Karen Boyer, CFE, CCCI, CFCI, is the Senior Vice President and Director of Fraud Intelligence, Prevention & Detection at M&T Bank. With over 25 years of banking experience—15 of those dedicated to combating fraud—she leads teams of analysts and investigators in developing strategies to detect and prevent financial crimes across various channels, including real-time payment methods. Karen is recognized as an expert in areas such as cybercrimes, phishing techniques, account takeover, and credential harvesting related to the recruitment of money mules and cyber threat actors.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Keep. It. Up.! Educate yourself as much as you can so you can confidently speak with facts but never be afraid to ask questions! There will be challenges along the way, especially when you are attempting to drive change from historical viewpoints of a mostly male-dominated industry. Do not be offended by the terms used to describe your drive: aka feisty, passionate, sassy—when the real words should be confident, intelligent, assertive.

Also, as this industry is a tight knit community, I can’t stress enough the importance of building a network. Not only will people be willing to share best practices, but also having a wide net of intelligence sharing allows us to stay ahead as new schemes and scams rise in the industry. And honestly, it’s also great to have people who understand the challenges when you just need to vent.

 

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

A couple things drive my passion, initially the fact that the trends are always evolving, and that staying stagnant is not an option. This is an industry of change. We must constantly adapt to fluctuations in the fraud landscape. Every day brings a new challenge, a chance to learn, and an opportunity to grow our skills in the fight against fraud. 

Secondly, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but simply the notion that we are making the world a better place. Every prevented fraudulent transaction, login, account opening, deposit, enrollment, maintenance, etc., literally changes the world for the better. These are not simply transactions. There is a human on the other side of every event or attempt. 

The ability to prevent people from becoming fraud victims is critical. We’ve all seen the heartbreaking stories—and we know the lasting impact fraud can have on a person’s life. This is an industry, unlike many, where we have the ability to directly intervene and prevent the most heinous of victimizations.

Kerry Cantley is Vice President of Digital Banking Strategy at Mitek, where she leads efforts to strengthen fraud prevention and enhance digital banking security. With over 30 years in financial services, including leadership roles at Bank of America, she offers deep expertise in banking operations. At Mitek, she focuses on advancing solutions like Check Fraud Defender to help financial institutions detect and prevent fraud across all deposit channels.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Find the area of fraud or cybersecurity that truly sparks your interest and dig in. Seek out industry groups, pursue certifications aligned with your passion, and connect with mentors who are in the roles you aspire to reach. No matter where you are now, don’t hesitate to ask questions or challenge the status quo—it’s how growth happens. There are countless opportunities across industries to learn, lead, and make an impact in this space.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

What fuels my passion is the people. Every day, we have the chance to protect someone from a fraud event that could be life-altering. Behind every transaction is a real person. Not a day goes by without hearing stories of just how deeply fraud can affect someone's life. Fraud fighters are everyday superheroes, working tirelessly to shield others from harm. They’re the reason I care so deeply about this work.

Terra Carnrike-Granata is the Senior Vice President and Director of Information Security at NBT Bank, where she oversees the Information Security and Fraud Risk Department and provides strategic leadership for security policies and practices. She joined NBT Bank in 2008 as Assistant Vice President and Information Security Officer, advancing through roles such as Information Security and Fraud Risk Manager and Director of Information Security.

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

While artificial intelligence continues to evolve and present new challenges with more sophisticated deepfake and social engineering scams, we can also use new technology to help monitor the digital footprint of a customer and protect against fraud. We will continue to see a rise in Instant Payment scams and a resurgence in account takeover fraud. Behavioral analytics has been a great tool that identifies digital banking patterns to help in the mitigation of fraudulent activity. 

Beyond the new and exciting tools, it is worth repeating the importance of basic cybersecurity hygiene, such as regularly updating your accounts with new and unique passwords. As long as consumers continue to recycle the same passwords, account compromises will persist and malicious actors will find any way possible to infiltrate accounts to try and exfiltrate funds.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

To the young women coming up in their careers, I recommend building a network of peers to stay up-to-date on the latest trends. Join professional networks online and local industry groups and consider internships as you begin your career. But most important of all: be your own advocate!

Don’t be afraid to take on new things or learn new skills. Sometimes learning new things will bring the best rewards or new adventures in your career. Starting as a team of one 17 years ago, it's incredibly rewarding to now lead a team—66% of whom are women—dedicated to fraud and cyber prevention.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

Growing up, I was passionate about preventing crime but knew law enforcement wasn’t the right path for me. My parents could not understand why I was studying criminal justice without intending to join the force. Now, 22 years later—and after working across multiple areas of crime, fraud, and cyber—I’ve built a deeply fulfilling career rooted in the constant pursuit of stopping criminals and protecting others. Every day, I get to contribute to that mission while partnering with law enforcement to prevent future crimes.

Helping someone avoid or recover lost funds—that’s truly gratifying. Guiding and inspiring my team as we continue the fight against financial crime—that’s deeply rewarding. And leading the company through a crisis or incident response, working to restore operations—that’s where the work becomes truly exciting.

Nicole Casperson is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur, best known as the Founder and CEO of Fintech Is Femme, a pioneering media company dedicated to promoting inclusivity and innovation in the fintech industry. Through Fintech Is Femme, she has created a thriving community and platform that supports women in fintech by providing educational resources, networking opportunities, and media visibility. Nicole is also the author of the book Fintech Feminists, which highlights the contributions of women in fintech. 

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Own your seat at the table—and then build a bigger one. This space isn’t just about tech; it’s about trust, and women bring unmatched intuition, strategic thinking, and resilience to the fight against financial crime. Learn the systems, ask the hard questions, and don’t wait for permission to lead. The future of security needs your voice and perspective. 

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

Fraud isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a systemic one. And fighting it is about protecting people, especially those the system has historically overlooked. I’m driven by the mission to build safer, smarter, more inclusive financial ecosystems where trust is the default, not the exception.

