Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica has spent close to 10 years in the fintech payments industry, specializing in global payments & partnerships risk. Her career includes roles at Wells Fargo, Accenture, and Visa, where she ensures that vendors and technologies do not become vulnerabilities, allowing operations to run safely. Inspired by her college studies in environmental policy, she views risk management as a way to protect systems larger than herself by earning trust and asking hard questions early. She returned to school for an MBA and to continue learning and develop transferable skills. She attributes her success to being a lifelong learner who remains curious and open-minded. She is committed to mentoring the next generation of risk management professionals and runs a book club to champion reading and education.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to being a lifelong learner. While working at Accenture and Visa, I decided to go back to school for my MBA because I wanted to keep learning, stay curious, and better understand how different systems and ideas could translate into the workplace. I was incredibly fortunate to have my company support and pay for my studies, which is something I’m truly grateful for. Balancing work and school wasn’t always easy, but I kept pushing forward, trusted myself, and embraced the challenge. It reminded me that growth often comes from believing in yourself enough to keep going, even when the journey feels difficult.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Stay true to yourself (be authentic) and don’t be afraid to speak up for what you believe in. When you share a common goal with others, support one another, work together, and have the confidence to turn that vision into something meaningful.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep an open mind, stay curious, and most importantly, believe in yourself and trust your instincts. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions and hold people accountable but always lead with empathy—take the time to educate, explain the “why,” and help others grow along the way.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Technology and AI are evolving at an incredible pace, creating both exciting opportunities and new challenges for risk management. The question is no longer whether technology will change, but how we continue to build the knowledge, capabilities, and resources needed to keep up. Organizations that embrace continuous learning, stronger visibility across their supplier ecosystem, and AI-powered risk oversight will be better positioned to navigate change, strengthen resilience, and support innovation with confidence.
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