The Green Sheet Online Edition
June 9, 2025 • 25:06:01
Street Smarts
PayTech Women, 20 years strong
What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word "networking"? For me, it's relationships, the heart and soul of payments. Some people I met 20 years ago, when I was just getting started, are still part of my network today.
When it comes to building a network, there's no better example than PayTech Women, a 20-year-old 501(c) (3) nonprofit association serving professional women in fintech and payments. PTW members Dana Sills and Julianie "Jules" Ferguson discussed the organization and industry trends in a recent Street Smarts edition of the B2B Vault: The Biz-to-Biz Podcast.
Sills, a payments veteran and current chair of PTW's Atlanta chapter, and Ferguson, who currently serves as business development coordinator for PayTech Women, reflected on PTW's exponential growth. Originally established in 2005 as Women Networking in Electronic Transactions (Wnet), the organization rebranded to PayTech Women in 2022, to reflect its diverse and global community of over 6,500 members.
Next-level networking
Getting back to networking, how would you rate your skills in this area? For Sills, there's more to networking than collecting leads or referrals. It's about building relationships. Chairing the Atlanta chapter for PayTech Women has helped her grow professionally.
"Networking is about learning, mentorship, and opening doors," she said. "Organizations like PayTech Women provide opportunities outside traditional conferences and trade shows, especially at the regional level."
Ferguson noted that local chapters are vital to the organization. "I work closely with our national team and incredible local leaders like Dana," she said, adding that PTW has 16 active chapters around the country, from Los Angeles and Omaha to Chicago and New York, with more in the pipeline. "If you're a woman in the business, this is a great way to network with other women in the business and participate in regional and national shows," she said.
Trendsetters in fintech, payments
Another advantage PayTech Women offers its members, partners, sponsors and advocates is access to the innovators and thought leaders who are shaping the future of fintech and payments. This access is critical in a fast-moving space where change is the only constant.
Ferguson recalled coming to the United States from Belize and how much everything has changed during her five years of working with PayTech Women. "Technology is moving at breakneck speed, which means we have to analyze what tech we are selling today and what we'll be selling next week, next month, and next year," she said.
So true, I said, recalling my own early days in 2001, when I'd ask merchants who their processor was and they would say, "my bank." Today, most merchants are with fintechs.
In the past few decades, I saw the emergence of PayPal, Square—and Stripe, which now processes billions of dollars per month. And then you have a company like Toast, which I've recently read has close to 25 percent of restaurants using a POS system.
Powerful tools
In addition to the shift from banks to fintechs and software companies doing merchant services, we discussed AI's expanding role in payments. Sills was intrigued by AI's potential to streamline data management and improve analytics. Ferguson stressed that AI must enhance the customer experience without replacing authentic human connection. As we explored approaches to embedded finance, Sills said it creates opportunities for small and midsize businesses and Ferguson noted it can help underbanked communities gain access to financial services.
As verticalized, tech-driven solutions continue to reshape the future of merchant services, we clearly have a need to embrace technology partnerships instead of relying solely on equipment sales. Looking ahead, I openly questioned if software is the new ISO, and how emerging trends, such as the shift from traditional banks to fintech-led services and evolving technology partnerships, will affect ISOs and merchant level salespeople (MLSs).
Network and grow
As Ferguson noted, the fintech and payment space is growing at breakneck speed, making professional networking a critical asset for stakeholders. "It's about building trust, authentic connections, and growing personally and professionally in the fintech space," she said
Sills agreed, stating, "If you're looking for your next career move, mentorship, or a way to supercharge your skills—PayTech Women is the place to be."
At a time when building strong, diverse communities is more important than ever, PayTech Women's education, mentoring and professional development programs are helping its men and women members succeed.
For more information, visit: www.paytechwomen.org/default.aspx and watch a recording of our episode at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd08mTJWqJQ.
Contact Dana Sills and Jules Ferguson on LikedIn at linkedin.com/in/dana-sills-mba and linkedin.com/in/julianie-ferguson respectively.
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Allen Kopelman, a serial entrepreneur, is co-founder and CEO of Nationwide Payment Systems Inc. and host of B2B Vault: The Biz to Biz podcast. Email him at allen@npsbank.com and connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenkopelman/ and Twitter @AllenKopelman.
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