With 25 years of experience across Airline, Travel, and Payment industries, Thomas Helldorff currently leads the vertical growth strategy for Airlines, Travel & Hospitality at Worldpay from FIS. He oversees a portfolio of 130+ airlines in addition to several thousand travel, cruise, ground transportation, and hospitality merchants worldwide.

Before joining Worldpay, he previously worked as the Head of Strategy and Innovation at Datacash. He also served as Senior Product Manager for payment services and passenger mobile apps at SITA, where he led the development of a central payment platform for the air transport industry that linked airline distribution apps with the payment world.

Thomas has authored the published ‘Airline Payments Handbook’, a complete guide to payments in the air transport industry, offering insights for readers new to airline payments as well as more advanced practitioners
(www.payments.aero).

He obtained a master’s degree in International Economics and Business Studies at the University of Innsbruck with an exchange year at the University of Hong Kong. Thomas also holds Yachtmaster certification and is a passionate photographer in his spare time.

For over a decade I have been on the leading edge of airline, mass transit and hotel payment and distribution initiatives, particularly from a go-to-market perspective. My aviation journey started in 2006 and I have been involved across many layers of the airline and travel industry, right from the operational level to regional leadership of a global travel company. In total, I have worked across six countries throughout my career, which helps me take a more holistic perspective to solving complex commercial problems.

I have expertise in maximizing commercial performance in travel, through optimizing distribution costs, enhancing customer payment experiences and supporting hotel and travel companies establish more ancillary revenue opportunities underpinned by more efficient payment touchpoints. Through the years, I have worked across three major legacy airline brands, fintech and consultancy organizations to champion efficiencies and integrity in payment infrastructure for the hotel and travel industry.

I now serve as Associate Director for Airlines, Travel and Mass Transportation with Worldpay and I am responsible for our global strategy, financial performance, client satisfaction, large enterprise scoping and business development

Anke Hsu brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the travel industry, having held key positions at Lufthansa Group, flights.com, Sabre Corporation, FTI Group, and InteRES GmbH (a TUI subsidiary). Her career has spanned multiple continents, with professional roles in Germany, France, Switzerland, the USA, and Brazil, reflecting her global expertise.

In addition to her industry achievements, Anke contributed to blockchain innovation as an external doctoral researcher at the University of Zurich, a world-renowned leader in blockchain research. Her unique blend of travel industry leadership and cutting-edge blockchain knowledge positions her as a pioneer at the intersection of technology and global travel.

As Chief Economist, Europe, Natalia’s responsibilities include development and delivery of differentiated economic, financial, policy and market thought leadership for customers, Mastercard and public policy makers. Natalia came to Mastercard with over 20 years of experience in economic research and analysis. Prior to joining Mastercard, Natalia was the Head of Sovereign and Economic Risk for Europe, Middle East & Africa at Goldman Sachs in London, where she was responsible for the analysis of macroeconomic, financial, geopolitical and social dynamics in countries in the region, as well as short-term and long term trends and scenarios for the global economy.

Prior to Goldman Sachs, Natalia was a Senior Economist at Standard Chartered Bank where she focused on country risk in emerging markets and thematic thought leadership research. Natalia spent several years as a Senior Consultant at NERA Economic Consulting in New York where she provided economic advice to companies on issues arising from regulation, public policy and litigation. Natalia started her career at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, representing interests of the member countries´ business communities to the organization. Natalia holds a BA in International Economics and International Affairs from the American University of Paris, MSc from London School of Economics and Political Science and MBA from INSEAD.

Benoît Chantoin is an experienced French European affairs professional with a strong focus on consumer protection and legal matters. Over the past 17 years, Benoît has built a robust track record in advancing consumer protection, contributing his skills to NGOs, consultancies, and leading industry organizations. Since 2012, he has held the position of Director for Legal and Consumer Affairs at ECTAA (European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Association), representing 70,000 travel intermediaries, mostly SMEs, and playing a pivotal role in shaping policy for both online and offline businesses. His 13-year engagement with the Package Travel Directive underscores his depth of knowledge and commitment to enhancing travel consumer rights in Europe. In January 2024, Benoît further expanded his leadership responsibilities as Secretary General of EGFATT (European Guarantee Fund Association for Travel and Tourism).

Paul is the Chief Operating Officer of the Advantage Travel Partnership, a membership organisation with 750 locations across the UK, generating a combined turnover of £8.5bn. Additionally, Advantage collaborates with 96 international members across 84 countries, bringing the total membership turnover to £17bn.Since 2017, Paul has served as an Executive Director at Advantage. As COO, he leads the organisation's operational, regulatory, and compliance functions while also overseeing the Financial Services division, which includes a Travel Bonds Captive Insurer and an Insurance and Financial Protection Brokerage.

Ralf Pastleitner, an Austrian national, holds a doctorate in law from Karl-Franzens University Graz and an Executive MBA from Maastricht University, where he remains a guest lecturer on sustainability in the travel sector. After starting his career in law and the steel industry, he served as a political advisor to an Austrian MEP in Brussels and held senior corporate policy roles in the energy sector.

