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Deborah Merkin

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Deborah Merkin, CEO and Founder of GiftCard Partners™, Inc. and Engage2Reward™ LLC, brings two decades of experience to the forefront of the gift card industry. Armed with an MBA from Babson College and a BS from University of Massachusetts Amherst, Deborah's career spans technology startups and corporate giants, including AT&T Capital and Staples. A pioneer in establishing and shaping lucrative new distribution channels, Deborah’s expertise grew through consultancy roles with Linens’N Things and CVS®. This journey marked her entrance into the gift card and incentives industry and ultimately laid the foundation for the conception of GiftCard Partners. A Certified Women Owned Business, GiftCard Partners was founded in 2005 and has received the prestigious Best and Brightest Company to Work For® Award for 10 years nationally. With a focus on assertiveness and balanced steadiness, Deborah continues to drive innovation and growth in the dynamic world of gift cards. Beyond her professional success, Deborah is deeply involved in community service, recently joining the board of JBBBS.org and previously serving on the board of JFSMW.org for 5 years.
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Recent Posts

Opioid Settlement Funds: Designing for Recovery Outcomes

Modern payment systems can help turn opioid settlement funds into meaningful recovery support, creating pathways to treatment, stability, and sustained engagement rather than relying solely on a one-time payment—or leaving people without direct support at all. The opportunity extends beyond one-time assistance into behavioral health, justice-involved care, Medicaid innovation, and other public recovery programs. (RAND, 2026; SAMHSA, 2026)

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Employee Recognition Before Year-End: Why Timing Matters

As year-end approaches, employees are often asked to do more at work while managing more outside of it. Teams are closing out annual goals, covering time off, and preparing for the year ahead, all while personal schedules and financial pressures become more demanding.

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Choice Card™, Visa® Reward Card, or Merchant Gift Card: Which Year-End Reward Is Right?

Year-end rewards are not one-size-fits-all, but gift cards have clear appeal. In fact,81% of U.S. consumers would like to receive gift cards from their employer. Yet a reward that works for a distributed workforce may not suit a customer campaign, executive gift, or community program. Some organizations prioritize recipient choice and brand visibility, while others want speed, simplicity, or a specific experience.

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Your 2026 Holiday Reward Planning Calendar: A Month-by-Month Guide

What starts as a simple request—"Let's send everyone a holiday gift card"—rarely stays simple for long.

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The Hidden Operational Costs of Managing Employee Rewards Internally

Most organizations assume gift card rewards are operationally simple: pick brands, load value, send rewards, and move on. That assumption rarely survives at scale.

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A better way to buy gift cards in bulk

Register today for the Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform and get access to 400+ popular gift card brands, personalized customer service, and simple and secure ordering.

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