09:00
- 15:00
Golf at TPC Summerlin | Sponsored by Crown Asset Management and TRAKAmerica
14:00
- 19:00
Registration Open | Sponsored by EverChain
15:00
- 18:00
Executive Lounge Open
15:00
- 15:50
Women’s Collective Session
15:00
- 16:00
Welcome Reception
16:00
- 17:00
First Time Attendee/New Member Reception
17:00
- 18:00
Legislative Fund Donor Appreciation Reception
07:00
- 19:30
Registration Open | Sponsored by EverChain
07:00
- 08:00
Networking Breakfast
08:00
- 18:00
Executive, Connect, FastTrack and VIP Lounges Open
08:00
- 08:50
Complaint, Dispute, and Credit Reporting Operations Under Pressure
Complaint and dispute volumes, credit reporting scrutiny, and evolving regulatory expectations are increasing pressure on receivables organizations. This moderated panel focuses on practical controls that help teams respond consistently, document decisions, identify root causes, and reduce repeat issues. Attendees will examine common failure points across complaint intake, dispute investigations, credit reporting, escalation, and remediation. The panelists will use audience discussion and scenario-based examples to help organizations compare current practices against stronger operating routines, governance checkpoints, and management reporting.
Spring Oaks Capital, LLC
Catherine Calko is the Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant General Counsel for Spring Oaks Capital. She joined the company in 2020 as the Director of Audit and Compliance, bringing with her an extensive career in compliance and operational controls from her previous roles at Bank of America (MBNA) and Wells Fargo. In recognition of her experience and leadership, Catherine was promoted to her current position in 2021.
At Bank of America, Catherine gained comprehensive experience across the entire credit life cycle, working in collections, credit, and customer service. She played a pivotal role in establishing a vendor controls and oversight program for legal and collections vendors. During her tenure at Wells Fargo, she served as a Business Risk and Controls Manager, supporting recovery, third-party collections, legal collections, and bankruptcy.
In addition to her corporate experience, Catherine has also served as an Assistant Attorney General with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. She holds a BA from Bowling Green State University and earned her law degree from the University of Akron.
Catherine Calko
Spring Oaks Capital, LLC
Bridgeforce LLC
Michelle is the Managing Partner and Chief Compliance Officer at Bridgeforce, a consulting firm focused on consumer lending, payments and deposits. She jointly oversees Bridgeforce’s U.S. practice and leads the Consumer Reporting Compliance practice. Michelle’s 35+ years of industry experience gives her a unique blend of working with the art of the possible while understanding the black and white necessities of compliance to protect both Bridgeforce and our clients. Her deep knowledge of consumer reporting, usage and disputes means that she is frequently tapped to share her expertise at high-profile industry conferences and webinars hosted by CDIA, CBA, SBFE, ARMLaw, AccountsRecovery.net, insideARM, NAFCU and ACA.
Michelle Macartney
Bridgeforce LLC
Security Finance
Kevin Toth is Senior Manager of Debt Resolution and Customer Relations at Security Finance, where he leads settlements, debt sales, credit reporting, credit disputes, and consumer complaints. Kevin brings more than 27 years of experience in consumer finance, including 20 years in the payday lending industry prior to joining Security Finance, where he has held several leadership roles spanning Operations and Internal Audit. His experience provides a practical, operations-focused perspective on managing complaints, disputes, and credit reporting, with a focus on building effective processes, identifying root causes, and driving continuous improvement.
Kevin Toth
Security Finance
08:00
- 12:00
Introductory Survey Course on Receivables Management
This course provides a general overview of applicable state and federal laws and regulations that impact debt buying companies, collection agencies, law firms, and creditors that purchase, sell, or collect purchased receivables. In addition, the course will highlight industry best practices contained in the Receivables Management Certification Program and discuss how those standards, in many instances, go beyond what is required by law. The Introductory Survey Course on Debt Buying is required for individuals seeking to become a Certified Receivables Compliance Professional (CRCP) through RMAI.
Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC
Scott Morris is a Managing Member of Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC, a leading creditors’ rights firm specializing in consumer collections and foreclosure. With over two decades of experience, Scott has built a reputation for combining deep legal expertise with operational innovation. He previously served as Treasurer of the National Creditors Bar Association and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the New York State Creditors Bar Association, where he contributes to shaping industry standards and advancing best practices through leading the government affairs committee. Scott’s work spans complex regulatory matters involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), State Attorneys General, and federal, state, and local compliance frameworks. He has successfully implemented Compliance Management Systems, enhanced technological and operational processes, and provided strategic leadership to large teams of professionals. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from New York Law School (2004) and his B.L.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park (1998). Scott is admitted to practice law in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.
Scott Morris
Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC
In the Park MDR
Mark has been involved in the stratification of over 800 individual transactions, including the analysis behind the potential liquidation for over $20 Billion in purchased accounts. Mark is a frequent speaker on topics ranging from Data Security, Operational Best Practices, Historical Industry Analysis, Encryption Methodology, Risk Mitigation and Relationship Building.
He was appointed to serve on the task force committee that implemented certification within RMAI, a cornerstone of what inevitably became RMAI’s federally recognized compliance program. He was also a founding board member of the Certification Committee and continues to teach the introductory course for Certification. An RMAI Certified Receivables Compliance Professional, Mark was elected to the RMAI Board of Directors in 2014, and after serving two terms as President.
Mark Naiman
In the Park MDR
Maurice Wutscher LLP
Brent Yarborough is a principal with Maurice Wutscher LLP and is based in the firm’s Birmingham, Alabama office. Brent advises banks, credit unions, fintech lenders, debt buyers, collection agencies, and law firms on matters related to compliance with federal and state consumer financial laws.
Brent Yarborough
Maurice Wutscher LLP
08:55
- 09:45
What the Flux is This? Dealing with the Influx of Pro Se and AI Generated Litigation
Filings are up, especially by pro se plaintiffs. The industry is dealing with more artificial intelligence combined with some lack of intelligence being driven by social media. This presentation will go through current trends, strategies, and how to prevail.
Lippes Mathias
Mr. Little, a Partner with Lippes Mathias, is one of the leaders of the Litigation Team and is the firm’s Consumer Financial Services Litigation Practice Team Leader. He focuses his practice on a wide range of commercial and business litigation matters, including contractual disputes, issues raised by federal and state regulatory agencies, shareholder derivative actions, business divorces, claims asserted pursuant to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and real property litigation.
Additionally, Mr. Little devotes a significant amount of his time to traveling the country defending creditors and other financial institutions against individual and class claims that his clients have violated, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Brendan Little
Lippes Mathias
Martin Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC
Xerxes Martin is a founding partner of Martin Golden Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC and works out of the Dallas office. Xerxes has extensive experience in both jury and non-jury trials, briefing, motion practice, and hearings. He believes in thinking outside the box for his approach to develop creative solutions to the client’s issues and circumvent potential issues down the road. He has handled all facets of cases from pre-litigation, trial and appeal obtaining numerous favorable decisions for his clients.
Xerxes Martin
Martin Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC
09:45
- 10:00
Networking Break
10:00
- 12:00
Chief Compliance Officer Forum
ARM Compliance Business Solutions
Sara Burton
ARM Compliance Business Solutions
Cavalry Investments, LLC
Anne Thomas has been with Cavalry Portfolio Services for more than 15 years and has been in the debt collection industry for nearly 20 years. As part of her role, Anne is responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring the Compliance Management System. In addition, she serves as a member of Cavalry’s Compliance Committee.
Anne Thomas
Cavalry Investments, LLC
12:00
- 18:30
Exhibit Hall Open
12:00
- 18:30
Silent Auction Open
12:00
- 13:00
Networking Lunch
12:30
- 14:30
Professional Headshots | Sponsored by FLOCK Specialty Finance
13:00
- 13:50
AI Across the ARM Enterprise: Strategic Outlook & Leadership Panel (Part 5 of AI Webinar Series)
Where is AI delivering real value in accounts receivables management—and what comes next? This interactive executive panel will explore the strategic opportunities and challenges of AI across the ARM enterprise, from automation and workforce transformation to autonomous workflows and AI-assisted operations.
Industry leaders will discuss where organizations are seeing ROI, how to assess AI readiness, and what effective AI governance looks like. The conversation will also address critical regulatory, privacy, consumer protection, and human oversight considerations. With live polling, audience Q&A, an interactive AI maturity assessment, and a “What would you automate first?” discussion, participants will gain practical insights and actionable ideas for evaluating AI opportunities and developing a responsible roadmap for adoption.
Provana
Sean Clark is Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth at Provana, leading initiatives that expand the company’s impact across the credit, collections, and legal ecosystems. With 20+ years of experience, he drives innovation in contact center operations, compliance-driven workflows, and technology-enabled services.
His work sits at the intersection of strategy, partnerships, and applied AI helping organizations modernize operations while maintaining regulatory integrity. Sean has also played a key role in advancing Provana’s solution capabilities through strategic initiatives and acquisitions. Known for his practical, operator-first perspective, Sean is a frequent speaker on topics such as contact center transformation, compliance oversight, and the evolving role of AI in regulated environments.
Kompato AI
Rodrigo Fuentes is VP of Growth at Kompato AI, an AI-native debt recovery company that pairs Voice AI with human collectors for lenders, banks, and debt buyers. He leads go-to-market, sales, and customer success. Rod started his career as an electrical engineer and moved into patent litigation before turning to tech startups. He founded a marketing technology company that was acquired in 2019. He joined Kompato to help bring an AI-native collections platform to the U.S. market. Rod is based in Denver.
