What inspired you to enter the Commercial Payments industry, and how has your journey evolved since then?

I started my career at a higher education institution where payments were only a small portion of my responsibilities, but I immediately loved what I was doing and learning. And I thought that if I could do this as a job, I would really enjoy it. So, I looked for a card services position and moved to Pennsylvania for that job. Since then, I have worked in some higher education and in some corporate positions and spent some time on the provider side, too. For me, I am always looking to learn and grow. I want a challenge and somewhere that I can really stretch my wings with the support of leadership to make a program a best in class.

 

How do you stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies in the Payments space?

I think it is important to build a network of other individuals in the payments space and really collaborate with them. Whether it is a consortium or just a group of people that have regular check-in meetings with each other to share stories and what you are working on. Things are changing so fast in the payments space and in general that it helps to have a group of individuals with the same thinking and the same goals to really look out for each other.

 

What's the most innovative project you've been a part of, and what made it stand out?

While I was at Villanova, my supervisor had an amazing idea to build a database for cardholders where we would keep track of audit findings and suspensions. The idea was all her, but she really let me sit in the driver’s seat to build the database with one of our student intern groups. We used Salesforce because another department was using them for something. It really was a great idea, and I enjoyed working on the structure of it with the students. It was great because when I was out, someone could look in that database to find out why a card was suspended or something and wouldn’t have to wait until I returned. I am a big believer in empowering people and giving them the tools to do their jobs.

 

If you could change one thing about the Payments industry, what would it be and why?

I would advocate for greater leadership support in the daily management of programs. Many leaders underestimate the importance of robust controls in maintaining program integrity and minimizing the risk of card misuse. Without a clear understanding of the controls required to maintain these programs, the risk of card misuse increases significantly.

 

How has IOCP helped improve your program?

Being part of IOCP's network has had a meaningful impact on my program. Having peers to ask questions and bounce ideas off has been invaluable. I enjoy connecting with others in similar roles and believe strongly in supporting one another. This is a unique industry and building relationships with people who truly understand the work is essential.

 

Any current challenges?

There are ongoing challenges with our internal processes and systems that we are actively addressing. Following the recent expansion and revision of our business expense policy, effectively communicating the updates and enforcing the new requirements across the community has required focused effort.

 

What are you passionate about outside of work?

I love to travel—there’s nothing quite like experiencing a new country and realizing how much we all have in common. And the food alone is usually reason enough to go. I’m also very much a dog mom. Spending time with my dog, Stella—walking, taking rides or just being together—is grounding for me. Caring for her helps me slow down and refocus on what’s truly important when things feel hectic or unsustainable.

 

What is a fun fact about you?

When I was 19, I climbed Mount Washington in New Hampshire with my family. It was a tough but unforgettable challenge and something I’ll always be proud of.