Event Details

Be inspired by women making waves in the Canada payments industry and beyond. Join us at the 2025 Symposium! Our theme for this year is "Resiliency Reimagined".


Our keynotes, panels, and break-out sessions will help strengthen your skills while keeping you on top of industry trends. Hear from women leaders on a variety of subjects including current payments issues and initiatives, fintech, and leadership. You'll also have the opportunity to network with women at all levels and with diverse backgrounds in payment and fintech. This is a must-attend event for any woman who's serious about accelerating her career in the payments industry.


The Women in Payments symposium is a unique event that provides perspectives from key women leaders in payments, supports diversity and gender parity, and includes topics impacting all aspects of the payments ecosystem. The format includes keynote addresses, executive panel discussions, career development breakout sessions and networking breaks. This forum is an unparalleled opportunity that is empowering, current and immediately relevant to any woman pursuing a career in payments.

Sep 24 & 25, 2025 (EDT)

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Arcadian Court
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Agenda

  • Arcadian Foyer
    12:45 - 13:20REGISTRATION
    Arcadian Court
    13:20 - 13:30WELCOME REMARKS
    13:30 - 13:40OPENING REMARKS
    13:40 - 14:10OPENING KEYNOTE
    02:10 - 14:40EXECUTIVE PANEL - THE FEMALE FOUNDERSโ€™ PLAYBOOK
    From spark to scale, female fintech founders are reshaping the innovation landscape with vision, grit, and purpose. This executive panel explores the journey from initial concept to minimum viable product, navigating the venture capital maze, and leading with resilience through uncertainty. Hear first-hand perspectives from trailblazing women who are breaking barriers, driving digital transformation, and forging a more equitable future in fintech. Join us for a candid and high-impact conversation.
    15:40 - 16:10THE FUTURE OF PAYMENTS: WHAT'S AHEAD IN 2030
    With rapid innovation transforming banking and payments, today’s landscape is dramatically different from just a few years ago. This panel explores key developments— such as open banking, pay by bank, and emerging technologies— and looks ahead to what 2030 may hold. From shifting consumer expectations to breakthroughs like agentic AI, panellists will examine the trends reshaping the future of financial services. Join industry leaders as they discuss what’s next, what to watch for, and how banks and payment providers can adapt to stay competitive in a fast-evolving ecosystem.
    18:00 - 18:05WELCOME REMARKS
    18:05 - 19:15AWARDS DINNER
    19:15 - 19:20KEYNOTE INTRODUCTION
    19:20 - 19:50AWARDS KEYNOTE
    19:50 - 21:00AWARDS PRESENTATION
    LOFT 1 & 2
    14:50 - 15:30THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS
    Credit Unions in Canada are recognized for their service-focused, community-centric approach, ensuring members feel valued. Without the vast resources of big banks, collaboration becomes their key to delivering innovative digital experiences. By partnering with fintechs, they drive competition and foster innovation across the country. These strategic alliances offer technology partners access to banking and payment systems, as well as a ready and receptive market to penetrate. This session explores how these partnerships are shaping the future of financial services and empowering Credit Unions to thrive in a competitive landscape.
    16:20 - 17:00NAVIGATING ACQUISITIONS: BUILDING RESILIENT LEADERSHIP
    In this session, senior leaders will share insights from high-stakes acquisition projects where resilience proved essential. These complex initiatives demanded agility, decisive leadership, and the ability to guide cross-functional teams through uncertainty. Speakers will reflect on how they embraced growth, adapted under pressure, and drove meaningful change without a roadmap. Attendees will gain practical strategies to build resilience, lead effectively in uncertain environments, and thrive in stretch roles that influence organizational direction and long-term success. Prepare to be inspired by real stories of challenge, adaptation, and transformation.
    LOFT 5
    14:50 - 15:30RESILIENT BY DESIGN
    In high-pressure sectors such as payments, technology, and insurance, women leaders are reshaping the definition of success. This candid fireside chat explores how prioritizing mental well-being and self-advocacy can enhance leadership effectiveness, foster resilient teams, and support long-term career sustainability. Through personal insights and practical strategies, the conversation will highlight how investing in yourself is not only essential for individual growth, but also for building healthier workplace cultures. Join us for an honest dialogue about the challenges and opportunities of leading with balance, clarity, and purpose in today’s demanding environments.
    16:20 - 17:00MODERNIZING LEGACY SYSTEMS: THE PATH TO DIGITAL EXCELLENCE
    This fireside chat offers practical insights into how financial institutions are approaching the modernization of legacy systems within complex environments. The conversation will explore the realities of technology adoption, address operational challenges, and examine how modernization efforts can enhance the client experience. Drawing from real-world initiatives, speakers will share lessons learned, strategies for success, and key considerations for leaders driving change. Attendees will gain valuable perspective on how to balance innovation with continuity in the pursuit of digital excellence.
    LOFT 3 & 4
    14:50 - 15:30VISA - NETWORKING SESSION