Rodrigo Fuentes
Kompato AI
Troutman Pepper Locke
Kim is a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Privacy + Cyber as well as the Consumer Financial Services Practice Groups, where she provides data protection counsel to companies on compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Her work encompasses strategic planning and guidance for companies to incorporate privacy and data security considerations throughout their enterprise from product development to marketing and implementation. She also assists companies with data breach prevention and response. Kim also provides extensive e-commerce support, including mobile app development, conducting online behavioral advertising assessments, enhancing website privacy policies, and advising on social media, artificial intelligence, and other consumer interactions. Kim also provides guidance to clients on regulatory compliance matters, including supervisory and enforcement interactions with the CFPB, FTC, and state attorneys general. Kim has been recognized in Chambers FinTech Legal USA and is a member of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers. Kim also serves as an adjunct professor of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence at the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School.
Kim Phan
Troutman Pepper Locke
Much Shelist, P.C.
Dara Tarkowski is an attorney at Much Shelist, P.C., where she leads the Tech Innovation, Data & Financial Regulation team. She provides 360-degree legal counsel at the intersection of emerging technology, data, financial services, and the digital economy.
ARM organizations, banks, fintechs, digital asset companies, data-driven enterprises, and technology innovators rely on Dara and her team for the full spectrum of legal needs, from day-to-day compliance and regulatory strategy to complex transactions, government advocacy, and high-stakes litigation.
Dara is a recognized thought leader in the areas of technology and highly regulated industries. American Banker named her as one of the Most Influential Women in Fintech. She hosts her own podcast, “Tech on Reg,” and she is a regular contributor to the world’s top fintech podcast, “Breaking Banks.”
Dara Tarkowski
Much Shelist, P.C.
13:00
- 13:50
Ethics: Data Protection – Privacy, Data Security, and AI
Consumer data has so much value and can be leveraged in so many ways to enhance business operations and promote strong customer service. However, increased use and analytics of consumer data raises legal and regulatory concerns around privacy, data security, and the myriad considerations associated with artificial intelligence. Companies should be doing everything they can to stay ahead of the curve in adapting to the new consumer data-driven world.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Kim is a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Privacy + Cyber as well as the Consumer Financial Services Practice Groups, where she provides data protection counsel to companies on compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Her work encompasses strategic planning and guidance for companies to incorporate privacy and data security considerations throughout their enterprise from product development to marketing and implementation. She also assists companies with data breach prevention and response. Kim also provides extensive e-commerce support, including mobile app development, conducting online behavioral advertising assessments, enhancing website privacy policies, and advising on social media, artificial intelligence, and other consumer interactions. Kim also provides guidance to clients on regulatory compliance matters, including supervisory and enforcement interactions with the CFPB, FTC, and state attorneys general. Kim has been recognized in Chambers FinTech Legal USA and is a member of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers. Kim also serves as an adjunct professor of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence at the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School.
Kim Phan
Troutman Pepper Locke
TrueML Products
Lauren is a licensed attorney and a regulatory and compliance specialist for the financial services industry. Having served as general counsel for many years in the financial services industry, Lauren has a breadth of experience advising on compliance with federal and state consumer protection laws, government regulation and affairs, state licensing requirements, data privacy, litigation defense, labor and employment issues, transactional matters, and business strategy. Her background makes Lauren uniquely positioned to help companies operationalize compliance across an organization. Her hands-on experience leading cross-functional teams to design, implement, and test policies, procedures, processes, and compliance management systems gives Lauren a unique perspective that is sensitive to the realities companies face when determining how to best mitigate risks while optimizing resources.
Lauren is a leader in the accounts receivables industry. She serves on multiple committees for ACA International and RMAi, and is an ACA certified Credit and Collection Compliance Attorney. She has presented and/or written compliance commentary for InsideARM, ACA International, AccountsRecovery.Net, Receivables Info, and the California Association of Collectors (CAC). Lauren has also served as guest on multiple industry podcasts. She was recognized as a Top 50 Receivables Professional and a Top Women Leader in Accounts Receivable in 2019 by Receivables Advisor.
Lauren Valenzuela
TrueML Products
14:00
- 14:50
AI Workshop
14:00
- 14:50
Ethics Session (Part Two)
TrueML
Kelly Knepper-Stephens is the Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel at TrueAccord Corp. She is a passionate advocate for making the law (and legal advice) interesting for everyone. Her work focuses on government regulation, compliance, and civil litigation. She advises on the intersection of innovation in technology with consumer protection statutes such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, privacy and security laws and other federal and state regulations. Kelly serves on the Board of Directors for the Receivables Management Association International, is an ACA-Certified Instructor, and serves on the Steering Committee for the Consumer Relations Consortium. She also served as a SER for the Arbitration and Debt Collection Rulemakings. FinTech Magazine named Kelly one of the Top 100 Women in FinTech in 2022 and Collection Advisor Magazine named Kelly one of the 20 Most Powerful Women in Collections in 2018 and 2016.
Kelly Knepper-Stephens
TrueML
14:45
- 16:00
Iced Coffee Bar
15:00
- 16:00
Attorney/Collection Agency/Debt Buyer Networking Meeting
17:00
- 18:30
Opening Reception
07:30
- 18:30
Registration Open | Sponsored by EverChain
08:00
- 18:00
Executive, Connect, FastTrack and VIP Lounges Open
08:00
- 09:00
Networking Breakfast
08:00
- 18:30
Exhibit Hall Open
08:00
- 18:00
Silent Auction Open
09:00
- 10:10
Annual Business Meeting and Keynote Presentation by Chris Leslie
Credit Services Association (CSA)
Chris Leslie has been the chief executive of the UK trade body the Credit Services Association (CSA) since 2020. He is a former UK Member of Parliament for Nottingham East (2010 – 2019) and Shipley (1997 – 2005) and was UK Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2015. He was a Government Minister in several departments, with responsibility for constitutional issues and the courts, local government and at the UK Cabinet Office. For five years from 2005 he was Chief Executive director at the New Local Government Network think tank, leading new research and policy development on devolved governance across the UK, during which time Chris was also a trustee at the debt advice charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service (now ‘StepChange’). He specialised in financial services and economic policy during his time in Parliament since 2010 and was shadow City Minister and shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Chris also served for three years on the International Trade Select Committee of the House of Commons and the Public Accounts Committee.
Chris Leslie
Credit Services Association (CSA)
10:10
- 10:30
Networking Break
10:30
- 11:20
State & Federal Legislative & Regulatory Update
K&L Gates, LLP
Dan Crowley is a partner in K&L Gates’ Washington, D.C. office. He leads the firm’s global financial services policy practice. In the decade before joining K&L Gates, he led the government relations efforts at the Investment Company Institute, The Nasdaq Stock Market, and the National Association of Securities Dealers. Previously, he served as general counsel to then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and to House Oversight Committee Chairman Bill Thomas. Dan also serves as RMAI’s Federal Counsel.
Dan Crowley
K&L Gates, LLP
MauriceWutscher, LLP
Don Maurice is a partner at Maurice Wutscher LLP representing the financial services industry in bench trials and jury trials of individual and class actions as well as appeals. He is admitted to the Bars of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia and has practiced law since 1988. Don has been inducted into the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers where he serves as Regent. He is outside counsel to the Receivables Management Association International. He is a fellow at the American Bar Foundation and chairs the Consumer Affairs Committee of the New York City Bar Association. He formerly chaired the Debt Collection Practices and Bankruptcy Subcommittee of the American Bar Association. He is certified as a Leadership Professional in Ethics and Compliance by the Ethics Compliance Initiative. He is editor of the Consumer Financial Services Blog (cfsblog.com). A frequent speaker and author on ethics, financial services, and privacy law, his many articles on these topics have been published in law reviews and trade publications.
Don Maurice
MauriceWutscher, LLP
Receivables Management Association International
David Reid serves as General Counsel for the Receivables Management Association International (RMAI). In this capacity, David manages the legal, state legislative, regulatory, and advocacy activities of the association. David also serves as staff liaison to the RMAI Certification Council and its Standards and Remediation Committees. David is a graduate of Canisius College and Albany Law School. He is admitted to the California, New Jersey, and New York bars.
David Reid
Receivables Management Association International
Foley & Lardner LLP
Meghan draws on her first-hand experience in high-level consumer protection roles to counsel clients through state attorney general investigations and enforcement actions across several key industries, including education, financial services, health care, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. Prior to entering private practice, Meghan served as chief of the Consumer Protection Division in the Office of the Nebraska Attorney General, a role in which she was responsible for the investigation and enforcement of state and federal laws related to deceptive and unfair trade practices, data privacy and security, antitrust, nonprofits, tobacco regulation, and charitable trusts. Meghan also served for nearly a decade in the consumer protection and antitrust division of the Office of the Kansas Attorney General.
Meghan Stoppel
Foley & Lardner LLP
10:30
- 11:20
Signals, Standards, and Sustainable Recovery: Navigating the New Consumer Environment
The ways consumers obtain information, communicate with financial services providers, and respond to financial obligations are changing rapidly. Digital communication tools offer new opportunities for engagement and resolution, while social media, commercial advice platforms, and financial influencers can circulate incomplete, misleading, or context-dependent information at unprecedented speed. This moderated panel will examine emerging trends in consumer communications and interactions with creditors, debt buyers, collection agencies, and law firms. Panelists will discuss how these developments affect contact strategies, complaint and dispute activity, operational efficiency, employee training, and the consumer experience.
Using relevant RMAI Certification Standards as practical guideposts, the session will explore how recovery organizations can remain compliant, efficient, and financially sustainable while treating consumers ethically, communicating accurately, and recognizing both consumer rights and legitimate financial responsibilities. The discussion will emphasize practical operational responses rather than abstract policy debate.
Provana
Sean Clark is Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth at Provana, leading initiatives that expand the company’s impact across the credit, collections, and legal ecosystems. With 20+ years of experience, he drives innovation in contact center operations, compliance-driven workflows, and technology-enabled services.
