Spotlight Series: A Conversation with Carley Parker
When Carley Parker, Technical Support Manager, joined PayNearMe more than seven years ago, the company was just beginning its transition from cash-only payments to electronic payments. Since then, she’s grown alongside the business—taking on new challenges, stepping into her first leadership role and helping build a Support team known for exceptional service. We caught up with Carley to talk about her career journey, what she’s learned as a leader and why she believes doing the right thing is more than just a core value.
Q: How long have you been with PayNearMe?
Seven and a half years! I joined when PayNearMe was still cash-only and just beginning its transition into electronic payments. There was a lot to learn, but growing alongside the platform—and the people—made it an exciting time to come on board.
Q: Can you tell us about your career journey and what led you to PayNearMe?
I started as a teller at a credit union while I was in college and eventually moved into the IT department. From there, I joined the company that hosted the credit union’s core banking platform. This gave me the technical and financial services experience that prepared me for PayNearMe. Since joining the company, I’ve grown into the Technical Support Manager role—my first management position—and I’m excited about what’s ahead.
Q: Have you always wanted to pursue a career in Support?
Not exactly—but technology has always been my thing. I was replacing the hard drive on my mom’s Gateway computer when I was 10 years old. Once I started working in IT and experienced the satisfaction of solving problems for customers, I realized Support was where I wanted to build my career.
Q: How has PayNearMe helped you in your career development?
PayNearMe gave me my first opportunity to lead a team, which has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Building, mentoring and training new team members—and watching them grow—is something I genuinely enjoy. It’s incredibly rewarding to help create a team that delivers exceptional service and continues to raise the bar.
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?
Get your foot in the door, even if it isn’t your dream role. Build relationships, stay curious and be patient. I was fortunate to start in Support, but I still had to wait for the right opportunity to move into management—and it was worth it.
Life at PayNearMe
Q: What are some of your favorite things about working at PayNearMe?
The people, without question. Our culture is always something that I have and will continue to praise. Since day one, I’ve felt supported and encouraged to be my best. I’ve also made lifelong friends here—something I never expected when I joined more than seven years ago.
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?
“Do the Right Thing” resonates with me the most. Our Support team is thoughtful about every decision we make, and I’ve seen people consistently go above and beyond to make things right when challenges arise. That commitment says a lot about our culture—PayNearMe genuinely cares about people.
Q: How has the company changed since you joined, and how have you changed with it?
The company has grown tremendously, and I’ve learned to embrace change along the way. New features and products are constantly being introduced, which means there’s always something new to learn. It’s been exciting to grow alongside the platform and help support every new way our clients’ customers can pay.
Q: Let’s shift the focus to your role. What does a day in the life of a Technical Support Manager look like?
No two days look the same, and that’s one of the things I enjoy most about my role. One day I might be working through support tickets, and the next I could be coordinating communications during a critical incident to keep clients informed every step of the way.
Q: Let’s talk about remote work. How are you able to stay connected with your team virtually?
Zoom, Slack and regular one-on-ones keep us connected, but I also make a point to check in with my team beyond scheduled meetings. I want to make sure they’re supported, not overloaded and taking the downtime they need. Preventing burnout is something I take seriously as a manager.
Q: What are three things you have to have on your desk each day for a productive workday?
An espresso shot, a jug of water, and a biscoff cookie.
Q: What are some things that you’ve learned about yourself while working at PayNearMe?
I’m still learning what it truly means to lead a team. Early on, I thought being a manager meant having all the answers. Now I know it’s about building trust, empowering others and creating an environment where people can grow. Watching my team develop confidence and succeed has become one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
Beyond the office
Q: So what about you—what kinds of activities or hobbies are you interested in outside of work?
For the first 30 years of my life, I was terrified of spiders. Then I stumbled across a close-up video of a jumping spider on social media and completely changed my mind. Now I keep several species of pet spiders!
My public service announcement: Don’t squish the spiders in your house—relocate them outside. They’re free pest control!
Q: If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
I’d love to shadow our Security team for a day. Penetration testing has always fascinated me, and the idea of trying to break into your own systems to make them stronger sounds like a lot of fun.
Q: Any fun facts you’d like to share with us?
I lived in the heart of Times Square in New York City for three years. New Year’s Eve was absolutely wild—and I was always amazed that by 7 a.m. on New Year’s Day, the streets were completely clean.
Q: What are you most looking forward to—at work or in life—right now?
Honestly? A house-cleaning robot that actually works (but isn’t stronger than me). I feel like we’re getting close, and when that day comes, everyone wins! I feel like it would make everyone in the world a little bit happier to not have to do laundry or mop a floor ever again.
