Unstoppable Women of FinTech- Olena Tkachova
Meet this week’s Unstoppable Woman of FinTech, Olena Tkachova, Head of Training & Coaching Department at TurnKey Lender. Read more below on Olena’s journey in becoming a leading lady in the FinTech realm and more on her inspiring advice that has helped her in getting where she is today. Q: How did you end up as a leader in the FinTech Industry? Briefly, what has your career journey looked like? A: My main aspiration is to work within the sphere of business digitalization. It is a progressive area where I want to continuously develop my knowledge and technical skills. Digitalization is constantly changing our business society and I desire to be a part of this process. Being particularly intrigued by the development methodology and flexibility that Turnkey Lender offers to the fintech digital area I began my full-time position with the Turnkey Lender Research and Development (R&D) department. It has entailed developing and bringing to the market our main SaaS technology for digital lending. Here, not only have I acquired a diverse set of analytical skills, but I have also developed an admiration for the Turnkey Lender Enterprise research division in its ability to tackle complex problems arising in practice. This, along with my teaching experiences, has inspired me to populate the developed approaches and best development practices among wide tech auditory of implementation engineers and business analysts of Turnkey Lender. As the Head of Training and Coaching department, I am doing my best to bring a positive and rounded perspective to automated decision-making processes and lending digitalization, ultimately, one that will be desirable and necessary in the increasingly important world of the financial technology industry. Q: Who / what inspires you most? Is there a quote you “live by”? Are there any mentors that have helped you get where you are today? A: I am inspired by human qualities, such as courage and honesty, striving for a better future, and helping people. Only hard work and positive thinking can lead to success. I believe that hard work is always paid off and leads not only to personal success but to the success of the people around you. I started with my mentor more than 10 years ago. This is a person, who supports me in difficult moments, openly discusses with me fails and wins, that drives me to move ahead in my professional area. Q: What is an accomplishment you are most proud of? A: I’m proud to be a part of Turnkey Lender. It is an incredible company. There are many talented and comprehensively developed people in the team, who inspire new achievements and progressive ideas. People, who are ready to support and go along with new achievements. Q: What advice would you give to young women looking to start a career in the industry? What skills do you find most helpful in this career? A: Project confidence in all you do. Believe in yourself and be open to new challenges. The FinTech area is constantly developing, new technology is coming, and to be successful in the area you need to constantly improve your skills and be open to changes. A positive attitude, trust in what you do, and continuous self-developing are the key factors of your success story. Q: What does digital transformation mean to you and/ or your organization? What advances or trends in technology are you most excited about? A: For organizations, digital transformation means improving the business processes by automation, reducing the cost of services, and delivering quality services in a shorter period of time. Social isolation and economic crisis caused by COVID-19 have led to digitalization widespread in the financial area. Vendors and retailers are coming to the digital financial market to increase and reinforce business. Those tendencies lead to new requirements for the vendors and providers of digital financial services. For society, digital transformation means helping people by offering better services, improving the quality of life due to faster and more comfortable ways to apply for services. Q: What do you see as the biggest, most pressing issue for women in our industry? How can women (or allies) help other women advance within our industry? A: A woman’s abilities are sometimes underestimated. To be promoted, a woman must prove her worth, work hard, and provide a broad list of accomplishments. This can lead to a loss of faith and the inability to achieve your goals. A clear belief that everything is possible, faith in yourself, the constant pursuit of goals, and the support of lovely people are key factors in overcoming challenges. Q: What are some of your favorite ways to spend your time outside of work? Any tips for relaxation and destressing? A: Physical exercise keeps me in shape, reduces resistance to stresses, increases perceived energy, and boosts productivity. It is my way to relax and improve emotional well-being.
Unstoppable Women of FinTech- Emily Man
Meet this week’s Unstoppable Woman of FinTech, Emily Man, Investor at Redpoint Ventures. Read more below on Emily’s journey in becoming a leading lady in the FinTech realm and more on her inspiring advice that has helped her in getting where she is today. Q: How did you end up as a leader in the FinTech Industry? Briefly, what has your career journey looked like? A: I started my career as a public markets investor, analyzing what moves stocks and impacts how a company trades. This provided the foundation for my investment philosophy that I still carry today. From there, I joined Point72 Ventures, a fintech-focused fund investing in early stage startups with a deep thematic focus. I had the opportunity to deeply explore how our financial system works today and partner with startups looking to reimagine how financial products are manufactured and delivered. Now, I’m an investor at Redpoint focused on fintech and SaaS investing. Q: Who // what inspires you most? Is there a quote you “live by”? Are there any mentors that have helped you get where you are today? A: My mother is my hero. As first-generation immigrants, she & my father worked to put themselves through school. She’s the most selfless person I know and is a true embodiment of tenacity and relentless curiosity and she juggled a successful career in academia alongside raising two (I’ll admit, very difficult) kids. On a bad day, she’d always tell me “tomorrow is another day” which is a mantra I still live by! Q: What is an accomplishment you are most proud of? A: Working with founders is the most rewarding part of my job. It gives me so much joy to celebrate their successes and support them in tough times. There’s no such thing as a linear journey and I’m