsible for making major corporate decisions and guiding the strategic direction of the company. This role also sets the tone for the overall culture and values, while ensuring financial prosperity.

In Fortune 500 companies, only about 10% of CEOs are women, even though research shows women leaders improve collaboration and inspire employees to be more dedicated to a company’s mission. This year’s list of award recipients demonstrate the focus, drive, and commitment of today’s women CEOs.

Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of the Top 50 Women Chief Executive Officers of 2024.

See full article and list of winners here, including PayTech Women CEO Wendy Holliday, M.Ed., CAE!

Wendy Holliday

Chief Executive Officer, PayTech Women

Wendy Holliday is a service-driven leader passionately committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As the CEO of PayTech Women, formerly known as Wnet, she ensures organizational profitability, while pioneering career programs addressing gender disparities. Her extensive executive leadership spans various roles, emphasizing strategic direction, member relations, and best-in-class operations. Her tenure at Kent State University as an adjunct professor reflects her dedication to nurturing the next generation with a focus on leadership, communications, and critical thinking.

Holliday is a high-touch leader, strategic guide, and staff team builder committed to efficiency, financial acumen, and inclusive leadership. An accomplished association professional, she brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, characterized by a strategic and data-driven approach. She has excelled in various roles, including serving as the executive director for Digital Enterprise Society (formerly PLM World), the VP for attendee acquisition and experience at Velvet Chainsaw Consulting, and the VP for marketing and member services at the National Association of College Stores. Holliday has been instrumental in shaping marketing and sponsorship plans for major events like CAMEX (a TSNN top 150 show) and has led sponsorship activities at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, for Certified Angus Beef. Her expertise extends to data-driven change, volunteer engagement, and successful initiatives in membership marketing and acquisition.

Holliday is an ASAE Certified Association Executive (CAE) and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Higher Education from Kent State University.

See full article and list of winners here, including PayTech Women CEO Wendy Holliday, M.Ed., CAE!

PayTech Women Rise, Thrive, Connect

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:03:00 GMT

Tuesday, February 13, 2024 -- The Green Sheet -- Online Edition
By Dale S. Laszig

PayTech Women has grown exponentially since its inception in 2005. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, formerly known as Women's Network in Electronic Transactions (Wnet), credits its success to sponsors and volunteers who support its mission to create a more vital and diverse payments industry. In this story, PTW founders and leaders reflect on a 20-year journey that began with a few payment professionals and grew to more than 5,400 members.

Principled growth

PayTech Women has remained true to its original goal of helping women in payments connect, share resources and support each other, noted founding members Diane Faro, CEO and partner at Savify; Holli Targan, a partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; and Linda Perry, a retired executive who held leadership roles at Visa and major financial institutions.

For Faro, the goal was more than a mission statement; it was letting women know that their voices mattered and providing a place where they could connect and learn from each other.

"The payments industry is a great industry that is ever changing," she said. "We needed a place for women to talk with other women and know they are not alone. So Wnet, now PayTech Women, provided that opportunity for women to meet other women in the industry, to discuss careers, families and/or raising children."

Targan agreed that networking is crucial to career success. "Women network and learn differently than men do," she said. "We wanted to give back to the industry that had supported us and provide a platform to meet women's unique requirements for career development."

Targan went on to say that PTW's mission has resonated within the industry in ways that the founders could have only dreamed about over the previous 20 years, and she continues to hear from women about how PTW events and connections have enhanced their careers.

"The key for our members is still to form a network outside their company, and even outside the US."

— Linda Perry, Founder

Perry affirmed that PTW has remained true to its core principles. "The key for our members is still to form a network outside their company, and even outside the US," she said. "It broadens their view of the payments industry, provides education outside their field of expertise and brings a more diverse group of women to their network. That is the essence of PayTech Women."

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Wendy Holliday, CEO for PayTech Women, pointed out that the organization continues to empower and invest in women and has grown by 1,122 percent since 2017.

"We have focused on the broken rung in advancement for women and have expanded our services to include new membership categories for young professionals and retirees; exclusive programming for our senior-most members; a renewed mentorship program; vetted career coaching program; a world-class, custom content Leadership Academy; and in 2024, a new ConneX Cohort program allowing every member to connect and engage with others in the industry, gain valuable skills and the opportunity to shine."

Holliday additionally noted that PTW's 13 chapters offered 42 programs in 2023, engaging with nearly 1,400 people across the nation. In addition, the organization expanded its annual Leadership Summit, which attracted 631 registrants in October. Other live events throughout the year featured industry leaders, including Stephanie Ferris, CEO and president of FIS, and Elizabeth Krear, vice president of J.D. Power.