Aarti Daryanani is a seasoned product leader with a strong background in digital safety and fraud prevention. She is currently the Platform Product Manager at Airbnb and has held key roles at other major technology companies, including Uber. She contributed to initiatives aimed at reducing rider anonymity and improving verification processes to combat fraud. Her work has been instrumental in developing real-time document checks and other safety features that protect users from fraudulent activities.

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

Identifying someone digitally (i.e., that someone is who they say they are) is becoming extremely difficult with the advent of AI. Many apps need some sort of identification like ID card scans or selfies for verification. One trend I have seen recently is the use of AI to merge two faces into one face. This fake, merged face is submitted as a base photo against which future selfies are matched. It has a high match score with each of the real, individual faces, which opens the door to account sharing. 

Some platforms use liveness detection to combat AI-generated selfies, but even these measures aren’t foolproof. Fraudsters have begun using 3D-printed or silicone masks to trick systems that rely on live blinks or movement. While a human might spot a mask in a video, the technology often can’t. For businesses aiming to scale quickly, relying on manual or in-person reviews for every user simply isn’t realistic.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

​To me, it’s about safety. In my line of work, I have seen many instances of financial fraud leading to physical threat and damage. Fraudulent users will use a fake identity to infiltrate a gig platform and put people’s homes or cars at risk. If they know they cannot be identified, they are emboldened to commit physical crimes. For example, a bad actor tests the waters by first phishing and taking over someone else’s account (often draining the user’s money stored in the app) and once they’ve succeeded, they escalate to carjacking. 

Moreover, financial independence is paramount to me as a woman, which also drives my passion for fraud prevention. Knowing I can trust the systems that are designed to protect my finances is critical to the investments and savings decisions I make for my family.

Liz DiGiorgio is the Director of Global SMB Product Strategy, Management & Commercialization at Fiserv. She leads the development of next-generation platforms designed to help financial institutions deliver personalized, data-driven financial products to small business clients. With over eight years of experience in digital product development, fraud risk assessment, and credit risk management, Elizabeth brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

One of the most transformative developments in fraud prevention is the rise of AI-powered behavioral biometrics. By analyzing how users interact with devices, this passive authentication layer helps detect fraudsters even when they have stolen credentials. As AI continues to evolve, this technology will become a critical tool in stopping sophisticated fraud attempts before they occur.

Physiological biometrics like fingerprint scans, facial recognition, and iris detection are also becoming mainstream, particularly as part of multifactor authentication. Industries such as finance, healthcare, and travel are expanding their use of these tools, with programs like CLEAR in airports showcasing how biometric verification can enhance both security and convenience. Together, these technologies are strengthening fraud prevention frameworks across sectors.

Another promising trend is decentralized identity, which gives individuals control over their digital identities without relying on centralized systems. Platforms using decentralized ledger technology and NFTs reduce the risk of identity theft and support greater financial inclusion, especially in underbanked regions. While challenges remain around governance, scalability, and regulation, thoughtfully integrating decentralized identity with existing methods could create a more secure, inclusive digital ecosystem.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Fraud prevention and cybersecurity are fast-evolving fields that thrive on diverse perspectives. My advice to women entering this space is to embrace continuous learning—curiosity and adaptability are essential. Staying informed on the latest technologies, industry trends, and regulations not only helps combat evolving threats but also positions you as a strategic leader in the field.

To stay ahead of the curve in fraud and identity, consider these key steps:

• Engage in continuous learning – Stay updated on emerging fraud tactics, identity verification technologies, and regulatory changes through industry publications, certifications (e.g., CFE, CISSP), and webinars.
• Join and contribute to industry networks – Engage with professional organizations like ACFE and Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), participate in discussions, and seek mentorship opportunities.
• Publish and share your insights – Writing articles, sharing thought leadership on LinkedIn, or speaking at industry events helps establish credibility and visibility.
• Build cross-industry expertise – Fraudsters operate beyond borders and regulations. Staying informed on emerging technologies like AI, biometrics, and blockchain helps you anticipate new fraud tactics and apply advanced tools to strengthen prevention efforts.
• Build your network – Actively share your insights. Your expertise is invaluable in shaping the future of fraud prevention.

Reshma Ghole is a seasoned technology professional specializing in security and privacy. She is currently the Technical Program Manager at Ring, where she focuses on enhancing security and privacy measures. Her expertise lies in leading cross-functional teams and implementing robust security protocols to protect user data. Reshma's commitment to cybersecurity and her ability to navigate complex technical landscapes make her a valuable asset in the fight against digital fraud.​

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Start small, but start boldly. Take on cybersecurity projects that spark your curiosity and use them to build both knowledge and confidence. Go deep—become the person who can speak with clarity and lead with insight. Stay plugged into the latest tech and fraud trends by reading trusted sources like the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, and attending security and fraud conferences. Keep sharpening your skills through courses, and never fear failure. It’s part of the process. Ask questions, seek feedback, and remember: sometimes a “no” isn’t the end—it’s just a “yes” that hasn’t happened yet. Keep going.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

Imagine losing a high-value Nordstrom gift card to a digital scam. I have. I’ve been a victim of online theft, and despite doing everything digitally safely, I still lost money. It’s a deeply frustrating experience, and even more heartbreaking when I hear similar stories from people in my own community—whether it’s credit card fraud or identity scams through phone calls. 

What drives me is the sheer creativity of fraudsters; they’re always finding new loopholes, making this a relentless cat-and-mouse game. That’s what fuels my passion: to stay one step ahead. I’m committed to protecting not just customers, but the people around me—by building smarter, more secure systems, raising awareness, and empowering others with the tools they need to stay safe online.

Ruchira Ghosh is the Head of Enterprise Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) at TD Bank, where she leads initiatives to enhance customer authentication and fraud prevention strategies. With a focus on innovation and analytics, Ruchira plays a pivotal role in strengthening the bank's digital security infrastructure. Her work ensures that customers experience seamless and secure access to banking services, reflecting her commitment to protecting individuals and businesses from evolving financial threats.​

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Women are increasingly stepping into key cybersecurity roles, from fraud analysts to investigators, but we need to inspire more to explore these paths. Early awareness in schools is vital, as is hiring diverse junior talent, nurturing them into leadership, and having visible role models.