    Join us for an interactive and fun networking session featuring Networking Bingo! In this 40 minute activity, you'll meet fellow professionals, exchange insights, and expand your network in a relaxed, engaging environment. Simply match the traits on your bingo card with other attendees and enjoy meaningful conversations over light hors d'oeuvres. Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and build lasting relationships in the payments industry!
    16:20 - 17:00BEHIND THE DISPUTE: RETHINKING FRAUD DATA
    What if fighting fraud could be faster, fairer—and a little more collaborative? This interactive workshop explores how sharing fraud data across the payments ecosystem can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. We’ll unpack how penalties impact both merchants and consumers, examine digital solutions to streamline disputes, and dive into the complexities of data sharing—who’s allowed, who’s willing, and what it means for trust. From banks to fintechs to social platforms, discover how smarter collaboration and clearer data can transform a frustrating process into a more transparent and efficient experience.
    Gallery
    17:00 - 18:00AWARDS RECEPTION
  • Arcadian Foyer
    08:00 - 08:45REGISTRATION & NETWORKING BREAKFAST
    10:10 - 10:40NETWORKING BREAK
    12:15 - 13:30NETWORKING LUNCH
    15:40 - 16:10NETWORKING BREAK
    Arcadian Court
    08:45 - 08:55WELCOME REMARKS
    08:55 - 09:10OPENING REMARKS
    09:10 - 09:40OPENING KEYNOTE
    09:40 - 10:10INNOVATION & PAYMENTS POWERING LEADERSHIP
    This session features senior leaders who have built dynamic, non-linear careers in the fast-evolving payments sector—embracing risk, shifting roles, and moving across industries. Their journeys demonstrate how payments can unlock growth, fuel reinvention, and strengthen leadership. From functional pivots to entrepreneurial ventures, these executives have turned change into momentum and uncertainty into opportunity. Gain candid insights into how bold career moves within this sector can lead to long-term success and meaningful impact. Discover how the evolving payments landscape continues to shape high-potential, future-focused leadership paths.
    13:20 - 13:30LUNCH REMARKS
    13:30 - 14:00REAL-TIME RAIL: CANADAโ€™S NEXT LEAP
    Real-Time Rail (RTR) promises to transform Canada’s payments landscape, delivering speed, transparency, and efficiency. This session explores the current state of RTR implementation, the challenges faced, and the strategic roadmap toward achieving the “holy grail” of real-time, data-rich, and interoperable payments. Industry leaders will examine the implications for financial institutions, businesses, and consumers, and discuss what’s needed to unlock RTR’s full potential. Gain practical insights into infrastructure readiness, policy alignment, and the collaborative innovation shaping the future of payments in Canada.
    16:10 - 16:40THE GREAT DEBATE: IS A BIG SWITCH FROM CARDS ON THE CARDS?
    Get ready for a spirited debate as leading women in Canadian payments go head-to-head on the future of Account-to-Account (A2A) payments versus traditional card schemes. With the Real-Time Rail (RTR) set to launch in 2026, panellists will debate whether Canada is ready to shift away from cards and embrace A2A at scale. Drawing on global insights where A2A is more advanced, this lively discussion will weigh the pros and cons of each model, examining value, efficiency, and consumer impact. Don’t miss this chance to hear both sides and consider what’s next for payments in Canada.
    16:40 - 17:10CLOSING KEYNOTE
    17:10 - 17:20CLOSING REMARKS
    17:20 - 18:45CLOSING COCKTAIL
    LOFT 1 & 2
    10:40 - 11:20ATTRACTING AND KEEPING JUNIOR TALENT
    This panel explores junior talent from both managerial and early-career perspectives. Panellists will discuss the challenges of attracting and retaining the next generation, effective recruitment strategies, and approaches to sustained engagement. From the junior viewpoint, topics include what they value in employers, expectations around career progression, and strategies for overcoming self-doubt and building confidence. The session will also highlight the growing importance of professional networks and personal branding. Join us for a candid conversation filled with insights and practical strategies to bridge expectations and foster growth across career stages.
    11:30 - 12:10BANKING WITHOUT BORDERS
    As cross-border payments become faster, more digital, and increasingly complex, financial institutions are rethinking how they deliver value on a global scale. This session explores how banks can enhance the customer experience, empower Canadians in a growing digital economy, and unlock both domestic and international opportunities. We’ll examine the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in cross-border payments and FX —from real-time capabilities to fintech partnerships and mobile-first markets. With infrastructure like Canada’s Real-Time Rail (RTR) on the horizon, we’ll also consider how domestic advances can support broader global payment integration.
    14:10 - 14:50DESIGNING SMARTER, SAFER PAYMENTS
    As AI, open banking, and embedded finance reshape digital payments, financial institutions must balance innovation with regulation. This session will explore how industry leaders are advancing compliance, privacy, and fraud prevention —while keeping customers at the heart of product design. Learn how human-centred principles are guiding strategic decisions in an era of rapid technological change. Attendees will gain practical insights into scaling responsibly, building trust, and navigating emerging risks within Canada’s digital payments ecosystem. Join us to examine the future of banking with progress and protection in focus.
    15:00 - 15:40LAUNCH MODE: CRACKING THE CODE
