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Meet the Experts

Throughout the four-day program, you'll hear from Visa professionals and payments industry experts as they share their insights on card strategy, marketing, risk, profitability and more.


Karen Brown
Atlanta, USA
Karen Brown
Chief Analytics and Operating Officer, Lending Science DM, Inc
I am the Chief Analytics and Operating Officer for Lending Science DM, Inc., a leader in scientifically-driven marketing and risk management solutions for the financial industry. In this role, I work with clients to solve their business problems with analytic and data solutions, including acquiring new customers, optimizing marketing and risk metrics and maximizing profitability. Prior to Lending Science DM, I spent 16 years at Synchrony Bank, which included serving as SVP, Model Development, where I was responsible for the development of all consumer and commercial models supporting Synchrony’s private label credit card, bankcard and installment lending programs as well as reserve, stress testing and economic capital models.

I have Bachelor of Science degrees in Mathematics and Computer-Math from Furman University and a Master of Science in Statistics from Florida State University. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, boating or anything water related and spending time with my husband and two sons.
James Cranfield
Madrid, Spain
James Cranfield
Founder, Insight Consultancy
As co-founder and Managing Director of Insight Consultancy, a niche consulting and training company specializing in payments, I have an extensive track record in developing profitability models and payments strategies in Europe, Africa and Asia. I have a background in issuer and acquirer profitability and have helped hundreds of banks across the globe optimize their payments portfolios.
Bruce Cundiff
San Francisco, USA
Bruce Cundiff
Vice President, Visa Business and Economic Insights, Visa
With nearly 25 years of payment industry experience, including 14 years with Visa, I am responsible for providing economic analysis and business intelligence to Visa executives and clients. My insights on the payments industry, leveraging Visa’s proprietary VisaNet data assets and experienced team of economists, help companies identify the trends that matter most to the strategic direction of their businesses and customers.
Claire Gornall
Toronto, Canada
Claire Gornall
Global Head of Sales, Visa University, Visa
As head of sales for Visa University, I am responsible for managing a team of sales consultants around the globe focused on delivering learning solutions that align to clients’ priorities. With more than 25 years of payments experience in both the issuing and merchant acquiring businesses, I have a deep knowledge of how Visa works and how Visa University can elevate both individual and organizational knowledge and effectiveness to meet client needs.

I have Bachelor of Arts degree from Western University. Outside of work I enjoy sailing, gardening, blogging, fitness and horseback riding.
Peter Hall
London, UK
Peter Hall
Managing Partner, Intuition International Limited
I am the founder and Managing Partner of Intuition International Ltd., a management consulting and executive training company specializing in electronic payments. I have more than 35 years of experience in advising banks across the world on the strategic, product development, risk management, profitability and digital marketing components of consumer payment programs, including debit, credit and prepaid cards.
Kimathi Marangu
San Francisco, USA
Kimathi Marangu
Global Head of Prepaid, Visa
With Visa since 2012, I am the Global Head of Prepaid, where I lead one of Visa’s highest-margin and fastest-growing businesses, serving government disbursement, fintech, cross-border, gig economy and digital wallet use cases at scale. Prior to this role, I was Product Office Lead, responsible for developing the capabilities for the Visa Offers card-linked platform used today by more than 55 million cardholders and 14,000 merchants in 30 countries.
Mary Pat McMahon
San Francisco, USA
Mary Pat McMahon
Global Head of Debit, Visa
With 30 years in the payments business and most in debit, I have had the opportunity to help build the debit business from its infancy. In my current role as Global Head of Debit at Visa, I am responsible for driving the growth and evolution of Visa’s debit product offerings, which generate over $3.5 trillion in annual payment volume and are issued by Visa clients in every region and country we serve.
Barbara Patterson
San Francisco, USA
Barbara Patterson
Vice President, Product Management, Visa
I lead the Digital Standards and Strategic Projects organization that oversees digital payment standards with a focus on new and emerging technologies, payment methods and security solutions. I have extensive experience in developing groundbreaking payments and processing products, driving critical strategic initiatives, accelerating revenue growth, reducing costs and creating competitive advantage.
Francisco Reyes-Retana
Miami, USA
Francisco Reyes-Retana
Senior Director, Pricing and Interchange, Visa
I manage interchange definitions for Visa’s business in Latin America. In this role, I work closely with sales, product, merchant sales and acquiring and other stakeholders to establish optimal interchange rates aimed at growing the Visa Payments ecosystem and generating more acceptance, issuance and credential usage.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree from the Universidad Metropolitana in Venezuela, an MS from Columbia University and an MBA from Boston College. I am fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Outside of work, I enjoy participating in triathlons, sailing, and traveling with my wife and son.
Adam Whittaker
New York, USA
Adam Whittaker
Senior Director, Visa Consulting & Analytics, Product and Experience Design, Visa
I lead a team of brilliant designers who work with Visa clients to create market-moving solutions for the challenges they face as the payments industry and competition grows more complex. My career includes 25 years as a design practitioner and leader. I’ve worked in virtually every industry crafting unique experiences for major brands. I gravitated to the payments industry out of a deep belief that one’s relationship with money is the root of all experiences.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Design from the Pratt Institute. Outside of work I enjoy participating in team sports, particularly basketball.