Ask the Question. Take the Step. Build the Career.
Payments On Tap Podcast: Season 1 - Episode 03
Episode Summary
In this special Women in Leadership edition of Payments on Tap, host Elyssa Morgan sits down with Angela Murphy, Ph.D.—widely known across the industry as “Payments Elsa.” Angela shares her unconventional journey into payments, from academia to fintech, and the moments of uncertainty, advocacy, and grit that shaped her career.
Angela reflects on entering an industry filled with acronyms, assumptions, and unspoken rules—and how curiosity, relentless learning, and asking questions became her superpower. She discusses the role of mentorship and sponsorship, the difference between authority and influence, and why confidence doesn’t come from titles but from preparation and perspective.
Throughout the conversation, Angela offers practical advice for professionals—especially women mid‑career—who feel stuck or unsure of their next step. Her message is clear: growth doesn’t require a leap. It starts with one question, one conversation, and one small step forward.
Guest‑at‑a‑glance
💡 Name: Angela Murphy, Ph.D. (“Payments Elsa”)
💡 What she does: Vice President of Marketing & Solutions
💡 Company: Pigeon
💡 Noteworthy: Recognized with the 2024 Paytech Women Emerging Trendsetter Award; creator of the “Payments Elsa” brand and host of the Icebreakers in FinTech podcast
💡 Where to find her: LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and Icebreakers in FinTech
Key Insights
Curiosity and questions are career accelerators
Angela’s entry into payments did not follow a traditional path. With a Ph.D. in rhetoric and no formal background in financial services, she entered the industry knowing “absolute zero.” What carried her forward was not prior expertise, but curiosity and the willingness to ask questions. She studied relentlessly, used flashcards to learn industry language, and paid close attention in rooms where she initially felt out of place. Her experience underscores a critical lesson: in payments, growth often belongs to those who ask questions early and often, not those who wait to feel “ready.”
Mentorship opens doors, but sponsorship changes trajectories
Throughout her career, Angela benefited from mentors who answered questions—but also sponsors who actively pulled her into rooms she would not have entered on her own. These advocates saw her potential before she fully saw it herself. That early exposure created learning moments that accelerated her confidence and competence. Angela emphasizes that leaders have a responsibility to create environments where questions are safe, curiosity is welcomed, and emerging voices are invited into conversations that shape decisions.
Influence outlasts authority in leadership
Angela draws a clear distinction between authority and influence. Titles and tenure may create authority, but influence comes from understanding others, sharing information, and inviting dialogue. She argues that leaders who rely solely on “because I said so” thinking limit progress, while those who engage with empathy and facts help move the industry forward. In payments—where collaboration across institutions, technologies, and perspectives is essential—true leadership depends on influence, not hierarchy.
Confidence can be anchored, not invented
Rather than viewing confidence as something people either have or lack, Angela reframes it as something that can be anchored. She encourages professionals to identify areas in their personal lives where they already feel knowledgeable and self‑assured, and to borrow from that certainty when entering unfamiliar professional situations. Confidence, in this view, is not bravado—it is preparation, perspective, and grounding yourself in what you know.
Progress happens one step at a time
For professionals feeling stuck, Angela’s advice is practical and accessible. Career growth does not require sweeping change or a perfect plan. It starts with a single action: asking one question in a meeting, commenting thoughtfully on a LinkedIn post, exploring a certification, or requesting professional development support. Over time, these small actions compound into meaningful momentum. The key is movement, not perfection.
Episode Highlights
Breaking into payments without a roadmap
Timestamp: ~00:01:40
Angela shares how she transitioned from academia into payments by reframing her skills around strategy and insight. With no formal payments background, she relied on networking, self‑reflection, and the willingness to ask others how they would position her experience.
“If you had this resume, what would you say? How would you talk about this skillset?”
Learning the language of payments
Timestamp: ~00:07:00
Angela describes the steep learning curve of entering an industry full of acronyms and assumptions—and how disciplined study and curiosity helped her find her footing.
“You don’t go to college for payments. Who’s going to teach you?”
The power of being invited into the room
Timestamp: ~00:11:00
A mentor’s decision to bring Angela into high‑level meetings became a defining moment in her career. Sitting quietly, taking notes, and asking questions afterward allowed her to grow into spaces she once felt unsure she belonged.
“That was probably the greatest gift she ever gave me.”
Confidence, facts, and closing the deal
Timestamp: ~00:14:00
Angela recalls negotiating with a major payments provider while questioning whether she belonged at the table. Preparation and a focus on facts helped her navigate fear and succeed.
“Stick to the facts.”
Authority versus influence in leadership
Timestamp: ~00:28:00
Angela challenges traditional notions of leadership, arguing that influence—not authority—is what drives real progress in payments.
“If you can influence the decisions of others with understanding, with kindness, and with information, that is worth all of the authority in the world.”
Advice for women navigating the next step
Timestamp: ~00:31:40
Angela closes the episode with guidance for women who feel stuck or uncertain about their careers, emphasizing small, manageable actions over overwhelming leaps.
“You can. It starts with the tiniest of steps.”