Coffee with the Council By PCI Security Standards Council

When the PCI Security Standards Council was created in 2006, the goal was to create a forum for the ongoing development, enhancement, and implementation of security standards for account data protection. Since then, the Council has not only achieved that goal but also created a space for industry leaders to come together and shape the direction of the industry. 
Throughout our conversations with stakeholders, we explored a variety of topics about the Council’s journey and the evolution of the payments industry. To begin, we asked them to share their memories of how the Council, or the payments industry itself, has evolved over the last 20 years. Their responses offer a look back at the milestones, partnerships, and progress that have shaped the journey.

Today I'm excited to bring you a preview of our 2026 Europe Community Meeting Keynote Speaker, Ken Hughes. Ken is a leading consumer and cyber behavioralist known for his dynamic high-energy presentations and his ability to translate complex ideas about technology, behavior, and trust into powerful insights for global audiences.

Today, I'm excited to bring you a preview of our 2026 Asia-Pacific Community Meeting keynote speaker, Dr. CJ Meadows. CJ is a globally recognized innovation and leadership expert whose work explores the intersection of emerging technology, creativity, and human behavior. She's known for her dynamic, research-driven approach and her ability to translate complex ideas about AI, design, and transformation into practical insights for organizations around the world.

Today, I'm excited to bring you a sneak peek interview with PCI SSC's 2026 North America Community Meeting Keynote Speaker, Sharon Gai. Sharon is a global expert in e-commerce, digital strategy, and cross-cultural innovation. After nearly a decade at Alibaba, where she guided international brands through China's dynamic digital marketplace, she now advises organizations across North America and beyond on innovation, AI adoption, and building resilient strategies in an evolving economy. She's also the author of two books, including her latest release, How to Do More with Less: Future Proofing Yourself in an AI-Driven Economy, which just hit store shelves.

I'm excited to announce that the Council will open the nomination period for the next Global Executive Assessor Roundtable on June 1st. This roundtable, or GEAR as it's known, represents the perspectives of the PCI assessor community. Joining me to discuss what all of this means and how you can participate is the Council's own Chelsea Lopez, Client Engagement Operations Director.