His work sits at the intersection of strategy, partnerships, and applied AI helping organizations modernize operations while maintaining regulatory integrity. Sean has also played a key role in advancing Provana’s solution capabilities through strategic initiatives and acquisitions. Known for his practical, operator-first perspective, Sean is a frequent speaker on topics such as contact center transformation, compliance oversight, and the evolving role of AI in regulated environments.
Resurgent Capital Services
Kristyn Leffler is the Vice President of Digital Strategy and Operations for Resurgent Capital Services. Her teams are responsible for all aspects of Resurgent’s digital operations: strategic segmentation, content design and delivery, product management, execution, revenue performance, and oversight. Leading these efforts has given her a front-and-center view and renewed appreciation for the application of new and innovative technologies in the finance and fintech environment. Previous roles in her eleven years with Resurgent include portfolio and strategy analytics, inventory integration and segmentation, and non-performing judgment strategies. She holds an MS in Applied Economics and Experimental Statistics from Clemson University and a BS in Business Administration from Duquesne University.
Kristyn Leffler
Resurgent Capital Services
Invenio Financial, a Phillps & Cohen Associates Company
Rebekah Luebcke serves as Chief Operating Officer of Invenio Financial, where she oversees operational strategy, inventory management, vendor performance, and operational support functions across the organization. Ms. Luebcke brings more than 20 years of experience in receivables management, financial services operations, and compliance collaboration, including operations leadership roles with two prominent debt buyers and prior leadership experience in payments processing and revenue cycle management. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives focused on operational optimization, collection vendor oversight, litigation network management, performance strategy, change management, and regulatory readiness. Within the industry, Ms. Luebcke currently serves as Chair of the (RMAI) Industry Research Working Group and is a member of various other committees and working groups. She previously served on the Fintech Legal Working Group, contributing to the development of RMAI’s fintech asset class requirements adopted in 2022 and related industry resource papers addressing fintech receivables and chain of title considerations. Ms. Luebcke holds a Master of Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Music from The University of Mississippi, is an RMAI Certified Receivables Compliance Professional (CRCP), and was recognized with the 2022 RMAI President’s Award and the 2025 Women in Consumer Finance Visionary Leadership Award.
Bekah Luebcke
Invenio Financial, a Phillps & Cohen Associates Company
11:30
- 12:20
Managing Post-Sale Risk Before Debt Sale: A Framework for Debt Sale Oversight
This session would be co-presented with Kelly Buzzard from PayPal, bringing a valuable creditor perspective to the discussion. Together, the speakers will combine practical industry expertise with real-world creditor considerations to explore how organizations can strengthen pre-sale controls, evaluate buyer and downstream risk, and build more defensible post-sale oversight programs. The session will be interactive and educational, with actionable takeaways attendees can apply within their own organizations.
11:30
- 12:20
Decoding Wealth, Risk and the Middle Market’s Shifting Divide
12:20
- 14:00
Networking Lunch
12:30
- 14:30
Professional Headshots | Sponsored by FLOCK Specialty Finance
14:00
- 14:50
From Acquisition to Liquidation: Building a Modern Recovery Ecosystem That Maximizes Portfolio Performance
The debt buying industry has evolved beyond simply purchasing portfolios and placing accounts with collection agencies. Today’s highest-performing organizations are integrating data science, servicing oversight, legal strategy, bankruptcy management, compliance, and operational analytics into one coordinated recovery ecosystem. This session will demonstrate how a modern master servicing model enables debt buyers to increase recoveries while reducing operational risk throughout the portfolio lifecycle. Attendees will learn how advanced analytics, AI-driven segmentation, validated account documentation, disciplined placement strategies, and continuous performance monitoring create measurable improvements in liquidation performance without sacrificing compliance. Rather than focusing on theory, this presentation will provide practical frameworks, operational metrics, and real-world examples that attendees can immediately apply to improve portfolio performance.
Velocity Portfolio Group
Michael Cassidy is the Chief Operating Officer with Velocity Portfolio Group. Michael has spent over 20 years in executive and leadership positions within the financial services industry. Prior to joining Velocity, Michael co-founded a fintech consulting firm, Maxwell & Graves Solutions, and was responsible for building and leading Collections & Recovery at Prosper Marketplace.
Michael Cassidy
Velocity Portfolio Group
Paragon
Geoff Meister is the CEO of Paragon, a master servicing organization that leverages data, predictive analytics, and a nationwide network of agencies and law firms to optimize charged-off receivable performance. Over the past 25 years, Geoff has held leadership roles spanning debt purchasing, portfolio valuation, collections operations, and business development, giving him firsthand experience across the full receivables management lifecycle. Before founding Paragon, he built and managed high-performing recovery operations and managed consumer receivable portfolios from many of the nation’s largest financial institutions. His expertise includes analytics-driven servicing, vendor management, compliance, litigation strategy, and maximizing portfolio performance throughout the recovery lifecycle.
Kino Financial Co. LLC
Amber Russo is President/Principal of Kino Financial Co., LLC., an RMAI Certified Debt Buyer. She is responsible for overseeing all facets of the portfolio acquisition process, agency and legal network management, and business operations. Amber has dedicated over nineteen years to the receivables management industry and is an advocate for state and regional debt buyers. Amber currently serves as President-Elect on the Board of Directors for Receivables Management Association International.
Amber Russo
Kino Financial Co. LLC
14:00
- 14:50
Best Practices in Onboarding, Auditing, and ROI Analysis of AI Tools and Vendors
As AI adoption accelerates across the receivables management industry, RMAI members face critical decisions about which AI tools to adopt, how to ensure those tools perform as promised, and how to measure their impact on operations and compliance. This moderated panel of RMAI AI Operations Committee members will present a practical, member-driven framework covering the full AI vendor lifecycle: from initial vetting and onboarding, through contracting for audit rights and establishing what to audit for, to building ROI measurement models that work both pre-purchase and throughout the vendor relationship. Panelists will share real-world perspectives on evaluating AI vendors (and vendors using AI), structuring agreements that protect your organization, and developing metrics that tie AI performance to business outcomes. Attendees will leave with actionable tools they can apply immediately to their own AI vendor evaluation and management processes.
Resurgent Capital Services
Kristyn Leffler is the Vice President of Digital Strategy and Operations for Resurgent Capital Services. Her teams are responsible for all aspects of Resurgent’s digital operations: strategic segmentation, content design and delivery, product management, execution, revenue performance, and oversight. Leading these efforts has given her a front-and-center view and renewed appreciation for the application of new and innovative technologies in the finance and fintech environment. Previous roles in her eleven years with Resurgent include portfolio and strategy analytics, inventory integration and segmentation, and non-performing judgment strategies. She holds an MS in Applied Economics and Experimental Statistics from Clemson University and a BS in Business Administration from Duquesne University.
Kristyn Leffler
Resurgent Capital Services
Martin Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC
Porter Heath Morgan is an attorney and advisor who partners with clients to help unlock their people and their leadership and compliance initiatives. Heath is a third generation collection attorney who has grown up in the industry and has 19 years of in house counsel experience for collection agencies, collection law firms, debt buyers, healthcare providers and technology companies.
Heath is passionate about training and education and is a frequent speaker for ACA, NCBA, RMAI, and serves on the ACA Council of Delegates and is a founding member of the Colorado Creditors Bar Association where he serves on the board of directors and as the CLE Committee chair. Heath is licensed in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wyoming and is a member of the Supreme Court Bar.
Heath Morgan
Martin Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC
15:00
- 15:50
Current Issues in Bankruptcy Law for Debt Buyers and Sellers
This panel will provie an update of current bankruptcy trends, including but not limited to filing statistics, the effect of debt settlement on the bankruptcy process, buy now pay later issues and how debt purchasers can reduce liability and maximize recoveries in the litigious bankruptcy arena.
MauriceWutscher LLP
Alan Hochheiser is a leading practitioner in the areas of creditors’ rights and bankruptcy law. He advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Among his accomplishments, he has successfully resolved non-dischargeable claims based upon fraud conversion and breach of fiduciary issues and has successfully handled the assumption of leases in the bankruptcy of a major airline. Al has been named to ALM’s list of Cleveland’s Top-Rated Lawyers and is peer-rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide guide to lawyers.
Al Hochheiser
MauriceWutscher LLP
Resurgent Capital Services
Bruce Jobe serves as Senior Vice President for Resurgent Capital Bankruptcy and Specialty Recoveries, where he oversees the daily management, performance, and strategic direction of a 66-person team. His organization brings together specialists, paralegals, data analysts, and claim filers supporting bankruptcy claims, secured automobile servicing and liquidation, and settlement agreements with more than 150 debt settlement companies. In 2025, the operation generated more than $300 million in revenue under his leadership.
Bruce’s leadership is grounded in deep experience across financial services, operations, risk management, and disciplined execution. Before joining Resurgent, he held senior roles at Bank of America, most recently overseeing Issues and Exam Management and Business Controls for Default Servicing. He is known for building accountable teams, strengthening controls, and improving complex operations, including leading 130 professionals and significantly reducing aged and open remediation issues within six months.
Bruce Jobe
Resurgent Capital Services
15:00
- 15:50
What’s Next for Consumer Financial Services Enforcement? Navigating Risk in a Fragmented Regulatory Environment
The consumer financial services legal and regulatory landscape continues to evolve, but legal risk has not diminished—it has become more dispersed and less predictable. The outcome of the 2026 elections may influence federal priorities, congressional oversight, and agency leadership, but statutory obligations, state regulation, private litigation, and market expectations will continue to shape compliance and business decisions. Drawing on complementary perspectives from regulatory counseling and front-line collection litigation defense, this session will examine where enforcement and litigation risk is emerging, how compliance decisions are tested in investigations and courtrooms, and what organizations can do today to build governance and operational practices that remain effective regardless of shifting political or enforcement priorities. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for navigating an increasingly fragmented legal landscape while supporting business growth.
