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Tag: Women In Payments

Forward with Lalita: The Power of Proactivity and Self-Investment

Posted on by Rachael Shupe

The payments industry is evolving faster than ever – and Lalita Babu is always one step ahead. Cuscal’s Senior Manager for Group Operational Risk has built a remarkable career on anticipating challenges before they arrive. In this Q&A, our Women in Payments Awards nominee discusses why self-education is non-negotiable, how to stay proactive in a reactive industry, and the major shifts reshaping operational risk in payments.


Could you tell us a bit about yourself – both your role at Cuscal and what you enjoy outside of work?

As Senior Manager for Group Operational Risk at Cuscal, my primary role involves driving the implementation of our risk management framework and actively partnering with the business. This ensures that all operational risks are managed effectively and remain within our defined risk appetite.

Outside of work, I really prioritise family time. Friday evenings are a ritual for my husband, kids and me – we play board games! It’s a great way to unwind after a busy week and set us up for the weekend.


What’s the most interesting or exciting part of growing your career at Cuscal?

I’ve been at Cuscal for four-and-a-half years and have moved through three roles: Compliance Manager for Open Banking, Domain Risk and Compliance Manager, and finally to Senior Manager of Group Operational Risk.

Naturally, I love learning, and Cuscal provides the perfect ground for it. No two days are the same in this fast-paced environment. Each new challenge is an opportunity to improve.

My career progression here has been exciting because each move broadened my expertise. I went from focusing on consumer data rights to managing the entire breadth of Cuscal’s operations, including payments, fraud, data issuing and acquiring, before moving into group-wide oversight and advisory. It’s helped me grow continuously in knowledge and breadth.

What sparked your initial interest in the payments industry, and how has your journey evolved since then?
Although I’ve been in financial services since 2005, my interest in the payments industry was sparked around 2018, when I began reading about data protection laws, such as Europe’s GDPR, and following Australia’s plan for the Consumer Data Right. When the open banking opportunity came up at Cuscal in 2021, I was ready to jump in.

Joining Cuscal was my real entry point into payments. I started learning about the entire payment processing value chain – from merchants and banks to payment processors and schemes. What I’ve realised is that this industry has evolved so rapidly due to new technology and changing consumer behaviour – we demand everything to be fast, quick and secure.

As a risk and compliance person, my mindset is always focused on what can go wrong in any process. This forces me to analyse the entire function and proactively prepare for risks. Self-learning has been key; you can never claim to know everything because something new comes up every single day.


Can you share a pivotal moment or challenge in your career that shaped who you are today?

I spent almost 13 years working in superannuation. At one point, I realised I needed to look outside my current domain. So, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in law to gain formal education on how to read and interpret legislation, case law and actual scenarios.

This was a turning point because it taught me that you don’t need to be bound by where you are currently working; you can always expand your knowledge if you’re ready to learn and put yourself out there.

That self-investment allowed me to successfully take the opportunity at Cuscal in 2021. Even though I was in superannuation, I had been following open banking and was prepared to make the transition. That period shaped my career by confirming the importance of not inhibiting yourself from taking those opportunities.


What do you believe are the most significant changes or opportunities in the payments industry right now?

The payments industry is practically defined by changing consumer behaviour. Consumer needs keep evolving, which drives new technology, innovation and regulations to manage those changes, and tougher competition.

From a risk perspective, fraud and scams are certainly front-of-mind for everyone. The industry needs to secure payments and ensure customers feel protected. Technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is going to play a huge part in preventing fraud and scams.

The other significant opportunity is embedded finance: integrating financial services into non-financial areas. Buy now, pay later is a great example of this. Embedded finance brings new ideas and easier ways of doing things for consumers.

For me, risk management is all about being proactive, not reactive. The more we know about how our world is changing, the better we can prepare.


What advice would you give to others, especially women, looking to build a career in payments?

In the past, people assumed you needed a finance degree to work in the financial sector. Now, I believe it doesn’t matter what your domain of expertise is – there’s always a role if you’re interested in how finance and payments function in the real world.

The most important advice I can give is to prioritise self-learning. Women often have very busy schedules outside of their 9-to-5 jobs, balancing family and other activities. Finding time to invest in your education is critical.

In my own career, making that investment opened doors I didn’t even know existed. We often wait for the “perfect” opportunity, but every single step you take matters. Keep investing time and energy in yourself, and you’ll realise you are preparing yourself for opportunities you didn’t see coming.

Cuscal is proud to nominate Lalita for a prestigious Women in Payments Award. These awards honour women payments professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and promise. Find out more about the awards.


Important Information: Information in this article is current as at 17 November 2025 and is subject to change. This article represents the opinions and views of the personal experiences of the panellists only. This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not have regard to the situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as advice. Before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness to your business. Cuscal Limited ABN 95 087 822 455.

