“Fintech is an action-orientated industry. What actions are we taking here? So I would really encourage everyone to step back and think, what are you doing?” On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Rianna Kelly, Senior Manager— Data Modeling & Analytics Engineering at Zepz. In this episode, Rianna details her transition from traditional financial services to her current role in fintech, where she focuses on digital and financial inclusion in emerging markets. ...
Apr 25, 2024•20 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Oya Celiktemur, Sales Director at Jacobi Asset Management. In this episode, Oya shares her journey highlighting the contrasts between structured corporate environments and the vigorous, unpredictable nature of startups. The conversation explores significant challenges Oya has overcome, including transitions during critical market upheavals and advocating for parental flexibility in the workplace. Oya emphasises the importanc...
Apr 23, 2024•18 min
On this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Amber Skinner-Jozefson, CEO of e.pop. Amber shares her journey from journalism to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the transformative impact of her education at Howard University. Delving into workplace dynamics, she highlights the challenges faced by minorities and the liberation found in entrepreneurship. The conversation navigates through the importance of representation, the fearless spirit of the next generation, and actionable s...
Apr 18, 2024•30 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Tanya Ziv, Strategic Operations Executive. In this episode, Tanya shares her journey from legal expertise to leading pivotal roles in prominent FinTech companies, highlighting how her diverse background fuels innovation and progressive strategies in a traditionally tech-dominated field. Tanya advocates for leadership that not only drives operational excellence but also champions a supportive environment where every team memb...
Apr 16, 2024•15 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by JB Benjamin, Founder and CEO of Kryotech. In this episode, we delve into JB's journey from concept to execution and showcase the innovative approaches to encryption and user empowerment in the fintech industry. The conversation takes a deep dive into the societal impacts of technology, especially in terms of inclusivity and ethical practices. JB critiques the homogeneity in tech leadership and calls for a broader spectrum of...
Apr 11, 2024•11 min
"You can't be a feminist if you are not looking at how to help other disenfranchised communities. And I know there are different strains of feminism, but I believe if you're helping one community, it has to really help the others." In this episode of #WomenOfFinTech, we spotlight the transformative journey and insights of Lisa Leid, Fintech PR and Communications Expert and Innovate Finance power listee. With a passion for diversity and inclusion, Lisa shares her unique path into the financial te...
Apr 09, 2024•17 min
In the latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, host Nadia leverages her 19 years in recruitment to spotlight the power of inclusive practices in the workplace. She shares how engaging with thousands of female and non-binary candidates has revealed the importance of diversity in sparking innovation and breaking away from the norm of following the top earner's opinion. Nadia stresses that despite the challenges faced in 2023, prioritising a culture of psychological safety, active listening, a...
Apr 08, 2024•14 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Trier Bryant, Investor, People (HR) and DEI Executive. In this episode, Trier shares valuable insights on the nuances of DEI, emphasising the importance of a comprehensive strategy across the entire employee lifecycle. The pair discuss the challenges of making inclusion more inclusive and sustainable, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. She encourages leaders to approach DEI with compassion and actionable...
Apr 04, 2024•22 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Meri Williams, CTO of Pleo. This episode highlights Meri's extensive experience, from building part of South Africa's first satellite as a teenager to leading tech initiatives in various sectors, including fintech at Pleo. Meri brings a unique perspective on inclusion within the fintech industry, emphasising the importance of embracing neurodiversity and creating inclusive work environments. The discussion explores the trans...
Apr 01, 2024•23 min
In this special episode celebrating 400 episodes of Fintech’s DEI Discussions, host Nadia celebrates the series' journey towards fostering inclusion within the financial technology sector. Since starting the podcast in 2019, Nadia has explored successes and challenges in advancing DEI. Reflecting on stories from 400 participants, she emphasises the power of storytelling for change, the podcast's role in supporting marginalised individuals, and the need for allies in positions of power. Nadia's d...
