Embarking on an Unconventional Career Path in the World of Payments

As an individual with neurodivergence, including ADHD, Auditory Perception disorder, and Cross Dominant vision, navigating a professional landscape that demands reading, attentive listening, unwavering focus, and adaptability to a constantly shifting regulatory environment has been an illuminating expedition. My pursuit of equilibrium has led me to recognize that the tools required for my daily coping are always within reach. This narrative is not about seeking sympathy or empathy for my challenges, but rather an outreach to those who share a similar cognitive landscape—those whose mental terrain operates in distinct and non-conventional ways. Many of us already comprehend that our experiences, while unique, are shared by a community that knows how to find its kindred spirits.

The 90's marked my transition from the Navy, a chapter I departed with honor, to a remarkable new chapter at Brandeis University. This institution remains a recurring theme in my conversations, a constant source of gratitude and affirmation. During this transformative period, I grappled with transitioning from Sailor to Student and sought advice. I had the privilege of consulting a doctor whose name escapes me now, and she artfully unraveled the intricacies of my sensory and cognitive interactions—how my ears, eyes, and brain sometimes experienced dissonance. This moment of insight was a gift, a touch of grace that relieved me and unlocked a profound comprehension of my struggles with learning.

I was endowed with a toolbox, housing insights, suggestions, and guides to enhance my learning journey. Armed with an understanding of my challenges and supported by someone who comprehended my unique nature, my journey commenced—a journey characterized by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and an urge to share my distinct worldview. The rigors of coursework gradually became more manageable, although by no means effortless. My writing abilities flourished, allowing me to convey my thoughts coherently and embrace my voice, despite my less-than-stellar editing skills.

In 1998, an unforeseen opportunity arose: an interview with BBH&Co within the foreign exchange department. Despite my background in History and East Asian Studies, vastly different from the traditional requisites of economics or business majors, I embarked on the adventure. My world travels and deep-rooted understanding of FX, acquired as a consumer of diverse currencies, coupled with my adeptness at executing tasks in succession due to military training, laid the foundation. Over 25 years, my trajectory led me through diverse roles—front office trading desk, middle office communication hub, and operations troubleshooter and preventer.

As I reflect on the tools that empower me, I realize they have always been at arm's length: a pencil, paper, pen, highlighter, reference manuals like the Nacha Operating Rules & Guidelines, cheat sheets, a myriad of "For Dummies" series books, and fidget gadgets that help center my thoughts. These mechanisms are my allies in traversing the day, averting stress whenever possible. While perfection in their application is elusive, they serve as reminders of a time when I lacked such tools, when I felt isolated, and struggled to articulate my feelings and grasp the material—a feeling of understanding hindered by a different cognitive approach.

I don't hold a PhD or an MD, yet I am an individual who has lived with these intricate faculties, sometimes referred to as disabilities, for 56 years. This journey has granted me the knowledge of how I best learn, hone critical thinking, and even perceive mathematics from an unconventional angle. Embracing the title of a "nerd," I find pride in contributing to the “payment’s community” participating in podcasts, panel discussions or webinars, constantly learning and sharing my insights. I am at peace with the distinctive operations of my cognitive processing unit, finding solace in the mosaic of my existence.