At NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), I lead global projects for payment products like UPI and Rupay Payments, with a focus on project management, integration, and operational excellence. I manage complex end-to-end implementations, ensuring seamless onboarding of international financial institutions and driving cross-border payment solutions.Key responsibilities include:Project Management: Oversee the entire project lifecycle from planning to execution and delivery, ensuring that UPI and RuPay implementations meet timelines, budgets, and strategic goals. Lead the PayNow UPI cross-border remittance project, recognized at a national level.Global Payment Integration: Lead technical and business operations for UPI and RuPay integrations across multiple countries. Collaborate with product, technology, and business teams to deliver solutions that meet international standards and compliance requirements.Stakeholder & Risk Management: Engage with financial institutions, vendors, and regulatory bodies to manage expectations and maintain alignment. Proactively identify and resolve project risks while maintaining communication with all stakeholders.Operational Uptime & Support: Ensure the operational readiness and continuous performance of payment systems, coordinating with network partners to manage settlements, performance monitoring, and system upgrades.Compliance & Reporting: Ensure adherence to global regulatory requirements and payment scheme guidelines. Regularly report progress to senior leadership, while leveraging analytics to drive operational improvements and optimize processes.With a focus on both strategic and operational excellence, I ensure seamless global payment implementations that enhance customer experience and business outcomes.

During my time at Discover Financial Services, I was responsible for providing operational support and managing relationships with key and non-key account banks across the Asia Pacific region, focusing on enhancing network capabilities for ATM, credit, and e-commerce transactions. Key responsibilities included:Operational Management & Support: Supported DCI franchises, agency acquirers, and processors in day-to-day operational matters, including complex transaction issues and managing participant relationships. Assisted with onboarding new participants across issuing, acquiring, and merchant networks.Project & Process Management: Led the end-to-end certification process for various participants, ensuring they complied with network rules and regulations. Coordinated the semi-annual release process for participants and worked closely with them to troubleshoot and resolve acceptance issues, ultimately driving network initiatives.EMV Deployment Project Management: Managed EMV migration projects, including D-PAS implementation for card issuance and operational readiness. Worked with partners, issuers, and acquirers to ensure seamless deployment of EMV technology across ATMs and credit systems.Subject Matter Expertise: Provided technical and product knowledge related to transaction processing, EMV lifecycle, and regulatory compliance. Acted as a consultant for both internal teams and clients, guiding them through complex payment-related implementations and operational challenges.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engaged with sales teams, vendors, and external consultants to provide training, resolve migration-related issues, and deliver operational solutions. Ensured all processes were well-documented to meet audit and compliance requirements.Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting: Regularly presented updates to senior management regarding project statuses and operational improvements, while identifying opportunities for enhancing Discover’s global network services.

At Wipro Technologies, I served as an Implementation Specialist for MasterCard’s key projects across the Middle East and Africa. My focus was on managing the end-to-end implementation of payment systems and ensuring successful onboarding of financial institutions.Key responsibilities included:End-to-End Project Management: Managed all phases of card payment implementations, from project planning and cost estimation to execution, testing, and production migration. Coordinated with clients and internal teams to ensure project milestones were achieved on time and within budget.Client Onboarding & Requirements Gathering: Led customer onboarding for new financial institutions, conducting kick-off meetings to gather and define requirements for authorization, clearing, and settlement processes. Worked closely with stakeholders to design high-level scenarios and project documentation.EMV Deployment & Chip Card Migration: Spearheaded the first-time EMV chip card processing implementations for various issuing banks in India. Provided expertise on both single and dual message systems for card products, ensuring seamless transitions.Testing & Certification: Directed online and offline testing phases, reviewing test plans, coordinating with clients on execution, and ensuring compliance with business requirements. Managed the certification process to ensure a smooth go-live for customers.Cross-Functional Coordination: Acted as a liaison between business lines, technical teams, and vendors, ensuring alignment throughout project lifecycles. Provided daily status reports and updates to stakeholders, highlighting testing progress, issues, and dependencies.Technical Expertise & Leadership: Delivered training on MasterCard products and technologies, helping clients and new team members understand the nuances of payment services, including authorization and transaction validation.