Venable LLP
Jonathan L. Pompan is a Partner in Venable LLP’s Washington, DC office and co-chair of the firm’s consumer financial services practice group. Jonathan has extensive experience representing companies before the FTC, CFPB, state attorneys general, and state regulators. His experience includes several CFPB investigations and enforcement matters, examination preparation and appeals, conducting compliance audits, obtaining licenses, and assisting in the formation and development of new products and services. In addition, he provides ongoing compliance and general counseling advice to clients in the consumer financial services sector, including debt buyers and collectors, loan originators, fintech service providers, and advertisers and marketers, including lead generators. Jonathan is versatile and creative in addressing legal and business considerations, and in developing compliance programs and advice tailored to his client’s unique needs and meeting government expectations.
Jonathan Pompan
Venable LLP
Messer Strickler Burnette, Ltd.
Nicole M. Strickler is a seasoned litigator focusing her practice in the defense of consumer financial services litigation throughout the country. This includes representing clients in both individual and class actions involving state and federal consumer protection laws, such as Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and similar state laws. Her clients include corporations, lending institutions, collection agencies, asset purchasers, lawyers as well as individuals. While she always strives to win prior to trial, Ms. Strickler has successfully defended numerous bench and jury trials on behalf of her clients, including class claims. She is routinely solicited to speak before national industry trade organizations, and in publications, concerning issues affecting the credit and collection industry.
Nicole Strickler
Messer Strickler Burnette, Ltd.
15:50
- 16:10
Networking Break
16:10
- 17:00
The Venn Diagram Middle: Where Operations, Compliance & Litigation Strategy Meet
Consumer litigation is an unavoidable part of the receivables management industry, but the way organizations respond to litigation is largely within their control. The most successful organizations recognize that effective litigation management begins long before outside counsel is retained. It starts with operational processes, compliance practices, and strategic decision-making that enable organizations to evaluate risk, deploy resources efficiently, and defend claims consistently. This interactive session explores the “Venn Diagram Middle,” where operations, compliance, and legal strategy intersect to create better business outcomes. Through practical hypotheticals and facilitated discussion, presenters will walk attendees through the lifecycle of a consumer lawsuit—from the initial threat of litigation through defense strategy and outside counsel engagement— highlighting opportunities to improve efficiency while reducing legal risk.
Participants will examine:
- Why—and when—it makes strategic business sense to defend consumer litigation claims rather than resolve them early;
- How to leverage internal operational, compliance, and legal resources to triage lawsuits and threatened claims before engaging outside counsel; and
- How standardizing file placement procedures, early case assessment, and defense strategy can improve consistency, reduce costs, and strengthen litigation outcomes. Rather than focusing on substantive legal doctrine, this session provides attendees with practical operational frameworks that foster collaboration between operations, compliance, and legal teams while creating a repeatable, defensible approach to litigation management.
Attendees will leave with actionable ideas they can implement immediately to improve internal workflows, strengthen relationships with outside counsel, and align litigation strategy with broader business objectives.
Spring Oaks Capital, LLC
Catherine Calko is the Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant General Counsel for Spring Oaks Capital. She joined the company in 2020 as the Director of Audit and Compliance, bringing with her an extensive career in compliance and operational controls from her previous roles at Bank of America (MBNA) and Wells Fargo. In recognition of her experience and leadership, Catherine was promoted to her current position in 2021.
At Bank of America, Catherine gained comprehensive experience across the entire credit life cycle, working in collections, credit, and customer service. She played a pivotal role in establishing a vendor controls and oversight program for legal and collections vendors. During her tenure at Wells Fargo, she served as a Business Risk and Controls Manager, supporting recovery, third-party collections, legal collections, and bankruptcy.
In addition to her corporate experience, Catherine has also served as an Assistant Attorney General with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. She holds a BA from Bowling Green State University and earned her law degree from the University of Akron.
Catherine Calko
Spring Oaks Capital, LLC
Bassford Remele
Jessica Klander is President and Chair of the Board at Minneapolis-based Bassford Remele and co-chair of the firm’s Consumer Finance Practice Group. She represents and advises debt buyers, collection agencies, law firms, originating creditors, health care organizations, and other financial services businesses in consumer litigation, regulatory matters, and compliance. Her practice spans the FDCPA and Regulation F, FCRA, TCPA, EFTA, credit reporting, collection communications, privacy and data security, and evolving federal and state requirements. Jessica helps organizations manage risk, respond to regulatory inquiries and civil investigative demands, conduct compliance audits, and develop practical policies and procedures. She recently served as president of the Hennepin County Bar Association and is a frequent national speaker on legal and regulatory developments affecting the accounts receivable management industry.
Jessica Klander
Bassford Remele
Absolute Resolutions Corp.
Naomi Moore
Absolute Resolutions Corp.
16:10
- 17:00
AI in Collections: Bolted On vs. Built In, Three Operators Compare
Bolting AI onto legacy systems and rebuilding the operation around it produce very different results. McKinsey’s 2025 State of AI survey found that high performers were nearly three times as likely to have fundamentally redesigned their workflows, and that redesign carried one of the strongest effects on business impact of every factor tested. This moderated panel puts a creditor, a debt buyer, and an agency side by side, all three past launch and living with the results, comparing performance, data quality, compliance, staffing, and cost.
Kompato AI
Rodrigo Fuentes is VP of Growth at Kompato AI, an AI-native debt recovery company that pairs Voice AI with human collectors for lenders, banks, and debt buyers. He leads go-to-market, sales, and customer success. Rod started his career as an electrical engineer and moved into patent litigation before turning to tech startups. He founded a marketing technology company that was acquired in 2019. He joined Kompato to help bring an AI-native collections platform to the U.S. market. Rod is based in Denver.
Rodrigo Fuentes
Kompato AI
Aristotle Sangalang
The Bureaus Inc.
17:00
- 18:30
Networking Reception
18:00
Silent Auction Closes
08:00
- 12:00
Registration Open | Sponsored by EverChain
08:00
- 09:00
Networking Breakfast
09:00
- 09:50
Avoidance of Litigation Between Buyers and Sellers of Debt: Are You Leaving the House and Car Unlocked and the Barn Door Open?
Two industry attorneys who have represented buyers and sellers in disputes over debt sales will discuss ways to prevent such disputes and to manage those that can’t be avoided. Critical conduct and provisions to protect for buyers.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Stefanie Jackman is a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Consumer Financial Services and Regulatory, Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) practice groups and is based in Atlanta. A recognized thought leader in consumer financial services, she helps clients navigate complex compliance issues under federal and state laws, including UDAP/UDAAP statutes, the FDCPA, FCRA, TCPA, EFTA, SCRA, and TILA.
Stefanie also represents clients in federal and state regulatory enforcement and supervisory matters, as well as in individual and class action consumer lawsuits. Her clients span nearly all sectors of the financial services industry, including banks, nonbank lenders, loan servicers, collection agencies, debt buyers, collection law firms, healthcare providers, credit and prepaid card companies, auto lenders, fintech companies, and various technology and platform service providers.
Her work has earned recognition from Chambers USA, Legal 500 United States, Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers, and Georgia Super Lawyers, among others. Her insightful analysis and thought leadership are regularly featured on her firm’s practice blog, Consumer Financial Services Law Monitor.
Stefanie Jackman
Troutman Pepper Locke
Barron & Newburger, P.C.
Manny Newburger leads the Consumer Financial Services Law Practice Group at Barron & Newburger, P.C. A frequent author and speaker on the FDCPA and other consumer protection laws, Mr. Newburger is known internationally for his expertise in consumer and commercial law, consulting on FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA compliance across the globe and defending of individual and class consumer litigation and regulatory matters across the United States. His practice focuses on litigation, litigation management and strategy, regulatory defense, and compliance, and he serves as a settlement negotiator in complex cases. Mr. Newburger has consulted to collection industry members throughout the U.S., India, the Philippines, and Canada, and his clients include financial institutions, debt buyers, law firms, and collection agencies.
Manny Newburger
Barron & Newburger, P.C.
10:00
- 10:50
Emerging Assets
10:50
- 11:00
Networking Break
11:10
- 12:00
State of the Industry: The Operating Levers Driving Performance (and Value)
This session identifies the operational levers that most consistently separate top performers from the rest — staffing and workforce models, technology and automation adoption, data/analytics maturity, and compliance posture. Rather than just describing where the market is headed, the session translates current trends (regulatory environment, capital availability, technology adoption) into a practical view of what “operating well” looks like today, and what it’s likely to require over the next few years. The session closes with an audience discussion on which of these levers attendees are finding hardest to pull in their own organizations.
Corporate Advisory Solutions
Michael Lamm is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Corporate Advisory Solutions (CAS), a respected and fast-growing, independent, investment and merchant banking firm that supports a select group of clients. Having completed 135 M&A engagements generating over $2.5B in deal value within accounts receivable management and related industries, Michael leads his deal team on M&A engagements, valuations, exit preparation, and board-room level consulting while also charting the firm’s corporate direction and strategic growth plan. Michael holds the Series 79, 63, and SIE registrations as a Registered Representative of Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. He is also a FINRA arbitrator. For more information about CAS, please visit www.corpadvisorysolutions.com.
Michael Lamm
Corporate Advisory Solutions
FFAM360 Alliance
Matt Maloney is a Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the FFAM360 Alliance of Companies, which includes First Financial Asset Management, Inc. and a host of other affiliated companies (each apart of a group of independently operated Companies providing Accounts Receivables Management, Specialty Finance, and Insurance Subrogation Services to clients across North America & beyond). In his leadership role, Matt is directly responsible for the strategic direction and investment strategy of the Companies. Over his 22+ years helping lead the Companies, Matt has successfully guided the growth of the FFAM360 Alliance of companies, including raising over $500 Million in investment capital, launching new-business lines and industry verticals, and guiding the vision and values of the entire organization. Led by Matt’s strategic direction, the FFAM360 Alliance of companies (and its affiliates) have become a widely sought-after company in the management both performing and non-performing accounts receivables emanating from a variety of industry sectors.
