The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) is pleased to welcome its newest team member, Emily Wilder, Director, Training Programs. As Director, Training Programs, Emily serves as the primary liaison to oversee the Council’s training portfolio and ensure it continues to grow as a scalable, high-impact program that meets the needs of our global community.
In this Q&A, we will learn more about Emily and all that she brings to the Council.
Could you tell us about your previous role and the company you worked for?
Emily Wilder: Most recently, I led the education program at the Merchant Risk Council (MRC), a global non-profit focused on eCommerce payments and fraud prevention. During my time there, our education program grew from four eLearning courses to more than thirty. We also launched a certification prep program and career development opportunities that helped professionals not only keep up with industry change but also advance their careers.
Can you describe your career path in the payment security industry and how it led you to PCI SSC?
Emily Wilder: My journey into payments education really started at the Merchant Risk Council. Working closely with industry leaders gave me a front-row seat to the challenges and opportunities in payment security. Joining PCI SSC feels like a natural next step, building on what I’ve learned and expanding the impact on an even larger scale.
What opportunities are you most looking forward to in this new role?
Emily Wilder: I’ve heard from lots of folks already that our training program is already great. I'm grateful for such a strong foundation to build on with a great team who is really passionate about this work. For me, personally, I’m really looking forward to broadening our global footprint, listening to diverse perspectives, and making sure our training resonates locally while aligning globally. I also see exciting opportunities to innovate how we deliver training, keeping it engaging, practical, and scalable so that it truly empowers professionals.
What kinds of things are you passionate about? What would you like others to know about you?
Emily Wilder: I’m passionate about learning and creating. I like to joke that I’m a jack of all trades and a master of some. I’m always curious whether that’s diving into new topics, experimenting with hobbies, or finding creative ways to solve problems. At the heart of it, I love helping people connect ideas to action.
Tell us a little bit about yourself, such as where you are based, your educational background, your family life, and how you spend your time outside of work.
Emily Wilder: I’m based in New Mexico, where I live with my wife and our five dogs (yes, five!). I’m lucky to be surrounded by incredible art, culture, and nature, so many weekends are spent at local markets, exploring museums, or getting up into the mountains. We tend to cycle through hobbies and cover anything from paddleboarding, trail running, and cross-country skiing to woodcarving, embroidery, and knitting. I also volunteer as a liaison with AFS, supporting foreign exchange students and their host families, which has been a meaningful way to stay connected to global learning and cultural exchange.
I hold a Bachelor of Art in Psychology and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership, along with leadership certificates from the Kansas Leadership Center and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. After a brief stint in the finance world, I moved into education and have since worn many hats, from managing class logistics and designing courses to teaching and overseeing programs. Along the way, I discovered that education program management is where I thrive because it’s the perfect blend of strategy, creativity, and impact.