"As a foundation for our evolution, PTW has re-prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for internal and member purposes as well as partner, sponsor and industry objectives," she said. "When we better understand our members' differences and issues, better programs can be developed to meet their needs and to address the diversity of the payments and fintech industries, helping all ambitious women rise."

Brand transformation

In October 2022, the organization officially rebranded to become PayTech Women, a fresh new image inspired by the organization's membership and partnership growth and expanded focus. Anne Mendenhall, vice president, marketing and communications for PayTech Women, recalled working on the brand refresh throughout 2021 and 2022 with Wnet volunteers and public relations specialists at The Fletcher Group.

"The transformation involved a new name, an evolved logo and fresh colors that better represent the dynamic nature of the payments industry," she said. "The choice of bold and energetic colors, modern fonts and inclusive imagery aimed to connect with our influential and priority audiences: professional women—from emerging stars to senior leaders—in the payments and fintech ecosystem."

Mendenhall described the logo's circles and summit peak as symbols of connectivity, inclusivity and a shared goal of reaching personal summits within dedicated, career-focused networks. The organization's new tagline condenses its mission of "creating a stronger and more diverse industry by empowering and investing in women," into "We help all women in paytech rise, thrive and connect." These dynamic verbs are the focal point of our new tagline, she added.

Influence, visibility

PayTech Women's 2023 Leadership Summit, held at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, also embodied PayTech Women's fresh new energy. Mendenhall said the summit's tagline, "Amplify Your Voice," was designed to convey empowerment and encouragement by enhancing the influence, visibility and impact of each attendee's voice.

"The tagline was used at our annual conference to inspire participants to speak up, share their insights and play an active role in shaping their careers and the industry as a whole," she said. "The strong statement reflects PayTech Women's commitment to fostering a supportive environment where women's voices are not only heard but also celebrated and strengthened."

PTW Board President Polly Van Duser, SPHR is vice president of talent acquisition at One Inc. She co-chaired PTW's 2023 Thrive Priority and Summit Leadership planning committees and said she expects to see an even bigger turnout at the 2024 Leadership Summit, to be held Sept. 24 to 25 at the Atlanta Marriott Airport Gateway Complex.

"As we gear up for 2024, we're not just continuing the journey; we're amplifying our success," she said. "We're all about fostering relationships, strengthening our chapters, and expanding opportunities for our members. Our rise, thrive and connect theme isn't just a slogan; it's what we do every day. We're here for you, whether you're just starting out or a seasoned leader in the payments industry."

Male advocates

PayTech Women membership is now open to men and women, Mendenhall noted, adding that she was pleased to see a larger cohort of male advocate members at the 2023 Summit. Among them was Austin Mac Nab, CEO and founder of VizyPay, who spoke highly of the organization.

"Our team, which is new to the payments space, has leveled up by attending the last couple of PayTech Women events in Atlanta," he said. "It has provided us with access to individuals who share similar experiences. We believe that it's not just about VizyPay, but also about enabling others to make an impact on the payment space from a different perspective."

Noting that VizyPay is made up of 64 percent minorities and 27 percent women, Mac Nab encouraged men to prioritize diversity in an industry where it has been lacking for years. He noted that PayTech Women opened his eyes and is educating and promoting change. He also mentioned watching his mother, who came from Vietnam during the war and had limited opportunities. This, he said, motivated him to do more for change, starting within the walls of VizyPay.

"PayTech Women opened my eyes and is educating and promoting change."

— Austin Mac Nab
CEO and Founder, VizyPay

Holliday thanked PTW corporate partners for investing in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and for encouraging male allies. PayTech Women has doubled its male advocate membership and has seen more men engaging in local chapters.

"As much as we empower and support women, women cannot do it alone," she said. "We need allies throughout the industry to sponsor and support diversity, equity and inclusion. Research has shown companies with more diverse senior leadership and board members endure trying times more effectively and are stronger overall."

More companies are embracing DEI, Holliday added, not only because it's the right thing to do but because it's a fiscally responsible and company-centric leading indicator for success.

Diversity, equity, inclusion

When asked how companies can support PTW's mission to help create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive payments industry, Holliday framed the process as a long game.

"I see the opportunity to improve diversity, equity and inclusion as a journey," she said. "No organization has a magic solution and each organization will have employee and situational differences that must be taken into consideration. So, give yourself and your organization a bit of grace and consider what can be done now, what can be done in the near term and what is next?"

Holliday encouraged industry organizations to look ahead to improve approaches to DEI and to foster environments that support authenticity and transparency. There must be buy-in from the top, she added, with true authentic outreach and access to organizational metrics that provide real data about the organization. This data can be used to track successes and failures and report back to the team while resisting the urge to sugarcoat any setbacks.

