ACA Visionaries Conference | Alison Atkinson & Amelia Anderson of Williams & Fudge | Ep. 254

In this episode of the Receivables Podcast, Alison Atkinson, the Director of Business Intelligence and Amelia Anderson, the Chief Strategy Officer from Williams & Fudge, Inc., join Katalina Dawson to discuss how the ACA Visionaries Conference empowers collection agencies to grow through professional networking and technology adoption.

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Katalina Dawson (00:07)

Hello and welcome back to another episode of Receivables Podcast. I am gonna be your host today, Katalina Dawson, and I have two incredible guests with me this morning. I've got Alison Atkinson, who is the Director of Business Intelligence at Williams & Fudge, and Amelia Anderson, who is also at Williams & Fudge, but she is the Chief Strategy Officer. Welcome both you guys, it is fantastic to have you on today. We're gonna be talking a little bit about ACA Visionaries 2025 event coming up. But before we jump into that, Alison, will you start with kicking it off, telling us a little bit about yourself and how you got to where you are today?

Alison Atkinson (00:43)

Sure, thanks and thanks for having us Katalina. We're very excited to be joining you today. Thanks for the invite. Again, my name is Alison, AKA Ali. A lot of people name me as Ali Atkinson. So either one, I'll respond to either one. But I have been with Williams & Fudge for, next year will be my 20th year, believe it or not. I started in this industry with this company. So I had zero knowledge about the collections industry whatsoever before I started with Williams & Fudge. Started as a

Katalina Dawson (00:48)

My pleasure.

Alison Atkinson (01:10)

collector on the dialer and here I am 20 years later as the director of business intelligence. So I've seen tons of changes in the last 20 years and it has been a lot of fun and I'm excited to watch what changes we have in store for us over the next 20 years.

Katalina Dawson (01:25)

Excellent. Amelia?

Amelia Anderson (01:27)

All right. Well, Ali has definitely more experience in the industry than I do. I joined the company about eight years ago. And I like to say in my prior life, I was in the telecom industry. So I spent about 13 years there and started out in the call center there. So got my feet wet with a lot of things that are still relevant in the collections industry today. But I learn every day from peers like Ali who have been here. I think since they're 12, I think she started here when she was 12, sure. But lots of people with lots of tenure here at our company. So I met David through a volunteer opportunity. He's the owner of our company and worked with him some and knew right away if I ever had an opportunity to work with him professionally that I would love to take that. So that's how I got where I am today. And my role here involves a lot of cross-divisional work. Just making sure that we're all kind of moving in the right direction and that every decision that we make rolls up in a lines with the bigger picture and corporate goals.

Katalina Dawson (02:29)

Excellent. Well, you both have two very rich careers within the industry. So I'm really excited about what you both have to say about a very important industry event. So I would love to hear from each of you what excites you most about this year's ACA Visionaries Conference and the direction the industry is heading. Alison, would you like to kick us off with that one?

Alison Atkinson (02:49)

Sure. I usually joke that my title is Director of Business Intelligence, which I say is just a fancy term for like a closet nerd. So I'm kind of the go-between between the collection side and our IT department. And I think that's something that's happening in the industry as a whole right now is a lot of collaboration between IT or tech and the actual day-to-day activities of collections. So I'm very excited to hear about all the new technologies and how we're incorporating those in our day-to-day work. Absolutely. Amelia?

Amelia Anderson (03:18)

Agreed. think the thing that I look forward to most is really connecting with people, some that I've met in the past and connecting with new individuals in the space. I think ACA does an exceptional job of bringing people together and fostering those opportunities and just look forward to being a part of that as we all continue to move forward together and in shaping the industry that we serve.

Katalina Dawson (03:40)

Yes, the connections you form at these conferences is very influential. And even more so with visionaries, I think, because it's a bit of a different structure than a lot of these different conferences where a lot of the sessions you sit and you're kind of more lectured at, visionaries tends to have more of a workshop feel throughout the day. So you're talking and engaging with the people at your table and at other tables and throughout the room. Mean, Last year we were getting up on our feet and doing all these different things together. it does foster this really amazing sense of community at the event.

Amelia Anderson (04:13)

Agreed. I missed last year, so I was sad about that. But I have been two years prior and really just enjoyed the, think, close-knit kind of experience that you have. The engagement part and collaboration, it is different from larger events, but in a very positive way.

Alison Atkinson (04:15)

Absolutely.

