Here at our podcast series, Java with the Council, I am Alicia Malone, the Chief Public Relations Officer at the PCI Security Standards Council. Today, we are honored to introduce you to one of the most recent additions to the Council’s squad, our Chief of Interactions, Diana Greenhaw. Diana has joined the PCI SSC after a fruitful two-decade journey in the payments sector, having made significant contributions at WorldPay, Visa, and Block. Thank you for gracing us with your presence today, Diana, and a warm welcome to the group.
Diana Greenhaw: Warm regards, Alicia.
Alicia Malone: Your fresh role as the Chief of Interactions is a groundbreaking position at the PCI Security Standards Council. Could you shed some light on the responsibilities that come with this position and the purpose behind your recruitment?
Diana Greenhaw: Absolutely. In this capacity, my main focus is to spearhead and supervise all aspects of engagement and partnership with the key players of PCI SSC. This includes payment networks, financial bodies, merchants, service providers, and vendors who constitute PCI Participating Organizations. Moreover, it encompasses interacting with the regulatory entities that influence security-oriented regulations globally.
As the PCI SSC has evolved into a significantly more comprehensive organization with a highly engaged audience, it becomes crucial to enhance our interaction framework and forge a path for enhanced stakeholder cooperation and direct contributions to the evolution of payment security standards.
Alicia Malone: With over two decades of involvement in the realm of payment security, could you narrate your journey in this field and its connection to PCI SSC?
Diana Greenhaw: Certainly. I perceive my journey to PCI SSC as a consequence of seizing opportunity-driven roles. Early in my career, I undertook responsibilities managing relationships amongst diverse entities in the payment landscape. This gradually transitioned into collaborating with major financial institutions on compliance programs encompassing card issuance and merchant acquisition programs.
This endeavor enabled me to amass extensive insights into the obligations that all entities bear to adhere to network regulations, global norms, and more. Moreover, it enabled me to grasp the significance of everyone’s role in safeguarding the payment infrastructure. During that phase, a recurrent incident surfaced— the compromising of payment data leading to payment card fraud. This moment catalyzed the establishment of PCI SSC. The Council’s establishment is an entirely distinct and intriguing 18-year saga, which I would love to delve into another time.
Collectively, my career has presented me with opportunities to contribute to various facets of compliance programs associated with nearly every standard and certification initiative managed by PCI SSC. Hence, when the chance arose to be part of PCI SSC’s leadership team under the guidance of the new Executive Director, Gina Gobeyn, I did not hesitate.
Alicia Malone: This recently instituted role aims to foster better engagement with our broadened stakeholder groups. Armed with a wealth of industry associations and insights, serving on both the PCI SSC Executive Committee and the Board of Advisors, how do you envision aiding PCI SSC in achieving its mission to fortify payment data?
Diana Greenhaw: I believe the most crucial asset I bring to PCI SSC in this capacity is a well-rounded perspective. Having served various roles in a payment brand, a prominent merchant acquirer, a card issuer, a processor, and a point-of-sale software creator, I have witnessed firsthand the benefits and at times, the hurdles that compliance with PCI standards can present to organizations. Additionally, my involvement in the PCI SSC Executive Committee and the Board of Advisors during these roles equips me with the prowess to balance the requisites of diverse stakeholders effectively, fostering the Council’s transition into the future with enhanced efficiency.
Alicia Malone: As the Council’s primary goal revolves around fortifying payment data as a standards-fostering entity, why is stakeholder engagement pivotal?
Diana Greenhaw: Simply put, our payment security standards are not formulated in isolation. The Council’s triumph is intertwined with the cooperation of numerous pivotal entities in the payments sector. The standards devised at the Council are a product of collaboration that involves input from a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations. Given the rapid evolution of technology and the identification of new threats to payment security, it has become more imperative than ever to include a diverse range of voices at the decision-making table.
When the Council was inaugurated in 2006, several of the contemporary payment mechanisms did not exist as they do today. The industry has burgeoned significantly over the last 18 years, and both the Council and its stakeholders have adapted to these dynamics. The COVID-19 crisis notably expedited transformations in the payment ecosystem, such as the surge in contactless transactions.
The technological landscape has shifted swiftly in the last 18 months, witnessing a remarkable revolution in payments within the industry. Additionally, the subsequent 18 months are poised to be transformative for not only the Council but also the industry, and I am eagerly anticipating being part of this transformative phase.
Alicia Malone: Undoubtedly, significant transformations lie ahead. The industry has recently undergone a substantial upheaval, and more changes are imminent. Diana, what excites you the most about this new role?
Diana Greenhaw: One aspect that excites me greatly is the prospect of continuing my collaboration with acquaintances from throughout my career journey, albeit in a different capacity. Assuming this role at PCI SSC provides me with the opportunity to contribute to the payments sector in a unique manner, advocating for all organizations that engage with and rely on PCI standards and certification programs as part of their overarching security strategy. My goal is to enhance the value of the relationships between all stakeholders and PCI SSC.
Alicia Malone: Outside your professional responsibilities, could you offer insights into your personal interests? What fuels your passion, and what would you like people to know about you?
Diana Greenhaw: When I’m off the clock, I endeavor to spend quality time with friends. We engage in activities like horseback riding, hosting gastronomic gatherings, snow skiing, and exploring novel destinations.
Alicia Malone: That sounds absolutely delightful. Count me in for the gastronomic soirées. The prospect of joining your foodie escapades is tantalizing. And of course, I can’t resist asking— how do you take your java, considering you are a part of Coffee with the Council? Or if coffee isn’t your cup of tea, what’s your preferred beverage?
Diana Greenhaw: I must confess, coffee has never been my forte. However, kickstarting my day with a dose of caffeine is essential. For me, that choice leans towards a trusty Diet Coke. Nonetheless, when the clock strikes happy hour, a well-crafted gimlet is my libation of choice.
Alicia Malone: Indubitably, a sentiment I wholeheartedly echo. Thank you for gracing us with your presence on Coffee with the Council, Diana. It has been an enriching experience getting to know you, and I eagerly anticipate our future endeavors at the Council.
Diana Greenhaw: Thank you, Alicia. I am keen on collaborating with you and the entire PCI SSC team. I am brimming with excitement for what lies ahead. As we approach the conclusion, I would like to remind our listeners that the PCI SSC Community Meeting season is fast approaching. Registration is now open for all three regional gatherings. The North America event will be hosted from September 10 – 12 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Europe Community Meeting is slated for October 8 – 10 in Barcelona, Spain, and the Asia Pacific Community Meeting is scheduled for November 20 and 21 in Hanoi, Vietnam. I am set to attend all these events and hope to see you there.
If you’ve enjoyed our discussion, consider subscribing to PCI SSC’s “Coffee with the Council” podcast available on various platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Anchor, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Audible, Overcast, or Pandora.
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