Chargebacks911 appoints Microsoft's Donald Kossmann as CTO
0
Kossmann, a globally recognized technologist and AI pioneer, joins the company after an exceptional decade-long tenure at Microsoft, where he most recently served as Distinguished Engineer and Vice President of Business Copilot.
Kossmann's arrival marks a pivotal moment for Chargebacks911, as the company continues its mission to transform the post-transaction payments ecosystem through cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI). Possessing more than 30 years of experience in computer science, AI, data systems, and fraud protection, Kossmann brings a rare blend of academic distinction and enterprise innovation to the role.
At Microsoft, Kossmann led several groundbreaking initiatives, including serving as General Manager of Fraud Protection and Managing Director of Microsoft Research's Redmond Lab. He played a key role in the development of SQL Hyperscale and Microsoft Copilot Studio —two flagship products that define Microsoft's cloud and AI strategy today. Before joining Microsoft, Kossmann was a Professor at ETH Zurich, a Visiting Professor at Stanford University, and co-founder of Teralytics AG, a Big Data startup powering behavioural insights across industries like retail, finance, and transportation. Kossmann also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science.
'Payments are a pillar of civilization, but trust in digital transactions remains a fundamental challenge,' said Kossmann. 'Chargebacks911 is on a mission to reinvent the future of payments with AI at the core. I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and work hands-on, solving hard problems with a team that is passionate about creating secure, scalable systems for the digital economy.'
Kossmann's appointment underscores Chargebacks911's commitment to advancing technology that prevents fraud, reduces friction, and restores trust between merchants and consumers. As CTO, he will spearhead the development of next-generation solutions that integrate machine learning, and real-time data intelligence across the company's global platform.
'Donald's decision to join Chargebacks911 is a resounding validation of our vision and direction,' said Monica Eaton, Founder and CEO of Chargebacks911. 'He's not just one of the top minds in AI and data systems—he's a builder, a thinker, and a leader who understands how to move fast and make a real-world impact. We're thrilled to welcome him aboard.'
With Donald Kossmann at the helm of its technology strategy, Chargebacks911 is poised to redefine how the world approaches chargeback management, fraud prevention, and digital trust in commerce.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Why Americans end up choosing where they will buy a home
Man's best friend is no exaggeration. People love their animals so much that they top the checklist when it comes to where they decide to buy a home. Dogs and cats are the most common household pets, and we're spending more time and money on them than ever, reports the National Association of Realtors (NAR). About one in five recent homebuyers considered their pet when choosing a neighborhood, a number that increases among unmarried couples and single women buyers. Factors such as proximity to a veterinarian and outdoor space are both seriously important considerations for buyers. Pet lovers also purchased homes in areas with larger lots or acreage, and were more interested in convenience to parks and recreation areas, as well as walkability. 'Pet owners are often not willing to sacrifice for the needs of their beloved fur baby,' Dr. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of Realtors, told 'An adopted puppy may start small, but as they grow into a 100-pound dog, enough room to house both the pet and humans takes a more important role.' She continued: 'Not only can having a pet spur purchasing a home, but when they move, they want a fenced yard and flooring suddenly becomes an important consideration. These home features can be as luxurious as an animal washing station, cat litter closets, and even outdoor features like a water feature or a catio.' Lautz added that many buyers often ask how far the nearest dog park is. 'For pet owners, home buying transcends not only the home features but expands to the neighborhood,' she said. 'Walkability, the perfect dog park, and proximity to the vet are important to pet owners.' Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans adopted pets for companionship and entertainment. This trend has since eased from its recent peak, but Americans are still investing more time and financial resources in their animals. According to data from the American Pet Products Association, total spending on the US pet industry grew from $53.3 billion in 2012 to $152 billion in 2024. Now, there are officially more households with pets than children in the US, according to the NAR. The share of families with children under the age of 18 living in their home has continued to decline, the US Census reveals. The share of families with children under the age of 18 in 2024 stood at 39 percent, down from 52 percent in 1950. This is likely due to two reasons. Birth rates, overall, have been declining, and a large share of baby boomer households have already seen their children leave the nest. This trend is also reflected among homebuyers. In 1985, 58 percent of home buyers had children under the age of 18 in their homes. In 2024, just 27 percent of home buyers had a child under the age of 18 in their home, an all-time record low. The number of pets has not only gone up, but the amount of time Americans spend with their animals has also increased significantly over the past 20 years. In 2003, 13.2 percent of Americans spent a significant amount of time with their pets daily, according to the BLS American Time Use Survey. In 2023, that share has grown to 20.4 percent, and 23.8 percent of women. Some 17 percent of single women considered factoring their pet into their neighborhood choice, compared to 12 percent of single men.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Walmart forced to lock up items amid shoplifting surge