so proud of the teams that make it through the toughest moments. The small things like making introductions to potential customers or investors that really click or being the person to put two like-minded great people in touch is my favorite feeling! Q: What advice would you give to young women looking to start a career in the industry? What skills do you find most helpful in this career? A: Don’t be afraid to ask! Whether that’s for new responsibilities, a raise, for help or otherwise, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and what you deserve. I have a great group of female friends and peers who I constantly use as a sounding board – they’re my biggest supporters who also remind me that it’s good to ask for what you deserve. Similarly, never underestimate the power of a good cold email! If there’s someone you respect or admire who can help you achieve your goals, it doesn’t hurt to just reach out. Q: What does digital transformation mean to you and/ or your organization? What advances or trends in technology are you most excited about? Is there one piece of technology you can’t live without? A: Digital transformation is the underpinning of my entire industry! There’s something so rewarding about working with passionate entrepreneurs who are tackling some of our world’s biggest problems. We’re still early days in many fundamental shifts in technology – cloud, globalization, web3 – and there’s so much more that can and will be built at an accelerating pace. I’m currently very excited about the reinvention of financial services. This is happening both in the way that financial services are distributed as well as how they’re manufactured. In the next decade, we will see major shifts in how consumers & businesses interact with financial products day to day. I’ve written a couple of articles on the potential of verticalized fintech as well as the promise of embedded finance. Q: What do you see as the biggest, most pressing issue for women in our industry? How can women (or allies) help other women advance within our industry? A: Studies show that men are judged on potential while women are judged on proven capabilities & experience. If you look back at the stories successful men tell about their careers, there’s oftentimes a pivotal moment where someone took a chance on them or gave them an opportunity they were not yet qualified for. Those moments don’t exist at the same rate for women and we (both women and allies) need to take initiative to counteract that bias and make those opportunities available. Q: What are some of your favorite ways to spend your time outside of work? Any tips for relaxation and destressing? A: Food is my love language! I’m a huge foodie so I love spending time outside of work exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants or trying out new recipes. It’s a way to experience new cultures and expand my horizons and always gives me something to look forward to after a long week. Q: Is there anything else you would like to share? A: I’m a proud fintech nerd and I love learning about new markets and emerging trends. If there’s anyone out there that’s building something new in fintech or wants to learn more about the trends that I’m following – my inbox is always open!
Unstoppable Women of FinTech- Nermine Wissa
Meet this week’s Unstoppable Woman of FinTech, Nermine Wissa, Head of Project Management Office at Endorse. Read more below on Nermine’s journey in becoming a leading lady in the FinTech realm and more on her inspiring advice that has helped her in getting where she is today. Q: How did you end up as a leader in the FinTech Industry? Briefly, what has your career journey looked like? I have had 15+ Years of diversified experience in Process/Projects Management fields serving both consumer & corporate markets. This experience is blended among several industries including telecom, coaching, training & lastly fintech. In my professional journey, I was promoted for this leadership position, as a result of all the years that were spent in managing mega projects along with the expertise in process management, having a cross-functional overview that reviewed with an agile mindset which is essential in this VUCA world. Q: Who/ what inspires you most? Is there a quote you “live by”? Are there any mentors that have helped you get where you are today? I have not had one in specific as in the past I have been inspired by anybody who has had a vision, set it into goals, and ran after it wholeheartedly with a fearless soul (i.e., Nick Vujicic, Muniba Mazari, etc.) My favorite quotes are always “No Pain, No Gain” and “Hard Work Always Pays Off”. My personal coach is the one who has pushed me to be bold in handling all challenges and taught me how to have courageous behavior in my professional path and to know that it’s never too late to re-start or re-visit anything in life. Q: What is an accomplishment you are most proud of? A: Each new step I took I’m proud of. Each achievement I did along this journey I’m proud of. Being one of the women leaders in a fintech company is something I’m proud of. Q: What advice would you give to young women looking to start a career in the industry? What skills do you find most helpful in this career? A: Be with a fearless soul, and believe in yourself, believe that you can do it and you will. Self-development & Continuous learning by agile mindset is the core. Lastly, be a good listener and test whatever you deliver objectively Q: What does digital transformation mean to you and/ or your organization? What advances or trends in technology are you most excited about? Is there one piece of technology you can’t live without? Digitalization is the coming era and without it, you will be obsoleted/vanished. At Endorse (Prime fintech) we identify ourselves as a facilitator of the essential needs for the customer and one of these essentials is to have a digital end-to-end customer journey. I’m, currently, in the process to be certified as a Digital Transformation Strategist! Q: What do you see as the biggest, most pressing issue for women in our industry? How can women (or allies) help other women advance within our industry? Focus on your goal and drop any kind of distractions. Believe in yourself/ your capabilities and you will grow and expand. Read more about the industry in general and enrich your scope with updated knowledge. Most of all, ask about everything you want to know instead of building assumption, that leads to nowhere. Q: What are some of your favorite ways to spend your time outside of work? Any tips for relaxation and destressing? Listening to music (relaxing one with nature sounds), meditation, working out, and journaling.