Alison Atkinson (04:33)

Yeah, I agree. Feel like, I'm sorry, at larger events or larger conferences, you have all these questions in your head, but because the room's so full of people, you normally don't want to raise your hand and ask the question, even though 10 other people probably have that same question. But at Visionaries, you feel very comfortable asking the question when you have it and sparking that great conversation.

Katalina Dawson (04:53)

Absolutely. Now we were kind of already diving into it, but I'd love to get kind of a Sparks Note version for anybody who hasn't attended Visionaries before or is even unaware of what it is. Can you give that like Spark Notes version about the event, what it's all about and what you can expect?

Amelia Anderson (05:08)

Yeah, I think, you know, really, a high value opportunity that's focused a lot on conversations and connections just all around. So I think from the moment that you get there, you starting out with something like dinner with strangers, I really will never forget this. Ali was like, Is this is this for real? I was like, It's for real, we're gonna do it. And really, we were so glad that we did because it does it forces you to spend that quality time with people that you may not have otherwise connected with.

Alison Atkinson (05:26)

Yeah.

Amelia Anderson (05:36)

in a setting that's comfortable and natural.

Katalina Dawson (05:39)

Agreed. Alison, anything you want to add to that?

Alison Atkinson (05:41)

I would agree with everything she said. kind of like, it sounds bad to say there's forced interaction, but I think that's actually like a necessary evil. So it makes you get out of your comfort zone and do things that you might not do in the larger groups. So that's what I enjoy most about the visionaries.

Katalina Dawson (05:51)

Yeah. Absolutely. So beyond the sessions, what do you think makes the conference experience extra special?

Amelia Anderson (06:03)

Good question. I think it probably because of the size and the format, I think that it creates space for a little deeper, more meaningful discussion. Like Ali's saying, you you feel comfortable with your group. You feel like you are among peers that you trust and respect and you are. I mean, then some of the best people in the industry are present there and you have their time and attention in a way that I think I have never experienced before.

Katalina Dawson (06:32)

Yeah. Now, if there's anybody who is new to ACA or just a new participant at Visionaries this year, what would you recommend for them to get the most out of this part of the conference?

Alison Atkinson (06:42)

would say embrace all the things that you might at first say is this for real like do I really have to do this because even though it sounds like something you might not be interested in I can promise you that you will absolutely enjoy it by the time you're done so be open to trying everything there that they're offering because all of the events that are set up are there for a reason and it will all make sense at the end.

Amelia Anderson (06:47)

Yeah.

Katalina Dawson (06:48)

You Yes. Yes, including that dinner with strangers. I got to say that's honestly one of my favorite things that ACA does. The amount of people that I've met at the different dinner with strangers and become really close friends with is incredible. I always sign up and Sammy Aho, who runs it, does an incredible job at it. She picks great restaurants. She mixes a great group of people and you always meet somebody very interesting. I love it.

Amelia Anderson (07:06)

Yes.

Alison Atkinson (07:06)

Exactly.

Amelia Anderson (07:11)

Yes. Agreed, agreed. And I would say I think a lot of us wear a lot of different hats. So, you know, work and personal lives. So I think it's always easy to kind of feel a little bit torn or guilty, you know, when you're taking time away from one realm to go serve in another. So I would just say my advice would be to try your hardest to be where your feet are fully and to know that those emails and

Alison Atkinson (07:29)

Agreed.

Amelia Anderson (07:54)

packing lunches and all the other things that go along with that you're leaving behind, they're going to be there when you get back. It's just a few days and if you can embrace them fully and just be present for the moments, you will really take a lot away from the conference.

Katalina Dawson (08:10)

Yes. So I know both of you are actually speaking at Visionaries this year. Can you tell us a little bit about your session, what it's about and what people can expect? Also, just tell us why should attendees want to come to your session?

Amelia Anderson (08:23)

That's a great question. I'll let Ali start to sell it first.

Alison Atkinson (08:27)

You want me to be the first salesman? So as I mentioned in the very beginning, there's a lot going on with technology right now. And one of the biggest ones, you can't go anywhere without hearing about AI, artificial intelligence. So our session is going to be talking about AI in our industry and not about how it is going to take over our jobs, but how it can be our partner in our jobs. So how we begin to embrace it, not fight it and use it to our advantage.

Amelia Anderson (08:29)

That's right.

Alison Atkinson (08:57)

And that's kind of the short and sweet summary of what we're gonna be discussing.

Amelia Anderson (09:00)

Yeah, I know AI is really transforming the world that we live in. If you just take a moment to think about all the different ways that you're interacting, no matter where you are, personally in your professional life, there's definitely an AI component that's related. So just knowing that it's everything is evolving rapidly, and we are already immersed in an industry that moves quickly and is constantly changing. So I think just

Katalina Dawson (09:02)

Yeah.

