IPA Member Executive Interview

What inspired you and/or your company to get involved with the Innovative Payments Association? 
Paysign joined the IPA in the spring of 2017. But previously I was involved with IPA through my role with another member organization. Our organization is similar to other members of the association, dedicated to bringing innovation and efficiency to the payments industry through prepaid. With the IPA, Paysign has been able to connect with banks, processors, network providers and others across the financial services landscape. 

How has your membership in the IPA most benefitted you, and what are some of our events and resources that have proven most helpful and valuable?
Our association with the IPA has allowed us to expand our knowledge of what’s going on in the industry. We’ve been able to keep tabs on everything changing in federal government relations and the changing regulatory space. Resources such as the IPA’s Government Relations Working Group and Financial Crimes Task Force are two important groups to our company. My colleagues and I participate in both, as they provide opportunities to share new information which is critical for a company like us that is always looking to learn and grow. These wider conversations have allowed us to learn from others’ experiences and identify areas we need to focus on. The IPA’s blog, podcast, and webinars also allow our employees to grow professionally. We try to utilize as many of IPA’s resources as possible and encourage our employees to do the same. 

What has your experience been like as being a part of the IPA?
Personally, it has been wonderful, and I have really enjoyed it. I have met a lot of people sitting on the board, and the ability to call on industry executives and the IPA team for their expertise and advice has been very helpful. The IPA brings together individuals each with their unique talents and provides them with an opportunity to learn from each other.
The annual conference and compliance training events are also tremendously beneficial and give our employees the opportunity to network with other individuals who they share a similar job or background with. During COVID-19, times are weird for everyone, and everything is webinar-based, which can make networking difficult. But the IPA’s commitment to offering consistent educational and networking resources online through webinars and trainings has been very helpful.
On another note, the IPA has provided me the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill and meet with legislators, regulators, and other industry decisionmakers on a regular basis. I have found these meetings very exciting and helpful personally and professionally. 
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What’s one thing - either payments-related or not - you learned in the last six months?
Over the past six months, I have been encouraged to see the resilience in the prepaid card sector, as well as from Paysign’s workforce. Even with the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, IPA member organizations have stepped up to provide financial help around the country. All the people I have met through the IPA have continued to come together and help people out. It’s a common theme we all have.  
Like others, I have tried to find new ways to maintain strong health during these unprecedented times. Personally, when working from home, I learned I can walk several miles per day, and I have enjoyed incorporating that into my new daily routine