From her journey through marketing roles at large payments companies to building out the marketing function at Paysafe, Alisa Barber, CMO reveals the continuous learning and adaptation required to thrive in the rapidly evolving payments landscape. Her leadership philosophy centers on providing clear direction while creating space for team members to shine, emphasizing that growth comes not from singular defining moments but from getting better every day: “What we did yesterday is not good enough for tomorrow.”
Women bring unique strengths to payments, Barber explains, particularly empathy and a deeper understanding of consumer experiences. This perspective is invaluable when designing products and building systems, especially considering women make many household financial decisions yet are underrepresented in the industry. Their collaborative leadership style becomes increasingly crucial as artificial intelligence transforms payments – a change Barber predicts will be “as big as the internet was.”
The conversation explores mentorship’s vital role in career development, with Barber noting that while most of her mentors were men, she now prioritizes mentoring women to provide the guidance she lacked early on. Her practical advice for aspiring payment professionals? Embrace change, speak up, view challenges as opportunities, and invest in relationships – because in an AI-driven world, human skills will differentiate the truly successful leaders.
Whether you’re a seasoned payments veteran or considering entering this dynamic industry, this episode offers valuable insights on navigating leadership with authenticity, building inclusive teams, and preparing for the technological transformation reshaping our financial landscape.
