Meet ACA’s 2026 Emerging Leaders

The Emerging Leaders Program helps members find their leadership voice to shape industry conversations and advance their careers.

We’re thrilled to welcome the 2026 class of ACA International’s Emerging Leaders program! This elite three-year progression transforms passionate professionals into influential industry voices.

“The program was created to build a leadership pipeline for our industry — not just within companies, but at the association and industry level,” said Kelli Van Cleave, ACA’s director of education. “It prepares people not just to manage, but to steward the future of our profession.”

Participants typically spend two to three hours per month in formal sessions, with additional opportunities to engage in committees, networking, and projects. The format combines virtual sessions, in-person meetups at ACA events, peer discussions, and applied exercises.

Meet the 2026 Emerging Leaders:

• Matt Alkire, President, Fairway Capital Recovery
• Alison Atkinson, Director of Business Intelligence, Williams & Fudge Inc.
• Scott Brownlee, Director, TCN Inc.
• Jack Caudill, Operations Manager, Creditor’s Bureau Associates
• Megan Covert, Operations Manager, Credit Bureau Services of Iowa
• Emily Eriksen, Collections Manager, TriVerity
• Tessa Foote, President, FOX Collection Center
• Christopher Gay, CGO/CTO National Bureau of Collections Inc.
• Mike Gray, Senior Sales Executive, TCN
• Shelda Griffen, SVP Revenue Strategy and Operation, Sherloq Solutions
• Elizabeth Hendricks, Director, Risk and Controls, TrueAccord
• Nicholas Hood, Corporate Counsel, TRAKAmerica
• Paul Irby, Director of Collections, Williams & Fudge Inc.
• Jana Meyer, Director of Compliance, Property Receivables DBA: Collecttech
• Susan Taylor, Director of Litigation Management, Credit Control, LLC
• Timothy Woudenberg, Director of Operations, Creditors Bureau USA