Since 2017, Ralf has led TUI Group’s public policy activities across key markets, overseeing regulatory and government affairs with a focus on mobility, sustainability and tourism policy. He also heads TUI Group’s EU Corporate Office in Brussels, representing the company to European institutions, associations, and Member States. Ralf is a member of the Executive Committee at Airlines for Europe (A4E) and chairs a European Commission expert group on the green transition in travel and tourism.

Mark Bowmer has over 30 years of experience in the travel industry. Most of his career has been spent specialising in the areas of airline distribution, travel payments, and travel agency and airline technology.  

Mark has held several senior executive positions, including the roles of Head of Strategy and Business Projects for Sabre Pacific, an executive manager within Qantas Airways' Distribution Team, Global Head of Product for eNett International, and, most recently, Senior Director Partnerships and Market Enablement for WEX.  Mark holds a Master of Business Administration

Nicolas Ortiz Luengo is Senior Director of Payments Product and Merchant Partnerships at Sabre, leading the development of a comprehensive payments platform for the travel industry. With over 20 years of experience in technology and finance including 11+ years in travel payments he has worked extensively in product and presales, helping airlines, hotels, and travel agencies optimize payment acceptance and payouts. Nicolas has played a key role in launching innovative payment solutions that drive efficiency and revenue growth across the travel ecosystem.

Javier Casas is a seasoned fintech and travel expert with over 15 years of experience in travel technology and payments. As the Director of Travel Solutions at Checkout.com, he shapes the company’s travel strategy, driving innovation and delivering solutions that power seamless payment experiences for millions of users annually. Throughout his career, Javier has held leadership roles at leading organizations both in the travel and payments industries, where he managed complex and large-scale sales, redefined product positioning, and spearheaded market expansion initiatives. His expertise lies at the intersection of business development, strategy, and operational excellence, with a proven track record of accelerating adoption and achieving impactful results.

Patrick Plikat is a Principal in BCG’s FinTech group in Miami, USA. Patrick’s work focuses on the growth strategy of SaaS companies, payment providers, and how merchants and financial service firms can manage risk to enable business.

Max Teichert is a Managing Director & Partner with the Boston Consulting Group in Hamburg, Germany and leads BCG’s risk in payments work. Max is an expert in risk & compliance for financial service firms and works with payment providers, merchants and banks across Europe on their risk in payments offering.

Jennifer has spent the past decade as an International Business Developer and Account Manager, with nearly three years dedicated to the Airlines & Travel payment industry at Worldpay. During this time, she has supported numerous airlines and Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) in developing their global payment strategies. Recognized for her ability to deliver high customer value and expand global accounts through strategic networking, Jennifer has collaborated closely with the broader travel ecosystem, including Actuary.

With nearly a decade at Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), Rhiana has developed deep expertise across multiple facets of the travel industry, spanning both Leisure and Corporate travel, Finance and Technology disciplines, and GDS Distribution. Now specializing in B2B payments, Rhiana plays a pivotal role in optimizing payment workflows and driving innovation on a global scale. Supporting multiple countries with diverse challenges, Rhiana collaborates with airlines, hotels, and car rental providers as well as Fin-Tech and Banking partners worldwide to create seamless, efficient solutions that enhance both supplier and buyer experiences.

As a payments expert and senior consultant, Manolo leads the Payments Consulting Practice at Amadeus, leveraging advanced data analytics to deliver industry-leading advisory services. With over 10 years of experience in the payments sector, Manolo has developed a deep understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and requirements of each party involved in the payments ecosystem. This priceless insight enables him to seamlessly connect business dots and drive impactful solutions. Manolo's expertise in data analytics and business intelligence empowers him to assess trends and optimize payment processes within the travel industry. His comprehensive knowledge of fintech trends and payment innovations positions him as a thought leader, capable of guiding airlines, travel agencies, hotels, and other stakeholders through the evolving landscape of travel payments.

Alexandre Carrera Lejeune is the Head of Iberia Territory of FLOA, a Fintech of the BNP Paribas Group, where he leads the company’s expansion and strategic initiatives in the region. With over 25 years of experience in multinational corporations such as L’Oréal, the BPCE Group, and BNP Paribas, Alexandre has developed deep expertise in international business development, digital transformation, and marketing. In addition to his corporate experience, Alexandre has built his strategic agility and leadership skills through entrepreneurial ventures in the United States and a formative background in tennis. From an early age, Alexandre cultivated discipline, resilience, and a competitive spirit on the tennis court—qualities that propelled him to play at the university level and later coach professional players on ATP and WTA Tour events. This sports background instilled in him the importance of preparation, adaptability, and teamwork—traits that seamlessly translate into his business leadership. A graduate of the Executive MBA program at HEC Paris, Alexandre now combines data-driven decision-making with a results-oriented mindset, ensuring sustainable growth and innovation.  Known for his resilience, analytical thinking, and collaborative approach, he excels at aligning business strategies with evolving market trends to drive long-term success and operational excellence. By merging the lessons learned on the tennis court with his corporate and academic experiences, Alexandre embodies a leadership style that is both dynamic and disciplined—able to inspire teams, navigate challenges, and steer the organization toward a prosperous future.