Closing the gender gap in cybersecurity won’t happen overnight, but progress starts with conscious effort. Two harmful stereotypes drive the imbalance: that men are more suited to technical skills and that cybersecurity is only a technical field. Together, these myths discourage women from pursuing the training and opportunities that lead to cybersecurity careers.

Breaking into cybersecurity takes a mix of STEM skills, soft skills, and confidence. Earning a degree or completing certifications through school or work helps build both your expertise and the self-assurance to overcome stereotypes. As we develop complex technologies like AI and machine learning, diversity is more important than ever—we must identify, hire, and retain women to ensure these systems are built with a broad range of perspectives.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

My passion for fraud prevention and fighting financial crime stems from a deep desire to create a safer environment and protect the integrity of our financial systems. I’ve always been driven to challenge the status quo, stay curious, and continuously learn. These are traits that naturally led me to this field. 

Preventing financial crime has a real and meaningful impact on people’s lives, and helping safeguard their hard-earned money is something I find deeply fulfilling. Working alongside experts, organizations, and law enforcement to develop effective fraud strategies is both rewarding and humbling, knowing that together, we’re protecting individuals and businesses from harm.

 

Teresa Andrés Gonzalez serves as the Corporate Security Manager for Investigation Intelligence and Legal Disclosure at Vodafone Spain. In this role, she leads the company's efforts in managing complex security investigations, ensuring legal compliance, and overseeing intelligence operations. Teresa plays a pivotal role in safeguarding Vodafone's assets and upholding its commitment to security and integrity.​

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

The strategic alliances and collaboration between enterprises, along with the advancement of technology, will enable digital security strategies to continue to strengthen in 2025.

An emerging technology that is gaining significant attention is behavioral biometrics. By analyzing behavioral patterns, such as an individual’s typing rhythm or device usage, it becomes possible to identify potentially fraudulent activity. This technology works in conjunction with document authentication technologies, which remain crucial for detecting fake or synthetic identities and fraudulent applications. 

Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning is revolutionizing real-time fraud detection, allowing threats to be anticipated and neutralized before they cause financial and/or reputational damage. The fight against fraud will remain a constantly evolving challenge.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Corporate security, in general, needs diverse thinking, and women have an incredible opportunity to lead in this space. Cybersecurity and fraud prevention need their strategic vision and ability to innovate. I would tell them to invest in continuous education and training, seek mentorship and networking support, and do not be afraid of taking on leadership roles. It is also critical to work on their personal brand so they can be recognized for their skills and professionalism.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

My passion for fraud prevention stems from the importance of protecting society and businesses from financial losses and reputational damage. Staying at the forefront of the fight against fraud is essential to ensuring security and trust in the digital world. Furthermore, the constant evolution of geopolitical, ideological, and economic threats drives me to continuously learn and adapt, making this field dynamic, challenging, and rewarding.

 

Ruchi Gupta is an accomplished Strategic Product Management Executive and Digital transformation leader with over 15+ years of experience in Financial Services (Banking, FinTech), Global e-commerce, and Management consulting. Given her entrepreneurial acumen, she has advised startups and founders building products at the global level to solve some of the challenging problems. 

At Webster Bank, she currently spearheads Commercial Banking E-treasury and Business banking technology platforms, Open Banking/ Open Finance, and other strategic initiatives. Before that, at M&T Bank, she spearheaded enterprise digitization, several digital products & innovative solutions such as digital identity tokens and the bank's conversational voice banking platform on Amazon Alexa with a commitment to protecting individuals and businesses from fraud /evolving financial threats.

As a thought leader/ speaker at industry conferences like American Banker and others, and a member of influential communities, she contributes insights with a commitment to mentorship and community impact. Ruchi is dedicated to shaping the future of the banking industry and aims to leave an enduring legacy of positive impact while continuing to inspire the next generation of women leaders.

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

The fraud landscape is evolving fast. Beyond deepfakes, I’m focused on the convergence of behavioral biometrics and decentralized identity. Fraudsters are mastering subtle behavioral manipulation and synthetic identities, making static authentication methods outdated. The solution lies in decentralized identity powered by blockchain—using verifiable credentials and decentralized identifiers (DIDs) stored in digital wallets to give users control over their data.

Paired with continuous behavioral authentication, this approach monitors user behavior across their digital journey, detecting subtle anomalies that signal fraud. It empowers individuals, resists manipulation, and makes synthetic identity fraud far more difficult by requiring consistent behavior and verified credentials. It also creates an auditable record of identity and behavioral history to enhance fraud detection.

By moving away from centralized databases and static checks, we can build a more secure, privacy-first digital ecosystem—one where individuals are empowered and institutions are better prepared to counter sophisticated fraud.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

For women aiming to build careers in fraud prevention and cybersecurity:

1. Cultivate Relentless Learning: This field is dynamic. Stay curious, delve deep, and never stop learning. Follow trends, attend conferences, and seek mentors. Continuous education is your edge.
2. Build a Strong Network: Find your community. Connect with other women, seek mentorship, and offer it in return. Share knowledge, collaborate, and leverage organizations like WiCyS. Your network is your support system.
3. Embrace Technical Skills: While strategy is vital, technical proficiency is crucial. Invest in data analytics, programming, or identity verification. Don't fear the technical aspects; break them down and learn.
4. Champion Your Unique Perspective: Women bring valuable viewpoints. In a complex field like fraud, diverse thinking is essential. Challenge norms, offer new ideas, and advocate for your solutions.
5. Foster Resilience: Fraud fighting is challenging. Learn from setbacks, maintain a positive attitude, and bounce back. Resilience is key to long-term success.
6. Support Other Women: As you rise, help others. Be a role model, offer guidance, and create opportunities. Let's build an inclusive field where women lead.