Amelia Anderson (09:28)

being able to be flexible and adapt and adopt, but leverage the use of technology in a way that serves you well and honestly gives you time back to focus and contribute to things that really make a large impact in your role and also in your personal life.

Katalina Dawson (09:47)

Absolutely. I it wasn't too long ago that we went through something extremely similar. The technological revolution of just having computers and everybody having a computer in their house versus just in offices and everybody having a website suddenly and everything being online. And the people who got left behind are the people who didn't get a laptop, didn't learn how to do it, didn't create their own website for or get somebody to help them create a website for their company and get into that digital age, this is just another step with that. So you don't wanna be left behind. You don't wanna be somebody who just doesn't want that digital fluency or digital literacy. The people are gonna stay on top of the ones who want to learn how to actually leverage that AI and not be as afraid of it. And there is a lot of like fear mongering around that type of technology currently. So learning how to use it safely and how to leverage it properly is so crucial. personally am super excited to go see your session on this. This is going to be incredible information. So thank you both for taking the time to create a session on that. It's going to be incredible. I'm super excited to see it. But now I want to hear a little bit more about what you are looking forward to in terms of the sessions or is it the. Dinner with Strangers, which piece of visionaries are you most excited for?

Amelia Anderson (11:06)

That's a good one. I'm excited about your session too.

Katalina Dawson (11:09)

Thank you.

Alison Atkinson (11:10)

Thank you.

Katalina Dawson (11:11)

Yeah, my session, for those of you who don't know, it's focused on future and building what's next through finding micro purposes in everyday goals and tasks and things that you're doing. The tagline we wrote for it was optimizing today with tomorrow in mind. So if anybody's interested in that one, thank you.

Amelia Anderson (11:27)

love that.

Alison Atkinson (11:27)

Awesome.

Amelia Anderson (11:29)

think, I think for me, it's probably the quality time, you know, you have made connections in the past, and you know that you're going to make some new connections. And I think that there's something about the in person connection and collaboration that you can't get via zoom, or via email or even texting, you know, you may stay in touch with some of these people in different ways. But the quality time in person together is I think what I'm most excited about.

Alison Atkinson (11:55)

Yeah, I would agree. just to expand on that, I think getting other people's fresh new ideas, because we tend to get very siloed. know, Amelia and I talk all the time and we think we're creative and we have all the best ideas, but we don't. know, other people do have ideas that we can build on. And when you're able to do that in person, you not only hear their ideas, but in conversation, you're like, yeah, and what if you did this and the other person can come back and say, yeah, yeah, and let's add in this and.

Alison Atkinson (12:20)

So just the ongoing collaboration between the groups is what I'm really looking forward to.

Katalina Dawson (12:25)

Absolutely. So last year they did this very unique thing where we all had name tags and you did fill it out with your name, but you also got to pick the specific type of name tag you had. And it had a prompt on each one. It's like, I am thinking about blank. I'm curious about blank, or I would like to talk about, so it was all different types like that. And people would fill it out and...

Amelia Anderson (12:43)

that's neat.

Katalina Dawson (12:46)

It was so interesting because then when we got to like the lunch break and the reception, it was such an incredible conversation starter. As you're meeting somebody new, it wasn't just like, what's your company and what's your position? It was like, that's very interesting. I love that you're thinking about AI adoption right now. What are your current thoughts on that? And it sparked so many really interesting conversations. So, and I feel like that's what they always try to foster visionaries is that exact and you guys have been talking about it. It's that collaboration and networking and just bringing everybody together almost forcibly so, but in the best way.

Amelia Anderson (13:23)

kind like a dating profile,

Alison Atkinson (13:23)

Yeah, it's like it's.

Amelia Anderson (13:24)

I guess, if you think about it, you're like, Hey, this is me, this is what I'm into. And then, you know, give, give somebody that information up front and opens the door for great conversations.

Katalina Dawson (13:33)

Yes!

Alison Atkinson (13:33)

Yeah, we can be professionals without all the pressure of being professionals, you know.

Katalina Dawson (13:41)

Absolutely. Now, if you could leave everyone or listeners one reason that they cannot afford to miss Visionaries 2025, what would that be?

Amelia Anderson (13:53)

Well, I would say that it is absolutely a unique conference and experience. And if you are looking for something that's going to leave you energized and provide you with some new insight and connections and direction really for the future, all around in your life, personal and professional, this is definitely the conference for you.

Katalina Dawson (14:12)

Alison?