Michael Oliva is Vice President of Dispute Resolution Management at Mastercard, where he leads strategic initiatives related to chargebacks. A recognized expert in the payments industry, Michael trains and consults for Mastercard ecosystem participants across Europe, Asia, and the US, and collaborates regularly with regulators and industry associations to protect both consumers and merchants. His work also includes advancing these protections within Mastercard’s next-generation payment systems, such as Account-to-Account (A2A), Open Banking, and other emerging payment methods. Since joining Mastercard in 2012, Michael has held roles in Brussels, Singapore, and is currently based in Amsterdam.

Bart Szypkowski was appointed as ChargebackHelp/DisputeHelp Chief Revenue Officer in 2023. Szypkowski brings a proven track record in managing card-scheme relationships and driving value to acquiring banks, merchant service providers and merchants globally through dispute management. His prior CV includes Sales Team Leader at Visa company Authorize.Net, Director of Sales at Ethoca, and advancing to Mastercard's Sales Director after their acquisition of Ethoca.

Daniel Pons is the Co-Chief Risk Officer at seQura, a leading BNPL fintech, where he oversees credit risk and fraud prevention strategies across multiple verticals, with a strong focus on the travel industry. With close to a decade of experience in consumer finance, Daniel has led the development of scalable frameworks that balance business growth with risk control. Based in Southern Europe, Daniel has developed deep expertise in the region’s travel and retail landscape, working closely with airlines, OTAs, and travel platforms to tackle the specific challenges of high-ticket, cross-border transactions. He has played a key role in identifying fraud patterns unique to this market and implementing payment innovations that improve both security and customer experience. His work has contributed to safer, more seamless booking and payment journeys across the travel ecosystem. Known for his analytical mindset, operational leadership, and collaborative approach, Daniel brings a deep understanding of how to align risk strategy with evolving customer expectations and regional market dynamics. He is an active contributor to the conversation around the future of travel payments and the role of embedded finance in driving innovation and trust.

Ann is a strategist with a long and extensive record of delivering business value in project and product management roles across the globe, understanding both the business and the technology field. She easily combines strategy with strong hands-on experience understanding the bigger picture. Core expertise areas are Airline Retailing, Offer and Order Management and NDC. She is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry events and has published several highly noticed articles in the travel industry press, she is a columnist with AeroTime. Ann is a weekly panelist on the BusinessTravel360 podcast Linking the Travel Industry as well as co-hosting the forum Grow Revenue in Travel.

Mathieu Tahon is an expert in airline payments and distribution, specializing in payment transformation projects, offer and order management, IT architecture for digital retailing, and business case validation. With extensive experience working with major European airlines, he has led product development in payment transformation and order management systems. Mathieu also served as CTO at Simard, where he defined and delivered the product vision for Winding Tree's decentralized marketplace. In addition, he worked as a Payment Expert and Business Analyst at Amadeus, contributing to the design and delivery of the Amadeus Airport Pay product, and coordinating EMV and NFC certifications with leading payment providers.

Linda leads the Customer Risk Management team in Europe at Mastercard. Her work focuses on identifying and mitigating settlement risk exposure to Mastercard’s customers and counterparties, both in card and alternative payment schemes. Linda is passionate about innovation and collaboration with customers to protect the payment ecosystem with effective risk solutions. Before joining Mastercard in 2023, Linda had over 15 years of experience in the banking industry, holding leadership roles in risk and finance management.

Jin Kim is a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience in fintech, blockchain, and entrepreneurship. He is the CFO of Microsignals Inc., a fast-growing online travel agency. Previously, he held key roles within the United Nations, overseeing financial management for development finance initiatives. He also played a critical role in mobilizing $500 million in commercial loans for emerging markets and has led financial strategies across startups and large corporations. Passionate about the digital economy, he actively mentors startup founders, providing strategic guidance and fundraising support. He holds an MBA from SDA Bocconi and a Master’s in International Affairs from Seton Hall, specializing in economic development.

Gonzalo Guillen Navarro has 20 years of experience in the airline industry. He spent 15 years at Iberia and IAG, where he played a pivotal role in driving revenue management synergies, systems, and strategy. Gonzalo led best practices in the Joint Business with American Airlines and British Airways and managed the development of ancillaries and fare distribution strategies. He was also a pioneer in NDC implementation at Iberia. For the past six years, Gonzalo has been with LATAM Airlines Group, initially as Head of Distribution, where he led the transformation of distribution in sales. For the last four years, he has served as Head of Digital Distribution and NDC, driving innovation in airline retailing and modern distribution strategies.