Ukrainian Heroism Shown in Inna Larycheva, TurnKey Lender’s Humanitarian Hero of the War in Ukraine
Ukrainian Heroism Shown in Inna Larycheva, TurnKey Lender’s Humanitarian Hero of the War in Ukraine With Kharkiv under attack, Inna managed to organize four separate buses from Kharkiv and evacuated over 150 people out of danger. Austin, TX — The unbreakable Ukrainian spirit and heroism shown through in the way a FinTech executive woman sprang into action to evacuate an 80+ person team in Kharkiv along with their families and anyone else who needed safety. Inna is the Operating Director of the Ukrainian branch of the global fintech company TurnKey Lender. For many years she has been the Executive in charge of an 80+ person Operations team in Ukraine. As a smart, effective woman who leads from the heart, Inna has been the company’s go-to contact for every possible organizational, management, staff, HR, and other operations-related issues. And the amazing thing is, Inna is just one of those people who always has the right answers and not just for the Ukrainian branch but for all regions in the world. No matter the workload or request, Inna is always there for anyone in the company, always collected and focused, ready to listen and to proactively solve even the personal problems of her team members. Because she cares about them, not just as their superior and leader but as an emphatic human with a kind heart. Historically, a large part of the TurnKey Lender R&D team is from Ukraine. With the largest office being in Kharkiv. Kharkiv is the biggest university and science center of Ukraine, the country’s second capital, and where TurnKey Lender’s founder, Dmitry Voronenko, started his entrepreneurial journey. This is also where Inna was based along with the 80+ person team she manages as the countries Operations Director. It was a normal week for the Ukrainian team when on Thursday, February 24th Russia invaded Ukraine. Inna showed the unbreakable spirit of Ukrainians and pure heroism entering a humanitarian crisis management role to save the lives of her colleagues, their families, and anyone who needed help as war broke out. Inna in her new super-Inna mode did an unimaginable amount of work to care for the safety and well-being of every employee in danger. In addition, to helping their families, organizing evacuation for groups of civilians, and securing humanitarian aid for organizations most in need in the warzone. “Inna is one of the strongest organizational talents I’ve ever met. She knows how to orchestrate people and resources efficiently and has a deep understanding of who is capable of what role under stress. I was among the first people she called, and she instantly found the right words to help me snap out of shock and get mobilized to help her contact all our people and start getting them out. The amount of energy and dedication to helping people Inna had during these extraordinary times was unbelievable.” – Olha Mamonova, TurnKey Lender Ukraine HR Manager With Kharkiv under attack, Inna managed to organize four separate buses from Kharkiv and evacuate over 150 people out of danger. Included in the evacuation were not only staff, along with their families and animals, but also regular people from outside the company who needed help. Reliable drivers came to Kharkiv outskirts to pick up team members and just civilians who were informed that there would be this option. Thanks to preparations and Inna’s ability to perform under unprecedented pressure, people who needed help – got it. The extra capacity of the buses were filled and many people were brought out of danger to safety. For the families that traveled to safety by car, Inna miraculously managed to find safe accommodation along the way as the drive that usually took a day now required a three to four-day journey filled with endless chaos of civilians turned into refugees fleeing danger in a traffic jam. Inna found out that one of the hospitals in her beloved Kharkiv suffered food shortages due to interruptions in the state’s supply chains. She then pulled her resources around Ukraine and organized the delivery of food supplies to the hospital making sure the patients and staff were not left to starve. Never expecting to face this kind of a challenge, the hospital’s head doctor called Inna crying to thank her. The Ukrainian women and children who eventually got to the Polish border had Inna’s help finding the best crossing point where they didn’t have to stand in line for many days to reach the EU. As soon as they crossed the border, they were greeted and helped by the TurnKey Lender Polish office team led by Vit Arnautov. Inna selflessly and sleeplessly managed to lead the team to safety and found accommodation in cities flooded with refugees. She also located safe routes and assisted with every problem the team faced under attack. A new reality where a Women of FinTech, Operational Leader had to take on new responsibilities and operate efficiently in circumstances that should have never resurfaced in the 21st century. We can’t list here everything that Inna, the TurnKey Lender HR team, and everyone else on the Ukrainian team have gone through since this horrific war started. But all that happened is a true testament to the fact that the TurnKey Lender team and company can truly do anything. That our team, with our leadership at the helm, can weather any kind of storm without sacrificing our humanity, dignity, relations with our clients, or dropping the quality of the service we provide. The entire company of TurnKey Lender wants to thank and acknowledge Inna Larycheva for her leadership, unmatched coordination management skills, and saving the lives of our employees, their families, and countless people outside of the company. The TurnKey Lender team is hurting with its Ukrainian colleagues. But the actions of our team members with Inna leading them and our Ukrainian colleagues resolve, courage, and strength give us hope in the capacity of the human spirit and soul.
