The annual list is published by Payments Source.

Three U.S. Bank leaders – Kristy Carstensen, Hannah Fitzsimons and Nicole Tackett – are among the 2021 Most Influential Women in Payments  as determined by the industry news outlet Payments Source.

All three work in Payment Services, the division of U.S. Bank that provides digital and card-based payment and money movement capabilities to consumers, businesses and institutions of all sizes in North America and Europe. The company brings a long history and deep expertise in an area that continues to transform dramatically as new technology and innovation make buying and paying easier, safer, faster and more efficient.

Kristy Carstensen is chief financial officer for Payment Services. She is part of the Payments leadership team, working closely with business line leaders to find opportunities for investment, collaboration and synergy across the enterprise. Her personal passion is to erase the disparities that affect young people. She advocates for individuals, employers, corporations, schools and communities to work together to disrupt the systemic cycles that hinder opportunity for children. 

Hannah Fitzsimons is the president and general manager of Elavon Merchant Services in Europe. She leads 1,600 employees with responsibility for revenue, product development, distribution and growth. Hannah is a powerful advocate, encouraging more women to join the payments industry and break new ground in financial services. Hannah launched U.S. Bank’s Business Resource Group for Women in Europe and spearheaded Elavon’s gold sponsorship of Women in Payments, enabling employees to further their learning and development and career growth opportunities.

Nicole Tackett leads marketing and product strategy, and innovation for Corporate Payments and Treasury Solutions. This is a business that serves middle-market, large-corporate and institutional clients that do business domestically and internationally. Nicole determines marketing and product strategy for the payment platforms that these clients use, and guides the division on investment and acquisition decisions that will extend the reach or capabilities U.S. Bank offers. Nicole also leads Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Payment Services, as part of a broader body of work U.S. Bank is engaged in to drive meaningful change within the company and across the diverse communities it serves.  

“The payments industry is going through dramatic change, which only accelerated during the pandemic as customers wanted and needed to do more digitally and remotely,” said Shailesh Kotwal, vice chair of U.S. Bank Payment Services. “This environment requires exceptional leadership, agility and diligence to be successful and that is exactly what Kristy, Hannah and Nicole bring to their roles. They inspire everyone around them, and their contributions bring material value to our customers.”

In 2019, U.S. Bank was among 70 companies that signed the Catalyst CEO Champions for Change Pledge, a commitment to accelerate and advance more women in senior leadership. This work includes benchmarking, developing metrics and improving the culture of inclusion to increase the number of women, and women of color, on company boards. 

U.S. Bank is often recognized for deep bench of women in leadership positions at all levels of the company. Most recently, Gunjan Kedia, vice chair of Wealth Management and Investment Services, was named to the Barron’s 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance list. Likewise, Felicia La Forgia, Beth Lawlor and Christine Waldron appeared on the Crain’s New York Business Notable Women on Wall Street list for 2021.