Dan Smith is president & CEO of the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), a trade association representing the U.S. consumer reporting industry.

At CDIA, Dan is responsible for the leadership, direction, and overall management of the organization. Dan guides CDIA’s efforts to enhance the public’s recognition and understanding of the consumer reporting industry and its vital importance to consumers nationwide.

Dan is a leading authority on federal and state legislative and regulatory processes and has an in-depth knowledge of consumer financial protection laws and regulations.

Dan joined CDIA from the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA), where he was Executive Vice President and Head Regulatory Affairs.

Previously, Dan was Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the American Bankers Association’s (ABA) Card Policy Counsel. There, he represented the top credit card issuers and networks in front of Congress and regulatory agencies on all issues impacting the credit card market. These included interest rate cap proposals, interchange, Regulation Z, modernization of disclosures and e-sign legislation.

Prior to joining ABA, Dan was the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) first Assistant Director for the Office of Financial Institutions and Business Liaison. In building the office, Dan managed the Bureau’s relationship with more than 40 trade associations and senior executives at major financial services companies to facilitate constructive dialogue.

Before joining the CFPB, Dan spent four years at Freddie Mac serving as the Director of Industry and State Relations. He was responsible for legislative, regulatory, and industry issues in all 50 states. Dan managed Freddie Mac’s relationships with the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the minority realtor groups, and state realtor associations.

Earlier in his career, Dan spent 15 years lobbying governors, attorneys general, state agencies, and legislative bodies in all 50 states. As Vice President at Dehart and Darr Associates, he advocated on behalf of direct marketers and publishers, Fortune 500 companies, international publishers, and three trade associations.

Dan received his Master of Business Administration and undergraduate degree in Political Science from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Sarah Dumont Merchak is the Senior Vice President of Congressional Affairs and Chief of Staff at the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), a trade association representing the U.S. consumer reporting industry.

At CDIA, Sarah leads federal government relations and connects Capitol Hill with CDIA’s advocacy efforts. As Chief of Staff, Sarah executes strategic planning, operations, and budgeting.

With over 25 years of experience in senior policy roles in Congress, in-house Corporate and the executive branch, Sarah Dumont Merchak brings valuable advisory and advocacy knowledge to CDIA. Always approaching issues with a bipartisan and bicameral philosophy, Sarah utilizes her broad network of policymakers in all corners of government to drive meaningful outcomes.

Prior to joining the CDIA, Ms. Merchak served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). In that role, she was responsible for managing and advising the Director on all legislative issues before the Agency. During her tenure at the Agency, she oversaw preparations for multiple Congressional hearings, negotiated legislative proposals including key provisions in the CARES Act, regularly worked with other financial regulators and federal agencies, and supervised Hill policy briefings and congressional inquiries for Members of Congress and staff.

Sarah previously was a leading public policy advocate for both USAA and Visa. In both roles, she created and executed successful strategies to bolster the global government relations agenda, while also managing relationships with strategic third-party allies. While at Visa, Merchak established and oversaw the government relations activities for Visa Canada. She managed data privacy and technology issues while in her role at USAA.

Ms. Merchak has Capitol Hill experience in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. She served as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Banking Committee and, while in the House of Representatives, as a senior legislative staffer for several Members of the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC). She began her Capitol Hill career as a staffer on the HFSC Capital Markets Subcommittee.

Ms. Merchak is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College. She and her husband live in Virginia with their children, dog and any variety of foster pets.

Denise Norgle is the Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Legal and Regulatory Affairs at the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), a trade association representing the U.S. consumer reporting industry.

At CDIA, Denise is responsible for developing policy positions, managing federal regulatory matters and litigation, and providing legal support to the association.

Denise brings over 30 years of experience in regulatory compliance, litigation, and public policy.  A recognized leader in financial services law, compliance, and privacy, Denise has extensive expertise in Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliance, regulatory processes, and risk mitigation. She has advised executive leadership teams and worked closely with consumer reporting agencies, trade associations, and technology providers to navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges.  Prior to joining CDIA, she represented several members while in private practice. She previously served as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at TransUnion Corporation. In this role, Denise led regulatory compliance efforts, managed litigation, and fostered strong relationships with federal and state regulators. She also played a key role in crisis management, data incident response, and government relations initiatives.

Denise holds a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law and a B.S. in Economics and Spanish from Ripon College.

As Vice President of Education Services, Anita Appel (Popwell) oversees all operational aspects of the Department. She focuses on keeping the Association’s audiences abreast of the latest developments in regulatory compliance by managing the development and maintenance of CDIA’s educational training programs, identifying new education projects and priorities, and partnering with leading law firms to develop events covering current issues and industry best practices.