The digital world needs your talent. Embrace the challenge, and you'll thrive.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

My passion for fraud prevention is driven by three core forces: the intellectual challenge, the human impact, and the power of innovation. Fraud is constantly evolving, and I thrive on decoding complex schemes and developing forward-thinking solutions. Each new threat is a puzzle that motivates me to solve.

But it’s not just about the challenge. Fraud causes real harm to individuals and businesses. I’m driven to protect people, restore trust, and prevent damage before it happens. Every blocked scam is a meaningful win.

Technology is our greatest ally. AI, biometrics, and machine learning are transforming fraud prevention, and I’m passionate about using them to stay ahead. Being recognized by Mitek reinforces my commitment to championing diversity in this space—because combating fraud requires all voices. I’m dedicated to building a future where trust, innovation, and inclusion go hand in hand.

Lavonne Heaviland serves as President of Centralized Operations at FirstBank, where she leads initiatives in fraud prevention, credit and debit card operations, and digital banking. With a strong focus on safeguarding customers and enhancing operational efficiency, she plays a pivotal role in the bank's strategic efforts to combat financial fraud. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Lavonne is dedicated to community service, acting as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Youth Employment Academy, an organization committed to empowering young individuals through education and workforce development. 

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

The use of AI and generative AI in fraud detection and prevention is one of the most exciting advancements in the field. While monitoring money movement is a major focus, the real potential lies in using AI to track non-monetary changes in customer behavior and relationships—spotting anomalies that could signal digital fraud. With these tools, we can intervene more effectively, identifying patterns that might slip past human detection, such as social engineering, money mule activity, or account takeovers. This not only helps prevent fraud losses but also strengthens our ability to protect and build trust with our customers.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

I would advise anyone looking to build a career in fraud prevention and/or cybersecurity to take charge and have agency over their career development. By that, I mean embrace all opportunities to expand your knowledge, maintain a constant hunger for lifelong learning—because there will always be a new situation you haven’t encountered—and have the courage to share your perspectives and ensure you reserve yourself a seat at the table. It’s also critical to network by engaging with experts both within your company and across the industry so you can learn from their expertise and hear their views on what defines success.

For women already in this space, I passionately believe we all have a responsibility to support the career development and advancement of other women. Building up one another makes the industry collectively stronger.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

I’m passionate about fraud prevention because I know the work my team and I do makes a difference for our customers and communities. Not every situation has a happy ending, but it’s incredibly meaningful to know how much of what we do improves lives, solves challenges, and effects positive change. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the lasting impact our work has in stopping fraud, through increased customer education, innovative fraud controls and collaboration with other institutions and law enforcement.

Musuleng Klimpacher, CSPO, is the Group Product Manager at Asurion, where she leads a high-performing product team focused on delivering innovative fraud mitigation solutions that align with the company’s broader product strategy. With a background in both product ownership and human resources, she brings a unique blend of strategic vision and people-centric leadership to her role. Musuleng is passionate about fostering innovation and cross-functional collaboration, using her expertise to drive meaningful impact and long-term business success.

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

The emergence of generative AI significantly exacerbates the risks associated with “fraud as a service," thereby exponentially increasing the scope of the threats we encounter. This advancement eliminates the barrier that previously required fraudsters to possess technical expertise to execute sophisticated fraudulent schemes. In response, Asurion is concentrating on developing mechanisms for detecting the use of artificial intelligence, including deepfakes and instances of conversational AI. A crucial component of this strategy involves the utilization of digital identity validation, biometric verification, and liveness detection within our validation processes. 

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Women are making powerful strides in fraud prevention and cybersecurity—but there’s still more ground to cover. Here are a few ways to grow your impact, build confidence, and support others along the way.

• Own your expertise and keep growing - Don’t wait to feel “fully qualified” before speaking up—your voice and perspective are valuable now. Document your wins, pursue challenges, and remember: growth happens outside your comfort zone.
• Commit to learning and connection - Stay ahead of evolving threats by continuously learning—through certifications, courses, or podcasts. Join networks like WiCyS or ACFE, and seek or offer mentorship to build a supportive, inclusive community.
• Lead with purpose and confidence - Take on stretch projects, speak up in industry spaces, and advocate for others. Leadership is about action, not just titles—and when women lead with confidence, we inspire others to do the same.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

For me, fraud prevention is about more than just stopping bad actors—it’s about protecting people and building trust. Every claim we manage, every threat we detect, is part of a larger mission to safeguard financial systems and ensure our platforms remain secure and reliable.

As a woman of color in a traditionally male-dominated field, this work is also personal. Representation matters. Women bring essential perspectives as problem-solvers, strategists, and protectors. When we’re part of the conversation—especially in leadership—we design better, more inclusive solutions.

Fraud is always evolving, and staying ahead means staying curious. I’m fortunate to work with passionate teammates who study trends, apply machine learning, and collaborate closely to design proactive strategies. The impact we make each day is what drives me—because in this fight, protecting others is a privilege.

Candice Levine is Vice President in the Global Fraud Department at Morgan Stanley & E*TRADE, where she leads fraud strategy initiatives across both platforms. Her work focuses on developing and implementing controls to mitigate deposit fraud losses, particularly during new account openings. Candice is also an active voice in the anti-fraud community, speaking at industry events such as ACAMS, where she shares insights on emerging threats like deepfake scams and authorized push payment fraud .

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

I worry about younger generations who have grown up online. Specifically, I worry that they may be desensitized to their personal information being widely available on the internet. How will we protect the integrity of their identities and how will banks be able to authenticate them once they want to start building their financial futures? My son is about to turn two this year and I am constantly trying to imagine how I will have conversations around his “digital security literacy”.