Noting that people support what they help to create, she encouraged companies to get team members engaged in the following initiatives:

Recruitment, hiring, training and retention practices
Establishing an internal employee resource group
Utilizing nonprofit services, such as PayTech Women's mentoring program, coaching services and Leadership Academy.
Boosting morale to help make team members feel that they matter
Incorporating inclusiveness in the employee manual and internal policies

Holliday noted it's also important to set goals and build for success by getting team members' perspectives on organizational goals for implementing DEI. She suggested asking colleagues what leading indicators will impact their goal attainment. Also consider a multilevel leadership opportunity, and allow people at all levels in the organization to lead initiatives that address each goal, she added. Most importantly, she emphasized, decentralize the implementation to ensure it is part of everyone's responsibilities—then reflect and repeat annually.

Coming full circle

Targan stated that PayTech Women has come a long way and there is more work to be done. "We started out with an initial gathering of maybe 30 women at an industry conference," she said. "The focus has always been on networking and leadership development—that has not changed. But the offerings have become more sophisticated over time."

Society has become more attuned to DEI in corporate settings, but it appears the numbers haven't moved significantly in the past 20 years, Targan noted. Thus, we are constantly polling our members and corporate sponsors, she said, to see how we can help women meet their career objectives, and this has led to the robust organization we have today, with local chapters, insightful webinars, a mentoring program, and the resoundingly successful annual Leadership Summit.

Perry agreed that PayTech Women has enriched many professional careers, including her own. PTW founders came from different areas of the payments industry, she noted, but became more than customers to each other and formed lasting bonds in the process. Out of this experience, it seemed only natural to want to help other women in their careers, she added.

"I had a wonderful career in payments, working for three banks and finally Visa for 17 years," she said. "My position at Visa, senior vice president, acquirer relations, enabled me to interact with women in all sectors of the business. I felt and still feel those relationships and the network the job provided were very valuable to me as a person, and to enhancing my industry education and job skills."

Dale S. Laszig, senior staff writer at The Green Sheet and founder and CEO at DSL Direct LLC, is a payments industry journalist and content strategist. Connect via email: dale@dsldirectllc.com LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/dalelaszig/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/DSLdirect.

View original article.

Datacap Wins PayTech Women Corporate Champion – Small Business Award

Wed, 1 Nov 2023 19:00:00 GMT

November 1, 2023 – Chalfont, PA – Datacap Systems Inc., leading hardware and processor-agnostic omnichannel payments provider, has won the PayTech Women Corporate Champion – Small Business Award. The Small Business Award is given to an organization that embodies the PayTech Women mission by developing an internal program that supports enhancing women’s careers in the workplace. PayTech Women, formerly Went, celebrates and champions women in the payments and fintech industries. Nominees and winners were announced at the annual fall Leadership Summit on October 3 in Atlanta, GA.

“We are delighted and humbled to receive the PayTech Women Corporate Champion – Small Business Award. This recognition drives us to further support, mentor, and uplift women in our organization. I appreciate being part of a team that is willing to invest in PayTech Women values and empowering their employees.,” said Darcie McNamara, Strategic Partnership Specialist at Datacap Systems.

PTW soars to new heights in 2023

Fri, 6 Oct 2023 19:57:00 GMT

Friday, October 6, 2023 -- The Green Sheet -- Breaking industry News --The 2023 PayTech Women Leadership Summit, held Oct. 3 and 4, 2023 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, Georgia, attracted over 600 payments, fintech and financial services professionals. Themed "amplify your voice" and sponsored by FIS, the sold-out event began waitlisting attendees months ahead of opening day, according to PayTech Women representatives. The 501(c) (3) organization was founded in 2005 as a networking organization dedicated to advancing women in the electronic payments industry. It rebranded from the moniker Wnet in 2022 after tripling in size to over 6,400 members worldwide, and expanding its mission to create a world where a woman’s potential is as unlimited as her ambition.

Wendy Holliday, CEO of PayTech Women, praised organizers and volunteers for their time, dedication and support. "These women put their minds and reputations on the line for the next generation of leaders," she said. "This summit's success is due to their enthusiasm and energy."

Holliday encouraged enterprises to embrace gender equity, not only because it's the right thing to do, but because of its proven benefits. Half of the applicants for your next job opening may be highly qualified women, she added, whose contributions can strengthen your organization.

PTW Board President Kelly Beatty, chief performance officer, FIS, agreed, stating FIS is a proud PTW sponsor. "We align with an organization leading the way in fostering diversity and inclusivity and helping our employees flourish while strengthening the payments and fintech network at large."

Rise, thrive, connect

PTW Board President-elect Polly Van Duser, SPHR and vice president of talent acquisition at One Inc., said she was pleased to return to Atlanta, the nation's payments hub, for the second consecutive year. As co-chair of Thrive Priority and Summit Leadership planning committees, she noted the two-day event provided numerous opportunities to "rise, thrive and connect," in a nod to three PTW committees focused on cultivating leaders, recruiting and creating content, and engaging members, respectively.