Unstoppable Women of FinTech – Margaret Hartigan
Meet this weeks Unstoppable Woman of FinTech, Margaret Hartigan, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Marstone. Read more below on Margaret’s journey in becoming a leading lady in the FinTech realm and more on her inspiring advice that has helped her in getting where she is today. Q: How did you end up as a leader in the FinTech Industry? Briefly, what has your career journey looked like? A: In college, I was a humanities major, and early in my career, I worked as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch for twelve years. While there, including amidst the 2008 recession, I realized the sheer number of people who lacked financial literacy as well as the disconnect of financial institutions to efficiently engage and serve a new generation of investors. At the time, professional wealth management had been reserved only for people who had enough money to invest through a financial advisor. I found myself consumed with the idea of what a new model might look like that served all three stakeholders – client, advisor/banker, and institution. Though terrifying to take a leap, it felt like a calling to solve these issues and that’s why I founded Marstone. I worked tirelessly to maintain an independent voice in the fintech community and forge partnerships that ensured low minimum investment requirements so world-class portfolios can be available to customers of all financial means. I’ve always believed that digital advisory solutions are the best way for financial institutions to deepen engagement with their existing customers and attract new ones – and amidst the pandemic, online digital wealth management has become more important than ever. Q: Who / What inspires you most? Is there a quote you “live by”? Are there any mentors that have helped you get where you are today? A: There are two: “Always forward, rarely straight” is a quote I find particularly meaningful. The other one is from my friend Connie McDonald, the co-founder of Levain Bakery in NYC, who said something along the lines of, “I can teach anyone how to bake anything, but I can’t teach them how to be nice and get along with others.” I think of that often because it’s really true. Soft skills, kindness, integrity, and work ethic aren’t easily taught or learned. Q: What is an accomplishment you are most proud of? A: Professionally, it’s Marstone. We have an incredible team. They are wildly talented and super fun. But even more so, they are wonderful people. I am very fortunate to be a part of it. Q: What advice would you give to young women looking to start a career in the industry? What skills do you find most helpful in this career? A: There are so many points of entry to our industry now which is very exciting. Mentorships during the school year or during the summer are great ways to get exposure to a company or a sector. We have always had interns, and fortunately for us, a number of them have become permanent team members. Another path is to join a training program at one of the larger banks or insurance companies. What is great about these programs is that you often get exposure to different facets of the business. Lastly, explore working at a start-up like Marstone. Fast-moving companies give exposure to lots of different parts of the business from engineering to sales and product. Q: What does digital transformation mean to you and/or your organization? What advances or trends in technology are you most excited about? Is there one piece of technology you can’t live without? A: Digital transformation means helping organizations better serve their customers and internal team members. For some organizations, that means reducing manual processes through automation. For others, it means making their digital presence more user-centric. One trend we are seeing is financial firms using digital platforms to engage clients that were previously underserved. By launching digital banks as well as wealth and wellness platforms, banks can reduce their cost to serve clients and acquire clients. Digital platforms also allow financial institutions to extend their footprint and hours of operations cheaply and organically. Q: What do you see as the biggest, most pressing issue for women in our industry? How can women (or allies) help other women advance within our industry? A: Finding mentors is really important. Try to find people that you admire and aspire to be like. In particular, find people that have managed to grow professionally but have also flourished personally. We have a terrific board of directors and advisors, and one of the qualities I really admire in all of them is their attention to their personal lives and outside passions. You want mentors who are interested in you as a whole person. If you are not able to find anyone, follow people on social media who you admire. Q: What are some of your favorite ways to spend your time outside of work? Any tips for relaxation and de-stressing? A: I love to travel and find the best way to de-stress is to vacation in another time zone. A five or greater hour time change forces you to unplug. No one is awake to read your emails or answer your calls. I also love being with my family and friends. Q: Is there anything else you would like to share? A: There isn’t one path to a desired goal. Also, don’t underestimate the valuable lessons learned during those summer jobs in high school and college. I know that some of my best lessons came from humbling summer jobs. I learned how to cultivate important muscles like how to advocate for myself, how to communicate with different types of people, and how to interact with prickly characters. I have found that people who have worked in the service industry have been some of our most outstanding team members. They tend to be open to feedback, demonstrate great work ethics, and have tremendous
Unstoppable Women of FinTech – Brittney Conte
Meet this weeks Unstoppable Woman of FinTech, Brittney Conte, TurnKey Lender’s own Head of Sales for the America’s. Read more below on Brittney’s journey in becoming a leading lady in the FinTech realm and more on her inspiring advice that has helped her in getting where she is today. Q: How did you end up as a leader in the FinTech Industry? Briefly, what has your career journey looked like? A: I’m not sure I have earned the right to call myself a leader in FinTech just yet. I am doing nothing more than supporting a team and organization with a clear path to win. If someone wants to ascribe me as a “Leader in FinTech” once we reach our goal, I won’t argue with them. My career journey has taken me from Massachusetts working in healthcare management, to coming to Texas and earning my MBA to finding success in selling cutting edge technology. I was fortunate enough to work with our CEO previously and look forward to where the journey goes from here, this is only the beginning. Q: Who inspires you most? A: My mother who recently passed has been an inspiration. She was the embodiment of fortitude, strength and grace. I can only hope to live up to the person she was. Q: What are some of your favorite ways to spend your time outside of work? Any tips for relaxation and destressing? A: I love to garden and paddleboard although I find gardening the best way to cleanse my thoughts and recharge. Q: What is an accomplishment you are most proud of? A: This one is easy, there’s a cute little boy who is my whole world that thinks I hung the moon that I brought into this world and if I never accomplished another thing, my life is a success because of my son. Q: What advice would you give to young women looking to start a career in the industry? A: Be fearless and invent the possibility you want for yourself and your career. Nothing will be handed to you. Knowing your own value first is crucial to other’s recognizing and responding to it. Q: What skills do you find most helpful in your career? A: Intellectual curiosity is the most important skill to have in any technology industry, especially FinTech. In order to innovate, you have to understand the constraints involved and uncovering needs. Questions, the most powerful tool in language are what helps you find new and better ways to solve problems. Q: What does digital transformation mean to you and/ or your organization? A: For me, digital transformation means being on point that change is necessary, rooting out new profound efficiencies are a never-ending adventure. And it’s a lot of fun to be a part of. Q: What advances or trends in technology are you most excited about? A: Having watched the advances in artificial intelligence and RPA for a few years now, I know the future is limitless. Human potential is untapped because automation is transforming what work means. Q: What do you see as the biggest, most pressing issue for women in our industry? A: We haven’t achieved the level of success we’re capable of yet simply because societal norms require us to acquiesce to the needs of others, at the detriment of our own. This isn’t a date at a dinner party, nobody is going pull out a chair for us to take our seat at the table. Woman have to know we belong deep in our soul and take what is ours because we earned it. Defining our own reality isn’t easy, but easy isn’t what we signed up. If men can have their cake and eat it to, so should we! Q: Is there one piece of technology you can’t live without? A: My Apple Watch keeps me on target as well as on time. It’s amazing how much I’ve come to rely on something seemingly so small yet so powerful that can track my steps, keep my schedule and alert me when the important and urgent collide. I don’t know what I’d do without it.
