Introduction
Women in Payments is a global professional community for women working across payments and fintech. Founded in 2012, it connects, educates and champions women through symposia, mentorship, awards, leadership development, networking and member resources. Its community spans multiple regions, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
What is Women in Payments and what does it offer
Women in Payments supports professionals across the payments ecosystem, including women working in payment services, banking, fintech, treasury, accounting, operations, product, risk, technology, compliance and leadership roles. Its programmes are designed to help members build knowledge, visibility, confidence and professional networks.
The organisation is not a payments standards body or regulatory association. Its value is professional development: bringing women in payments together to learn from industry leaders, share career experiences, access mentoring and gain recognition for their contributions to the sector.
Mission and role in the ecosystem
Women in Payments champions women in the payments and fintech industry by creating opportunities for career growth, leadership visibility and meaningful professional connection. Its work helps address representation gaps in a sector where senior payments, product, risk, technology and strategy roles are still often male-dominated.
The organisation’s ecosystem role is strongest in talent development, mentorship, leadership education, awards recognition and community-building. It gives payments companies a structured way to support women employees, highlight female leaders and participate in industry-wide diversity and inclusion efforts.
Programmes and activities
| Programme or activity | Format | Target participants |
|---|---|---|
| Regional symposia | Conferences and in-person events | Women professionals, executives, speakers and payments leaders |
| Mentorship programmes | Structured mentoring and peer learning | Emerging leaders, mid-career professionals and senior mentors |
| Awards and recognition | Regional and global awards programmes | Women leaders, innovators and teams in payments and fintech |
| Learning and professional development | Workshops, panels, webinars and content library | Professionals across all career stages |
| Networking and community | Member platform, events and regional groups | Women across payments, banking, fintech, treasury and technology |
| Sponsorship opportunities | Corporate partnerships and event sponsorship | Employers, PSPs, banks, fintechs and payment-sector vendors |
Geographic scope and cross-border reach
Women in Payments operates globally through regional programmes and communities. Its activity spans major payments markets including the US, Canada, Australia, Asia, Europe, the UK, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
Its cross-border relevance comes from professional networking rather than formal market-entry support. Members and sponsors can connect with peers from different regions, learn from international payments leaders and gain visibility across a global payments community.
Why Women in Payments matters for payments operators
Women in Payments matters for PSPs, banks, card networks, fintech companies, acquirers, processors, gateways, payment orchestration providers and payment technology vendors because talent and leadership development are strategic issues in payments. Sponsoring or participating in Women in Payments can support employer branding, retention, leadership pipelines and DEI goals.
For payment operators, the organisation is especially relevant where companies want to develop women leaders, improve representation in product and technology roles, highlight internal talent, support mentorship and build stronger industry networks. It can also help companies stay connected to payments topics through panels, symposia and professional learning content.
The teams most likely to follow Women in Payments include HR, talent, DEI, employer brand, communications, marketing, partnerships, executive leadership, payments product, operations, risk and compliance teams.
Who runs Women in Payments and who participates
Women in Payments was founded by Kristy Duncan and operates as a global organisation with regional programming, sponsors, members, speakers, mentors, award nominees and community participants. Its activity is supported by membership, events, sponsorship and industry partnerships.
Its community is centred on individual professionals but also includes corporate sponsors and employers that support women in the payments and fintech workforce.
Community and participant categories
Women in Payments is best described by participant role rather than by a fixed corporate member list.
| Category | Typical participants |
|---|---|
| Individual members | Women working in payments, fintech, banking, treasury, accounting, compliance, risk, operations, product and technology |
| Emerging professionals | Early-career and mid-career women seeking mentorship, skills development and industry visibility |
| Senior leaders | Executives, founders, directors, board members and senior payments professionals |
| Corporate sponsors | Banks, PSPs, networks, fintech companies, processors, consultancies and technology vendors supporting diversity and leadership |
| Mentors and speakers | Industry leaders who contribute expertise through panels, mentoring, workshops and keynote sessions |
| Award nominees and alumni | Women recognised for leadership, innovation, rising-star potential and contribution to payments |
| Regional communities | Participants connected through US, Canada, Australia, Asia, EU-UK, LATAM and MEA activity |
Community activity
Women in Payments supports its community through regional symposia, mentoring, awards, professional development content, networking sessions, panel discussions and member resources. Its activity covers both career development and payments-industry knowledge.
