RESTON, Virginia — February 4, 2026
Executive Summary
Nacha announced the formation of the 2026–2027 Advisory Committee for its Payments Innovation Alliance, confirming the election of Participating Members to five standing advisory committees that collectively shape the Alliance’s leadership structure. The newly appointed Advisory Committee will serve a two-year term and is composed of professionals representing banks, credit unions, technology providers, fintech firms, industry associations, and advisory organizations. According to Nacha, the Advisory Committee plays a central role in guiding collaboration, identifying emerging payment trends, and supporting the Alliance’s mission to advance innovation, interoperability, and education across the payments ecosystem. The announcement reflects the Alliance’s biennial governance process and underscores its member-driven approach to leadership, industry engagement, and strategic direction.
Announcement Overview
Nacha confirmed that the 2026–2027 Payments Innovation Alliance Advisory Committee is now officially constituted following elections conducted among Participating Members of the Alliance. The Advisory Committee is formed by representatives elected to five specialized committees, each focused on a distinct area of the payments landscape. Together, these committees provide structured leadership and input into the Alliance’s initiatives, research priorities, educational programs, and collaborative efforts.
The Payments Innovation Alliance operates as a membership organization within Nacha’s broader framework and brings together stakeholders from across the global payments industry. According to Nacha, the Advisory Committee structure is designed to ensure balanced representation across payment types, market segments, and operational perspectives. Elections for committee membership are held every two years, reinforcing continuity while allowing for the introduction of new voices and expertise.
The 2026–2027 Advisory Committee will guide Alliance activity during a period characterized by ongoing innovation in payment methods, increased regulatory attention, and continued evolution of digital, real-time, and cross-border payment capabilities. Nacha stated that committee members volunteer their time and expertise in service of the Alliance and the broader payments industry.
Key Announcement Details
- Announcement type: Advisory Committee appointment and governance update
- Organization: Nacha Payments Innovation Alliance
- Committee term: 2026–2027
- Election frequency: Biennial
- Committees represented: Five advisory committees
- Scope: Payments innovation, collaboration, and industry engagement
- Geographic focus: United States with global industry participation
- Announcement date: February 4, 2026
Strategic Context
According to Nacha, the Payments Innovation Alliance serves as a collaborative forum for industry stakeholders to engage on emerging trends, operational challenges, and future opportunities across the payments ecosystem. The Alliance’s governance structure, including its Advisory Committee, is designed to reflect the diversity of its membership and the complexity of modern payment systems.
The payments industry continues to experience structural change driven by digital transformation, evolving consumer expectations, and advancements in security, data, and interoperability. At the same time, regulatory frameworks and risk management considerations remain central to the operation of payment networks and services. Nacha stated that the Advisory Committee structure enables subject-matter experts to contribute insights across these dimensions in a coordinated and organized manner.
By maintaining five specialized advisory committees, the Alliance aligns leadership oversight with distinct segments of the payments landscape, including business payments, consumer payments, emerging payment technologies, global payments, and risk, security, and regulatory considerations. This structure supports informed discussion, collaborative problem-solving, and industry engagement grounded in operational experience.
Leadership Perspective on the Advisory Committee
“I am excited to have our new leadership helping to chart the course of the Alliance,” said Jennifer West, AAP, AFPP, APRP, Senior Director of the Payments Innovation Alliance, Education and Accreditation at Nacha. “These talented professionals will create a direction for the Alliance representative of all our members. I am looking forward to working with them and seeing all the wonderful things they will come up with.”
West also acknowledged the role of volunteers in supporting the Alliance’s mission. “We are extremely grateful to the talented folks who volunteer their time to be part of the leadership, benefitting not only the Alliance, but the entire payments industry,” she said.
Business Payments Advisory Committee
The Business Payments Advisory Committee focuses on trends, challenges, and opportunities related to commercial and corporate payment flows. According to Nacha, this committee examines issues affecting business-to-business payments, treasury operations, payment automation, and efficiency within commercial payment systems.
Members appointed to the Business Payments Advisory Committee for the 2026–2027 term include professionals from financial institutions, technology providers, and payment service organizations. Their collective experience reflects a range of perspectives on commercial payment processing, standards development, and operational implementation.
The Business Payments Advisory Committee for 2026–2027 includes:
George Bassous, Affirmative Technologies
Jennifer Blevins, AAP, NCP, Wespay
Andrew Bubbs, AAP, Fiserv
Danielle DiMaio, AAP, APRP, SouthState Bank
Nanci McKenzie, AAP, APRP, JM, Capital One
Stephen Shipley, J.P. Morgan
Consumer Payments Advisory Committee
The Consumer Payments Advisory Committee addresses payment methods and experiences affecting individuals and households. According to Nacha, this committee considers topics such as account-to-account payments, digital payment tools, consumer protections, and evolving user expectations.