Unstoppable Women of FinTech – Victoria Padron
Meet this weeks Unstoppable Woman of FinTech, Victoria Padron, Director of Economic Development Finance at Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation. Read more below on Victoria’s day to day and how she became a leading lady in finance and economic development. Q: How did you end up as a leader in the FinTech Industry? A: I have been working in Economic Development for six years. As a professional economic developer, I engage in several tasks in support of our community’s economic development. We engage with stakeholders, businesses, community organizations and elected officials to develop and execute plans for robust, resilient and inclusive economies. My current role is Director of Economic Development Finance, I oversee a revolving loan fund that aims to assist new businesses and encourage the expansion of existing businesses. Q: What advice would you give to young women today looking to start a career in the industry? A: Be prepared to spot growth opportunities when they present themselves because they are the key learning opportunities. You’ll know because they make you uncomfortable, and your initial impulse may be that you’re not ready. But remember: Growth and comfort never co-exist. Q: As a female leader, how do you start your day? What are your tips for productivity in the midst of a busy schedule? A: My day starts at 5:30 am, I wake up, dress up, go to cross-fit, come back home, listen to my favorite podcast while I shower, wake up my three children get them ready for school while my husband cooks breakfast for us. This routine keeps me pumped. My tips to be more productive is prioritize, don’t overcommit, stay organized, delegate if possible, and take breaks. Q: What are some of your favorite ways to spend your time when you aren’t working? Any tips for relaxation and destressing? A: When I am not working, I love to spend time with my family, listen to audiobooks, and exercise. Q: Is there one piece of technology you cannot live without? A: My cellphone. This technology device is a life saver!
Unstoppable Women of FinTech – Mary Wisniewski
Meet this weeks Unstoppable Woman of FinTech, Mary Wisniewski, Banking Editor & FinTech Features Reporter at Bankrate.com. Read more below on Mary’s journey in becoming a leading lady in the banking and fintech realms and more on her inspiring advice that has helped her in getting where she is today. Q: How did you end up as a leader in the ((FinTech)) Industry? Briefly, what has your career journey looked like? A: Total chance. I was covering jewelry trends for about nine months when my position got cut. It was right around the start of the financial crisis. So I took the first job offered to me. I was in shock — it meant covering technologies that debt collectors used to collect arrears and I literally had a debt notice on my apartment door the first week I started the gig (not for me, but it sure made me feel like an imposter). I would go onto blogging for Bank Innovation at the same media firm and haven’t quit fintech since then. It’s been 10+ years! I covered fintech for American Banker and now write on fintech trends for Bankrate (and edit there). I’ve been in bank innovation labs. I’ve shadowed a video teller. I’ve been at all kinds of fintech gatherings and parties and conferences and even rode a mechanical pig. I often speak at fintech events and occasionally judge contests, too. Q: Who // what inspires you most? Is there a quote you “live by”? Are there any mentors that have helped you get where you are today? A: Talented writers who write on anything counterintuitive and people who really embrace unconventional behavior inspire me. Gidget, the real one, is among my favorite humans and always gets me thinking about possibilities — no rule gets in her way. I’m also really inspired by all of my friends and family. I know a lot of wonderful people and I feel impossibly lucky about that. Especially my mom and dad. Stay tuned to them and their future podcast with a tagline I dreamt up: “Where all mysteries go unsolved.” And Laura Roby, my only friend who has known me for my whole life. Ask us about Sailor Moon. Or don’t. A quote that I have loved for many years is from Dr. Seuss: “We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” Q: What is an accomplishment you are most proud of? A: Learning the fintech beat by forcing my way into all kinds of conversations with older men is something I feel really good about. I started the beat in my early 20s — I did not fit in. (“Who are you?” was a direct quote from a man at one of my early networking events. I also showed up to a bank credit crisis meeting in flip flops and a sundress when I had to sub in for someone last minute). Until I did. In my own way. I’m also proud of myself for learning new things often. Most recently, it’s meant learning to dance on roller skates. Q: What advice would you give to young women looking to start a career in the industry? What skills do you find most helpful in this career? A: Don’t let yourself get too intimidated. People may seem very smart. But it’s often just from them having spent years working in the business. Ten years from now, you might look back and think they should have been even smarter. Also reach out to people. Fintech is a very chatty crew — with all kinds of people eager to dish. The most important skill you need for a career in fintech is curiosity. I suspect that’s true for most careers. Q: What does digital transformation mean to you and/ or your organization? What advances or trends in technology are you most excited about? Is there one piece of technology you can’t live without? A: Digital transformation means doing something that the branch doesn’t do. It also includes rethinking old business models (I mean you, overdraft fees). I’m most excited about open banking’s possibilities in helping to make fintech apps just work better, and ideally, open the door for more creativity that leads to better outcomes for consumers. I also really like newer challenger banks solving for nuanced problems, such as what Stretch is doing for the formerly incarcerated. I’m a cliché. My iPhone is essential to me. Q: What do you see as the biggest, most pressing issue for women in our industry? How can women (or allies) help other women advance within our industry? A: Networking can still feel like an old-school dudes’ club — golf outings and the like. And men making more for the same role is a tired storyline by now but it still very much happens. One easier lift is to recommend women for panels who have the expertise in the subject because the exposure is good for their careers. I’d also advise companies to provide excellent paternal leave— it needs to be good for all kinds of reasons, including helping women. Q: What are some of your favorite ways to spend your time outside of work? Any tips for relaxation and destressing? A: I find joy in all kinds of things. You can often see me hiking, paddle boarding, zumba dancing or roller skating. You could also see me reading or drinking a martini. If it wasn’t a pandemic, you’d see me chatting to almost anyone on the street. When I’m super stressed, I like to walk. It helps me groove into my thoughts. I also recommend silencing Slack messages. Q: Is there anything else you would like to share? A: Fintech is fun! There’s so much wonder in it. I don’t plan to quit it. And find me on
Unstoppable Women of FinTech – Kelsey Weaver
Meet this weeks Unstoppable Woman of FinTech, Kelsey Weaver. Read more below on Kelsey’s journey in becoming a leading lady in the banking and fintech realms and more on her inspiring advice that has helped her in getting where she is today. Q: How did you end up as a leader in the ((FinTech)) Industry? Briefly, what has your career journey looked like? A: It definitely hasn’t been a linear road. 🙂 I really “fell” into banking, as a compromise to move to California. I started on the media side, as Publisher of Bank Director, and at that time “fintech” was still a novel concept. After getting to know banks across the country, I saw the opportunity in connecting banking & fintech, which led me to create a new platform, FinXTech. From there I went into consulting and “connecting” as a full-time job, living in NYC. I eventually founded a fintech company that aimed at solving pain points for banks at their core and I help anyone I can in my spare time. 🙂 Q: Who // what inspires you most? Is there a quote you “live by”? Are there any mentors that have helped you get where you are today? A: I’m inspired by truly genuine leaders- those who have built strong companies, invested in the growth of their employees, been open to new ideas and adapting their business and are humble enough to have a cup of coffee with. I’m also inspired by the bold entrepreneurs-no matter the industry – who have found a better way of doing things and have taken the leap to get their idea off the ground. I love the quote: “you can’t solve today’s problems using the same thinking that was used to create them” or “only dead fish go with the flow” — I’ve always been a bit “against the grain”, and I’ll tell you my least favorite quote “that’s the way we’ve always done it”! I’m lucky enough to have many mentors and an amazing support system: Bill King, Thomas Jankovich, Gregg Schoenberg, Siya Vansia, Oscar Ortiz, Margaret Hartigan, Patrick Rivenbark, Sarah Biller, Jason Henrichs, Danae & my entire FinTech Girl Gang — and last but not least, my one and only Bianca Spangler! (and many more!) Q: What is an accomplishment you are most proud of? A: I am most proud of the friends and people I have in my life! I know that’s not an “accomplishment” per se, but relationships take time, commitment, and lots of communication. The people I am lucky enough to call friends make me proud & inspired on a daily basis. Q: What advice would you give to young women looking to start a career in the industry? What skills do you find most helpful in this career? A: Be kind, and be brave. Be willing to put in the work, and take the job that provides an opportunity for growth. Vet them as much as they vet you. Culture matters. Everyone you meet matters — not just those with big titles or pedigree. Think abundance vs scarcity. Q: What does digital transformation mean to you and/ or your organization? What advances or trends in technology are you most excited about? Is there one piece of technology you can’t live without? A: Digital transformation isn’t just about a sleek/sexy front end. To me, in banking, it’s just about modernizing. It’s about making the EMPLOYEE’S life better, as well as the CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. Digital transformation is about finding efficiencies to improve delivery and mitigate risk/errors. While crypto is a big part of the conversation, I’m excited to see how different institutions implement blockchain to improve their infrastructure, enhance payments, and solve complex manual processes. I’m a bit of a technology junkie – if the pandemic has shifted anything, it’s that I can no longer live without video calling! Q: What do you see as the biggest, most pressing issue for women in our industry? A: There aren’t enough of us! Also, gender bias is real. Women have a harder time getting funded, and we are pressured to act “like males” although I think our real strength is in our EQ & kindness (in addition to left-brain intelligence). It takes a thick skin and a lot of resilience to make it as a female in this industry! Q: How can women (or allies) help other women advance within our industry? A: I think we are underestimated and over-critical (of ourselves). We have to encourage others, build them up, and truly mean it. On top of that, we have to then follow our words with actions, not just lip service, and take the time to help others where we can, be it with connections, advice, or even just an ear. It’s a tough world out there! Q: What are some of your favorite ways to spend your time outside of work? Any tips for relaxation and destressing? A: Oh man! This list could go on for days!! My home looks like an arts & crafts store blew up. I rarely don’t have paint on my hands or clothes when working from home. I love making gifts and reading birth charts (astrology) — and I live in the Florida Keys as of March 2021. That’s a de-stresser in itself! Q: Is there anything else you would like to share? A: While I’ll probably always have my foot in fintech and banking, my next move is going to be into an entirely different space, Biotech — announcing soon. I’m equal parts excited and terrified, but hoping to use my skills to help find less toxic solutions for cancer (with a focus on children, @sebastianstrong). Also, I’m incredibly grateful and humbled to be asked to take part in this series. Thank you!!
