Don’t trust the process, drive it. Create spaces where they do not exist. Build dynamic businesses from the ground up. Be the type of thought leader and advocate you’d trust.

Heather Altepeter

Heather Altepeter – Chief Executive Officer

A spirited entrepreneur, recognized merchant advocate, and dynamic business expert, Heather Altepeter is a progressive leader and voice of significance in the payments industry. As the founder and CEO of National Merchants Association (NMA), Altepeter personally pioneered a new era in the bankcard industry – shattering glass ceilings and demonstrating that High Risk Done Right® is both possible and attainable.

Under Altepeter’s leadership, NMA has achieved remarkable success – securing a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for three consecutive years and landing partnerships that afford exclusive access to innovative solutions like Fraud Wrangler™.

Recognized as a payments trendsetter and the go-to strategist for tackling challenging industry developments, opposition and legislation, Altepeter is frequently called upon to contribute expertise and define industry best practices, standards and procedures. Key appointments include annual Capitol Hill advocacy visits and expert panels at major events such as ETA’s TRANSACT.

Altepeter is a cum laude graduate of Miami University. She is heavily involved with the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) and its Government Relations Committee, and was one of the nation’s first ETA Certified Payments Professionals (CPP). Additionally, she is a public speaker, winegrower, and winery owner.

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