Kristy Duncan, founder of Women in Payments, is a passionate advocate for gender equity in the financial industry. She has dedicated her career to empowering women in payments and fintech, ensuring they have the opportunities and support needed to succeed. Through her organization, she champions the professional and personal development of women, providing platforms for networking, mentorship and leadership.
Last week, three of us from Dash Solutions – – Maggie O’Toole, Elisa Nelson and Cameron Sanford – had the incredible opportunity to attend our first Women in Payments Symposium in Washington, DC . Thanks to Kristy and her vision, we were fortunate to be among many inspiring and influential women leaders, collaborating and connecting on building our careers in payments and fintech.
We sat through many sessions, listening to discussions ranging from topics like AI and upskilling, to DEI and leadership and career development. Each speaker was passionate and informative, sharing their wisdom with the audience. We were thrilled to celebrate Maggie at the Awards Dinner, while she represented Dash Solutions as a finalist for the Distinguished Payments Professional award, proving that she is a true visionary who is impacting our industry and our people every day.
We each left the conference feeling energized, with different takeaways, bringing home the theme of the week, the 4 I’s:
Inspiration: The energy in the room was electrifying—trailblazers and rising stars alike shared their journeys, proving that bold ideas and perseverance drive real change in the payments industry. We can never get enough of hearing other women’s stories and journeys, and let’s face it, each one of us has a great one to share.
Innovation: From cutting-edge technology to game-changing business models, it was clear that the future of payments is being shaped by those who dare to challenge the status quo. Discussing global payment trends—and the game-changing impact of AI—was a powerful reminder that staying stagnant is not an option. Spoiler alert: as much as we focus on automation and improved productivity, the development of our soft skills and emotional intelligence will become even more important than today.
Inclusivity: Representation matters, and this event reinforced the power of diverse perspectives. When more voices are heard, better solutions emerge—solutions that truly serve all. We still have work to do to get more women in leadership positions to drive more change, but we are making progress.
Intention: How can we reduce the noise in our lives? How do we focus on what matters most? Growth doesn’t happen by chance — it happens with purpose. The discussions on leadership, strategy, and impact reminded us all to move forward with clarity and determination and take action to eliminate what distracts us from accomplishing our goals.
Being in the same room with hundreds of strong women in leadership roles, thriving in their positions, knowing they aren’t there for the title but to truly make an impact was a humbling experience for all of us. And the most important lesson we learned – True leadership isn’t about power. It’s about impact.
As Kristy says, “When women succeed, we all succeed.” Her passion to inspire, connect, encourage and empower women helps pave the way for women like us in the payments industry. Thank you, Kristy and all the wonderful panelists and speakers who truly made an impact on each of our lives.