Unstoppable Women of FinTech Friday Feature – Leslie Dill
Meet Leslie Dill, Marketing and Business Development Coordinator at The University of Texas at Austin and Social Media Chair // Board Member at Austin Women in Technology (AWT). Read more below on Leslie’s day to day and how she became a leading lady in the marketing and technology realms. Q: How did you end up as a leader in the Marketing (and Technology) Industry? Briefly, what has your career journey looked like? A: I started working for Under Armour as a corporate brand ambassador immediately after my college graduation in 2016. Passionate about sports marketing, I figured I’d be with UA for at least 10 years, but I found myself moving to Austin to work for a local sports nutrition company, getting promoted from marketing coordinator to commercialization coordinator in less than two years. COVID19 came for my time with Nutrabolt, but I quickly found an opportunity to be a Business Development Manager with tech company, Bazaarvoice. I’ve now added burnt orange to my resume, taking a Marketing & Business Development position with UT’s Human Dimensions of Organizations program. If I’ve learned anything in my career thus far, it’s the importance of adaptability and taking on new challenges head on. Q: Who // what inspires you most? Is there a quote you “live by”? Are there any mentors that have helped you get where you are today? A: Creativity, in its many forms, inspires me. I enjoy reading about how others built their business or pursued their passions that became full time careers. I’m also very lucky to have been surrounded by inspirational men and women throughout my life who have served as both my mentors and support systems in my school years and career. The most impactful mentors I’ve had include my sister, Kathryn, college advisor, Dr. Matt Seevers, whom I still keep in touch with and my fellow board members at Austin Women in Tech. Kathryn is a journalist, and while our careers look very different, she’s always given me very valuable advice when it comes to having a successful and ambitious career strategy. Having a mentor who’s known me from my literal moment of birth adds a new layer of perspective to everyday projects and challenges. Starting my first day as a freshman at Creighton University, Dr. Seevers was not only my advisor on record, he turned out to be a mentor to me for the past ten years. He coached me through my business curriculum, internship opportunities and now offers thoughtful insights when I’m planning my next move or goal. Lastly, joining Austin Women in Tech has added so much value to my life and career. To be surrounded by such motivational, supportive and smart women is something for which I’m very grateful. If I HAD TO live by just one quote (as there are too many good ones to choose from), it would be this: “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game” –Babe Ruth. I started out my career interning in baseball, and I’ve found the sport such a beautiful metaphor for life and work. The most successful players have struck out far more times than they’ve hit home runs, but it’s important to remember that we don’t see everyone’s strike outs. Often times, we only see their hits and home runs. Q: What is an accomplishment you are most proud of? A: I’m proudest of two things. First, moving to Texas, sight unseen when I was 22. When I’m having a particularly bad day and get too self-critical, I remind myself that as a shiny new college grad, I moved to a city and state I had never visited with no safety net of friends and no guarantees that it would work out. Nearly six years later, I’ve moved deeper into the Lone Star state and have made friends that are now family to me. Secondly, when I was still somewhat new at Nutrabolt, I pitched a brand activation opportunity to both the CMO and VP of Sales: the Men’s College World Series, a venue they hadn’t previously considered and an untapped audience. Not only was the week-long activation a huge success, but the company gained numerous Midwest account contracts as a result. Finding the courage to make my voice heard in a room with “C-suite” executives and key decision-makers early in my career taught me to push past any hesitance or insecurities in the workplace. Q: What advice would you give to young women looking to start a career in the industry? What skills do you find most helpful in this career? A: I hear a lot of mentors telling young women to “say yes to absolutely every opportunity or ask that comes along,” and my advice would be a variation. Take opportunities to learn outside of what your role or career path looks like, and even take on a task or project that no one else wants to do. It always reflects well on you when you volunteer for the less-than-glamorous project, but in the end it will also gain you trust and goodwill with your coworkers. I have made it a point at every company I’ve worked at to really get to know people outside my immediate scope of work. Introducing yourself to someone in a department you don’t really interact with can come in handy when a unique project comes up or something’s “hit the fan” and no one knows who to ask or consult. The most important skills young women can always be working on are adaptability, broadening their horizons through networking and improving their existing skillsets. Q: What does digital transformation mean to you and/ or your organization? What advances or trends in technology are you most excited about? Is there one piece of technology you can’t live without? A: Digital transformation is the constant pursuit of reaching and relating to new audiences through various communication techniques. My team and I strategize reaching new audiences through thought-provoking web content and social media engagement. I’m really excited
Women in FinTech Friday Feature – Roxanne Herrera