Committee members bring experience from banks, fintech companies, payment processors, and industry groups, contributing insights into how consumer payment products and services are designed, delivered, and regulated.
The Consumer Payments Advisory Committee for 2026–2027 includes:
Mark Barfield, AT&T
Michele Barlow, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP, PaymentsFirst
Nell Campbell-Drake, AAP, Federal Reserve Financial Services
Lawrence Fatima, AAP, AFPP, Wells Fargo
Jill Hoffman, Plaid Inc.
Angela Nielsen, AAP, APRP, CPP, Nelnet Business Services
Lawrence Popescu, AAP, J.P. Morgan
Debbie Smart, AFPP, CTP, NCP, Q2
Emerging Payments Advisory Committee
The Emerging Payments Advisory Committee focuses on new and developing payment technologies, models, and use cases. According to Nacha, this committee evaluates innovation across areas such as real-time payments, data-enabled services, and evolving infrastructure capabilities.
Members of this committee represent a mix of financial institutions, technology firms, payment associations, and advisory organizations, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of emerging payment solutions.
The Emerging Payments Advisory Committee for 2026–2027 includes:
Chris Colson, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Brian Dao, AAP, Vice President, EPCOR
Matt Freeman, Navy Federal Credit Union
Sunil Landge, IBM
Adam Maarec, Ballard Spahr LLP
Prerana Mehta, J.P. Morgan
Global Payments Advisory Committee
The Global Payments Advisory Committee addresses cross-border payment considerations, international standards, and global interoperability. According to Nacha, this committee explores challenges and opportunities related to global payment flows, regulatory coordination, and multinational payment operations.
Committee members contribute experience across international banking, payment technology, industry associations, and advisory services.
The Global Payments Advisory Committee for 2026–2027 includes:
Lynda Drzyzga, APRP, SouthState Bank
R. Andrew Gómez, Paylume
Jane Hennessy, Finzly
Steve Kenneally, AAP, American Bankers Association
Orlando Santos, OSConsulting
Miriam Sheril, AFPP, Form3
Risk, Security, and Regulatory Payments Advisory Committee
The Risk, Security, and Regulatory Payments Advisory Committee focuses on governance, compliance, fraud prevention, and operational resilience within payment systems. According to Nacha, this committee addresses issues related to risk management frameworks, regulatory requirements, and security controls across payment channels.
Members bring expertise from regional and national payments associations, law firms, financial institutions, and consulting organizations.
The Risk, Security, and Regulatory Payments Advisory Committee for 2026–2027 includes:
Joseph Casali, AAP, AFPP, APRP, MBA, NEACH
Matt Luzadder, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Brent Phillips, AAP, APRP, CTP, Cadence Bank
Matthew Wade, AAP, APRP, CPA, EPCOR
Jane Wallace, AAP, Wallace Consulting
Ryan Wilhelm, AAP, APRP, Capital One
Role of the Payments Innovation Alliance
According to Nacha, the Payments Innovation Alliance functions as a collaborative network that brings together a broad range of stakeholders involved in the payments ecosystem. The Alliance provides a forum for discussion, research, and coordination on topics affecting payment systems today and in the future.
As a membership organization, the Alliance supports collaboration among financial institutions, payment processors, technology companies, associations, and advisory firms. Activities include educational programming, working groups, and initiatives designed to explore emerging trends and practical solutions.
Nacha stated that the Advisory Committee structure ensures that Alliance initiatives reflect the priorities and perspectives of its members, while also supporting alignment with broader industry standards and regulatory expectations.
About Nacha
Nacha is the organization that governs the ACH Network, the payment system responsible for facilitating Direct Deposits and Direct Payments across the United States. Founded in 1974, Nacha develops and enforces the rules and standards that enable the ACH Network to operate safely, reliably, and efficiently.
In 2025, the ACH Network processed approximately 35.2 billion payments with a total value of $93 trillion, reflecting its role as a foundational component of the U.S. payments infrastructure. Nacha’s governance model is based on collaboration and consensus-building among diverse industry stakeholders, including financial institutions, businesses, and payment service providers.
In addition to rulemaking and standards development, Nacha provides industry solutions, educational programs, accreditation services, and advisory support. Its activities are focused on advancing innovation, interoperability, and trust within the payments ecosystem while supporting the secure movement of funds between bank and credit union accounts nationwide.
Media Contact
Dan Roth
Nacha
Phone: 571-579-0720
Source Attribution
Source: Company announcement