Alison Atkinson (14:14)

Well, my first answer would be you can't afford to not miss mine and Amelia's session, of course, because it's going to be so And Katalina's too. And Katalina's, you can't afford to miss hers either. Now, I'm just kidding. I would have to agree with Amelia and just say you can't afford to miss the collaboration that you're going to get with the smaller groups, the new ideas you'll take back, the conversations that you have and the friendships that you'll make.

Amelia Anderson (14:19)

Yeah.

Katalina Dawson (14:20)

Yes! Both incredible answers. And I'm going to piggyback off that and say if you're already attending ACA Fall Forum, why not? It's one more day. You're already coming all the way out here. The sessions are rich. The networking is deep. Why not? Why not just spend one more day, especially in beautiful Chicago? Now, I will admit I am a little biased. Chicago is my home. But Chicago in fall.

Amelia Anderson (14:44)

Why not?

Katalina Dawson (15:03)

is gorgeous and we've got great restaurants so great place to come be. It's one extra day and there's a lot of incredible information and networking to be had. Any last-minute thoughts from either of you about Visionaries 2025?

Amelia Anderson (15:20)

I don't think so. We've touched on a lot in these 20 minutes.

Katalina Dawson (15:23)

Yeah. All right.

Alison Atkinson (15:23)

Yeah, other than we're gonna have to reach out to you for some suggestions on things to do and see in Chicago, because we're not Native Chicagoans, so.

Katalina Dawson (15:30)

Happy to. Yes, absolutely, reach out to me.

Amelia Anderson (15:32)

have a, I started a little note in my phone the other day. So I have hyperlinks to some places that I want Ali and I to be able to explore. We might let you look over that list and reorganize it, prioritize it.

Katalina Dawson (15:44)

Happy to, absolutely. Well, thank you to all of our listeners. We really hope you get a chance to check out Visionaries 2025. And if you don't, remember you can always sign up for next year. Keep looking forward and we hope to see you there. Thank you all for joining us today. Bye.

Alison Atkinson (15:45)

Yeah.

Amelia Anderson (15:59)

Thanks so much

for having us. See ya.

Alison Atkinson (16:01)

See ya.

Why the ACA Visionaries Conference Matters

The ACA Visionaries Conference is known for more than presentations and panels, it’s a space for connection, collaboration, and reimagining how the receivables industry moves forward.

In this episode of the Receivables Podcast, host Katalina Dawson sits down with Alison Atkinson and Amelia Anderson of Williams & Fudge to explore what makes this event one of the most anticipated in the industry. The discussion also moves toward how the ACA Visionaries Conference is shaping a more connected future for collections.

Atkinson, who has been with Williams & Fudge for nearly 20 years, began her career as a collector before transitioning into analytics. “I usually joke that my title is Director of Business Intelligence, which is just a fancy term for closet nerd,” she laughed. “I’m kind of the go-between between the collection side and our IT department. And I think that’s something happening across the industry right now, as we see more collaboration between IT or tech and the day-to-day activities of collections.”

Anderson, who joined eight years ago after a career in telecom, added: “I think ACA does an exceptional job of bringing people together and fostering those opportunities… It’s really about connecting with peers and shaping the industry we serve.”

That combination of technology, teamwork, and human connection is what makes Visionaries a must-attend event for professionals looking to grow and adapt.

How Collaboration Builds Stronger Collections Teams

“It sounds bad to say there’s forced interaction, but that’s actually like a necessary evil. It makes you get out of your comfort zone and do things you might not do in larger groups.” – Alison Atkinson

Atkinson’s point gets to the heart of Visionaries’ success: participation. With small-group workshops, interactive sessions, and open discussions, attendees aren’t just absorbing information, they’re also creating it.

From Katalina’s perspective, this kind of engagement represents the future of learning in collections. The event’s structure replaces passive listening with shared experiences, making every conversation a learning opportunity.

Practical Takeaways:

Collaboration unlocks creativity and problem-solving that doesn’t happen in isolation.
The distinct interaction model helps professionals discover new ideas through engagement.
Smaller, more focused settings encourage transparency and trust among peers.
Interactive formats inspire agencies to rethink their internal training and client communication.

AI in Collections: Partner, Not Threat

“Our session is going to be talking about AI in our industry and not about how it’s going to take over our jobs, but how it can be our partner in our jobs. So how do we begin to embrace it and use it to our advantage rather than opposing it.” – Alison Atkinson

“Being flexible and adopting technology gives you time back to focus on things that really make a large impact, both professionally and personally.” – Amelia Anderson

Atkinson and Anderson’s take on AI in collections is refreshingly balanced. Instead of leaning into fear, they advocate understanding. Their message: AI isn’t replacing collectors, it’s empowering them.