Ideally, high schools would develop some basic curriculum that help support how to recognize cybersecurity threats and scams. Until then, fraud prevention programs should educate their existing clients with the intention of it trickling down to other family members. We all must prepare young people to face fraud threats and scams once they are banking on their own.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Keep raising your hand! There is no fraud professional alive who will say, “there is just not enough work for me to do”. Fraud has no shortage of interesting problems to solve. While that can be stressful at times, it inevitably means there is plenty of opportunity for growth where you can expand your knowledge and your skills. When I was first starting out, I would purposely raise my hand to own less popular models or tools that others didn’t have the capacity to take on. I had a lot of fun challenging myself to deliver results with those solutions and I learned a ton along the way.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

My passion is always driven by the mission. I spent the beginning years of my career analyzing behavioral data on the Las Vegas Strip for luxury casinos. I loved the analytical work but I could not shake a dissatisfied feeling that my work was not connected to a larger, more powerful purpose. It took me some time to find my way to fraud but once I did everything clicked together. 

I can maximize the analytical problem-solving parts of my personality and the best part about it is that my team is helping protect the hard-earned money of our clients and our community. It only takes one single conversation with a victim of account takeover or a brutal scam to realize how completely devastating that experience can be.

 

Kim Mayo is the Manager of Account Fraud Services at University Federal Credit Union (UFCU), where she leads efforts to detect, prevent, and respond to fraudulent activity across member accounts. With a strong focus on protecting members and strengthening security, Kim develops strategies and processes that help UFCU stay ahead of evolving fraud threats. Her leadership supports the credit union’s mission to provide a safe and trusted banking experience for its members.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

I’d say the key to building a career in fraud prevention is to lean into and not shy away from owning your space. Use your strengths and uniqueness to build a strong foundation through education, certifications as they pertain to your current and future aspirations, and gain subject matter expertise in areas that are high fraud targets. For example, my focus is on payment methods, specifically ACH and checks. 

Networking is an absolute must and can open so many pathways to information and success. Connect with other professionals, share information and ideas, and create lasting relationships that will provide mutual benefit. And lastly, don’t forget the power of tenacity, curiosity, and trusting your instincts. These qualities will help make your journey even more enjoyable and rewarding. 

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

My passion comes from knowing that every single day, I have the privilege to protect members of our community. Having spent my entire career as part of a credit union, I am deeply committed to our purpose and values, which keep people at the heart of everything we do. It’s a constant challenge to use creative tools to combat fast-paced and evolving financial crime, piece together high-stakes puzzles, and, ultimately, outsmart the fraudsters. 

What keeps me going is the profound impact my work has on others and knowing that I can help build trust in a world where it’s constantly under attack. I love being part of an industry full of kindred spirits who share my mission: to make the financial and digital world a safer place. 

Ciara Nic Mhathuna is a Lab Product Owner at Lloyds Banking Group, where she plays a pivotal role in developing and managing innovative financial solutions. With a strong background in product development and a keen focus on user-centric design, Ciara contributes to the bank's mission of delivering exceptional digital experiences to its customers. Her work supports Lloyds Banking Group's commitment to driving digital transformation and enhancing customer engagement across its services.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Stay curious. When I was a kid, I used to get in trouble for dismantling clocks or radios to see how they worked, but that sort of curiosity is really helpful when you’re trying to understand large complex systems. You need to understand the underpinning mechanics, and keep asking questions until you get to the root cause of the problem. Don’t be dissuaded by the fear that your questions might get annoying! Stay focused on what’s happening in the industry, and keep that curiosity alight.  

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

From the start of my career, I’ve been driven by a passion for human-centered design and making experiences easier for users. Today, we’ve largely solved the interface problem—it's rare to encounter a site or app that’s truly difficult to use.

My interest in fraud prevention grew from that same desire to improve customer outcomes. The challenge is designing systems that are seamless for genuine users while still being robust enough to stop fraud. It’s a devastating crime, and too often, victims are left feeling like they’re to blame.

That’s why I believe we need to push ourselves—as an industry—to collaborate and create user-centric solutions that both protect and empower.

​Maxine Most is the Founder and Principal Analyst of Acuity Market Intelligence, a strategic consultancy renowned for its expertise in biometric and digital identity markets. With over 30 years of experience in emerging technologies, she has been a pivotal figure in shaping the global biometrics industry, offering insightful analysis and accurate market forecasts. In 2023, Maxine launched The Prism Project, a comprehensive initiative aimed at mapping the biometric digital identity landscape and accelerating the adoption of biometric-centric digital identity solutions across sectors like financial services, government, and travel. ​

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

Biometric on-demand cryptographic key generation. Yes, that is a mouthful, but using biometrics that do not have to be stored to generate secure on-demand private keys (that also do not have to be stored) elevates the fraud prevention game. At least three companies have devised methods to transform probabilistic biometric data into stable deterministic output that can be cryptographically secured as ephemeral private keys.

I expect this approach to gain broader adoption as it addresses key privacy and compliance concerns by eliminating the need to store data. It also verifies true human identity through biometrics, rather than relying on devices or tokens. Most importantly, it removes a major fraud vector: the risk associated with stored data being compromised.

Is this the solution to every fraud problem? Of course not. Secure, reliable, fraud- resistant digital identity schemes require systems of records where data must be stored. However, this approach provides a critical piece of the digital identity ecosystem puzzle when married with robust IDV capabilities and privacy-by-design solutions to safeguard PII storage.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

The global fraud statistics we’ve all seen are alarming, but the reality of how these incidents of fraud impact individuals is what is so devastating. Financial loss in and of itself creates hardship, but the associated emotional toll can be life-shattering. I’ve spent the last twenty years providing insight and analysis on the evolution of biometric digital identity with the foundational belief that this technology can uniquely simplify and secure both physical and virtual experiences.

I am more excited today than ever about the positive impact this technology can have on securing our global financial services ecosystem in a way that truly empowers individuals to control their personal and financial information and own their digital lives.