Throughout his professional career, Matt has held various positions on several industry association panels and boards, including with ACA International and RMAI. He has co-authored books and manuals published by industry associations, and has been a presenter at more than a three (3) dozen industry trade shows. Moreover, Matt is the Founder and Host of the Above & Beyond Leadership Podcast, a international podcast aired in over 36 countries which aims to empower, equip and inspire currently and future business and community leaders.
Matthew Maloney
FFAM360 Alliance
12:00
Conference Adjourns
Golf at TPC Summerlin | Sponsored by Crown Asset Management and TRAKAmerica
Registration Open | Sponsored by EverChain
Women’s Collective Session
First Time Attendee/New Member Reception
Legislative Fund Donor Appreciation Reception
Registration Open | Sponsored by EverChain
Executive, Connect, FastTrack and VIP Lounges Open
Complaint, Dispute, and Credit Reporting Operations Under Pressure
Complaint and dispute volumes, credit reporting scrutiny, and evolving regulatory expectations are increasing pressure on receivables organizations. This moderated panel focuses on practical controls that help teams respond consistently, document decisions, identify root causes, and reduce repeat issues. Attendees will examine common failure points across complaint intake, dispute investigations, credit reporting, escalation, and remediation. The panelists will use audience discussion and scenario-based examples to help organizations compare current practices against stronger operating routines, governance checkpoints, and management reporting.
Spring Oaks Capital, LLC
Catherine Calko is the Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant General Counsel for Spring Oaks Capital. She joined the company in 2020 as the Director of Audit and Compliance, bringing with her an extensive career in compliance and operational controls from her previous roles at Bank of America (MBNA) and Wells Fargo. In recognition of her experience and leadership, Catherine was promoted to her current position in 2021.
At Bank of America, Catherine gained comprehensive experience across the entire credit life cycle, working in collections, credit, and customer service. She played a pivotal role in establishing a vendor controls and oversight program for legal and collections vendors. During her tenure at Wells Fargo, she served as a Business Risk and Controls Manager, supporting recovery, third-party collections, legal collections, and bankruptcy.
In addition to her corporate experience, Catherine has also served as an Assistant Attorney General with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. She holds a BA from Bowling Green State University and earned her law degree from the University of Akron.
Catherine Calko
Spring Oaks Capital, LLC
Bridgeforce LLC
Michelle is the Managing Partner and Chief Compliance Officer at Bridgeforce, a consulting firm focused on consumer lending, payments and deposits. She jointly oversees Bridgeforce’s U.S. practice and leads the Consumer Reporting Compliance practice. Michelle’s 35+ years of industry experience gives her a unique blend of working with the art of the possible while understanding the black and white necessities of compliance to protect both Bridgeforce and our clients. Her deep knowledge of consumer reporting, usage and disputes means that she is frequently tapped to share her expertise at high-profile industry conferences and webinars hosted by CDIA, CBA, SBFE, ARMLaw, AccountsRecovery.net, insideARM, NAFCU and ACA.
Michelle Macartney
Bridgeforce LLC
Security Finance
Kevin Toth is Senior Manager of Debt Resolution and Customer Relations at Security Finance, where he leads settlements, debt sales, credit reporting, credit disputes, and consumer complaints. Kevin brings more than 27 years of experience in consumer finance, including 20 years in the payday lending industry prior to joining Security Finance, where he has held several leadership roles spanning Operations and Internal Audit. His experience provides a practical, operations-focused perspective on managing complaints, disputes, and credit reporting, with a focus on building effective processes, identifying root causes, and driving continuous improvement.
Kevin Toth
Security Finance
Introductory Survey Course on Receivables Management
This course provides a general overview of applicable state and federal laws and regulations that impact debt buying companies, collection agencies, law firms, and creditors that purchase, sell, or collect purchased receivables. In addition, the course will highlight industry best practices contained in the Receivables Management Certification Program and discuss how those standards, in many instances, go beyond what is required by law. The Introductory Survey Course on Debt Buying is required for individuals seeking to become a Certified Receivables Compliance Professional (CRCP) through RMAI.
Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC
Scott Morris is a Managing Member of Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC, a leading creditors’ rights firm specializing in consumer collections and foreclosure. With over two decades of experience, Scott has built a reputation for combining deep legal expertise with operational innovation. He previously served as Treasurer of the National Creditors Bar Association and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the New York State Creditors Bar Association, where he contributes to shaping industry standards and advancing best practices through leading the government affairs committee. Scott’s work spans complex regulatory matters involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), State Attorneys General, and federal, state, and local compliance frameworks. He has successfully implemented Compliance Management Systems, enhanced technological and operational processes, and provided strategic leadership to large teams of professionals. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from New York Law School (2004) and his B.L.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park (1998). Scott is admitted to practice law in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.
Scott Morris
Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC
In the Park MDR
Mark has been involved in the stratification of over 800 individual transactions, including the analysis behind the potential liquidation for over $20 Billion in purchased accounts. Mark is a frequent speaker on topics ranging from Data Security, Operational Best Practices, Historical Industry Analysis, Encryption Methodology, Risk Mitigation and Relationship Building.
He was appointed to serve on the task force committee that implemented certification within RMAI, a cornerstone of what inevitably became RMAI’s federally recognized compliance program. He was also a founding board member of the Certification Committee and continues to teach the introductory course for Certification. An RMAI Certified Receivables Compliance Professional, Mark was elected to the RMAI Board of Directors in 2014, and after serving two terms as President.
Mark Naiman
In the Park MDR
Maurice Wutscher LLP
Brent Yarborough is a principal with Maurice Wutscher LLP and is based in the firm’s Birmingham, Alabama office. Brent advises banks, credit unions, fintech lenders, debt buyers, collection agencies, and law firms on matters related to compliance with federal and state consumer financial laws.
Brent Yarborough
Maurice Wutscher LLP
What the Flux is This? Dealing with the Influx of Pro Se and AI Generated Litigation
Filings are up, especially by pro se plaintiffs. The industry is dealing with more artificial intelligence combined with some lack of intelligence being driven by social media. This presentation will go through current trends, strategies, and how to prevail.
Lippes Mathias
Mr. Little, a Partner with Lippes Mathias, is one of the leaders of the Litigation Team and is the firm’s Consumer Financial Services Litigation Practice Team Leader. He focuses his practice on a wide range of commercial and business litigation matters, including contractual disputes, issues raised by federal and state regulatory agencies, shareholder derivative actions, business divorces, claims asserted pursuant to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and real property litigation.
Additionally, Mr. Little devotes a significant amount of his time to traveling the country defending creditors and other financial institutions against individual and class claims that his clients have violated, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Brendan Little
Lippes Mathias
Martin Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC
Xerxes Martin is a founding partner of Martin Golden Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC and works out of the Dallas office. Xerxes has extensive experience in both jury and non-jury trials, briefing, motion practice, and hearings. He believes in thinking outside the box for his approach to develop creative solutions to the client’s issues and circumvent potential issues down the road. He has handled all facets of cases from pre-litigation, trial and appeal obtaining numerous favorable decisions for his clients.
Xerxes Martin
Martin Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC
Chief Compliance Officer Forum
ARM Compliance Business Solutions
Sara Burton
ARM Compliance Business Solutions
Cavalry Investments, LLC
Anne Thomas has been with Cavalry Portfolio Services for more than 15 years and has been in the debt collection industry for nearly 20 years. As part of her role, Anne is responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring the Compliance Management System. In addition, she serves as a member of Cavalry’s Compliance Committee.
Anne Thomas
Cavalry Investments, LLC
Professional Headshots | Sponsored by FLOCK Specialty Finance
AI Across the ARM Enterprise: Strategic Outlook & Leadership Panel (Part 5 of AI Webinar Series)
Where is AI delivering real value in accounts receivables management—and what comes next? This interactive executive panel will explore the strategic opportunities and challenges of AI across the ARM enterprise, from automation and workforce transformation to autonomous workflows and AI-assisted operations.
Industry leaders will discuss where organizations are seeing ROI, how to assess AI readiness, and what effective AI governance looks like. The conversation will also address critical regulatory, privacy, consumer protection, and human oversight considerations. With live polling, audience Q&A, an interactive AI maturity assessment, and a “What would you automate first?” discussion, participants will gain practical insights and actionable ideas for evaluating AI opportunities and developing a responsible roadmap for adoption.
Provana
Sean Clark is Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth at Provana, leading initiatives that expand the company’s impact across the credit, collections, and legal ecosystems. With 20+ years of experience, he drives innovation in contact center operations, compliance-driven workflows, and technology-enabled services.
His work sits at the intersection of strategy, partnerships, and applied AI helping organizations modernize operations while maintaining regulatory integrity. Sean has also played a key role in advancing Provana’s solution capabilities through strategic initiatives and acquisitions. Known for his practical, operator-first perspective, Sean is a frequent speaker on topics such as contact center transformation, compliance oversight, and the evolving role of AI in regulated environments.
Kompato AI
Rodrigo Fuentes is VP of Growth at Kompato AI, an AI-native debt recovery company that pairs Voice AI with human collectors for lenders, banks, and debt buyers. He leads go-to-market, sales, and customer success. Rod started his career as an electrical engineer and moved into patent litigation before turning to tech startups. He founded a marketing technology company that was acquired in 2019. He joined Kompato to help bring an AI-native collections platform to the U.S. market. Rod is based in Denver.
