YPP Scholar Spotlight: Diane Driscoll, US Alliance Group

Diane is Underwriting Manager for US Alliance Group and a 2019 ETA Young Payments Professionals (YPP) Scholar, sponsored by Discover Global. In this interview, Diane discusses her background, how she came to work at US Alliance Group, and where she thinks the industry is headed. 

Transaction Trends: Tell us about your background. Where did you go to college and what did you study? How did you get into the payments industry? Where did you start and how did you end up in your current role?

When I was in school at the University of Phoenix – Murrieta earning my B.S. in Criminal Justice, I was focused on a career in Law Enforcement. Previous to that program, I earned four associates degrees from Mt. San Jacinto Community College in administration of justice, mathematics, CSIS, and paralegal assistant.

While I was getting my education, I worked for a biotechnology company as a sales assistant. When I was job searching after I graduated, I went to a job fair. Though I was primarily interested in law enforcement jobs, when I spoke with a representative from National Merchants Association and shared my skill set and experience, they said that they had a quality control position in their underwriting and risk department that seemed to be a fit.

I accepted a position as a Quality Control Analyst II, which naturally played into my interest in law enforcement. I immersed myself in learning about the industry and my role, which lead me to quickly advanced within the company and my department. In January 2019, I rose to the position of Partner Underwriting Manager.

I started with US Alliance Group Inc as the Underwriting Manager in May 2019. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and expertise with my new team. I’m excited to be part of the US Alliance Group team and I’m looking forward to a bright future with them.

I also got involved with industry organizations to further advance my knowledge and network, including ETA, Merchant Acquiring Committee (MAC) and Women’s Networking in Electronic Transaction (Wnet). These organizations, and my engagement with them, have proved to be critical to my journey through the payments industry.

What’s your day-to-day like? What major functions do you serve, and what types of projects do you like to work on? 

Across my day-to-day, I like to challenge myself to learn something new. I spend my day reviewing merchant processing applications, determining their business model, ensuring that all card brand and other regulations are compliant, and risk management of accounts. I enjoy that each account is unique and different, which make reviewing them challenging and not repetitive. Another key part of my job is training and mentoring others.  I thrive when I can share my knowledge with others and watch them grow.

What do you think will be the most significant development in the payments industry across the next five years?

I believe the most significant development within the payments is how technology is going to impact the payments industry even more than it already has.  The industry is moving towards insta-pay, biometrics pay, and mobile.

What topics do you consider yourself to be an expert in?

I consider myself an expert within underwriting, risk, and compliance area. I use my education I gained getting my Criminal Justice Bachelor’s degree, my skills in analytical, detailed-oriented thinking and my passion to pursue lifelong education and professional development to enhance my knowledge and expertise within the payments industry.

I have found it very interesting how applicable and helpful my education background in Criminal Justice has been to my role within the payments industry.

What surprised you most about the payments industry?

When I first entered the payments industry, I was surprised by what it took to process a credit card or ACH payment. As a consumer, you don’t think about what it takes for a merchant to accept credit cards or checks, only the convenience of paying for the product or service you want. As the years go on, I find it amazing and intriguing that the payments industry is constantly changing and evolving. If you don’t stay on top the changes, you will be left behind.

Have you found any particular challenges or advantages being a young payments professional in payments technology?

I have found that being a young payments professional is challenging due to the lack of historical knowledge and hands-on experience.

Having grown up with technology, which has given me knowledge and skills to adapt quickly, is certainly an advantage for me as a young payments professionals. I have also found that senior payment experts like to share their experiences and knowledge, which helps close the knowledge gap of how the industry has grown and changed across its history.

What advice would you give other young people who are entering the payments industry?

Be passionate about learning and exploring everything about payments. It is very important to be able to understand the what, why, and how each aspect of the payments industry works and how it impacts other parts of the payments ecosystem.

What has participating in the Young Payments Professional Scholar program meant to you?

Participating in the ETA Young Payment Professional Scholar program means that I am a recognized individual within the industry and gives me an opportunity to advance my payments career. The program has provided me with support and benefits that have not only assisted in my professional development, but also encouraged my desire to support other young payment professionals in their professional growth. This opportunity means so much to me and I am excited to participate!

YPP Spotlight Features highlight ETA’s Young Payments Professionals (YPP) Scholars, their path through the payments industry, and their aspirations for the future. The 2019 ETA YPP Scholars represent the finest young minds across the payments technology ecosystem. You can read more about the program, which is sponsored by Discover Global Network, here.