The agenda, for example, included educational programs eligible for ETA CPP credits, lunches, receptions, general and breakout sessions, rapid-fire mini-sessions, concurrent morning workshops and male advocate gathering. Van Duser noted the curated activities were designed to help attendees network with industry peers and gain insights from global thought leaders.

Nikki Evans, CEO of Ridgeline Coaching, stated that she was impressed by the caliber of women she met throughout the conference and their depth of caring for their careers and each other.

"I was also thrilled to see such thought leadership on various topics in the payment industry and in leadership in general," she said. "I was surprised by some of the statistics shared about trust in leaders, women leaving the workforce, the aging of the workforce and challenges we may face based on demographics changes over the coming years."

Authentic voices

A breakout session, "Holding Space for Self," jointly presented by Genevieve Dozier, director, business development for Finova Capital and Catherine Gacad, director, bank partnerships at Airbase, focused on self-care and work-life balance.

Dozier said that in preparing for the session, she recognized that everyone has a unique story and we do better together when we learn from each other.

"Self-care isn't selfish," she said. "It is a necessary action for your mind, body and soul to be at peace. Catherine and I will be share our truth as payment executives, about personal and professional trauma. In our daily jobs we focus on industry learnings but not many people communicate about the feelings that come with working in this industry."

Dozier went on to say that she has attended every PTW summit since 2016, which she described as life-changing. After meeting a female president of a payments company and attending a panel of 5 female executive leaders who spoke about balancing career and motherhood, she has been paying it forward to help others, she said, as I have been helped.

Additional details about educational sessions and agenda are available at www.paytechwomen.org/mpage/PayTechWomen_2023_Summit_Agenda

2023 awards

An award ceremony luncheon on opening day celebrated the following PTW leaders:

Male Advocate: John Skinner, JPMorgan Chase
Emerging Trendsetter: Amanda Beam, Maverick Payments
Game-changer: Hope Page, FIS
Lean In To Lead: Leslie Williams, FIS; Geeta Wold, Elavon
Individual Diversity Champion: Shelonda Darling, Global Payments Inc.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI): Shelonda Darling, Global Payments Inc.; Kaitlyn Payne, Discover
Rising Chapter of the Year: Houston
Chapter Linkup: New York
President's Award: Polly Van Duser, One Inc.; Laura Gibson-Lamothe, Georgia Fintech Academy
Special Recognition: Mary Uslander, Fiserv
Founders Award: Theresa Gongora, Global Payments Inc.
Corporate Champion Awards (Startup, Midsize, Enterprise): Datacap; Payroc; Discover
Corporate Diversity Award (Startup, Midsize, Enterprise): Maverick Payments; Ingenico; Global Payments

Agenda highlights

Summit attendees were treated to book signings with keynote speakers Lisa X. Walden, who co-authored The Future of Work is Human: Transforming Company Culture for a Post-Pandemic World, with Hannah L. Ubl, and Jenna Banks, author of I Love Me More: How to Find Happiness & Success Through Self-Love.

Sebastian Builes, co-founder and CEO of Arcum, said he was pleased to see other men in attendance but suggested it's just a start. "I want to see more men at next year's summit," he said, pausing to fist-bump Fadi Cheikha, CEO, U.S. Alliance Group Inc., as he walked by.

Austin Mac Nab, founder and CEO at VizyPay, agreed, stating he is proud to support PayTech Women. "This organization reflects our core values and focus at VizyPay," he said, noting his company has been actively involved in the organization for years.

Throughout the conference, participants posed for professional headshots and took breaks in designated recharging zones. A giant mural of attendee photos, unveiled at a rooftop "Wine Down" reception sponsored by Maverick Payments, will be displayed at next year's event.

View original article.

MPC23 Panelists to Explore “The Movement of Money,” Aug. 23-25, 2023 in Atlanta

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 00:38:00 GMT

Wide-ranging Topics Span Entire Digital Commerce Ecosystem with Industry Leaders

ATLANTA, GA, USA, August 10, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ -- MPC: The Digital Commerce Event today announced its panel roster for its 13th annual convention, to be held August 23-25, 2023 at the Atlanta Westin Perimeter North.

Marla Ellerman, Executive Director of MPC: The Digital Commerce Event, mentioned several additions to this year’s show, stating, “We’re excited to launch our first trade show platform by Epype - a mobile, digital business card with direct interactive video capabilities – a new way for sponsors, vendors, and attendees to network. And Tedd Huff will be livestreaming his popular podcast, Fintech Confidential!”

