Lisa Ford joins Payments Canada as Chief Legal and Policy Officer

Appointment marks evolution of leadership model to strengthen organizational oversight and agility.

Payments Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Ford as Chief Legal and Policy Officer (CLPO), effective February 17, 2026. This executive role represents Payments Canada’s commitment to delivering secure, innovative and globally competitive payment infrastructure that supports economic growth and prosperity.

As CLPO, Lisa will oversee an integrated governance framework, spanning legal, compliance and the critical intersection of policy and rules for the payment ecosystem. By aligning oversight with agile policy and rules development, she will support the safety and competitiveness of Canada’s financial infrastructure within a rapidly evolving global and domestic payment environment.

As a recognized thought leader, including recipient of the 2023 Women in Payments’ Thought Leadership Award, Lisa has substantial expertise in payments, policy advocacy, regulatory affairs and business risk. She has made significant contributions shaping Canadian payment policy, including advising on the implementation of the Retail Payment Activities Act, the Consumer-Driven Banking Act and anti-money laundering reforms. Lisa has actively participated in industry forums and collaboration across the ecosystem, including with Payments Canada — notably her tenure as Industry Co-chair for Payments Canada’s Legal and Policy Group, through which she was directly involved in the development and modernization of payment system rules and compliance frameworks, including the legal and rules work required for the launch of Lynx in 2021.