Rodrigo Fuentes
Kompato AI
Troutman Pepper Locke
Kim is a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Privacy + Cyber as well as the Consumer Financial Services Practice Groups, where she provides data protection counsel to companies on compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Her work encompasses strategic planning and guidance for companies to incorporate privacy and data security considerations throughout their enterprise from product development to marketing and implementation. She also assists companies with data breach prevention and response. Kim also provides extensive e-commerce support, including mobile app development, conducting online behavioral advertising assessments, enhancing website privacy policies, and advising on social media, artificial intelligence, and other consumer interactions. Kim also provides guidance to clients on regulatory compliance matters, including supervisory and enforcement interactions with the CFPB, FTC, and state attorneys general. Kim has been recognized in Chambers FinTech Legal USA and is a member of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers. Kim also serves as an adjunct professor of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence at the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School.
Kim Phan
Troutman Pepper Locke
Much Shelist, P.C.
Dara Tarkowski is an attorney at Much Shelist, P.C., where she leads the Tech Innovation, Data & Financial Regulation team. She provides 360-degree legal counsel at the intersection of emerging technology, data, financial services, and the digital economy.
ARM organizations, banks, fintechs, digital asset companies, data-driven enterprises, and technology innovators rely on Dara and her team for the full spectrum of legal needs, from day-to-day compliance and regulatory strategy to complex transactions, government advocacy, and high-stakes litigation.
Dara is a recognized thought leader in the areas of technology and highly regulated industries. American Banker named her as one of the Most Influential Women in Fintech. She hosts her own podcast, “Tech on Reg,” and she is a regular contributor to the world’s top fintech podcast, “Breaking Banks.”
Dara Tarkowski
Much Shelist, P.C.
Ethics: Data Protection – Privacy, Data Security, and AI
Consumer data has so much value and can be leveraged in so many ways to enhance business operations and promote strong customer service. However, increased use and analytics of consumer data raises legal and regulatory concerns around privacy, data security, and the myriad considerations associated with artificial intelligence. Companies should be doing everything they can to stay ahead of the curve in adapting to the new consumer data-driven world.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Kim is a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Privacy + Cyber as well as the Consumer Financial Services Practice Groups, where she provides data protection counsel to companies on compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Her work encompasses strategic planning and guidance for companies to incorporate privacy and data security considerations throughout their enterprise from product development to marketing and implementation. She also assists companies with data breach prevention and response. Kim also provides extensive e-commerce support, including mobile app development, conducting online behavioral advertising assessments, enhancing website privacy policies, and advising on social media, artificial intelligence, and other consumer interactions. Kim also provides guidance to clients on regulatory compliance matters, including supervisory and enforcement interactions with the CFPB, FTC, and state attorneys general. Kim has been recognized in Chambers FinTech Legal USA and is a member of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers. Kim also serves as an adjunct professor of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence at the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School.
Kim Phan
Troutman Pepper Locke
TrueML Products
Lauren is a licensed attorney and a regulatory and compliance specialist for the financial services industry. Having served as general counsel for many years in the financial services industry, Lauren has a breadth of experience advising on compliance with federal and state consumer protection laws, government regulation and affairs, state licensing requirements, data privacy, litigation defense, labor and employment issues, transactional matters, and business strategy. Her background makes Lauren uniquely positioned to help companies operationalize compliance across an organization. Her hands-on experience leading cross-functional teams to design, implement, and test policies, procedures, processes, and compliance management systems gives Lauren a unique perspective that is sensitive to the realities companies face when determining how to best mitigate risks while optimizing resources.
Lauren is a leader in the accounts receivables industry. She serves on multiple committees for ACA International and RMAi, and is an ACA certified Credit and Collection Compliance Attorney. She has presented and/or written compliance commentary for InsideARM, ACA International, AccountsRecovery.Net, Receivables Info, and the California Association of Collectors (CAC). Lauren has also served as guest on multiple industry podcasts. She was recognized as a Top 50 Receivables Professional and a Top Women Leader in Accounts Receivable in 2019 by Receivables Advisor.
Lauren Valenzuela
TrueML Products
Ethics Session (Part Two)
TrueML
Kelly Knepper-Stephens is the Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel at TrueAccord Corp. She is a passionate advocate for making the law (and legal advice) interesting for everyone. Her work focuses on government regulation, compliance, and civil litigation. She advises on the intersection of innovation in technology with consumer protection statutes such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, privacy and security laws and other federal and state regulations. Kelly serves on the Board of Directors for the Receivables Management Association International, is an ACA-Certified Instructor, and serves on the Steering Committee for the Consumer Relations Consortium. She also served as a SER for the Arbitration and Debt Collection Rulemakings. FinTech Magazine named Kelly one of the Top 100 Women in FinTech in 2022 and Collection Advisor Magazine named Kelly one of the 20 Most Powerful Women in Collections in 2018 and 2016.
Kelly Knepper-Stephens
TrueML
Attorney/Collection Agency/Debt Buyer Networking Meeting
Registration Open | Sponsored by EverChain
Executive, Connect, FastTrack and VIP Lounges Open
Annual Business Meeting and Keynote Presentation by Chris Leslie
Credit Services Association (CSA)
Chris Leslie has been the chief executive of the UK trade body the Credit Services Association (CSA) since 2020. He is a former UK Member of Parliament for Nottingham East (2010 – 2019) and Shipley (1997 – 2005) and was UK Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2015. He was a Government Minister in several departments, with responsibility for constitutional issues and the courts, local government and at the UK Cabinet Office. For five years from 2005 he was Chief Executive director at the New Local Government Network think tank, leading new research and policy development on devolved governance across the UK, during which time Chris was also a trustee at the debt advice charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service (now ‘StepChange’). He specialised in financial services and economic policy during his time in Parliament since 2010 and was shadow City Minister and shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Chris also served for three years on the International Trade Select Committee of the House of Commons and the Public Accounts Committee.
Chris Leslie
Credit Services Association (CSA)
State & Federal Legislative & Regulatory Update
K&L Gates, LLP
Dan Crowley is a partner in K&L Gates’ Washington, D.C. office. He leads the firm’s global financial services policy practice. In the decade before joining K&L Gates, he led the government relations efforts at the Investment Company Institute, The Nasdaq Stock Market, and the National Association of Securities Dealers. Previously, he served as general counsel to then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and to House Oversight Committee Chairman Bill Thomas. Dan also serves as RMAI’s Federal Counsel.
Dan Crowley
K&L Gates, LLP
MauriceWutscher, LLP
Don Maurice is a partner at Maurice Wutscher LLP representing the financial services industry in bench trials and jury trials of individual and class actions as well as appeals. He is admitted to the Bars of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia and has practiced law since 1988. Don has been inducted into the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers where he serves as Regent. He is outside counsel to the Receivables Management Association International. He is a fellow at the American Bar Foundation and chairs the Consumer Affairs Committee of the New York City Bar Association. He formerly chaired the Debt Collection Practices and Bankruptcy Subcommittee of the American Bar Association. He is certified as a Leadership Professional in Ethics and Compliance by the Ethics Compliance Initiative. He is editor of the Consumer Financial Services Blog (cfsblog.com). A frequent speaker and author on ethics, financial services, and privacy law, his many articles on these topics have been published in law reviews and trade publications.
Don Maurice
MauriceWutscher, LLP
Receivables Management Association International
David Reid serves as General Counsel for the Receivables Management Association International (RMAI). In this capacity, David manages the legal, state legislative, regulatory, and advocacy activities of the association. David also serves as staff liaison to the RMAI Certification Council and its Standards and Remediation Committees. David is a graduate of Canisius College and Albany Law School. He is admitted to the California, New Jersey, and New York bars.
David Reid
Receivables Management Association International
Foley & Lardner LLP
Meghan draws on her first-hand experience in high-level consumer protection roles to counsel clients through state attorney general investigations and enforcement actions across several key industries, including education, financial services, health care, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. Prior to entering private practice, Meghan served as chief of the Consumer Protection Division in the Office of the Nebraska Attorney General, a role in which she was responsible for the investigation and enforcement of state and federal laws related to deceptive and unfair trade practices, data privacy and security, antitrust, nonprofits, tobacco regulation, and charitable trusts. Meghan also served for nearly a decade in the consumer protection and antitrust division of the Office of the Kansas Attorney General.
Meghan Stoppel
Foley & Lardner LLP
Signals, Standards, and Sustainable Recovery: Navigating the New Consumer Environment
The ways consumers obtain information, communicate with financial services providers, and respond to financial obligations are changing rapidly. Digital communication tools offer new opportunities for engagement and resolution, while social media, commercial advice platforms, and financial influencers can circulate incomplete, misleading, or context-dependent information at unprecedented speed. This moderated panel will examine emerging trends in consumer communications and interactions with creditors, debt buyers, collection agencies, and law firms. Panelists will discuss how these developments affect contact strategies, complaint and dispute activity, operational efficiency, employee training, and the consumer experience.
Using relevant RMAI Certification Standards as practical guideposts, the session will explore how recovery organizations can remain compliant, efficient, and financially sustainable while treating consumers ethically, communicating accurately, and recognizing both consumer rights and legitimate financial responsibilities. The discussion will emphasize practical operational responses rather than abstract policy debate.
Provana
Sean Clark is Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth at Provana, leading initiatives that expand the company’s impact across the credit, collections, and legal ecosystems. With 20+ years of experience, he drives innovation in contact center operations, compliance-driven workflows, and technology-enabled services.
His work sits at the intersection of strategy, partnerships, and applied AI helping organizations modernize operations while maintaining regulatory integrity. Sean has also played a key role in advancing Provana’s solution capabilities through strategic initiatives and acquisitions. Known for his practical, operator-first perspective, Sean is a frequent speaker on topics such as contact center transformation, compliance oversight, and the evolving role of AI in regulated environments.
