ETA Introduces 2022 Young Payments Professionals Scholars
ETA announced the selection of nine young professionals to participate in the 2022 ETA Young Payments Professionals (ETA YPP) Scholar Program. The program, sponsored by Discover Global Network, provides ETA YPP scholars with mentors from leading payments companies, complimentary access to ETA industry events, and networking and knowledge exchange opportunities with members of the payments industry.
ETA’s 2022 ETA YPP Scholars class of payments professionals represent compliance, marketing and sales, and product management from various finance, payments and technology firms that are ETA member companies.
“ETA YPP Scholars represent the future of the payments industry,” said Jodie Kelley, CEO of ETA. “We are excited to bring this class of scholars and mentors together to bring their perspectives to the forefront for our members and the industry.”
The 2022 ETA YPPs scholars are:
Ryan Ahern, Head of Retail Solutions and Support, North America, Ingenico
“The payments space is constantly evolving and presenting new challenges. These new challenges create opportunities for me and my team to innovate and come up with some creative solutions regardless of if the challenge is specific to a vertical market or to an individual customer/merchant.”
Regina Chien, Director of Product Enablement, Marqeta
“As I partner more closely with product teams at Marqeta to launch beta products for our customers, I’m thrilled to be able to build up more payments subject matter expertise through the support of ETA YPP resources, certifications, and mentors. Meeting other payment professionals who want to innovate and learn from each other will turbocharge our learnings and insights about payments and the direction it is heading.”
Candra Radar ERP Sales Executive, Repay
“I’m extremely excited about the plethora of opportunity this program will bring. Having a mentor and being able to participate in the ETA events is going to help me further my professional development and knowledge. I love the payments industry because it is ever changing. There is never a dull moment and there is always something else to learn and experience.”
David Deveney, Principal Product Delivery Manager, Discover Financial Services
“My favorite thing about the payments industry is the explosion of innovation we are currently experiencing in all parts of this industry and how it is impacting virtually every industry vertical in the world. The introduction of exciting new technology combined with the ability to generate payment experiences for both consumers and businesses drives my excitement in this space.”
James Eik, Marketing Content Specialist, PayTrace
“My favorite part of working in the payments industry is the opportunity to learn about new solutions and companies entering each year. Learning from an industry mentor who’s walked in my shoes will be a career highlight as an ETA YPP scholar.”
Lacey Frenzl, Director of Product and Partner Development, First American by Deluxe
“ETA’s commitment to both industry education and advocacy is significant as we adapt to a lightning-fast evolution of trends, technology and related regulations. Applying the knowledge that I gain will help to create solutions and commercialize products to further advance the industry and benefit both merchants and consumers. I am buoyed by both the challenges and opportunities being afforded to me through the YPP program and eager to get started.”
Ellen McGuffog, Chief Compliance Officer, Boost Payment Solutions, Inc.
“I’m excited to listen and contribute and use my time with the other ETA YPPs and mentors to broaden my understanding of what it means to be a young professional in the payments industry today. The thought that the payments industry – as we know it today – could be dramatically different in five to 10 years is a powerful concept.”
Megan Mountain, Director of Product, Paya
“The relationships I’ve built across the payments industry have been remarkable and have played an instrumental role in my professional growth. The industry is exploding with innovation and rich with opportunity for those looking to start or grow their career.”
Brooke Turner, Senior Product Marketing Manager, POS Portal, a ScanSource Company
“My favorite thing about the payments industry is the continued innovation. There are always new changes to payment security, new ways to pay, new players on the scene. With the landscape evolving often, it’s an exciting industry to be in.”
Now entering its sixth year, the year-long program is designed to identify and cultivate the next generation of payments leaders. ETA YPP Scholars are matched with top industry leaders to serve as their mentors throughout the duration of the program. Additionally, they meet monthly, produce projects with their peers, and receive complimentary registration to ETA events, and free educational courses.