What could you not live without?

I can’t live without being near the water. I grew up in Iowa. At three years old I asked my parents why I couldn’t go live with our relatives in California. Now I sail every chance I get.

What made you choose this career path?

You don’t choose risk, you stumble into it. Now I love it. Every day, my team and I are helping keep business’ money safe.

How does Security and Risk fuel innovation?

Einstein said that everything should be as simple as possible but not simpler. At Visa, we strive for simplicity. We do this by moving payments behind the scenes. And to do that, payments must instill trust in the consumer.

Do you have a favorite invention?

Low drip irrigation. We live in an arid climate. Water is precious. But so are plants. And wildlife. We need all of these things to sustain life. So, at a tactical level in my backyard, low drip irrigation is an elegant compromise.

Where do you see payments heading?

Mobile and biometrics are obvious ones, but don’t discount the card just yet. Imagine one card being your entire wallet. It could process rebates in real time and also be the key to your apartment.

What's your favorite place in the Bay Area?

Oakland. I love Oakland. It has diversity in all aspects. From race to education level to job type. Plus, the weather is so much better than in San Francisco.

If you had an unexpected day off, how would you spend it?

Taking my dogs on a hike in the Oakland Hills. It’s amazing. You’re in the middle of the wilderness, yet you’re just five minutes from a massive urban metropolis.