KENT, OH – Women’s Network in Electronic Transactions (Wnet), the premier non-profit organization serving professional women in the payments and fintech industries, today released its 2021 Annual Report. The four-page infographic highlights the professional organization’s commitment to creating a stronger and more diverse industry by empowering and investing in women.
2021 marked Wnet’s 15-year anniversary and the celebratory year ended with a record number of members, sponsors and programming. More than 4,200 members from more than 175 industry companies now support Wnet’s mission of empowering and investing in women – an incredible growth from the less than 100 women who began the organization under the leadership of its founders: Diane Faro, Linda Perry and Holli Targan. Their goal back in 2005 was to provide opportunities for women in the payments acquiring industry to connect, share resources and support each other to grow and achieve career success.
With more than 400 volunteers and 500 mentors, the Wnet Community includes rising stars, senior executives and male advocates, many of whom met with other members in early November 2021 in the nation’s payment hub, Atlanta, for their annual Leadership Summit, presented by FIS. The theme of the Summit, “Make the Investment,” empowered the 300+ attendees to achieve greater personal success, influence and professional parity while investing in their selves, their financial future, lifelong learning and others. Sponsor companies increased three-fold versus the 2019 Summit, showcasing the industry’s expanding support of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Wnet Corporate Partner support also increased for all 2021 events in part due to new virtual series like PayTechWomenLive and PayTechWomenLead. Membership also grew with 18 new companies and a 25% year-over-year growth in revenue/income. “These efforts and new industry partnerships support our vision of a world where a woman’s potential is as unlimited as her ambition,” commented Wnet CEO Wendy Holliday, M.Ed., CAE.
In addition to an increase in programming, Wnet introduced Inclusion Groups, under the direction of the new DEI Council, to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Wnet 2021 Board President Mary Uslander, Senior Vice President and Head of SMB Solutions at Fiserv, reflected, “I am so proud of our many efforts toward creating a more inclusive and equitable industry, and I am excited to see the 2022 leadership team evolving our commitment toward driving change.”
About Wnet
The Women’s Network in Electronic Transactions (Wnet) is the premier professional organization for women in payments and fintech, providing personal enrichment no matter what stage members are in their careers. The organization provides world-class national and regional programming, fosters networking and promotes mentoring to help members achieve greater personal success, influence and professional parity. Incorporated in late 2005 and launched in 2006 to empower and invest in women, Wnet is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization serving thousands across the global paytech industry annually. For more information about national and regional events and programming, or to become a member, visit wnetonline.org. Follow Wnet on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