From Katalina’s perspective, that mindset is critical. In a field as regulated and relationship-driven as receivables, automation and analytics work best when guided by experienced professionals who know the human side of debt resolution.

Key Reflection:
Agencies that thrive over the next five years won’t just adopt AI, they’ll train it to serve their teams’ goals. The winners will be those who balance automation with empathy and insight.

The Role of Networking in Industry Growth

“I think it probably has to do with the size and the format… You feel comfortable with your group, you feel like you are among peers that you trust and respect. And some of the best people in the industry are present there, and you have their time and attention in a way I’ve never experienced before.” – Amelia Anderson

In today’s fast-changing environment, networking isn’t a nice-to-have, but a must-have strategy.

The ACA Visionaries Conference provides exactly that: meaningful, accessible connection points where professionals at every level can share insights and build relationships.

Key Points:

Networking accelerates professional growth and leadership visibility.
Peer learning offers real-world solutions that aren’t found in training manuals.
Industry relationships strengthen collaboration between agencies, clients, and technology vendors.
Leadership development now starts with community participation.

Every conversation at Visionaries has the potential to turn into a partnership, a new idea, or a leadership opportunity.

Turning Visionaries Insights Into Real-World Results

Attend at least one industry event annually to maintain your network and stay ahead of emerging trends.
Treat AI as a collaborator and start by identifying simple use cases that free up collector time.
Create data-sharing partnerships between operations and IT for smarter decision-making.
Encourage team members to attend collaborative workshops, not just lectures.
Build a culture that rewards learning and professional growth.
Document and share conference takeaways across your organization.
Follow up with connections made at industry events to turn introductions into partnerships.

Industry Trends: ACA Visionaries Conference

The ACA Visionaries model reflects a broader industry shift toward interactive learning and human-driven technology adoption. Across the receivables landscape, leaders are prioritizing collaboration, ethical AI implementation, and continuous professional development as keys to sustainable growth.

As automation becomes standard, the differentiator will be who learns fastest and collaborates best.

Key Moments from This Episode

00:00 – Introduction to Alison Atkinson, Amelia Anderson & Williams & Fudge
01:25 – Career journeys and industry experience
02:49 – What excites them about ACA Visionaries Conference
04:53 – Why collaboration and smaller group discussions matter
08:10 – How AI in collections can be a partner, not a threat
11:29 – Building stronger industry connections through ACA events
15:20 – Closing thoughts and key takeaways

FAQs on ACA Visionaries Conference

Q1: What makes the ACA Visionaries Conference unique?
A: Unlike traditional conferences, Visionaries fosters hands-on workshops, peer interaction, and active collaboration that drive practical industry results.

Q2: How does professional networking support collections professionals?
A: Networking helps agencies share ideas, identify vendor solutions, and stay aligned with evolving compliance and technology standards.

Q3: Why should agencies care about AI in collections?
A: AI enhances efficiency and insight but must be implemented with a human-first mindset to strengthen both compliance and consumer engagement.

About Company

Williams & Fudge, Inc.

Williams & Fudge, Inc. partners with colleges and universities nationwide to provide responsible, ethical, and effective educational debt recovery solutions. The company’s mission is rooted in respect, integrity, and helping clients resolve outstanding tuition and loan obligations while maintaining positive relationships with students and alumni. With a focus on compliance, technology, and relationship-building, Williams & Fudge has earned a national reputation for excellence and professionalism in the higher education receivables management space.

Learn More

About The Guest

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a colorful patterned blouse and gold earrings, smiling against a plain background.

Alison Atkinson

Alison Atkinson serves as the Director of Business Intelligence at Williams & Fudge, Inc., where she oversees analytics, performance reporting, and data-driven process improvement across the organization. With nearly two decades at the company, Alison combines deep operational insight with advanced analytical expertise to bridge the gap between technology and collections strategy. Her leadership focuses on using business intelligence to enhance compliance, optimize results, and strengthen collaboration between departments.

A woman with curly brown hair, wearing a purple blazer, is smiling against a light background.

Amelia Anderson

Amelia Anderson is the Chief Strategy Officer at Williams & Fudge, Inc., where she leads strategic planning, organizational development, and cross-divisional alignment initiatives. Drawing on more than 20 years of leadership experience, including over a decade in the telecommunications sector, Amelia brings a passion for team development, process innovation, and culture transformation. Her work ensures that company objectives are cohesive, measurable, and reflective of long-term corporate goals focused on service and sustainability.