Meet Roxanne Herrera, Director of Corporate Development at Camino Financial. Read more on Roxanne’s day to day and how she became a leading lady in the FinTech realm. Q: How did you end up as a leader in the FinTech Industry? A: I started my career as an analyst at Bank of America in San Francisco where I built my financial analysis and credit underwriting skillset. I transitioned to a state impact investing role at the California Department of Insurance and later completed my MBA focusing on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Investments from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. Most recently, I left Schwab’s community development lending team after helping manage a +$2B intermediary portfolio. In my current role as Director of Corporate Development at Camino Financial, a neo-CDFI FinTech, I’m focused on developing strategic partnerships and raising flexible capital to grow our small business lending portfolio centered on scaling underbanked businesses nationally. Q: What is an accomplishment that you are proud of? A: Most recently, I received a Key Contributor award during the pandemic as I led Schwab’s Community Development Lending portfolio. As I think back about the evolution of my career, I remember setting my first goal of becoming my high school’s valedictorian. I wanted to serve as a role model for other Latinas in my community and during this time, I completed my Associate of Arts degree. I then transferred some of these credits to the University of Southern California, allowing me to double major in Economics and Business Administration. This goal magnified the path that I’m on now; my goal setting has literally opened doors (one of my goals is to invest in real estate everyplace I move to) not only for myself but also for other Latinas who often reach out with “doubts” about belonging. I encourage them to keep carving a path where we are often told “no” to prove that they too can leave a legacy for other Latinas to follow. Q: What advice would you give to young women today looking to start a career in the industry? A: For other young women looking to enter the industry, I recommend volunteering at industry events and networking with community leaders. In this environment, attending remote events or listening in to strategic webinars while asking questions to learn more about the industry is crucial to becoming well-versed. I also recommend listening to industry podcasts and reading books/publications from thought leaders in the industry as a way to learn more about common terms and industry jargon. Q: What new advances in technology are you most excited about? A: I’m most excited about leveraging technology to break down barriers to access capital, information, and streamlining the process to deploy capital. This is something Camino Financial is taking the charge in to help the underbanked, a need that we saw magnified during this pandemic and something that I’m excited about helping bring more sustainable capital and strategic industry partners to the forefront as Camino’s Director of Corporate Development. Q: Anything else you would like to share? A: Giving back is important to who I am and part of the legacy that I want to leave behind. As I look back on my education and career trajectory, I attribute my success, in part, to perseverance, maturity, and a willingness to take risks on tough projects. I’ve embraced the things that scare me or those projects that are going to challenge me to reinvent my thinking and to help propel my projects to the next level.
Women in Tech Friday Feature – Katelyn Wamsted
Meet Katelyn Wamsted, Chief Program Officer at Girlstart. Read more below on Katelyn’s day to day and how she became a leading lady and advocate for inspiring girls in STEM. Q: How did you become a leader and advocate in inspiring girls in the STEM industries? A: I have always wanted to give every kid the opportunity and resources to become whoever they wanted to be, whether that’s in STEM or not. I first saw the impact informal education programs can have on kids during my time as a camp counselor, and, as I started my work at Girlstart, I became more aware of the startling disparity between the number of women and men in STEM fields and careers. Working with Girlstart for 16 years, I have had the opportunity to be involved in the STEM community serving on the ISEA board, collaborating with SciGirls, National and Texas Girls Collaborative Projects. Through my role and experience, I have developed Girlstart’s method and model, building and designing core programs that inspire girls and increase their interest in STEM pursuits. Q: What advice would you give to young women today looking to launch a career in the technology realm? A: Research shows that we are much more likely to reach our goals if we write them down and share them, and, as part of every core Girlstart program, we set aside time for girls to brainstorm and write down specific goals for their future. As they do this we ask them to not only think about their end goal, but to think about the steps they will need to take to get there and who they will need around them to achieve these goals. Our support systems, mentorships, family, and friends can be the key to resilience when solving challenges, and I would advise young women to take the time to build a support system from those whose values align with and support their future goals. Q: What is an accomplishment that you are most proud of? A: As much as I wish our world was not living through a pandemic, I truly am proud of what Girlstart was able to accomplish. We completely pivoted our 2020 summer camp within two months from weekly, in-person to week-long virtual camps with individual kits for each girl. This involved recreating every aspect of camp, from the curriculum and camp day structure to camper registration and logistics. We ended up hosting 33 Zoom camps serving over 1000 girls over the course of the summer Q: What are you most excited about with new advances in technology? A: I’m excited that we can incorporate new and relevant technology directly into our programs, exposing girls and getting them interested in technology concepts at a young age. This past summer we used Tinkercad for 3D modeling, Scratch for drag-and-drop programming, and each camper received her own micro:bit mini computer, including coding with Python. Additionally, technology has allowed us to reach more girls wherever they are with virtual programs via Zoom and other digital platforms. Q: Is there a piece of Technology you can’t live without? A: My sound machine, and probably my cell phone. 😉 Q: As a leader, how do you start your days? // What are your tips for productivity in the midst of a busy schedule? A: I typically wake up and immediately remind myself of my calendar, then I wash your face, get my kiddo ready for school, and go pick up coffee and figure something out for breakfast. I try to take time early in the day to grind out the hard tasks that take a lot of focus before I go into what typically is a day full of meetings Q: What are some of your favorite ways to spend time outside of working? Any tips for relaxation and de-stressing? A: Watch Great British Baking Show, listen to audiobooks, love to decorate for every season/holiday, spending time outside with family at the pool or Arboretum Q: Anything else you would like to share. A: I’m very proud of Girlstart’s programs and impact on the girls we serve. If anyone is interested in getting involved with Girlstart by donating, volunteering, or leading programs as one of our frontline staff, they can find more information on our website at https://girlstart.org/. You can also sign up for our newsletter to be in the know about all our upcoming events, programs, and opportunities.