Ellerman noted that MPC23 panels span the digital commerce value chain, citing the following highlights:

Digital Asset Tokenization: Moderator Ganeshram Ramamurthy, Director of Engineering, Relevantz; Panelists: Nitin Gaur, Global Head of Digital Asset & Technology Design, State Street; Micah Kerr, Head Architect of Distributed Ledger Technology, Discover Global Network

Mobile Payment Trends in Payment Facilitation: Brad Pinneke, VP of Business Development for Worldpay for Platforms; Trevor Ruebel, President and COO of Authvia

Buy Now Pay Later: Ali Raza, Director, Technology Strategy – Payments Industry, Protiviti and Rob Seidman, Head of Product, BNPL/POS Lending, U.S. Bank / Elavon

Consumer Impact on Payment Trends: Moderator Wendy Holliday, CEO, PayTech Women; Panelists: Ginger Schmeltzer, Principal – Data & Services, Mastercard; Geraldine Mitchley, VP of Connected Commerce, Visa; and Gabriela Loayza, Sr. Manager, International Strategy & Sales Enablement, Discover Global Network

Building Hybrid Teams: Moderator Polly Van Duser, VP, Talent Acquisition, One Inc., Panelists Sarah Owen, Chief Product Officer, One Inc; Tina Reese, Executive Director & North America Head of Sales for Technology, Media & Telecoms, JP Morgan; Jodi Durst, CEO, ePaymints

Whitney Stewart Russell Named A Most Influential Woman In Payments By American Banker

Wed, 8 Mar 2023 18:53:00 GMT

Stewart Russell Recognized For Enhancing Consumer Financial Journeys Through Innovative Technology

Fiserv--07/03/2023--Whitney Stewart Russell, Senior Vice President of Digital Solutions at Fiserv, Inc., has been named one of the Most Influential Women in Payments by American Banker. Stewart Russell was recognized for her expertise in consumer payment behavior, segment strategy, and retail banking solutions that drive engagement and growth for thousands of financial institutions and fintech clients.

For 25 years, Stewart Russell has focused on improving financial services experiences through technology. She is currently responsible for all digital banking assets within Fiserv, and recently led the effort to create a unified platform to help clients quickly accelerate their digital strategies. Prior to assuming her current role, Stewart Russell led the product management team responsible for building, enhancing and transforming the money movement platforms of most of the major banks in the U.S.

The Most Influential Women in Payments, 2023

Tue, 7 Mar 2023 23:59:00 GMT

By Kate Fitzgerald, John Adams--March 7, 2023 7:00 AM--The payments industry has always been fast to change, but 2023 may be more transformative than most. The adoption of real-time payments — with the expected launch of the FedNow system — is creating new challenges and opportunities for everyone in a leadership role.

This year's Most Influential Women in Payments honorees are uniquely positioned to make the most of this change, as well as other disruptive factors such as the advancement of artificial intelligence, central bank digital currencies and more.

This year's honorees also know the value of an unconventional work history. Some of them came from outside of the payments and banking industries.

"It's been said more than once that you can't get a degree in payments, so all of us have had to learn the ropes in payments along the way at some point in our careers," said Kara Kazazean, vice president of financial services for Walmart's Sam's Club.

Many have learned the importance of hiring outsiders who can bring in those same fresh viewpoints.

"Your team's next top performer may come from your fiercest fintech rival or they may come from a new automotive startup, an international media company or a boutique consulting firm," said Brooke Major-Reid, chief capital officer at Affirm.

Whether they work in banks, tech companies, card networks or retailers, these leaders showcase the importance of creating opportunities for the teams they manage.

Get Beyond Adds Top Payments Industry Players to Board of Directors

Wed, 1 Mar 2023 16:51:00 GMT

Payments company adds former executives from Paysafe, First Data, Morgan Stanley, and iMobile3 to its Board of Directors

PRINCETON, N.J., March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Get Beyond announced new additions to its Board of Directors, marking a strategic shift in the direction of the company. The change comes less than a year after Bob Carr, Founder and Executive Chairman, appointed Mike Peters as the company's new Chief Executive Officer and President. In the past 12 months, the company has positioned itself for rapid growth, and the addition of these experienced Board Members points towards a bright future.

The new appointees, Mia Shernoff, Robert J. Leonard, O.B. Rawls IV, and Robert Niehaus will join Honora Moore, Chief Legal Officer and Chief of Staff, Mike Peters, and Bob Carr on the Board.

TRANSACT: Where Payments People Come Together

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 17:56:00 GMT

Payment powers the world. Whether we're processing online card payments or embedding it in the solutions we create, we make it possible for businesses to thrive. Our work doesn't end there; we also find ways to innovate and do more with each new technology that comes out.