Walmart was once praised by consumers for being one of the few retailers that did not lock up its merchandise, but it is now increasingly being forced to do so in the face of out-of-control shoplifting. Alarming pictures of a Walmart store in Happy Valley, a suburb of Portland, Oregon, have shocked customers who claim shopping in person is now a dreadful experience. Portland, known for its liberal politics, has seen areas of the city suffer terrible decline after a failed attempt at drug decriminalization. The city has been overrun by theft — 10,000 cases were reported to police last year, triple the number from three years ago — forcing retailers including Walmart to close stores that cannot sustain the losses. A series of viral images posted to Reddit show row after row of Walmart stock, from children's toys and gadgets to frozen food and batteries, behind locked glass cases. Retailers including CVS and Walgreens have resorted to such extremes in areas where shoplifting is so rampant, such as in downtown New York and San Francisco, that it damages stores' bottom lines. The system — which forces customers to call an attendant to open the case every time they wish to add something to their basket — is loathed by consumers. Businesses have also admitted that it does not actually help, as stores which employ the tactic often see sales plummet. 'What is even the point of shopping in-person anymore?' one Walmart customer seethed about the Happy Valley store on Reddit. 'If theft is that bad they're willing to lock up everything they might as well make it a pickup center,' another agreed. Another shopper argued that Walmart is deliberately making it difficult to shop there as they are more keen on boosting their online business. 'They don't want you in the store. They want you to order it online instead,' the Walmart customer alleged. 'Stores don't want you in there, it costs them money. Walmart would rather be Amazon.' Retail experts have suggested the scale of theft must be significant for Walmart to even consider locking its products behind glass. 'Walmart has run the numbers. If they're willing to sacrifice convenience — their second biggest competitive advantage after price — the theft losses must be substantial,' retail analyst Carol Spieckerman told Spieckerman argued that the inconvenience for consumers will undoubtedly have an impact on the store's bottom line. 'Price alone isn't enough if shopping becomes a hassle,' Spieckerman explained. 'The problematic locations must drive enough business to warrant keeping the doors open despite the friction.' Like San Francisco, Portland's 'doom loop' accelerated in the years following the pandemic. Big firms cutting back on office space hurt local businesses who rely on workers' footfall. As they too pulled back, the homeless population expanded with theft and rampant drug use proliferating. Last year, Oregon was forced to end the state's decriminalized drug laws after overdose rates soared. Portland's new mayor Keith Wilson is also considered to be more pro-business and his district attorney, Nathan Vasquez, tougher on crime. Walmart has also resorted to permanently closing stores in Portland because of the scale of theft. It is not the only chain that has been forced to do so, with beloved outdoor store Next Adventure recently closing all of its Oregon locations amid historic crime rates.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Gen Zers are becoming home owners by buying in cheap small cities (and yes, sometimes having parental help)
In her final year of college, Taylor G. had a dream: She wanted to buy a home in her hometown of South Bend, Indiana, with her partner. Taylor and her now-husband both wanted to gain financial independence and become property owners after leaving past relationships that weren't so healthy financially, she told The Independent. In March 2024, months before graduation and at just 23, Taylor made that dream a reality. Today, Taylor is working in healthcare and living with her husband in a 2,400-square-foot house, placing her among the relatively small group of young homeowners in the U.S, but one that is rising as young people choose to buy in smaller and cheaper regional cities. Many in Generation Z — those born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s — are worried that homeownership is near-impossible as the number of first-time homebuyers in the U.S. drops to a record low. It's clear why people feel this way: The average American needs to make a six-figure salary to afford a home, but the average yearly income for someone in their early-to-mid 20s is just over $38,000. Plus, if