Participants may engage by becoming members, attending regional events, joining mentorship opportunities, nominating women for awards, speaking at programmes or supporting the organisation through corporate sponsorship.
What does Women in Payments publish and who does it influence
Professional development and industry visibility
Women in Payments influences the sector by increasing visibility for women leaders and creating professional development pathways in payments and fintech. Its audience includes payment companies, financial institutions, fintech employers, individual professionals, speakers, mentors and sponsors.
The organisation is especially influential where companies need credible platforms for leadership recognition, mentoring, industry education and diversity-focused engagement within the payments ecosystem.
Content and learning resources
Women in Payments provides access to symposium content, keynote sessions, panel recordings, professional development resources and member materials. These resources help members learn from payments leaders, understand industry trends and build confidence in leadership, communication and strategic decision-making.
For payment companies, the content can also support internal learning, employee development and leadership pipeline initiatives.
Events and convenings
Women in Payments is known for regional symposia that bring together women leaders and professionals across the payments and fintech industry. These events typically include keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, awards recognition and networking opportunities.
The symposia are relevant for payments operators seeking talent visibility, thought leadership, sponsorship opportunities and stronger relationships across the payments workforce.
How to join Women in Payments
Professionals and companies can engage with Women in Payments through individual membership, event participation, mentorship programmes, awards activity, speaking opportunities and corporate sponsorship. The right route depends on whether the participant is an individual professional, employer, sponsor, mentor or speaker.
Individuals usually join to access community, content, events and professional development. Companies usually engage through sponsorship, group participation, speaker nominations, event support or talent-development initiatives.
Membership and sponsorship routes
Women in Payments offers individual membership and corporate engagement routes. Membership may include access to community resources, symposium content, networking, programmes and professional development opportunities, while sponsorship gives companies visibility and involvement in regional or global activity.
Current pricing, benefits and access levels should be confirmed through Women in Payments’ official membership and sponsorship channels before applying or budgeting.
What participants gain
Participants may gain access to professional networks, mentorship, leadership development, event content, awards recognition, speaking opportunities and visibility across the payments industry. Companies may gain employer-brand benefits, stronger DEI engagement, talent-development opportunities and access to a global community of payments professionals.
FAQ
Is Women in Payments only for women?
Women in Payments is primarily designed to support and champion women in the payments and fintech industry. However, companies, allies, mentors, sponsors and industry leaders may also participate in ways that support the organisation’s mission of improving representation, leadership visibility and career development for women.
Is Women in Payments a trade association?
Women in Payments is better described as a global professional community and membership organisation than as a policy trade association. It does not focus on regulation or payment standards; its core work is networking, mentorship, education, awards recognition and professional development.
What regions does Women in Payments cover?
Women in Payments operates across several regions, including the US, Canada, Australia, Asia, EU-UK, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Regional programming allows members to connect locally while also benefiting from a wider international payments network.
Why is Women in Payments relevant to PSPs and fintech employers?
Women in Payments is relevant to PSPs and fintech employers because it supports talent development, leadership pipelines, employee engagement and diversity goals. Sponsorship or participation can help companies demonstrate commitment to inclusion while giving women employees access to mentoring, visibility and industry learning.
What is the Women in Payments Symposium?
The Women in Payments Symposium is a regional event format that brings together women professionals, executives, speakers and payments leaders. Programmes typically include keynote sessions, panels, workshops, networking and awards recognition focused on payments, fintech, leadership and career development.
Does Women in Payments provide mentorship?
Yes. Mentorship is one of the organisation’s important professional development themes. Members may be able to access mentoring opportunities, peer learning and leadership development programmes depending on region, membership route and current programme availability.
Is Women in Payments useful for early-career professionals?
Yes. Early-career professionals can use Women in Payments to build industry knowledge, meet mentors, learn from senior leaders and gain confidence navigating careers in payments and fintech. The community is also relevant for mid-career and senior professionals seeking visibility, connection and leadership development.
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