That is why ETA's TRANSACT is so important. Every year, thousands of payments professionals worldwide will gather in Atlanta, Georgia to catch up on innovations and leading innovators. When April arrives, you cannot miss this amazing event! See the companies that attend.

TRANSACT also serves as a great way to grow your network and meet other like-minded individuals who love working in the payments space as much as you do! Whether you use Grip, the AI-driven matchmaking app, or attend the meetups, you will easily find problem solvers who could help expand your business or unlock your pressing challenges.

It's not just about creating connections, either – it's about finding opportunities for personal growth. TRANSACT has introduced many new and exciting programs this year, including the EMPOW(H)ER program: a half-day track dedicated to building, mentoring, and creating a strong network where women in payments can create a support system to thrive in their careers.

So don't wait another minute—sign up for TRANSACT today! Use promo code: XOXO for a discount. It could be just what you need to take your payments career up a notch and see what opportunities await you in Atlanta this April. Come join us at TRANSACT and make it part of your growth story.

Stay tuned for PayTech Women sessions and events at ETA - to be announced soon!

Savify CEO Diane Faro Offers Insight Into FinTech in 2023

Mon, 6 Feb 2023 18:41:00 GMT

Author: Francisca Sequeira, newstrail.com, Published: February 3, 2023

Fears of a recession impact the FinTech industry, especially in the face of record-breaking Tech layoffs.
The adoption of AI and IDA in financial institutions may inspire growth as employees are not held up by tasks that could be automated.
Embedded FinTech may generate new revenue and improve customer satisfaction.

FinTech companies have the potential to democratize access to financial services and disrupt traditional banking models, as they use data analytics, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology to provide faster, cheaper, and more convenient services than conventional financial institutions.

Diane Faro shares with us some of her predictions for FinTech in 2023. Faro has more than five decades of experience in the industry. She currently serves as CEO of Savify – a prominent FinTech company offering brand loyalty and discount programs to large financial institutions which in turn provide the programs to their merchants. Faro has also served as the Chief Executive Officer at JetPay Corp. (NASDAQ: JTPY), President of Global Merchant Services at First Data, Alliance Group President for First Data Merchant Services, and CEO of Chase Merchant Services.

According to Faro, “even though we see a certain degree of apprehension for 2023, much can be done to ameliorate the situation. It is also important to realize that too much general anxiety may have a tangible effect on the market. We must ensure that anticipatory anxiety does not bring about the exact thing there is a misapprehension about.”

What Can FinTech Companies Expect in 2023?

Diane Faro Named CEO of Savify

Thu, 2 Feb 2023 17:46:00 GMT

Diane Vogt Faro, a veteran of the financial services industry, has been named CEO of Savify, a FinTech company.

ATLANTA, GA , UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, February 1, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Faro has spent her five decades in the financial services industries determined to grow companies and lead people. She has particular experience in determining appropriate strategies and increasing revenue as an executive and entrepreneur.

Diane's industry experience and previous CEO roles position her to lead this dynamic Financial Technology (FinTech) operation. Diane has served as Savify's President since 2014, and under her leadership, the company has achieved tremendous success.

Diane will bring a fresh and innovative approach to the C-Suite at Savify, with a renewed focus on ensuring the company's benefits portal remains cutting-edge. Savify increases revenue and retention for its clients, primarily in the payment processing space, by providing valuable benefits and discount services to its end users.

According to Rob Riggs, CTO of Savify, "Diane's leadership brings immeasurable value to the FinTech landscape. I'm confident that her fresh approach at Savify will create even more cutting-edge innovation for payment processors."

Faro is determined to encourage leadership development, especially by mentoring professional women. As such, she is a co-founder of PayTech Women, formerly Wnet, the national organization that offers networking and growth opportunities for women in the fintech industry.

Jennifer Tramontana Assists PayTech Women (Formerly Wnet) in Rebrand Effort

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:39:00 GMT

TFG Founder and President Jennifer Tramontana helped guide The Women's Network in Electronic Transactions (Wnet) through a complete brand overhaul this year.

The new brand, PayTech Women, was unveiled in September at the organization's annual Leadership Summit. We encourage any individual or organization interested in creating a stronger and more diverse industry by empowering and investing in women to join PayTech Women today!

FIS Names Stephanie Ferris President, CEO, Gary Norcross Executive Chairman

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:22:00 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FIS® (NYSE:FIS), a global leader in financial services technology, announced today the appointment of Stephanie L. Ferris as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In addition to her current role as President, Ferris will take over as CEO from Gary A. Norcross who has served as the company’s CEO for the last eight years and Chairman since 2018. Ferris will assume the President and CEO role on January 1, 2023, when Norcross takes on the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Ferris was also appointed to the FIS Board of Directors.