you're one of the 13 million Gen-Zers with student loan debt, the dream of homeownership can seem even less attainable. While it may seem bleak, Gen Zers are still outpacing Millennials and Gen X as first home buyers. The homeownership rates for 19-to-25-year-olds today are higher than the homeownership rates were for Millennials and Gen Xers when they were the same age, according to Redfin. The Independent spoke with Gen Z homeowners — and one Gen Z realtor — about how they bought their homes, even when the odds are stacked against them. Location, location, location Gen-Z homeowners tell The Independent that the low cost of living in their regions helped them secure a home. Lauren Parks, a 21-year-old realtor working in Houston, Texas, has assisted more than a dozen Gen Z clients, including two who now have the keys to their homes. The average home price is just over $269,000 in the area, according to Zillow. Parks says she tells her younger clients to look for homes in the suburbs of Houston — particularly in developing neighborhoods — to limit their costs. Parks says it's a 'long-term investment' and that many new homeowners should expect to see their home value grow as the suburb develops. Taylor says she doesn't think homeownership would've been 'realistic' if she didn't live in South Bend, where the average home costs $187,778, according to Zillow. Gen Z is split on where they like to live, the data shows. Younger Gen Zers who are 18- to 24-years old are flocking to live in large cities, economist Adam Kamins told USA Today. But older Gen Zers — along with Millenials and some Gen Xers — tend to buy homes outside of major metropolitan areas. Dakota Scott, a 28-year-old homeowner in Brandon, South Dakota, where the average home price is $394,841, told The Independent that location is what makes or breaks someone becoming a young homeowner. 'Location is definitely going to be the biggest thing to look for, as far as real estate taxes and how much that can affect the home buying process, it's good to be mindful of that,' she told The Independent. The process can be tricky, but it's not impossible The credit approval process for a mortgage can be complicated and stressful for any prospective homebuyer, but especially younger people. Parks, who makes videos on TikTok giving advice to young homeowners, says that Gen Zers shouldn't be afraid of the credit approval process. Even people who just graduated from college with little-to-no job history can get approved if they know the tricks involved (although should always be conscious of overcommitting to large debt). College transcripts and job offer letters are key tools for young people to get approved. Parks told The Independent one of her Gen Z clients submitted their college transcripts and a job offer letter with a $65,000 salary to a lender, and got approved for $180,000. Parks noted that she sees many homeowners, young and old, being denied loans because they didn't realize they were behind on their student loan payments, so encourages all prospective homeowners to check their student loan accounts to make sure they're up to date. For Scott, the approval process wasn't nearly as clear-cut. Scott and her now-husband applied for a loan in 2020, but were initially denied due to their credit score. Scott also accepted a commission-based role during the process, which meant she didn't have the two-year commission history many banks require. After they paid off some of their debts, Scott's husband was ultimately approved with a 2.7 percent interest rate. While their monthly payment has fluctuated over the years, they currently pay about $1,500 each month. Meanwhile, Taylor says her approval process was relatively smooth. The loan is only in her name, she said, because she has better credit than her husband. She was able to get approved for a mortgage on her $169,000 home with monthly payments just over $1,300 thanks to her good credit, which she attributes to the fact that her parents made her an authorized user on their credit cards when she turned 18. 'I really feel like the stars just kind of aligned for me,' Taylor said. 'I just know that personally, I'm the only one in my friend group who is even remotely close to it. Homeownership is still possible Taylor, Scott and Parks all say homeownership might be more attainable for some Gen Zers than they think. 'If they have a full-time job or a job that they're making good income at, and are at that point financially where they feel comfortable, I think people would be surprised that they might already qualify,' Taylor said. Plus there is always the Bank of Parents. Nearly 25 percent of Gen-Z homeowners bought homes with their parents, and many receive assistance from their families for down payments. But Parks says that homeownership is 'just as attainable' for Gen Zers who don't have that financial support, depending where they want to live. Scott is a prime example, telling The Independent she and her husband bought their home without any assistance from family. However, Scott said many of her homeowner friends did receive some type of help from their family. Buying a home as a young person may seem insurmountable, but people should approach it as a complicated but achievable goal. 'I absolutely think it's doable, if people set their minds to it, but there are a lot of systematic barriers that make it next to impossible,' Taylor said.