Resurgent Capital Services
Kristyn Leffler is the Vice President of Digital Strategy and Operations for Resurgent Capital Services. Her teams are responsible for all aspects of Resurgent’s digital operations: strategic segmentation, content design and delivery, product management, execution, revenue performance, and oversight. Leading these efforts has given her a front-and-center view and renewed appreciation for the application of new and innovative technologies in the finance and fintech environment. Previous roles in her eleven years with Resurgent include portfolio and strategy analytics, inventory integration and segmentation, and non-performing judgment strategies. She holds an MS in Applied Economics and Experimental Statistics from Clemson University and a BS in Business Administration from Duquesne University.
Kristyn Leffler
Resurgent Capital Services
Invenio Financial, a Phillps & Cohen Associates Company
Rebekah Luebcke serves as Chief Operating Officer of Invenio Financial, where she oversees operational strategy, inventory management, vendor performance, and operational support functions across the organization. Ms. Luebcke brings more than 20 years of experience in receivables management, financial services operations, and compliance collaboration, including operations leadership roles with two prominent debt buyers and prior leadership experience in payments processing and revenue cycle management. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives focused on operational optimization, collection vendor oversight, litigation network management, performance strategy, change management, and regulatory readiness. Within the industry, Ms. Luebcke currently serves as Chair of the (RMAI) Industry Research Working Group and is a member of various other committees and working groups. She previously served on the Fintech Legal Working Group, contributing to the development of RMAI’s fintech asset class requirements adopted in 2022 and related industry resource papers addressing fintech receivables and chain of title considerations. Ms. Luebcke holds a Master of Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Music from The University of Mississippi, is an RMAI Certified Receivables Compliance Professional (CRCP), and was recognized with the 2022 RMAI President’s Award and the 2025 Women in Consumer Finance Visionary Leadership Award.
Bekah Luebcke
Invenio Financial, a Phillps & Cohen Associates Company
Managing Post-Sale Risk Before Debt Sale: A Framework for Debt Sale Oversight
This session would be co-presented with Kelly Buzzard from PayPal, bringing a valuable creditor perspective to the discussion. Together, the speakers will combine practical industry expertise with real-world creditor considerations to explore how organizations can strengthen pre-sale controls, evaluate buyer and downstream risk, and build more defensible post-sale oversight programs. The session will be interactive and educational, with actionable takeaways attendees can apply within their own organizations.
Decoding Wealth, Risk and the Middle Market’s Shifting Divide
Professional Headshots | Sponsored by FLOCK Specialty Finance
From Acquisition to Liquidation: Building a Modern Recovery Ecosystem That Maximizes Portfolio Performance
The debt buying industry has evolved beyond simply purchasing portfolios and placing accounts with collection agencies. Today’s highest-performing organizations are integrating data science, servicing oversight, legal strategy, bankruptcy management, compliance, and operational analytics into one coordinated recovery ecosystem. This session will demonstrate how a modern master servicing model enables debt buyers to increase recoveries while reducing operational risk throughout the portfolio lifecycle. Attendees will learn how advanced analytics, AI-driven segmentation, validated account documentation, disciplined placement strategies, and continuous performance monitoring create measurable improvements in liquidation performance without sacrificing compliance. Rather than focusing on theory, this presentation will provide practical frameworks, operational metrics, and real-world examples that attendees can immediately apply to improve portfolio performance.
Velocity Portfolio Group
Michael Cassidy is the Chief Operating Officer with Velocity Portfolio Group. Michael has spent over 20 years in executive and leadership positions within the financial services industry. Prior to joining Velocity, Michael co-founded a fintech consulting firm, Maxwell & Graves Solutions, and was responsible for building and leading Collections & Recovery at Prosper Marketplace.
Michael Cassidy
Velocity Portfolio Group
Paragon
Geoff Meister is the CEO of Paragon, a master servicing organization that leverages data, predictive analytics, and a nationwide network of agencies and law firms to optimize charged-off receivable performance. Over the past 25 years, Geoff has held leadership roles spanning debt purchasing, portfolio valuation, collections operations, and business development, giving him firsthand experience across the full receivables management lifecycle. Before founding Paragon, he built and managed high-performing recovery operations and managed consumer receivable portfolios from many of the nation’s largest financial institutions. His expertise includes analytics-driven servicing, vendor management, compliance, litigation strategy, and maximizing portfolio performance throughout the recovery lifecycle.
Kino Financial Co. LLC
Amber Russo is President/Principal of Kino Financial Co., LLC., an RMAI Certified Debt Buyer. She is responsible for overseeing all facets of the portfolio acquisition process, agency and legal network management, and business operations. Amber has dedicated over nineteen years to the receivables management industry and is an advocate for state and regional debt buyers. Amber currently serves as President-Elect on the Board of Directors for Receivables Management Association International.
Amber Russo
Kino Financial Co. LLC
Best Practices in Onboarding, Auditing, and ROI Analysis of AI Tools and Vendors
As AI adoption accelerates across the receivables management industry, RMAI members face critical decisions about which AI tools to adopt, how to ensure those tools perform as promised, and how to measure their impact on operations and compliance. This moderated panel of RMAI AI Operations Committee members will present a practical, member-driven framework covering the full AI vendor lifecycle: from initial vetting and onboarding, through contracting for audit rights and establishing what to audit for, to building ROI measurement models that work both pre-purchase and throughout the vendor relationship. Panelists will share real-world perspectives on evaluating AI vendors (and vendors using AI), structuring agreements that protect your organization, and developing metrics that tie AI performance to business outcomes. Attendees will leave with actionable tools they can apply immediately to their own AI vendor evaluation and management processes.
Resurgent Capital Services
Kristyn Leffler is the Vice President of Digital Strategy and Operations for Resurgent Capital Services. Her teams are responsible for all aspects of Resurgent’s digital operations: strategic segmentation, content design and delivery, product management, execution, revenue performance, and oversight. Leading these efforts has given her a front-and-center view and renewed appreciation for the application of new and innovative technologies in the finance and fintech environment. Previous roles in her eleven years with Resurgent include portfolio and strategy analytics, inventory integration and segmentation, and non-performing judgment strategies. She holds an MS in Applied Economics and Experimental Statistics from Clemson University and a BS in Business Administration from Duquesne University.
Kristyn Leffler
Resurgent Capital Services
Martin Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC
Porter Heath Morgan is an attorney and advisor who partners with clients to help unlock their people and their leadership and compliance initiatives. Heath is a third generation collection attorney who has grown up in the industry and has 19 years of in house counsel experience for collection agencies, collection law firms, debt buyers, healthcare providers and technology companies.
Heath is passionate about training and education and is a frequent speaker for ACA, NCBA, RMAI, and serves on the ACA Council of Delegates and is a founding member of the Colorado Creditors Bar Association where he serves on the board of directors and as the CLE Committee chair. Heath is licensed in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wyoming and is a member of the Supreme Court Bar.
Heath Morgan
Martin Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC
Current Issues in Bankruptcy Law for Debt Buyers and Sellers
This panel will provie an update of current bankruptcy trends, including but not limited to filing statistics, the effect of debt settlement on the bankruptcy process, buy now pay later issues and how debt purchasers can reduce liability and maximize recoveries in the litigious bankruptcy arena.
MauriceWutscher LLP
Alan Hochheiser is a leading practitioner in the areas of creditors’ rights and bankruptcy law. He advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Among his accomplishments, he has successfully resolved non-dischargeable claims based upon fraud conversion and breach of fiduciary issues and has successfully handled the assumption of leases in the bankruptcy of a major airline. Al has been named to ALM’s list of Cleveland’s Top-Rated Lawyers and is peer-rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide guide to lawyers.
Al Hochheiser
MauriceWutscher LLP
Resurgent Capital Services
Bruce Jobe serves as Senior Vice President for Resurgent Capital Bankruptcy and Specialty Recoveries, where he oversees the daily management, performance, and strategic direction of a 66-person team. His organization brings together specialists, paralegals, data analysts, and claim filers supporting bankruptcy claims, secured automobile servicing and liquidation, and settlement agreements with more than 150 debt settlement companies. In 2025, the operation generated more than $300 million in revenue under his leadership.
Bruce’s leadership is grounded in deep experience across financial services, operations, risk management, and disciplined execution. Before joining Resurgent, he held senior roles at Bank of America, most recently overseeing Issues and Exam Management and Business Controls for Default Servicing. He is known for building accountable teams, strengthening controls, and improving complex operations, including leading 130 professionals and significantly reducing aged and open remediation issues within six months.
Bruce Jobe
Resurgent Capital Services
What’s Next for Consumer Financial Services Enforcement? Navigating Risk in a Fragmented Regulatory Environment
The consumer financial services legal and regulatory landscape continues to evolve, but legal risk has not diminished—it has become more dispersed and less predictable. The outcome of the 2026 elections may influence federal priorities, congressional oversight, and agency leadership, but statutory obligations, state regulation, private litigation, and market expectations will continue to shape compliance and business decisions. Drawing on complementary perspectives from regulatory counseling and front-line collection litigation defense, this session will examine where enforcement and litigation risk is emerging, how compliance decisions are tested in investigations and courtrooms, and what organizations can do today to build governance and operational practices that remain effective regardless of shifting political or enforcement priorities. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for navigating an increasingly fragmented legal landscape while supporting business growth.