In her role as FIS President, Ferris has been responsible for steering and executing the company’s global business strategy, including M&A, and its global business operations serving financial institutions, merchants and corporates of all sizes and geographies. A 28-year industry veteran with expertise in payments, technology platform businesses and driving digital transformation, Ferris led the integration of Worldpay into FIS, surpassing both revenue and cost synergy commitments. She has been integral to FIS’ global growth which currently supports more than 14,000 clients in over 100 countries.

VizyPay Promotes Three Powerhouse Women to Directorial Roles

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:15:00 GMT

VizyPay -- September 13, 2022 -- VizyPay, an award-winning payment processor providing transparent, money-saving services to America’s small businesses, today announces a series of promotions, elevating experienced and dedicated women leaders to its senior team.

Director of Sales Elizabeth Rucker, Director of Client Success Olivia Hall and Director of Marketing and Sales Enablement Shannon McCann all came to VizyPay from outside the payments space, starting out as sales partner recruiters and distinguishing themselves through hard work and leadership skills. Prioritizing personal fulfillment and professional growth amongst its employees, VizyPay provided resources and support to help each woman break barriers and launch their careers to new heights in less than three years. By investing in and empowering Rucker, Hall and McCann, VizyPay is paving the way for more diversity and equality in the payments and financial technology industries.

Association Forum Announces the 2022 Class of Forty Under 40

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 19:52:00 GMT

Jewel Hazelton
Vice President
Member Relations and Content Strategy
Wnet

Forum News, Press Releases -- September 8, 2022 -- Association Forum is pleased to announce the recipients of 2022 Forty Under 40 awards. The recognized individuals represent the nation’s top 40 professionals from across the association and nonprofit industries.

They were selected based on their extraordinary career accomplishments, commitment to the industry and their continued pursuit to advance the professional practice of association management.

Wnet Vice President of Member Relations and Content Strategy Jewel Hazelton, M.S. IMC, is among the honored recipients.

View the entire Forty Under 40 Class of 2022 here.

Chargeback Gurus Pioneers AI-Compatible Dispute Packages to Increase Recovery Rate for Merchants

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 20:32:00 GMT

August 18, 2022: GlobeNewswire -- Chargeback Gurus Pioneers AI-Compatible Dispute Packages to Increase Recovery Rate for Merchants

Chargeback Gurus, a global leader in chargeback prevention and recovery services, has announced the development of chargeback dispute packages specifically designed to be processed by automated systems. These dispute packages will help support increasing automation by issuing banks and ensure maximum efficiency and win rate.

Chargeback dispute packages typically include a wide variety of data elements in many different form factors. Merchants and chargeback service providers work diligently to collect, collate and organize this evidence to ensure they present a winning case to the decision-makers at issuing banks.

Through a network of collaborative industry relationships, Chargeback Gurus has discovered that many issuing banks have been pursuing AI automation as a way to increase the efficiency and consistency of decision-making in disputes. Automating this complex process necessitates the use of developing technologies such as computer vision, pattern recognition and natural language processing. These systems are at their most effective when they receive input of high quality and compatibility.

With extensive experience in AI, machine learning and robotic process automation, the Chargeback Gurus team is well-prepared to support this technological leap in the dispute process.

"Chargeback Gurus believes in putting together a custom package for every dispute rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach like our competitors," said Chargeback Gurus President Suresh Dakshina. "We analyze over 40 data points for every dispute package, and that results in a three times higher recovery rate for our merchants. Our goal is to continue raising the bar for ourselves, and making our dispute packages compatible with AI automation is another milestone in that pursuit."

"With the assistance of our subject-matter experts, our research team is always evaluating and improving our own AI systems to ensure that we put together winning dispute packages for our merchants," said Damodharan Sampathkumar, chief product officer for Chargeback Gurus. "Now, we're using our knowledge of how AI gathers and interprets information to prepare for the deployment of this technology at issuing banks."

Western Union and Woodforest National Bank Renew Agreement to Offer Global Money Transfer Services

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 19:49:00 GMT

August 17, 2022: Business Wire -- Western Union and Woodforest National Bank Renew Agreement to Offer Global Money Transfer Services

Woodforest National Bank customers can now take advantage of both retail and digital money transfer capabilities through Western Union (NYSE: WU) thanks to a renewed agreement between the two companies.

"Providing value is an essential part of consumers’ financial services experience, particularly when it comes to retail and online banking," said Molly Shea, Head of Western Union’s North America business.

“For more than a decade, Western Union and Woodforest National Bank have worked together to bring consumers speed, choice and reliability when conducting money transfer and bill payment services. Our partnership with Woodforest National Bank significantly increases the availability of these services, offering both in-branch and online services to give customers choice and convenience when conducting their financial business,” Shea concluded.