Mar 28, 2024•8 min
"It's important for employers to understand how intersectionality impacts upon their workforce during all stages of the employee life cycle... Large groups of women still aren't represented or don't feel like they are heard or seen." Joining Nadia today in the #WomenOfFinTech series is Sahra Abdille, Director of Digital Investing at Coutts. Born in the Netherlands with Somali heritage and a journey that took her from a small village to the heart of London, Sahra’s rich cultural background fuels ...
Mar 26, 2024•16 min
Who is YOUR best person for a job? Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Chief Customer Officer at Harrington Starr, is walking the talk for change and positively affecting the shocking gender imbalance in the financial technology space. Speaking at Harrington Starr and IG Group’s International Women’s Day Event, UnconventionALL: Inclusion Through a Different Lens, Nadia discusses the pervasive barriers in the workplace, focusing particularly on hiring practices and promotion opportunities. She challenges the n...
Mar 21, 2024•12 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Lynda Strutton, Chief Operating Officer at Tribe Payments. In this episode, Lynda unfolds her journey, emphasising the importance of supportive policies, intentional hiring practices, and leadership's role in promoting diversity. Lynda underscores the importance of policies accommodating work-life balance, citing her personal experience with flexible working arrangements and the significance of mentorship in smaller organisa...
Mar 19, 2024•18 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Adam Preis, Director of Product/Solution Marketing at Ping Identity. In this episode, Adam sheds light on the universal digital vulnerability that affects individuals in diverse contexts, emphasising the importance of an inclusive design approach in technology development. The conversation explores three domains of universal digital vulnerability—contextual, inherent, and systemic factors. Adam discusses the importance of adaptive identity, co...
Mar 14, 2024•18 min
We’re back at FinTech Connect for this special #OnTour episode of The DEI Discussions! This time Nadia is joined by Erlend Nitter-Hauge, Head of Fintech Partnerships in DNB. This episode delves into Erlend’s insights on fostering partnerships with fintech startups and the challenges within the financial technology industry. The pair discuss the significance of embedded finance, automation, and the upcoming trends in AI as well as touching on innovation, customer needs, and DMB's commitment to su...
Mar 12, 2024•10 min
We’re back at FinTech Connect for this special #OnTour episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions! This time Nadia is joined by Amandip Kaur Jheeta, Delivery Director, Banking Sector at NTT Data. In this episode, Amandip tells her story, as a seasoned IT professional and a woman in tech for over 15 years, with a wide range of skills and experience. Amandip recalls her great passion for IT but also the challenges she faced in her early career, and how she pulled through and how she constantly asks, ‘Am...
Mar 07, 2024•15 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Rebecca Gibergues, Executive Director, EMEA at FS-ISAC. In this episode, Rebecca discusses her journey to FS-ISAC following a personal experience with cybercrime and highlights the collaborative efforts of the organization in addressing cybersecurity challenges. Rebecca emphasises the importance of dispelling stereotypes in cybersecurity and promoting diversity from a young age. She shares insights from her involvement in me...
Mar 04, 2024•14 min
In the latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, host Nadia welcomes Barbara Sessa, Senior Vice President at Mastercard. Barbara shares her journey in advocating for gender equality and diversity in the FinTech industry. She debunks myths about women in tech, emphasises the importance of equal opportunities, and discusses her role in shaping digital consumer products. Barbara's unique approach to recruitment and her commitment to creating a balanced and inclusive workplace makes this a must-l...
Feb 29, 2024•14 min
We’re back at FinTech Connect for this special #OnTour episode of The DEI Discussions! This time Nadia is joined by Sania Kudaibergen, VP of Operations and People at Hokodo. In this episode, Sania delves into specific initiatives at Hokodo, including de-biasing job descriptions and implementing objective criteria in hiring processes. Sania shares insights into the challenges of diverse representation at senior levels and highlights the need for leaders to address their biases. The pair explore H...
Feb 27, 2024•12 min
In this podcast episode live from FinTech Connect 2023, Nadia is joined by Yaiza Luengo, Global COO and Financial Services Expert. A seasoned financial services specialist, Yaiza delves into the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the fintech industry. She shares her journey from a scientist to a global COO, highlighting her dedication to gender pay parity and cultural transformation in organizations. Luengo emphasises the necessity of transparent, systematic changes to f...
