ABA Names New Head of Office of Innovation

Brooke Ybarra has been named senior vice president of innovation and strategy at the American Bankers Association and will lead the group’s Office of Innovation. In this position, Ybarra will play a key role in helping ABA member banks keep pace with technological innovation by identifying promising startups and emerging technologies that benefit the banking industry. She will also work with members and ABA colleagues to identify and advocate for policies that allow for and promote responsible innovation in banking. 

“Since arriving at ABA, Brooke has impressed all of us with her understanding of the banking innovation marketplace and the challenges banks face in staying on the cutting edge,” said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. “Under her leadership, ABA’s Office of Innovation will continue its important work of not only identifying the technologies that will shape the future of banking, but also the policies needed to allow banks to efficiently utilize those technologies and spur additional innovation.”

“I look forward to continuing my work with bank leaders from across the country who are just as passionate about innovation as I am,” said Ybarra. “The future of banking is bright, and I’m excited to be advocating for and supporting the important work our members are doing to deliver the latest technology to their customers.”

Ybarra joined ABA in September 2021 as vice president of innovation strategy. Prior to joining ABA, Ybarra worked as a senior director in global quality at Marriott International, served as a consultant with Accenture focusing on electronic payments issues, and earlier in her career worked at the CIA as a program manager and analyst.

Ybarra holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Stanford University and a Master’s in Business Administration from McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.