Western Union offers banks a cost-effective and reliable way to meet consumer demand to send money from bank accounts to be paid out almost anywhere in the world. The company’s cross-border, cross-currency platform and global financial network reaches 200 countries and territories worldwide, giving customers the ability to move money to family and friends virtually anywhere. Customers have the option to have their money transfers paid out in minutes across a substantial network of retail locations or into billions of bank accounts, including millions of wallets and cards worldwide.

“One of our greatest assets we provide for our customers is the ability to offer multiple financial services across multiple platforms, providing ease and convenience, no matter when or where they need to conduct their transactions,” said Julie Mayrant, President and Chief Retail Officer, Woodforest National Bank. “Western Union has played a vital role in our ability to do so, providing critical cross-border money transfer and bill payment capabilities to our customers over both retail and digital channels. We are excited to continue our relationship with them and offer Western Union services to our customers.”

Maverick Payments Ranks No. 304 on the 2022 Inc.5000, No. 23 in Financial Services With 3 Year Growt

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 19:35:00 GMT

August 17, 2022: Newswires -- Maverick Payments Ranks No. 304 on the 2022 Inc.5000, No. 23 in Financial Services With 3 Year Growth of 1878% Percent

Inc. magazine today revealed that Maverick Bankcard, Inc doing business as Maverick Payments is No. 304 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

“For the second year in a row, Maverick is honored to be included among such a prestigious list of forward-thinking companies. Our team has continued to meet the moment and exceed expectations as we foster a new era of digital-first, optimized experience within the payment processing and fintech landscape for businesses nationwide driven by our strategic partners and resellers through our proprietary dashboard,” said Ben Griefer, Chief Operating Officer.

Alan Griefer, Chief Executive Officer, added “Maverick is positioned for long-term growth and success. Our team is passionate and dedicated to providing our merchants and resellers with the very best industry-leading technology, white-glove support, and relationship management, empowering us to compete with some of the biggest banks, fintech companies, and payment processors.”

Ben adds, “Our success has been built by listening and executing – to the desires of our clients – both our merchants and partners/resellers, the goals of our employees and amazing team, and our inner dialog that drives our vision ever forward. We believe better is always possible and every incremental change adds up to significant overall impacts. Our proprietary technology and infrastructure have been driven by the feedback we receive, building the ultimate experience for all users.”

The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 have not only been successful, but have also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages, and the ongoing impact of Covid-19. Among the top 500, the average median three-year revenue growth rate soared to 2,144 percent. Together, those companies added more than 68,394 jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc., which will be available on newsstands on August 20th.

“The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today.”

Maverick Payments is an industry-leading full-service payment processor. With all operations handled in-house, merchants and resellers are guaranteed white-glove support and the highest level of customer service. Merchants and resellers are furnished with Maverick’s proprietary and unmatched technology stack. A user experience inclusive of digital onboarding, payment gateway/ACH platform, API capabilities, unlimited sub-user management, advanced reporting and analytics, white label options, and additional tools to optimize business operations.

Headquartered in Calabasas, Maverick is privately held, family-owned and operated with more than fifty years of combined industry expertise. Maverick Payments offers lucrative partnership and reseller opportunities to ISOs, VARs, ISVs, and Agents.

Celero Commerce Buys Community Bankers Merchant Services

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 18:42:00 GMT

August 18, 2022: Business Wire -- Celero Commerce Acquires Community Bankers Merchant Services

Celero Commerce (“Celero”), a top ten U.S. non-bank payment processor, today announced the acquisition of Community Bankers Merchant Services (CBMS), a provider of electronic transaction processing through community and regional banks nationwide. With the addition of Arkansas-based CBMS, Celero will serve over 53,000 merchants nationwide, processing approximately $21 billion in annual card volume.

Founded in 1989 by Bob Morris, CBMS has partnered with banks for over thirty years, offering a full suite of payment processing solutions for their small and mid-sized business customers. “For three decades, the CBMS team has supported their bank partners’ growth through industry leading service and support,” said Celero founder and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Jones. “The talented and experienced CBMS team fits well within our organization, and we are excited to serve community and regional banks together.”

“Like Celero, we have always focused on providing superior service to our community bank partners and their merchants. We could not be happier to be joining the Celero team,” said CBMS Chief Operating Officer Dean Morris. “Their depth of experience and breadth of products and technology will allow us to provide better solutions to our banks and their customers.”

“We founded Celero to deliver a proprietary suite of FinTech (Payments, Software, and Data) solutions to our financial institution partners and small and mid-sized business customers,” added Jones. “The addition of CBMS furthers Celero’s market leading position in the financial institution market and allows us to expedite our growth.”

733Park, Inc., a boutique mergers and acquisition advisory firm specializing in payments and FinTech, represented Community Bankers Merchant Services (“CBMS”), in its sale to Celero Commerce (“Celero”).