Feb 22, 2024•17 min
In the latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is delighted to welcome Susi de Verdelon, Head of SwapClear and Listed Rates at LCH and Marisol Collazo, Managing Director, Global Head of Relationship Management at DTCC. The conversation highlights Women in Financial Markets efforts in breaking biases, empowering women through educational forums, leadership development, and the unique 'Wolfpacks' program. They emphasise the importance of networking, proactive career management, and pers...
Feb 20, 2024•23 min
“It’s time to stand up… We need your voices” On this special episode of Fintech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Joanne Dewar, CEO Payments Leader and Diversity Champion, and Kris Foster, Founder of Open Book Disability Awareness. In this episode, Jo and Kris delve into the importance of events like EWPN, highlighting their role in fostering inclusivity and collaboration within the industry. Jo shares her insights into her journey as a diversity advocate, emphasising the significance of div...
Feb 15, 2024•22 min
In anticipation of the upcoming Pay360 event, Nadia is joined by Rema Rao, Head of Payments Compliance & Financial Products APAC at Uber on this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions. In this episode, the pair discuss the upcoming Pay360 event, where Rema is set to be one of the headlining speakers. Offering a glimpse into her role at Uber, Rema sheds light on the profound influence a diverse workforce wields in moulding inclusive products and services within the financial technology sector. ...
Feb 13, 2024•15 min
In anticipation of the upcoming Pay360 event, Nadia is joined by Saira Khan, Head of Innovations and Partnerships at First Direct Bank on this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions. The pair delve into the significance of events like Pay360, discussing their role in fostering industry connections and collaborative efforts. Saira shares insights into her role, emphasising the impact of a diverse workforce on shaping inclusive products and services. The episode explores the evolving landscape of wo...
Feb 08, 2024•11 min
In this special episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Aisha Anderson, Head of CRM and Fern Ashby, User Experience Researcher at IG Group. In anticipation of our International Women’s Day Event: #UnconventionALL in partnership with IG Group, Nadia is joined by Aisha Anderson, Head of CRM and Fern Ashby, User Experience Researcher at IG Group on this special episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions. In this episode, Aisha and Fern share their journeys at IG Group, and discuss the In...
Feb 06, 2024•13 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Margaret Gabriel, Head of Talent at CoinFund. In this episode, Margaret shares her journey, joining CoinFund while pregnant, and underscores the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. Margaret delves into the role of decentralised models in promoting global collaboration and remote work, drawing parallels to the transformative impact of DEI initiatives. Her insights touch upon the significance ...
Feb 01, 2024•23 min
On this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Janine Garn, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at nCino. In this episode, Janine shares nCino’s mission as a values-driven organisation, transforming financial services for the benefit of all customers. Janine reveals her thoughts on how far we have come with inclusion, how she lives her own values in her work, as well as offering her own ideas on how listeners can walk the talk. She has a lot to say about diversity in talent and t...
Jan 30, 2024•18 min
On this action-focused episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Sarah Häger, Chief Commercial Officer at Enable Banking. In this episode, Sarah shares insights into her proactive approach to fostering inclusion within the financial technology industry. The conversation delves into the challenges faced, including gender pay gaps, and highlights concrete steps taken to bring about positive change. Sarah's experiences navigating these issues and her commitment to fairness offer prac...
Jan 25, 2024•19 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Mara Poloni, Business Operations Manager at Qwist. In this episode, Mara shares her own experiences of gender imbalance within the workplace, and the constant pressure to tailor oneself to a role. Mara breaks the cycle, and speaks to the desire to find that perfect role, tailored to you instead. The conversation also explores the value of leaning on one’s network, having those connections to help progress from one career step to the next, as w...
Jan 23, 2024•10 min
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Natalie Wood, VP of Engineering at Hokodo. In this episode, Natalie shares her journey, shedding light on the strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring to the workforce and delves into the significance of autism acceptance and workplace inclusivity within the fintech industry. The conversation goes beyond awareness, offering practical insights and guidance on fostering an inclusive workplace. Natalie emphasises the nee...
Jan 18, 2024•17 min
