Debra is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of OpenSparkz, a real-time seamless loyalty rewards payment interface. OpenSparkz uses a real-time tokenized encrypted data link to facilitate embedded rewards payments. OpenSparkz utilizes nascent payment and card linking technology using PCI-DDS level 1 integration with banks, payment networks, and global card schemes.
Debra has provided a new world of choice, real-time data, and customer interaction for merchants by introducing PAX Technology to Australia. She has also provided a flexible, frictionless, and digitized POS for the next generation of consumers, driven by technologically savvy Millennials. Because of the original and beneficial contributions that Debra has made to the payments sector, she justly deserves to be recognized for her work.
Deborah has been an experienced entrepreneur in the fintech and payments industry for the last 25 years. During that time, she launched twelve start-ups, four of which led to profitable exits. Her ability to formulate and express independent thought based on a “solution and resolution” approach exemplifies Debra’s approach to leadership, which is also demonstrated by her valued and proven ability to encourage and instill payment innovation. Debra’s leadership style is exemplified by the following: Debra has worked closely with top leadership from various international firms, including Oracle, IBM, Diebold, Samsung, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, NCR, and Unisys, among others. Within Australia, she has held positions of senior executive responsibility with Olivetti, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), St. George Bank, Suncorp Bank, Westpac, NIB, Medibank Private, HCF, Qantas, Virgin, Caltex, BP, and Metcash.