Spotlight Series: A Conversation with Dallis Meeks

In the PayNearMe Spotlight Series, we shine a light on the people that make our company thrive. In this month’s interview, we sat down with Dallis Meeks, FP&A Analyst, to chat about her role in the company, why she loves working at PayNearMe and her life outside of work.

Q: How long have you been with PayNearMe? 

Dallis Meeks: I’ve been a part of the PayNearMe team for three years. My anniversary was in September 2024.

Q: Can you tell us about your career journey and what led you to PayNearMe? 

DM: I graduated in 2019 with my BBA and Finance and started my career as an FPA analyst on the Global Ops team at an insurance company. There I was able to take everything I learned in university and build strong technical foundations. Early on, I discovered that I enjoy solving problems and streamlining processes. I also really enjoy the business partnering that comes with my role. It’s amazing how impactful finance can be in guiding business decisions.

My interest in the payments industry is what led me to PayNearMe. I also wanted to transition into a smaller company where my impact could be felt on a larger scale, and I could help streamline and standardize processes. Everyone I interviewed with was so excited about the work they were doing and the trajectory of the company. This in turn made me excited as well. 

Q: Have you always wanted to pursue a career as a FP&A Analyst?

DM: Surprisingly, yes! I was a finance major and I knew I didn’t want to do investment banking, personal finance or any of the jobs where my work life balance would be affected, so corporate finance was it for me! Graduating college, I knew I wanted to be a Financial Analyst out of the gate.

Q: How has PayNearMe helped you in your career development?

DM: PayNearMe has helped me grow in so many ways. I’ve been given opportunities to work on projects that push me to step out of  my comfort zone and tackle new challenges. In doing so, I have nothing but support from my peers and the leadership team. Also, working in FP&A, you get exposure to so many parts of the business so I’ve been able to learn from a lot of different people from all different backgrounds and perspectives on startups and payments companies in general. 

Q: Do you have any advice to share with those who are just getting into the fintech industry who might want to join a company like PayNearMe? 

DM: I’d tell them to stay curious and actively seek out opportunities to grow, whether it’s through projects, feedback or networking within the company.

Q: What are some of your favorite things about working at PayNearMe?

DM: My favorite thing about working at PayNearMe is the people I get to work with every day! Business partnering is a huge part of my job, so I get to meet folks in just about every department. I like hearing the cool things they’re working on and how their teams are also impacting the business. 

Q: PayNearMe’s Core Values are Together, Do the Right Thing, Results-Driven, Transparent, Flexible and Respectful. Which one most resonates with you and why?

DM: Respectful resonates with me the most. I believe respect is foundational in any team, company culture or life in general.

Q: Let’s shift the focus to your role. What does a day in the life of an FP&A Analyst look like?

DM: Honestly, no day is ever the same for me. Depending on the week, I might be analyzing expense trends, preparing reports for budget owners or investors or diving deep into our Cost of Goods and Services (COGS), like understanding how transaction volumes impact our infrastructure costs.

As an FP&A analyst, my role is a blend of strategic planning, financial analysis and cross-functional collaboration. Essentially, FP&A exists to support the company in making informed decisions by analyzing and forecasting financial data.

Q: Let’s talk about remote work. How are you able to stay connected with your team virtually?

DM: My team has daily standups for about 15 minutes a day to check in and stay connected on what we’re all working on, challenges we may be facing and anything else that comes to mind.

Q: What are three things you have to have on your desk each day for a productive workday?

DM: A bottle of water is an absolute must, my stress ball and a notebook to jot down notes or any random ideas.

Q: What are some things that you’ve learned about yourself while working at PayNearMe?

DM: I’ve learned that I’m more adaptable and resilient than I initially thought. Working at PayNearMe has taught me to embrace change and handle unexpected challenges with confidence.

Q: So what about you—what kinds of activities or hobbies are you interested in outside of work?

DM: Great question! I love going to concerts. I also love reading (romcom fiction books and also self help every now and again), and going for outdoor walks.

Q: If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?

DM: Hmm, at my last company, there was a philanthropy department, and I always thought that was so cool. I’d love to be the VP on a philanthropy team and get to donate to causes and organizations that are important to me  

Q: Any fun facts you’d like to share with us?

DM: I’m a foodie at heart! I’m always up for trying new places or recipes.

Q: Do you participate in any volunteer work or have any organizations you’d like to shine a light on?

DM: I am the co-founder of a non-profit organization called Wealth Between Us. This organization teaches financial literacy to youth in underserved or underrepresented communities. I started this back in 2020 with one of my friends who also has a career in finance.