Francis De Roeck
Senior Payments Expert
Anton Kornilov is a global payments executive and advisor with over two decades of leadership experience at Mastercard and American Express, where he worked across cross-border, account-to-account, cards, and instant payment models in Europe and global markets. He now runs his own advisory practice, Kernel Acumen, supporting banks, PSPs and fintechs on payments commercialisation, regulatory change and operating-model evolution.
Throughout his career, Anton has worked at the intersection of strategy, regulation and commercial execution, helping organisations translate policy and market change into practical payment propositions and scalable operating models. Alongside his work in payments, he is a Board Director at Volleyball England and an active coach, bringing a strong belief that payments, like sport, are a team effort — reliant on trust, clear roles, interoperability and coordination across many participants.
With nearly twenty years of experience, Thea has built a solid and versatile track record in payments and e-identity. She operates at the intersection of strategy, technology and innovation, where complex challenges meet the need for clear direction and practical execution. Across both financial institutions and technology-driven organisations, she has led innovative initiatives with tangible impact. Her career, including roles at ABN AMRO and CM.com, combined with her work as an independent strategic consultant, positions her as a natural connector between business, IT and regulation.
Thea is valued for her sharp analytical mindset, pragmatic approach and the energy with which she mobilises people and organisations. She thrives on complex challenges and has a strong ability to break them down into manageable components and translate them into actionable solutions. She combines strategic thinking with a hands-on mentality, always focused on creating value.
Beyond her professional work, Thea actively contributes to a more inclusive fintech landscape. As a goodwill ambassador for EWPN and initiator of a network for payment professionals, she promotes greater visibility, connection and knowledge sharing within the sector.
Her involvement in the Leadership Board aligns seamlessly with her ambition to accelerate innovation in instant payments and to create stronger visibility for female expertise within fintech.
