Building on a 50-year career in finance, Mary Ann Francis has distinguished herself as an executive consultant, strategist and mentor with her own firm, Global Payments & Strategic Initiatives LLC, since 2024. In this capacity, she delivers high-level guidance to C-suite executives at financial institutions and corporations worldwide, leveraging an extensive international network to help organizations define the purpose, measurable outcomes and competitive positioning behind major payments and treasury initiatives. Ms. Francis’ expertise ensures that industry trends are addressed with practical, outcome-driven strategies rather than buzzwords. She works directly across diverse industries — including financial institutions, fintech companies, health care systems and global commercial clients — helping them develop comprehensive enterprise strategies with an approach rooted in integrity, credibility and a commitment to measurable results.
Ms. Francis’ experience in the field includes contributions as an associate partner for financial services at IBM Consulting, head of strategy and product at DXC Technology Company, executive adviser and head of global payments practice at Wipro and senior director at Symcor. Throughout these roles, she built a reputation marked by advocacy for collaboration and innovation, alignment with evolving market demands and advancement of groundbreaking payment processing solutions.
The foundation of Ms. Francis’ professional journey lies in her extensive tenure with National City (now doing business as The PNC Financial Services Group Inc.) from 1976 to 2007. Rising from a retail banking position, she was promoted to senior vice president, manager and, ultimately, global head of global trade and treasury. Ms. Francis oversaw payments, cash management, supply chain finance, foreign exchange and letters of credit for the organization. Her operational expertise and strategic vision positioned her as a pioneer in the field during a time when women were significantly underrepresented in banking leadership.
While progressing her career, Ms. Francis pursued academic achievements that have played a pivotal role in her success. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in business finance from Miami University in 1983. Subsequently, Ms. Francis earned a Master of Business Administration in finance from Baldwin Wallace University in 1985. This educational background provided a strong foundation in analytical thinking and financial management while reinforcing her commitment to continuous learning — a quality that has defined her approach throughout her career.
Throughout her career, Ms. Francis has been recognized as an expert in banking, payments and treasury thanks to her deep operational knowledge and strategic acumen. In support of this status, she maintains active membership in the European Banking Association, Nacha (previously the National Automated Clearinghouse Association) and Meet-Her She Knows Payments, a subgroup founded by the Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA), where she was the inaugural speaker representative in 2020.
Well-regarded for her contributions to the field, Ms. Francis has been celebrated with numerous accolades. She was named one of the Top 20 Most Influential Women in Payments by American Banker in 2023 and a Gold Visionary by Money20/20 the same year. Ms. Francis is a past winner of the Innovation Award for Thought Leadership. She also received recognition from the U.S. Payments Association for pioneering the implementation of electronic initiatives.
Ms. Francis attributes her success to self-reflection and determination, which have enabled her to overcome barriers faced by women in financial services. She emphasizes honest introspection when confronting challenges, asking herself how she may have contributed to outcomes, whether positive or negative. This mindset has fostered resilience, adaptability and a relentless pursuit of expertise that has earned her respect across the industry.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Ms. Francis is deeply engaged with civic-minded organizations. She serves as an ambassador for both the EPAA and Money20/20’s RiseUp & Amplify program, which helps support underrepresented communities through Informa Events (Europe) Limited. Ms. Francis has contributed as a board representative for the Global Industry Forum run by KW71 Limited. She is the former president of her local school board and Main Street Elyria, and remains committed to mentorship within her community.
On a personal note, Ms. Francis met her late husband, Steve, at Miami University. Their 50-year partnership was marked by shared passions, including architecture and football. Together, they raised two daughters. Outside of work, Ms. Francis is an avid fitness instructor, holding 26 distinct licenses, including Zumba, PiYo, BodyPump and Masala Bhangra. She enjoys personal training and coaching others on their fitness journeys while maintaining a lifelong enthusiasm for watching the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With a global perspective shaped by collaboration across continents, Ms. Francis plans to utilize her talents to support and coach others in the years ahead. She is motivated not by accolades but by making a meaningful difference through mentorship, strategic guidance and community engagement. Ms. Francis points to the quality of her relationships as the defining feature of her legacy. Her philosophy is encapsulated by her favorite mantra: “A title makes you a manager, but people make you a leader.”