Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

APP's Pledge for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

To help protect the integrity of the payment ecosystem through education, communication, and collaboration, APP pledges to:

  • practice inclusion as both an ethical and operational imperative,
  • engage diverse backgrounds and perspectives to enrich our educational opportunities and strengthen organizational decisions,
  • seek out opportunities to support inclusive and equitable behaviors, and, 
  • promote a culture that recognizes and develops the potential of all members.

APP is committed to adopting processes, policies, programs, and practices in support of this pledge.  This begins with establishing mechanisms that enable all voices to be heard and where difficult conversations can occur respectfully.  APP leadership will work to actively model behaviors that promote the dignity, engagement, and growth of all members.

In doing these things, we advance APP's mission while also providing relevant service and value to our members and society.

APP Today

Historically, APP has not tracked demographic information about our membership with the belief that someone's demographic background was not a factor in deciding membership or providing benefits.  We recognize today this belief resulted in missed opportunities to proactively grow diversity, equity, and inclusion at APP. While we cannot undo the past, we are actively engaged in creating a better future.

63
  • Percentage of APP Committee Chairs or Co-chairs who are women

60
  • Percentage of the time since incorporating in 2007 where a woman has held the top leadership role (President) at APP
  • Percentage of APP's voting board members who are women

44
  • Percentage of the time since founding in 1997 that a woman has held the top leadership role (President) at APP
  • Percentage of APP's advising board members who are women

33
  • Size of the APP Board (voting + advising)

9
  • Percentage of combined board and staff from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups

5
  • Number of APP staff (2 men), and contracted specialists (3 women)

1
  • Percentage of APP staff or board members with a disclosed ADA disability

While there is still progress to be made, in the past two years:

  • The APP Board adopted a diversity statement as part of its policies and procedures.
  • Spawned a subgroup to begin work on a DEI plan.  This became a full committee in 2023. 
  • APP included goals related to DEI within our strategic plan. 
  • APP delivered webinars on topics such as Implicit Bias.
  • APP approached other associations, such as WNet, to explore collaboration opportunities.
  • APP changed our dues structure to an "inclusive" model, enabling access to a wider range of individuals within every member organization.

More Coming Soon

We recently formed a DEI Committee whose charge includes developing and implementing recommendations for specific initiatives to continue the evolution of APP's culture and  DEI efforts.  Additional volunteers are welcome and encouraged to join us on this committee.  

If you would like to be a part of our planning and program development process for DEI please contact us to volunteer or watch our volunteer openings for new and upcoming opportunities.