With CDIA since 2000, Anita has played a key role in growing CDIA’s compliance training programs, expanding the education services offered not only to the Association’s members, but also to financial institutions such as data furnishers and data users.

Anita holds a MBA from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and a BS in Global Business/Public Policy from the University of Maryland University College.

A native of Austria, she is a great outdoors enthusiast and typically spends her vacation on remote long-distance camping trips with her husband, Vince.

Sarah M. Ohs joined the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) in 2016 and has over 20 years of experience in government relations at the federal, state, local and international levels. As Vice President of Government Relations, Sarah leads CDIA’s state government affairs program.

Prior to joining CDIA, Sarah served in senior roles in both trade associations and private sector companies, dealing with a wide variety of legislative and regulatory issues.

Sarah has served as Senior Director of Government relations for GTECH—a global gaming company based in Rhode Island—and Director for External Affairs at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) in Washington, DC. In addition, Sarah has held government relations positions at the International Bottled Water Association and Feld Entertainment, Inc., the parent company to Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey®, Feld Motorsports and Disney on Ice.

Earlier in her career, Sarah spent three years as a policy advisor for Her Majesty’s Government at the British Embassy in Washington, DC working in the global issues group. She began her career in Washington, DC as a Capitol Hill staffer for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

Sarah holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and a Bachelor’s degree from Boston College.

Kristine Poplawski Thomas has worked with CDIA over the past 6 years in the Education Services department. Under her leadership, CDIA has grown Consumer Data Connect into a successful and well recognized event throughout the industry. She successfully launched the Annual Corporate Sponsorship Program in 2024 crushing revenue goals and building partnerships across the ecosystem.

As the VP or Marketing, Events and Strategic Partnerships, she will continue to build CDIA events and marketing initiatives and will also be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to enhance member relations, drive membership growth, and strengthening the association’s connection with its diverse and dynamic community.

Prior to joining CDIA, Kristine worked as an event manager planning both social and corporate events including conferences, nonprofit galas, and weddings. In addition, Kristine worked as a social worker and nonprofit director both domestically and throughout Eastern Africa, focusing on international relations, refugees, and child protection.

Kristine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairfield University and a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University.  She lives with her husband and daughter in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Zachary Taylor is the Director of Government Relations for the Consumer Data Industry Association, representing membership and advancing industry priorities before state legislatures, regulators, and executives across the country. With more than a decade of experience in public affairs strategy, Zachary brings a deep experience in government relations, public relations, and communications at the federal, state, and local levels to the CDIA team.

Before joining CDIA, Zachary led the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance (ARPBA) at the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) where he directed the alliance’s advocacy efforts to promote, defend, and protect America’s plastic bag manufacturers—a 15-billion-dollar industry employing more than 30,000 Americans. He worked with state policymakers across the country to protect consumers from unfair taxation, defeat counterproductive bags bans, and with the media to highlight the sustainability advantages of plastic bags and industry-supported recycling programs.

At RunSwitch PR, one of the largest public relations firms in the Midwest, Zachary provided strategic counsel and led public affairs campaigns at the local, state, regional, and national levels. His clients included high-profile consumer and entertainment brands, global manufacturers, foreign embassies, and a variety of advocacy groups who trusted his counsel to navigate the intersection of business and government.

Earlier in his career, he worked with the Global Business Alliance (GBA), a trade association representing the interests of more than 200 global companies who invest and operate in the United States before Congress, the Administration, and regulatory agencies. His issue portfolio covered tax reform, trade policy, international treaties, national security, and investment competitiveness.

Prior to working with GBA, Zachary served on the public affairs team for the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), supporting communications, grassroots, and state government affairs functions as well as the Retail Litigation Center.

Zachary is a Buffalo, New York native and a Boston University alumnus.

Kris Quigley is the Director of Government Relations. Kris has trade association, legislative, and campaign experience.

Prior to joining CDIA, Kris served as the Regional Director of State Government Affairs for the Plastics Industry Association where she was responsible for managing relevant legislative and regulatory issues, specifically focused on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in multiple states, in addition to other relevant issues.

In addition, Kris worked for California Life Sciences where she managed government affairs for the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries. She served as the point person for the association during COVID-19 and advocated on behalf of industry at the state and local levels.

Kris resides in California and attended CSU Sacramento. In her spare time, she volunteers in the community and enjoys spending time outdoors.

Ally Zimmel joined the CDIA Education Services team as a consultant in March 2020 to support the team with her distinct experience in customer communications. Since October 2022, she serves as Manager, Education Services, and can be considered the backbone for all and any CDIA ES functionalities.

A native Austrian, Ally previously has been active in the field of public relations and customers communications in Vienna/Austria. Having her professional roots in the educational field, Ally holds a degree in pedagogics, where she specialized in educating highly gifted children.

Ally and her husband enjoy country living just outside the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.