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Insights and Expertise

The ve ry point of sale to review, compare and select payment processing
The very point of sale
options exclusively tailored to their needs.
• Audience's choice: Bead, a payments platform,
securely integrates crypto, digital wallets and
Encore, encore, BNPL into a single network, expanding merchant
acceptance and customer choice.
NEAA! PayTech Women

"Advancing Women in Payments: Leadership, Access and
By Dale S. Laszig PayTech Women's breakout session on Day One,
DSL Direct LLC Industry Impact," hosted by PTW CEO Dr. Gail Burgos,
featured a distinguished lineup of industry leaders.
he Northeast Acquirers Association held its Dawn Delaney, PTW board president and vice president
41st annual conference Feb. 4 to 5, 2026, at the of corporate development and partnerships at JPMorgan
Encore Boston Harbor. For once, I didn't have Chase, and Lorraine Leduc, PTW Toronto Chapter co-lead
T to write a recap or ask event organizers for a and co-chair, and head of partnerships at Jaris, explored
summarizing quote or final number of attendees. I didn't career advancement in a fireside chat.
have to conduct back-to-back interviews or meet a story
deadline. I was free to roam, learn and network at NEAA Leduc told audience members that her sponsors, mentors
2026, ensconced in the venue's understated elegance and and professional network had helped her get ahead. "When
majestic harbor setting. these three things were present, I had the opportunity to
rise to the next level," she said, adding that hard work
Each year brings welcome reunions and lore from previous alone does not always advance a career.
winter shows, like the story about the abandoned girl
at Mount Snow. Yes, I remember that girl. There weren't Delaney agreed, urging the audience to take chances
enough snowmobiles to go around that year; I was paired and ask for feedback. "Lean into positions you think you
with someone who stopped to admire a mountaintop view may not be ready for; growth is more about being willing
and rode off without me. After a seemingly endless hike than being ready," she said. "And always ask for and give
through falling snow, I heard the sweet sounds of roaring feedback." Giving and receiving feedback is an art. When
engines and our cursing sherpa who, to his everlasting offering criticism, tell people you care and want to help
credit, had thought to do a headcount. them.
When soliciting feedback, ask for their thoughts on how
Showcase showdown you can get better, she advised.
This year I had the honor of judging the Showcase Our Olympian era
Showdown technology competition with Lane Gordon,
CEO and managing director of 733 Park; Bruce Urbanek, The themes of facing challenges before you're ready and
managing director at Piper Sandler Companies; and Kevin asking for feedback from people who are not your biggest
Woodward, senior editor at Digital Transactions. fans resurfaced in my fireside chat with Abby Gustaitis,
an Olympian rugby champion who had countless post-
In addition to our judging panel, an AI and audience competition paths open to her and chose a career in
members voted for best in show, giving 18 contestants, payments.
listed in order of appearance, three ways to win: Bead,
Bodega AI, Chargeback Help, Datacap, Dejavoo, Feitian She joined Visa as part of the Visa Champions Program in
Technologies, Fiserv, GETTRX, Global Payments, OMNIA 2022 and now serves as an account executive focused on
Payments Technology Inc., Payments NGnair, Payroc, consumer credit and small business.
Pinnacle Enterprise Solutions Inc., Premier Payroll
Solutions, Security Metrics, The Side Hustle, Tuzo Rewards Reflecting on times when she was more willing than
Inc. and Verifone Victa. ready to take on a new challenge, Gustaitis emphasized
the importance of communication in sports and business.
Choosing a winner from these standout innovators was no She encouraged the audience to "find your X-factor, focus
easy task. Top honors were awarded as follows: on your strengths and continue to level those up." Her
candid stories and commanding stage presence embodied
• Judge's choice: Tuzo Rewards enables merchants the spirit and drive that continue to attract competitors,
to redeem travel, experiences, electronics, luxury innovators and believers to this fast-moving industry.
goods, gift cards and more through an extensive
rewards platform. Dale S. Laszig, content strategy director at The Green Sheet and founder
• AI's choice: OMNIA Payments Technology Inc., and CEO at DSL Direct, is a payments industry journalist, creator and
consultant. Connect via email dale@dsldirectllc.com and LinkedIn
an online marketplace, offers merchants a chance
linkedin.com/in/dalelaszig
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