​Sang O’Neill is the Chief Credit Officer at First Help Financial, an innovative auto finance company based in Newton, Massachusetts. With over two decades of experience in the finance and credit industry, Sang has held various positions since 1999, including senior roles at Consumer Portfolio Services, United Auto Credit Corporation, Hyundai Capital America, and Santander Consumer USA. Her extensive background encompasses analytics, modeling, data management, and risk strategy. 

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

In the auto financing sector, one emerging trend that stands out is the use of cash flow and bank transaction data. As fraudsters become more sophisticated in manipulating financial data, it’s crucial that we develop more advanced methods to detect and prevent these types of financial manipulations. The ability to effectively analyze and verify this data will play a significant role in combating digital fraud in the future.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

My passion for fraud prevention is driven by the responsibility I have to manage the risks that affect both our company and its stakeholders. Beyond that, these financial crimes can directly impact our valued customers and the dealerships with whom we’ve built strong, lasting relationships. Protecting these organizations and individuals, whom I care deeply about, fuels my commitment to staying ahead in the fight against financial crime.

Robin Pugh is the President and CEO of DarkTower, a prominent cybersecurity firm specializing in threat intelligence and digital risk management. She is recognized for her expertise in navigating complex cybersecurity challenges and has been involved in discussions about the current state of check fraud and its evolving landscape. Additionally, Robin Pugh has been part of initiatives that leverage open-source intelligence to support social causes, such as locating missing persons. 

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

I believe the massive increase in fraud and scams over the last five years is driving a consolidation in our industry that will result in more collaborative efforts between providers. Today, many products offer only one type of data. But I believe we’re heading toward a future where companies use GenAI to extract insights from multiple data sources—like how Mastercard’s acquisition of Recorded Future combines credit card transaction data with threat intelligence. Instead of organizations having to gather and analyze data on their own, these new solutions will deliver more complete, integrated insights directly to them. 

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Fraud and cyber threats continuously evolve. Sometimes in very obvious ways, and sometimes in nuanced ways that are very difficult to detect and identify. Most women are, by nature, creative problem-solvers, which makes careers in this space an ideal fit.  

My advice to a woman who is interested in entering the field is to be a voracious consumer of data. Learn as much as you can about the emerging trends in this space, the current technologies and the current gaps. Let that knowledge spark your imagination to explore innovative solutions—ways to close the gaps and push back against the surge in criminal activity across this space.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

Every day, I receive reports from individuals who have been targeted by financially-motivated criminals. Some are victims of romance scams, some are investment scams, some are job scams, some have been extorted for sensitive images. Regardless of that label we put on their experience, it’s just as much of a crime as if someone had robbed them at gunpoint, yet the support they receive from law enforcement is nowhere near the same. And it’s not that law enforcement doesn’t want to help. They’re simply overwhelmed and underequipped. It will be decades before they’re able to keep up, and it may never happen. 

That’s why others need to step in. I want to be part of that effort—one of the good guys doing whatever they can to make a difference. Even if I’m helping just one person a day, I want to know I’m having an impact. And for me, this is the place where that impact feels real.

Stacie Purcell currently serves as a Fraud Solutions Executive at KeyBank, where she leverages her extensive experience in advanced fraud prevention strategies. Prior to joining KeyBank, she held significant roles at Citibank, including Fraud Policy Senior Manager for the Consumer and Commercial Bank and Head of First Party Fraud and Abuse. Her background also includes a 15-year tenure at First Union/Wachovia/Wells Fargo, where she worked in various fraud prevention and process management capacities. 

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

As we all continue to see impersonation scams wreak havoc across the industry (especially on our clients), we need to be moving past antiquated forms of authentication. There’s a mad dash to find new solutions that allow us to verify the legitimacy of a payment without enabling social engineering opportunities for the scammer to bypass the control. Financial institutions need to be looking at new ways to authenticate our clients or, even better, to perform mutual authentication between banks and clients.  

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

From the perspective of the banking industry, I would say that the best way to position yourself to protect a bank is to fully understand how banks work. Dig in and really learn how ACH payments work, how wires flow, how payments settle, and how deposits and clearing checks are processed. Learn and really understand the regulations that cover financial products and institutions. 

If you can do a rotational program that allows you to learn how each of these operational/back-office functions work, that would be the most beneficial. Throw in a teller/branch banker rotation and you will have a massive advantage in becoming a fraud-fighter extraordinaire!

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

I see fighting fraud as a game of strategy, like chess. Sometimes, it’s more like a game of whack-a-mole. But either way, I hate losing. And when you deal, constantly see the impacts of fraud, and hear the stories of lives destroyed because of fraud, it motivates you to do more. To be better. And have I mentioned that I absolutely hate to lose?

Sue Ross is the Head of Financial Crimes Prevention at Regions Bank, where she leads efforts to protect customers and the institution from evolving financial threats. Sue focuses on combating sophisticated scams, including those involving generative AI, social engineering, and cryptocurrency fraud. She emphasizes the importance of education and proactive measures, advising individuals and businesses to verify communications and be cautious with personal information. Sue's leadership is instrumental in developing strategies to detect and prevent fraud in an increasingly digital landscape.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Don’t hold back because your voice matters. When I first started my career, I often hesitated to share my ideas, especially in rooms filled with senior leaders. But I’ve learned that speaking up isn’t just about confidence—it’s about impact. 

Finding your voice is one of the most powerful things you can do for your growth and for the teams you’re part of. Speak up, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Ask questions, offer ideas, and trust that your perspective has value. The more you practice using your voice, the more confident and impactful it becomes—and the more doors it opens, both for yourself and others who are still learning to do the same.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

Problem solving is what drives me. I’ve always been energized by the challenge of unraveling complex issues, and in the fraud prevention industry, no two days are the same. Every day brings a new threat, a new tactic, a new puzzle to solve. It’s a field that demands constant innovation and sharp thinking, and that’s what makes it so exciting.

But beyond the intellectual challenge, it’s also deeply personal. This work means protecting real people from real harm. Every time we stop a scam or shut down a fraud ring, we’re not just solving a problem—we’re helping someone avoid financial loss, emotional stress, and sometimes even identity theft. That sense of purpose, combined with the thrill of staying one step ahead of the bad guys, is what fuels my passion every single day.