    From napkin sketch to market launch, this session explores how leading companies transform bold ideas into successful payment products. Innovation in payments demands more than creativity—it requires deliberate strategy, calculated experimentation, and disciplined execution. Panellists will reveal how they approach ideation, decide whether to build, buy or partner, and overcome the complexities of customer expectations, regulatory compliance, and geographic nuances. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making processes driving innovation in one of the most dynamic sectors of fintech.
    LOFT 5
    10:20 - 10:35INNOVATION: IMPACT AND ACHIEVING ADOPTION
    In this session, we’ll explore the critical pathways for transforming groundbreaking ideas into viable products and services. Topics include best practices for navigating market challenges, building strategic partnerships, and leveraging technology to drive adoption beyond the initial launch —scaling solutions for broader impact.
    10:40 - 11:20BEYOND PARTNERSHIP: CO-CREATION IN FINTECH & BANKING
    Collaboration between banks and fintechs is evolving from transactional partnerships to deeper, co-creative models that drive meaningful innovation. This fireside chat explores how both sides are navigating their differences to develop next-generation financial solutions in a rapidly shifting payments landscape. As fintechs disrupt traditional models and banks strive to stay competitive, mutual partnerships are becoming essential—fintechs gain access to markets and liquidity, while banks tap into agile technology and innovation. Discover what it takes to co-create successfully, and what lies ahead for bank-fintech collaboration in the financial services sector.
    11:30 - 12:10NAVIGATING THE FUTURE
    This fireside chat brings together leading voices from across the payment ecosystem—including banking, Big Tech, and payment network experts— to discuss the latest innovations in digital payments and evolving strategies to safeguard both customers and companies. The discussion will delve into emerging technologies in eCommerce, digital wallets, and fraud prevention, highlighting how the industry is adapting to meet rising consumer expectations while remaining resilient against increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics. Join this insightful conversation to understand how the payments ecosystem is evolving to ensure security, trust, and seamless experiences in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
    14:10 - 14:50WHEN BAY STREET MEETS MAIN STREET MEDIA
    What happens when a top dealmaker meets a leading journalist? In this engaging fireside chat, two accomplished professionals come together for a candid conversation on bold decisions, career pivots, and the real impact of diverse leadership. With perspectives from both finance and media, this session explores how unconventional paths can lead to powerful outcomes—and why inclusion is not just the right thing to do, but also a strategic advantage. Expect sharp insights, real stories, and a compelling dialogue you won’t want to miss.
    15:00 - 15:40PLAYING THE LONG GAME
    In a fast-moving landscape shaped by commercial shifts and regulatory change, staying ahead is essential for all players in finance. In this timely session, legal experts unpack how the payments industry is adapting—and what it takes to remain competitive. Through a focused discussion, they will explore three critical areas: navigating ongoing regulatory developments, responding to new industry entrants, and building forward-looking strategies. Whether you're an established institution or a rising innovator, gain practical insights on how to position your organization for long-term success in Canada’s evolving payments ecosystem.
    LOFT 3 & 4
    10:40 - 11:20TOKENIZATION โ€“ CORE PIECE OF YOUR PAYMENTS STRATEGY
    As digital and contactless payments rise, so do security risks. This workshop unpacks the 2013 tokenization standard—designed to protect sensitive payment data by replacing card numbers with secure “stand-ins.” Participants will explore how tokenization enhances privacy, improves user experience, and strengthens trust across the payments ecosystem. The session highlights how this approach reduces fraud, boosts approval rates, and minimises declines —delivering benefits for consumers, merchants, and financial institutions alike. Tokenization stands at the core of a more secure, seamless future for digital transactions.
    11:30 - 12:10THE LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT
    Step into the spotlight and put your career centre stage. This bold, high-energy session blends insights from the performing arts, business education, and entrepreneurship to help you build executive presence, lead with confidence, and navigate uncertainty. Be prepared to be courageous —from vocal warmups to character exercises and performance psychology —as you explore new dimensions of creativity, courage, and self-awareness. Designed to challenge and energize, this interactive workshop offers practical tools and mindsets to help you thrive in today’s complex leadership landscape. Come ready to participate, take risks, and unlock your leadership potential.
    14:10 - 14:50NAVIGATING TOMORROW'S TRANSACTIONS
    Join our interactive workshop to explore the latest in digital wallets, contactless payments, open banking, AI, and fraud prevention. As mobile technology and fintech continue to evolve, payment methods are becoming faster, safer, and smarter. Engage with industry peers on key topics including agentic commerce, identity, risk, and trust in the digital age. Discover how AI is reshaping payments, from predictive transaction flows to proactive fraud detection and emerging "mind-reading" interfaces. As payments become more seamless and intuitive, we'll also examine the ethical considerations that come with increasing personalization in the payment experience.
    15:00 - 15:40JPMC SPONSORED SESSION
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