Leadership

Merima Mahmutović is a Senior Manager for Strategy, Transformation, and Technology Consulting for Southeastern Europe at PwC. She leads major transformation projects in the financial sector, designing innovative solutions and enhancing business models through collaboration with leading international and domestic banks, fintech companies, and payment institutions. Her work places a strong focus on developing and implementing modern platform services: including open banking and SEPA payment systems, that help financial institutions build competitive and future-ready digital ecosystems.

Merima also brings over 12 years of experience in the banking industry. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of roles from SME sales and product development for small businesses to serving as Director of the Banking Support Division in the major European Banking groups. She has also worked in a large IT company, where she was responsible for developing business with financial sector clients in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Beyond her professional work, Merima is deeply engaged in community and industry development. She serves as Chair of the Executive Board of the European Women Payments Network (EWPN), one of the leading European association based in the Netherlands. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the eCommerce Association in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a member of the Banking and Finance Committee at AmCham.

Born in Sarajevo, Merima holds two master’s degrees — one in Banking and Insurance, and another in Information Systems Management, a program developed in cooperation with Microsoft. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Digital Innovation, further demonstrating her dedication to continuous learning, professional growth, and the advancement of the financial technology landscape.

She is married and has one daughter.

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.

Patrick is founder and treasury consultant at Pecunia Treasury & Finance BV. A boutique treasury consultancy firm based out of the Netherlands. Servicing clients in the Benelux, Germany, Nordics and wider EMEA. Patrick has seen more then 30 treasuries from big to small from profit to non-profit. He has 25 years of experience in his 15 year treasury career. Patrick is both interim manager and consultant and also has a wealth of tech knowledge, having led several TMS, Payment hub and FX hub implementations.

Pecunia’s unique concept of working with 300+ freelancer associate interim consultant means they always have a suitable treasury, data, tech/TMS, banking, corporate finance or cash management expert in their ranks at a competitive price.

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.

Experienced network leader and analyst in financial services and IT.
Focus on strategy, innovation and development with strong combination of innovation theory and practice including an industrial PhD in collaborative innovation. Practised event moderator with large Danish and International network in the Fintech Area
Background in economics (master in economics and e-mba) and experience in financial services, digitization and IT.