Arlenee Lebrón Segura is the Head of Fraud and Property & Casualty (P&C) Claims Manager at AXA International Markets. In her role, she leads initiatives to detect, prevent, and manage insurance fraud while overseeing P&C claims operations across multiple markets. With a strong background in fraud prevention and claims management, Arlenee is dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and upholding AXA’s commitment to integrity and customer trust.

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

One trend that I believe is critical to consider—and still underestimated—is the rise of synthetic identities. Despite increasingly sophisticated compliance and onboarding protocols, we are very exposed to this type of risk. These identities, built from a mix of real and fictitious data, can be used not only to purchase policies but also to file fake and fraudulent third-party claims. This is especially concerning today, as processes across the industry are being streamlined and designed to require minimal information from customers, to improve user experience and reduce friction. 

As a result, validation layers are often thinner, making it easier for synthetic profiles to go undetected. It’s a silent threat with significant potential impact and tackling it will require a shift toward stronger identity verification tools and closer collaboration between fraud, underwriting, and claims teams.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Fraud prevention is a dynamic and ever-evolving field where qualities like curiosity, critical thinking, resilience, courage, and common sense are essential. It’s a space where you can truly grow and make an impact. But it also requires confidence and the ability to trust your judgment. Many times, we find ourselves going against the current, challenging decisions, assumptions, or even established processes. That’s why communication, empathy, and teamwork are fundamental.

My advice for women entering this field is simple: don’t work in isolation—bring other departments into the conversation. Fraud management should never exist in a silo. Seek out mentors, build a strong network, and commit to continuous learning. Fraud evolves every day, so staying current with trends and emerging technologies is essential. But, just as important is learning how to connect those risks to the unique dynamics of the industry you’re in. Collaboration and context are key.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

I began working in fraud almost by chance during the 2008 financial crisis, and since then, it has become a field where I continuously find new areas to explore and deeper layers to understand. It’s an area that requires daily learning and adaptability. What drives me is the deep impact fraud can have when we’re not firm in confronting it. Fraud doesn’t just distort results—it can be a gateway for financing criminal organizations, and it ultimately affects society. The cost of fraud is not abstract; it translates into higher prices, stricter conditions, and reduced access for everyone.

My passion lies in the value and purpose behind the work we do. It’s not just about savings or stopping those who try to take advantage of the system—it’s about delivering a real service to both organizations and society while actively disrupting criminal networks. Ultimately, fraud prevention helps safeguard the profitability of the business and enables any industry to grow in a healthier and more sustainable way.

Shanti Tandukar is a Lead Digital Product Manager at Wells Fargo, where she plays a key role in shaping product strategy, defining roadmaps, and driving business analysis. With a strong focus on digital account security, Shanti has contributed to the development of a patented digital controls portal that strengthens user security protocols. Her work sits at the intersection of innovation and protection—advancing fraud mitigation efforts by building systems that help safeguard account integrity and reinforce trust in digital banking.

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

Mobile Driver’s License (MDLs) are emerging as a significant technology that will have a major impact on combating digital fraud in the future. With advanced security features, privacy controls, and convenience, MDLs offer a level of protection far superior to traditional physical IDs. The use of digital signatures and advanced encryption makes them significantly harder to forge or manipulate. 

By linking digital identities directly to verified government records, MDLs make it much more difficult for fraudsters to create synthetic identities. Unlike traditional IDs, which can be stolen or forged, MDLs are securely stored on a user’s mobile device, protected by biometric authentication. Even if a phone is lost or stolen, the MDL remains protected behind layers of security, unlike a physical card. 

As MDLs become more widely adopted, they will help establish a more secure and trustworthy digital identity ecosystem, offering a seamless solution that balances security, privacy, and efficiency. Their adoption will be pivotal in improving the security and trustworthiness of digital identity verification systems in the future.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

With the advancement of technology, fraud methods are constantly evolving. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow, and no single technology can stop fraud alone. I’m motivated by the challenge of building digital experiences that protect legitimate users while minimizing friction. Building solutions that work invisibly in the background, intervening only when necessary, excites me because it allows us to provide both security and convenience. 

I’m passionate about finding innovative ways to protect customers while ensuring they feel safe and empowered. By layering AI, biometrics, blockchain, behavioral analytics, and other emerging technologies, we can create multi-layered fraud prevention strategies that help us stay ahead of evolving threats. Ensuring a smooth experience for legitimate customers while effectively stopping fraud is what drives my passion for this field. The opportunity to apply these technologies to real-world problems and make a meaningful difference for our consumers keeps me motivated.

D’Janne Thomas serves as the Senior Operations Manager of Trust and Safety at Upwork, a leading online talent marketplace. In her role, she oversees critical initiatives to ensure platform integrity, user security, and compliance with industry standards. Leveraging her expertise in operations management, Thomas plays a key role in fostering a safe and trustworthy environment for Upwork’s global community of freelancers and clients. Her leadership contributes to Upwork's mission of creating economic opportunities that improve lives worldwide.

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

Fraudsters are growing more sophisticated, using advanced AI and automation to exploit security gaps. One of the most effective emerging defenses is behavioral biometrics, which analyzes real-time user interactions like keystrokes, mouse movements, and device handling to create a unique digital fingerprint. Unlike static methods such as passwords or document checks, this approach provides continuous authentication based on natural behavior.

In platforms like Upwork, where trust is critical, behavioral biometrics helps detect fraudsters managing multiple accounts, using bots, or manipulating identities. Irregular patterns, for example, rapid clicks or inconsistent navigation, can signal suspicious activity. Combined with AI-driven risk scoring, these insights enable early detection and prevention of identity theft, compliance breaches, and other threats. As fraud tactics evolve, especially with deepfakes and AI impersonation, integrating behavioral biometrics with machine learning ensures security systems stay one step ahead.