Forward with Jackie: Driving DEI and People-First Leadership

Posted on by Rachael Shupe

When Jackie Gubanyi joined Cuscal four years ago, she saw an opportunity to drive real cultural change. Since then, our Senior Human Resources People and Culture Business Partner has spearheaded the company’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Now as one of our Women in Payments Awards nominee’s, Jackie shares how she has created a more inclusive workplace, her thoughts on artificial intelligence’s impact on the payments industry and why taking a non-linear career path might be your greatest advantage.


Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Cuscal?

I’ve been with Cuscal for four years, starting as a People and Culture Business Partner, and I was promoted to Senior People and Culture Business Partner in 2024. I’ve had the opportunity to support nearly every area of the business, which has given me an incredible, holistic view of Cuscal’s operations.

In a nutshell, my role is to ensure that Cuscal’s people have a great experience. That includes everything from engagement and culture to leadership coaching, organisational change and strategic workforce planning. It’s about creating a safe, legally compliant and genuinely inclusive environment where people feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work.


What’s the most interesting or exciting part of growing your career at Cuscal?

The fact that I’ve been empowered to spearhead so many amazing initiatives that have genuinely impacted the organisation. When I first joined, our formal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) framework was somewhat limited. I was incredibly passionate about that space, so I put my hand up and essentially volunteered to create one!

Creating a formal DEI strategy was a mammoth task. We developed our DEI strategy by actively listening to our employees—gathering their insights, lived experiences, and feedback to ensure our approach was inclusive, meaningful, and truly reflective of our organisational culture. We then wove those insights into all aspects of our employee life cycle, including our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework and our Employee Value Proposition (EVP).

I then realised we needed to go one step further and create our Reflect RAP. This was another year-and-a-half-long commitment, which involved creating a working group, deeply exploring Cuscal’s position on reconciliation, and commissioning the beautiful artwork that now represents our commitment. Getting the plan approved by Reconciliation Australia was no easy task, but an incredibly rewarding one.

My role has allowed me to lead these really big, interesting pieces of work. Being able to drive such profound cultural change while in a Business Partner role has been the most exciting part of my journey here.


What sparked your initial interest in the payments industry, and how has your journey evolved since then?

I’ve been in the payments industry for about 14 years now, including four with Cuscal. It’s simply a fascinating space to be in. It’s fast-paced and ever-changing. There’s always something happening, whether it’s new regulations, new products coming to market, or new players entering the field.
It is absolutely a growing space, not a dying industry. No matter what the currency – whether it’s through bartering, gold or digital transfers – we are always going to need to pay people. It’s an industry that’s foundational to modern commerce, and that constant evolution keeps it incredibly stimulating.


Can you share a pivotal moment or challenge in your career that shaped who you are today?

At my previous organisation, I began as an human resource (HR) generalist and later transitioned into employee relations (ER), where I focused on navigating complex and often sensitive people issues. Combining that ER expertise with my broader HR background gave me a unique and well-rounded perspective. This dual lens has been instrumental in shaping how I approach organisational culture and, importantly, how I contribute to DEI initiatives.

Understanding the nuances of employee relations has helped me recognise systemic barriers and advocate for fair, inclusive practices. It’s also enabled me to balance the need for a psychologically safe and empowering workplace with the operational realities of compliance and fairness. That foundation has been key to driving meaningful cultural change and embedding DEI into every aspect of how we work.


What do you believe are the most significant changes or opportunities in the payments industry right now?

As an HR professional, artificial intelligence (AI) is the biggest change. The massive question is: What does that mean for our employees?

This is a huge, ongoing organisational change, and we need to ensure people feel supported, safe and free to utilise these new technologies and skills. We need to help them understand that AI won’t necessarily impact their careers negatively; it will help their roles evolve.
This change touches every aspect of my role: upskilling, change management, and the safety and ethical considerations of it all. It’s massive, and it’s happening now.


What advice would you give to others, especially women, looking to build a career in payments?

Don’t be too fixated or hung up on the end game of your career. Take different roles and opportunities as they come to you. You need to gather exposure to different skills, capabilities and experiences because you never know where it will take you.

If someone suggests you consider an opportunity, consider it! Don’t just dismiss it because it doesn’t meet a rigid, defined career path. There is no linear approach to success. Gaining knowledge and experience across different areas is far more important to help you progress than following a predefined route.

Cuscal is proud to nominate Jackie for a prestigious Women in Payments Award. These awards honour women payments professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and promise. Find out more about the awards.


Important Information: Information in this article is current as at 14 November 2025 and is subject to change. This article represents the opinions and views of the personal experiences of the panellists only. This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not have regard to the situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as advice. Before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness to your business. Cuscal Limited ABN 95 087 822 455.

Forward with Pooja: The Product Pioneer Helping Shape Industry Milestones

Posted on by Rachael Shupe

Pooja Sainani has been involved in some of the most pivotal moments in Australian payments history. As Cuscal’s Product Solutions Manager and our inspiring Women in Payments Awards nominee, she is driven by the tangible impact of payments and technology on everyday life. In this Q&A, Pooja discusses her remarkable career journey, the fraud and scam challenges facing the industry, and why she is determined to “flip the narrative” about what it means to be the only woman in the room.


