Visa's Elizabeth Buse has been kept busy by the many advancements in payments technology happening around the world.
Buse, who
In in her current role, Buse has been responsible for the card brand's development in digital channels, processing services, information products, security products and merchant sales and services. She has helped Visa respond to the many trends shaping the payments industry in different markets.
"Here in the U.S. we are most familiar with Square, but worldwide there are more than 100 providers offering mobile acceptance solutions," Buse says. "In India and Africa, we are focused on solutions that are increasing access to formal financial services for unbanked consumers."
All of this opens markets for growth that did not exist even just a few years ago, she adds. "I think this is extraordinary and one of the reasons I am passionate about what I do."
A major emphasis for Buse is the development of debit in growing markets. "Debit is every bit as relevant to people in Asia, Central Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as air was to people in the U.S.," she says.
Prior to her global role, Buse was Visa's president for Asia Pacific, Central Europe, Middle East and Africa. Throughout her years at Visa, she has kept to a simple formula for success: "I have hired, identified, developed and, most importantly, protected and nurtured good people."
Such a foundation is necessary because "there is new competition at every turn" as issuers, acquirers and merchants pursue new angles to remove friction from commerce, Buse says.
"Mobile technology will continue to shape the future of our industry for years to come," she adds.
As payments technology evolves, Visa is actively involved in
"And we are also creating new capabilities and services to enable a world that increasingly relies on mobile devices to shop, pay and get paid," she says.
See the full list of honorees for this year's











