Nacha is proud to announce the 2026 honorees in its 15 Under 40 Awards program, recognizing the next generation of payments industry leaders. All have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing the payments landscape.

Nacha’s 15 Under 40 honorees for 2026 are:

• Ximena Alemán, Prometeo.
• James Chi, PMP, Block, Inc.
• Caroline Cypriano, JJ4tech.
• Sumner Francisco, AAP, AFPP, BNY.
• Wayne Gonzales, AAP, Usio, Inc.
• Heather Indelicato, AFPP, APRP, Midwest BankCentre.
• Dani Lugo, Bank of America.
• Angie Macias, AAP, NCP, SESLOC Credit Union.
• Alexandra Nuth, Ingo Money/Ingo Payments.
• Alejandro Pinzon, DRUO.
• Adam Rigby, AAP, AFPP, CTP, Truist Financial Corporation.
• Kevin Gary Smith, AAP, AFPP, Galileo Financial Technologies.
• Alex Treece, Stablecore.
• Lauren Wallin, AAP, APRP, Grasshopper Bank.
• Eric Wester, AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP, UMACHA.

“These are the rising payments superstars,” said Stephanie Prebish, AAP, AFPP, APRP, CTP, Nacha Senior Managing Director, Association Services. “Encouraging tomorrow’s leaders is vital to the future of payments, and the 15 Under 40 Awards is an excellent way to do that.”

The winners, who were selected by a committee of payments industry experts, will be honored at the Monday, April 27, keynote lunch at Smarter Faster Payments 2026 in San Diego. Learn more about the 15 Under 40 Awards and this year’s recipients on the Payments website.

For the third consecutive year, M&T Bank is the official sponsor of the 15 Under 40 Awards.

About Nacha

Nacha governs the thriving ACH Network, the payment system that drives safe, smart, and fast Direct Deposits and Direct Payments with the capability to reach all U.S. bank and credit union accounts. There were 35.2 billion ACH Network payments made in 2025, valued at $93 trillion. Through problem-solving and consensus-building among diverse payment industry stakeholders, Nacha advances innovation and interoperability in the payments system. Nacha develops rules and standards, provides industry solutions, and delivers education, accreditation, and advisory services.

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“These are the rising payments superstars”