Kim Ford Email and Phone Number

Chief is a private network built to drive more women into positions of power and keep them there. Chief is the only organization specifically designed for senior women leaders to strengthen their leadership journey, cross-pollinate ideas across industries, and effect change from the top-down.

Kim is Executive Director of the U.S. Faster Payments Council. The FPC is an industry-led membership organization whose mission is to facilitate a world-class payment system where Americans can safely and securely pay anyone, anywhere, at any time and with near-immediate funds availability. Kim is the first to serve in this role, and she is responsible for managing the daily operations of the organization and working with the FPC board and executive committee to execute on the FPC’s strategic plan while ensuring inclusive and transparent dialogue with all FPC members and stakeholders.

In my role as Head of Government Affairs, I am responsible for the development and implementation of First Data's global policy strategy and political advocacy. I am First Data's registered lobbyist in the U.S. I serve as a subject matter expert for sales personnel who interface with merchant and financial institution clients and host regulatory update sessions with key payments industry players. I also supervise First Data’s state and federal consultants and chair First Data's federal PAC.Some highlights of my experience at First Data include:• Amended federal landmark legislation that would have otherwise resulted in a multi-million dollar impact to First Data’s EBITDA; the final language signed into law resulted in multi-million dollar revenue opportunity. • Actively monitor over 5,000 proposed state and federal bills each legislative session.• Monthly legislative briefings and tailored, individual attention credited with playing a substantial role in 5-year contract renewal for FD’s largest-grossing client.• Testified as an expert witness in front of the U.S. House Small Business Committee in opposition to an IRS tax reporting proposal in President Bush’s FY09 budget.• Wrote and secured enactment of a payroll card law in the Colorado state legislature; contributed to prepaid division meeting annual growth target.• Increased average readership of First Data’s client newsletters to 40% by writing and including a monthly legislative and regulatory update column. Regulatory webinar briefings also receive highest attendee rate, averaging 1,000 clients for each session.

In this role, I managed an office staff of six, and we tracked federal legislation, communicated with citizens and conveyed constituent opinions to senator and legislative staff before votes were taken. Additionally, I was responsible for generating press events with local print and television media to maximize the Senator's name recognition, and I organized town hall meetings within region. This position also required that I interact with elected officials, community agencies, business leaders and general public regarding critical public policy issues.

During my tenure at the home builders, I advocated for favorable growth management policies through long-range planning, balanced land development codes and ordinances, adequate school/transportation planning and reasonable environmental regulations for our local builder members. I also regularly informed builder members on changes in local, state and federal building regulations and communicated with municipal staff regarding building code interpretations.