Could you tell us a bit about yourself – both your role at Cuscal and what you enjoy outside of work?

I currently work as a Product Solutions Manager within the newly created Product Solutions & Innovation team. We sit across all Cuscal’s products, engaging with technology, risk, legal and sales departments. We mainly work on new initiatives that align with Cuscal’s strategic objectives, whether they come from clients, industry trends or regulatory changes.

My career at Cuscal has been very progressive with organic growth. Before this role, I was a Client Solution Consultant and a Solutions Architect. As an Architect, I was a generalist – I designed technology for most of the services Cuscal offered, from acquiring and issuing to direct entry and disputes management. This gave me a broad, foundational understanding of everything we do, which is incredibly useful in my role now.

Outside of work, I have a nine-year-old daughter, and I love spending time with her. We love music and dancing. We do social line dancing, and we have a karaoke session every Friday. We are always karaoke ready!


What’s the most interesting or exciting part of growing your career at Cuscal?

Overall, I’ve been with Cuscal for 16 years, including five years at SPS (Strategic Payment Services), which Cuscal acquired in 2014. We joke at Cuscal that you either stay for two years or 20, and I’m definitely on the path to 20!

What’s been most exciting is that my growth has been organic and often sideways. I’ve had the opportunity to move into several newly created teams. Sometimes leaders saw potential in me and offered me these roles because I could highlight how my technical background, combined with client experience, would benefit new initiatives. Each move built on the last: as a Solutions Architect, I learned about products, which helped me in consulting, and my consulting experience helped me see the strategic and innovation side of what we could do in Product Solutions & Innovation.


What sparked your initial interest in the payments industry, and how has your journey evolved since then?

I started as an IT Developer, so my initial focus was on software development rather than payments. But I soon became fascinated by the tangible, real-life impact of the payments software I was building.

When I was developing solutions for ATMs and POS (Point of Sale) devices, whenever I went to a café or supermarket, I’d check what terminal they were using and think, “I know exactly how this works.” That fascination with seeing the technology I worked on affecting people’s everyday lives drew me deeper into payments.

The evolution of payments since 2012 has been immense. We’ve gone from going to an ATM to take out money to simply tapping our phones to pay at a shop. Of course, with these modern advances come serious challenges, like fraud and scams. I find this side fascinating, too. Solving these issues is critical because payments impact every single person. It is truly a people connection.


Can you share a pivotal moment or challenge in your career that shaped who you are today?

I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in a few defining moments in Australian payments history. One was when Cuscal partnered with Square, a fintech company from the United States, to support the launch of its services in Australia. I was a Solutions Architect at the time, and seeing the challenges involved in adapting a fintech platform to meet Australia’s unique payment regulations was fascinating and really deepened my understanding of the local landscape.

Another major moment was the launch of the ‘Pays’ mobile payments – Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. I was part of the design process, working with these global companies, as well as Visa, MasterCard and eftpos. Designing the solution that made mobile payments possible for the entire nation across every POS device was incredibly exciting and rewarding. Being part of the eftpos Technology Steering Committee at that time also made me feel like I was part of something much bigger.


What do you believe are the most significant changes or opportunities in the payments industry right now?

Fraud and scams are the absolute centre of everything right now. Cuscal is in a very interesting position. Because we process payments and have vast datasets which are critical to fraud monitoring. It will be amazing to see Cuscal as a leader in Australia for fraud monitoring in future.

The most significant opportunity is to use data to help mitigate fraud and scams. For me, the correlation between advanced data usage and better fraud monitoring is where the industry needs to play to make things safer for everyone.


What advice would you give to others, especially women, looking to build a career in payments?

My first piece of advice for women in payments or any male-dominated industry is simple: If you think you belong at the table, you belong at the table. Don’t shy away from showing your capabilities because you fear they won’t be liked.

My second piece of advice is: Put your hand up for things outside your current function and teams. It gives you the platform to learn other parts of the business, meet different people, and also show other capabilities. I participate in various groups – recent ones being cyber champion and a responsiveness working group.

For young women, particularly in tech, I want to flip the narrative. I have often been the only woman – the first female developer in an organisation, the only female architect in the team. I never felt discouraged; I felt proud and encouraged as Cuscal is great at supporting talent. We need to build that confidence in girls, to acknowledge their capability, from a young age.

Cuscal is proud to nominate Pooja for a prestigious Women in Payments Award. These awards honour women payments professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and promise. Find out more about the awards.


Google Pay is a trademark of Google LLC.
Apple Pay is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Samsung Pay is a trademark or registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Important Information: Information in this article is current as at 12 November 2025 and is subject to change. This article represents the opinions and views of the personal experiences of the panellists only. This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not have regard to the situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as advice. Before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness to your business. Cuscal Limited ABN 95 087 822 455.