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Fraud prevention and cybersecurity are fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding fields. For women—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—success takes focus, resilience, and smart strategy. While certifications like CFE or CISSP help, real expertise often comes from hands-on experience: working with fraud teams, analyzing cases, and developing prevention strategies.

Mentorship, sponsorship, and strategic entry points are key. Many enter through adjacent roles like compliance, risk, or Trust & Safety. Groups like Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), ACFE, and the Fraud Women’s Network offer training and networking, while strong sponsors can accelerate growth and visibility.

Above all, own your voice. In male-dominated spaces, your perspective is vital. Speak up, share your insights, and get involved. Diverse voices are essential to the future of fraud prevention, and confident women leaders are driving meaningful change.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

Fraud prevention isn’t just about stopping financial losses—it’s about protecting people and businesses from exploitation. What drives me is knowing that behind every fraudulent transaction, there’s a real victim—whether it’s a consumer losing their savings, a small business hit with chargebacks, or a platform losing trust.

One of today’s biggest challenges is the rise of AI-driven fraud. From deepfakes to synthetic identities and voice-cloned phishing, fraudsters are moving fast—and many organizations are struggling to keep up. The key to staying ahead lies in blending advanced technology with human expertise. While AI tools are essential, human intuition and ethical judgment remain irreplaceable.

The best fraud prevention strategies strike a balance between automation and human insight. That’s what excites me—working in a field where innovation, vigilance, and purpose come together to build safer digital spaces. Every day is a step forward in a fight that’s not just about stopping fraud, but about staying ahead and protecting trust.

Cindy White is the Chief Marketing Officer at Mitek, where she leads the global marketing organization, driving brand transformation and business growth. With a career spanning over two decades, Cindy has held leadership roles at prominent companies such as Microsoft and FICO, bringing extensive experience in technology, banking, and fraud prevention. At Mitek, she champions initiatives that enhance digital identity verification and authentication solutions, ensuring secure and user-friendly experiences for customers worldwide. 

What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in fraud prevention or cybersecurity?

Women are urgently needed in the fields of identity verification, fraud management, and cybersecurity. It’s not just as a matter of equity, but because our participation is mission-critical to how we build, defend, and lead in an AI-driven world.

In this space, where we’re leveraging AI to fight AI and where generative attacks are getting smarter and more adaptive by the day, diversity of perspectives isn’t a “nice to have”— it’s a core defense strategy. Women bring essential insights into how technology is built, trained, and governed. When it comes to machine learning, the data we feed our systems determines their fairness and accuracy. As founders, executives, engineers, product owners, and policy shapers, if we don’t have women and underrepresented voices at the table we risk building models that reflect only a narrow slice of the world, and miss blind spots that threat actors will exploit.

Women are also often the unseen force behind collaboration, empathy-driven design, and systems thinking. We think holistically about users, we ask different questions, and we understand the nuances of risk and resilience. In short, we bring context, and context is everything when it comes to interpreting patterns in data and shaping ethical, effective AI.

Whether you’re an engineer, in marketing, finance, HR, or just beginning your career, this is a generational opportunity. Identity, fraud, and cybersecurity are explosive growth categories at the heart of global trust and safety. We need more women not only building the technology, but guiding the vision, setting the policies, and designing the experiences

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

For over a decade, I’ve been immersed in the evolving world of fraud prevention, identity, and authentication. What keeps me passionate is the meaningful impact this work has on people’s everyday lives. At its core, this isn’t just about blocking bad actors. It’s about enabling trust—making it possible for consumers to safely access the services they need, when and where they need them. What’s always fascinated me is how even small changes such as a tweak in a user interface or a smarter workflow, can make security feel seamless, even invisible, while still being incredibly effective. It’s that intersection of innovation and user experience that I find so powerful.

But technology alone isn't enough. Marketing and communication play a crucial role in raising awareness and educating users, so they can be more vigilant and empowered. It’s also how we help organizations understand that they’re not alone. They have partners who are just as invested in delivering secure, frictionless experiences to their customers. Through storytelling, real-world case studies, and amplifying the voices of founders building the next generation of fraud prevention tools, we shape a future where safety and convenience coexist. Every collaboration, every campaign, and every innovation is an opportunity to build more trust in the digital world. In short, it matters. It’s purposeful. And that’s what drives me.

Frances Zelazny is the Co-Founder and CEO of Anonybit, a pioneering company in decentralized biometrics infrastructure. With over 25 years of experience in biometrics, identity, and cybersecurity, she is dedicated to enhancing digital security and privacy. Her extensive background includes roles in marketing strategy and business development, where she has consistently driven change and shaped global conversations around digital identity and security. 

What emerging fraud trend or technology do you believe will have the biggest future impact in fighting digital fraud?

There’s growing momentum around binding biometrics to bank accounts, SIM cards, credit cards, digital wallets, and other identity-linked assets. While this is a highly technical area, it represents one of the most powerful ways to close the gaps fraudsters exploit today. Binding a verified biometric to these assets can significantly reduce the risk of account takeovers, synthetic identities, and unauthorized access.

However, implementing this securely requires more than just strong authentication—it demands a way to store and manage biometric data without compromising user privacy. That’s where emerging privacy-enhancing technologies come into play. At Anonybit, we’re addressing this challenge head-on by developing decentralized solutions that protect biometric data at every step, enabling trusted identity verification without creating new vulnerabilities.

What drives your passion for fraud prevention and staying ahead in the fight against financial crime?

What drives me is knowing there’s a real problem that needs solving. After more than 25 years in the industry, it’s clear that many of today’s solutions are just bandaids—temporary fixes that don’t address the root of the issue. That’s why I’m so energized by the approach we’ve identified at Anonybit, one that I believe truly tackles the core challenge.

As I see the market validating what we’re building, my conviction only grows stronger. It’s becoming increasingly clear that identity and privacy will be the foundation of the fight against financial crime moving forward—and I’m proud to be part of shaping that future.