Venable LLP
Jonathan L. Pompan is a Partner in Venable LLP’s Washington, DC office and co-chair of the firm’s consumer financial services practice group. Jonathan has extensive experience representing companies before the FTC, CFPB, state attorneys general, and state regulators. His experience includes several CFPB investigations and enforcement matters, examination preparation and appeals, conducting compliance audits, obtaining licenses, and assisting in the formation and development of new products and services. In addition, he provides ongoing compliance and general counseling advice to clients in the consumer financial services sector, including debt buyers and collectors, loan originators, fintech service providers, and advertisers and marketers, including lead generators. Jonathan is versatile and creative in addressing legal and business considerations, and in developing compliance programs and advice tailored to his client’s unique needs and meeting government expectations.
Jonathan Pompan
Venable LLP
Messer Strickler Burnette, Ltd.
Nicole M. Strickler is a seasoned litigator focusing her practice in the defense of consumer financial services litigation throughout the country. This includes representing clients in both individual and class actions involving state and federal consumer protection laws, such as Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and similar state laws. Her clients include corporations, lending institutions, collection agencies, asset purchasers, lawyers as well as individuals. While she always strives to win prior to trial, Ms. Strickler has successfully defended numerous bench and jury trials on behalf of her clients, including class claims. She is routinely solicited to speak before national industry trade organizations, and in publications, concerning issues affecting the credit and collection industry.
Nicole Strickler
Messer Strickler Burnette, Ltd.
The Venn Diagram Middle: Where Operations, Compliance & Litigation Strategy Meet
Consumer litigation is an unavoidable part of the receivables management industry, but the way organizations respond to litigation is largely within their control. The most successful organizations recognize that effective litigation management begins long before outside counsel is retained. It starts with operational processes, compliance practices, and strategic decision-making that enable organizations to evaluate risk, deploy resources efficiently, and defend claims consistently. This interactive session explores the “Venn Diagram Middle,” where operations, compliance, and legal strategy intersect to create better business outcomes. Through practical hypotheticals and facilitated discussion, presenters will walk attendees through the lifecycle of a consumer lawsuit—from the initial threat of litigation through defense strategy and outside counsel engagement— highlighting opportunities to improve efficiency while reducing legal risk.
Participants will examine:
- Why—and when—it makes strategic business sense to defend consumer litigation claims rather than resolve them early;
- How to leverage internal operational, compliance, and legal resources to triage lawsuits and threatened claims before engaging outside counsel; and
- How standardizing file placement procedures, early case assessment, and defense strategy can improve consistency, reduce costs, and strengthen litigation outcomes. Rather than focusing on substantive legal doctrine, this session provides attendees with practical operational frameworks that foster collaboration between operations, compliance, and legal teams while creating a repeatable, defensible approach to litigation management.
Attendees will leave with actionable ideas they can implement immediately to improve internal workflows, strengthen relationships with outside counsel, and align litigation strategy with broader business objectives.
Spring Oaks Capital, LLC
Catherine Calko is the Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant General Counsel for Spring Oaks Capital. She joined the company in 2020 as the Director of Audit and Compliance, bringing with her an extensive career in compliance and operational controls from her previous roles at Bank of America (MBNA) and Wells Fargo. In recognition of her experience and leadership, Catherine was promoted to her current position in 2021.
At Bank of America, Catherine gained comprehensive experience across the entire credit life cycle, working in collections, credit, and customer service. She played a pivotal role in establishing a vendor controls and oversight program for legal and collections vendors. During her tenure at Wells Fargo, she served as a Business Risk and Controls Manager, supporting recovery, third-party collections, legal collections, and bankruptcy.
In addition to her corporate experience, Catherine has also served as an Assistant Attorney General with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. She holds a BA from Bowling Green State University and earned her law degree from the University of Akron.
Catherine Calko
Spring Oaks Capital, LLC
Bassford Remele
Jessica Klander is President and Chair of the Board at Minneapolis-based Bassford Remele and co-chair of the firm’s Consumer Finance Practice Group. She represents and advises debt buyers, collection agencies, law firms, originating creditors, health care organizations, and other financial services businesses in consumer litigation, regulatory matters, and compliance. Her practice spans the FDCPA and Regulation F, FCRA, TCPA, EFTA, credit reporting, collection communications, privacy and data security, and evolving federal and state requirements. Jessica helps organizations manage risk, respond to regulatory inquiries and civil investigative demands, conduct compliance audits, and develop practical policies and procedures. She recently served as president of the Hennepin County Bar Association and is a frequent national speaker on legal and regulatory developments affecting the accounts receivable management industry.
Jessica Klander
Bassford Remele
Absolute Resolutions Corp.
Naomi Moore
Absolute Resolutions Corp.
AI in Collections: Bolted On vs. Built In, Three Operators Compare
Bolting AI onto legacy systems and rebuilding the operation around it produce very different results. McKinsey’s 2025 State of AI survey found that high performers were nearly three times as likely to have fundamentally redesigned their workflows, and that redesign carried one of the strongest effects on business impact of every factor tested. This moderated panel puts a creditor, a debt buyer, and an agency side by side, all three past launch and living with the results, comparing performance, data quality, compliance, staffing, and cost.
Kompato AI
Rodrigo Fuentes is VP of Growth at Kompato AI, an AI-native debt recovery company that pairs Voice AI with human collectors for lenders, banks, and debt buyers. He leads go-to-market, sales, and customer success. Rod started his career as an electrical engineer and moved into patent litigation before turning to tech startups. He founded a marketing technology company that was acquired in 2019. He joined Kompato to help bring an AI-native collections platform to the U.S. market. Rod is based in Denver.
Rodrigo Fuentes
Kompato AI
Aristotle Sangalang
The Bureaus Inc.
Registration Open | Sponsored by EverChain
Avoidance of Litigation Between Buyers and Sellers of Debt: Are You Leaving the House and Car Unlocked and the Barn Door Open?
Two industry attorneys who have represented buyers and sellers in disputes over debt sales will discuss ways to prevent such disputes and to manage those that can’t be avoided. Critical conduct and provisions to protect for buyers.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Stefanie Jackman is a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Consumer Financial Services and Regulatory, Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) practice groups and is based in Atlanta. A recognized thought leader in consumer financial services, she helps clients navigate complex compliance issues under federal and state laws, including UDAP/UDAAP statutes, the FDCPA, FCRA, TCPA, EFTA, SCRA, and TILA.
Stefanie also represents clients in federal and state regulatory enforcement and supervisory matters, as well as in individual and class action consumer lawsuits. Her clients span nearly all sectors of the financial services industry, including banks, nonbank lenders, loan servicers, collection agencies, debt buyers, collection law firms, healthcare providers, credit and prepaid card companies, auto lenders, fintech companies, and various technology and platform service providers.
Her work has earned recognition from Chambers USA, Legal 500 United States, Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers, and Georgia Super Lawyers, among others. Her insightful analysis and thought leadership are regularly featured on her firm’s practice blog, Consumer Financial Services Law Monitor.
Stefanie Jackman
Troutman Pepper Locke
Barron & Newburger, P.C.
Manny Newburger leads the Consumer Financial Services Law Practice Group at Barron & Newburger, P.C. A frequent author and speaker on the FDCPA and other consumer protection laws, Mr. Newburger is known internationally for his expertise in consumer and commercial law, consulting on FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA compliance across the globe and defending of individual and class consumer litigation and regulatory matters across the United States. His practice focuses on litigation, litigation management and strategy, regulatory defense, and compliance, and he serves as a settlement negotiator in complex cases. Mr. Newburger has consulted to collection industry members throughout the U.S., India, the Philippines, and Canada, and his clients include financial institutions, debt buyers, law firms, and collection agencies.
Manny Newburger
Barron & Newburger, P.C.
State of the Industry: The Operating Levers Driving Performance (and Value)
This session identifies the operational levers that most consistently separate top performers from the rest — staffing and workforce models, technology and automation adoption, data/analytics maturity, and compliance posture. Rather than just describing where the market is headed, the session translates current trends (regulatory environment, capital availability, technology adoption) into a practical view of what “operating well” looks like today, and what it’s likely to require over the next few years. The session closes with an audience discussion on which of these levers attendees are finding hardest to pull in their own organizations.
Corporate Advisory Solutions
Michael Lamm is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Corporate Advisory Solutions (CAS), a respected and fast-growing, independent, investment and merchant banking firm that supports a select group of clients. Having completed 135 M&A engagements generating over $2.5B in deal value within accounts receivable management and related industries, Michael leads his deal team on M&A engagements, valuations, exit preparation, and board-room level consulting while also charting the firm’s corporate direction and strategic growth plan. Michael holds the Series 79, 63, and SIE registrations as a Registered Representative of Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. He is also a FINRA arbitrator. For more information about CAS, please visit www.corpadvisorysolutions.com.
Michael Lamm
Corporate Advisory Solutions
FFAM360 Alliance
Matt Maloney is a Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the FFAM360 Alliance of Companies, which includes First Financial Asset Management, Inc. and a host of other affiliated companies (each apart of a group of independently operated Companies providing Accounts Receivables Management, Specialty Finance, and Insurance Subrogation Services to clients across North America & beyond). In his leadership role, Matt is directly responsible for the strategic direction and investment strategy of the Companies. Over his 22+ years helping lead the Companies, Matt has successfully guided the growth of the FFAM360 Alliance of companies, including raising over $500 Million in investment capital, launching new-business lines and industry verticals, and guiding the vision and values of the entire organization. Led by Matt’s strategic direction, the FFAM360 Alliance of companies (and its affiliates) have become a widely sought-after company in the management both performing and non-performing accounts receivables emanating from a variety of industry sectors.
Throughout his professional career, Matt has held various positions on several industry association panels and boards, including with ACA International and RMAI. He has co-authored books and manuals published by industry associations, and has been a presenter at more than a three (3) dozen industry trade shows. Moreover, Matt is the Founder and Host of the Above & Beyond Leadership Podcast, a international podcast aired in over 36 countries which aims to empower, equip and inspire currently and future business and community leaders.
Matthew Maloney
FFAM360 Alliance
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