• Sabrina Akramova , Editor & Content Manager at Financial IT


• 03.03.2022 06:30 pm
#women #fintech #groundbreakers

The article is from Financial IT Spring Issue 2022

Historically, the financial sector has been a male-dominated one, and FinTech is not an exception to this. Fortunately, there are strong female FinTech executives motivating women to break down obstacles and reach the top management positions. Although the percentage of women in FinTech still remains low, they make a significant difference in the sphere of FinTech by bringing their expertise and passion into their work. 

While the number of women working in the FinTech industry has increased significantly over the last decade, more needs to be done to ensure that they have the opportunity to advance through the ranks, lead teams, develop company and industry policy, and invest in the companies and people they care about.

We are glad to introduce to you 30 FinTech leaders, women whose footsteps inspire us. 

Adina Eckstein, COO at Lemonade

As an execution leader with extensive experience in business and product development, Adina Eckstein contributes to the success of Lemonade by building strong teams and creating sustainable working environments. She perceives obstacles as transformative challenges and views them from different perspectives, which allows her to be a role model for many young females in FinTech. 

Angela Yore, Managing Director & Co-founder at SkyParlour

Angela Yore co-founded SkyParlour in 2009 with the aim to help FinTechs overcome obstacles and build a strong brand image in the era of digital transformation. As an enthusiastic and forward-looking entrepreneur, Angela Yore built hundreds of successful PR campaigns for FinTech companies and start-ups in the sphere of banking, e-commerce, cybersecurity and international payments. 

Anne Boden, CEO at Starling Bank

A computer scientist by education, a passionate entrepreneur at heart, Anne Boden lives and breathes Starling, which was founded by her back in 2014. Together with her team, Anne Boden managed to build a strong customer-oriented application to help people manage their finances. After reaching the status of ‘Unicorn’ last year, Starling Bank continues improving the product, thus improving the standards of financial transactions. 

Camilla Giesecke, Chief Expansion Officer at Klarna

Former Chief Financial Officer and present Chief Expansion Officer at Klarna, Camilla Giesecke works on making Klarna available around the world. As she has almost 15 years of experience in business development, financial planning and analysis, Camilla Giesecke aims to contribute and reshape shopping by introducing more effective and convenient ways to shop.

Céline Dufétel, CFO at Checkout.com

An outstanding financial specialist, Céline Dufétel has been supervising the Checkout's finance, treasury, and strategic departments since joining the company in August 2021. She was formerly the COO and CFO of T. Rowe Price, a Fortune 500 asset management company. A former partner at McKinsey & Company, she was MD and global head of marketing, product management, and client services at Neuberger Berman. Then in 2020, Céline Dufétel was chosen to Fortune's 40 under 40 list. 

Charlotte Crosswell, Chairwoman at Open Banking

A creative and determined team leader, Charlotte Crosswell believes in a diverse and innovation-first approach. She brings fresh ideas and has a strong belief in herself, which helped her to grow on top positions in a number of companies, including Open Banking, Exadin, and Centre for Policy Studies.

Christina Junqueira, Co-founder of Nubank

A trained engineer with an MBA, Cristina Junqueira cofounded Nubank, presently the world's most valuable digital bank, in 2013. She led Ita's largest credit card division before departing to co-found Nubank with David Velez and Edward Wible. Nubank (as Nu Holdings) went public on the New York Stock Exchange in December 2021.

Denise Garth, CSO at Majesco

Denise Garth specialised in business growth, operational transformation and technology management. Denise Garth was included to Top 50 insurance influencers in InsurTech, Top 50 Women in SaaS 2020, and 10 Women in FinTech to know in 2022. Recognized for strategic thinking, extensive insurance knowledge, and a creative mind that interprets these concerns to emphasize the need and effect of innovation to better prepare for the future. 

Dhivya Suryadevara, CFO at Stripe

Dhivya Suryadevara is the CFO of Stripe, a worldwide technology company that builds economic infrastructure and the internet. Suryadevara has been named to the 2020 Power List by MotorTrend, the 2019 All Stars by Automotive News, Fortune's Most Powerful Women to Watch, 40 Under 40 by Fortune and Crain's Detroit Business, and the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders. She was formerly on the Girl Scouts of Greater New York board.

Elena Novokreshchenova, Non-Executive Director at Virgin Money, Executive VP at Remitly

Having 20+ years of professional experience, Elena Novokreshchenova is one of the leaders of global technology business with P&L, product, marketing and commercial responsibilities. A prominent digital money transfer provider spanning Europe and Asia, Remitly has recently appointed her as an Executive Vice President of International to its C-Suite to internationalise, expand and drive corporate development.

Evgenia Loginova, CEO & Co-founder at Radar Payments by BPC

Evgenia (Jane) Loginova works for BPC, a renowned payment solution provider based in Switzerland. She has worked with BPC for almost six years and is in charge of strategy, marketing, and growth. She is effectively managing BPC through the fast-changing payments, banking, commerce, and mobility landscape. Jane Loginova was an executive director at Goldman Sachs before BPC. She is a management graduate from the London School of Economics.

Georgia Stewart, CEO & Co-founder at Tumelo

To enable retail investors and pension members benefit from a more sustainable investing system and utilize their funds to make a good impact, Georgia Stewart co-founded Tumelo in 2018. Georgia Stewart was born in Scotland and studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge, where she fought for sustainable investing in the £6 billion endowment fund, pushing for transparency and shareholder participation on topics like gender equality and climate change. 

Ghela Boskovich, Regional Director at Financial Data and Technology Association

Ghela Boskovich is the Founder of FemTechGlobalTM, a network devoted to enhancing inclusivity and diversity in Financial Services. This award is presented annually by FemTechGlobalTM. Ghela is a frequent keynote speaker and editorial writer who focuses on the practical implementation and commercialisation of FinTech/bank partnership. She is obsessed with upgrading outdated financial systems, disrupting business models, and enabling institutions to adopt new technologies.

Jenela Gunasekaran, CPO at Paydock 

As a passionate product leader and supporter of creative use of technologies, Jenela Gunasekaran builds inclusive and sustainable products. With 16 years of experience in product management with AGILE methodologies, Jenela Gunasekeran combined working in vibrant tech startups and large corporations with highly competent teams. 

Louise Hill, Co-founder & COO at Gohenry

Due to the growing demands to teach children how to manage the budget in a digital environment, Louise Hill co-founded Gohenry in 2012. With a background in e-commerce operations, her goal at Gohenry is to illustrate that financial education can be entertaining, practical, and helpful in the transition to adulthood.

Mariam Minhas Mannan, CPO at Yoco

Mariam Minhas Mannan has extensive expertise in establishing leadership and people teams, leading M&A and integrations, and scaling up enterprises in the Middle East and North Africa through people analytics, talent development, and technology changes. With over a decade of experience in the Middle East and Africa, Mariam Minhas Mannan developed high analytical and problem-solving skills. Loves leading, creating, and delivering high-impact initiatives, especially those focused on talent and people growth in a transformative context.

Natasha Bansgopaul, Co-founder & COO at VegaX Holdings

As a co-founder of VegaX Holdings, Natasha Bansgopaul is enthusiastic about using technology to revolutionize the financial services industry. With core capabilities in brand development, organizational management and M&A, she is passionate about blockchain, CPG innovation (F&B), and media/entertainment ventures. 

Nathalie Siegl, Chief Executive & Financial Officer at IXOLIT Group

Nathalie has an impressive background in marketing and project management, which has enabled her to successfully help develop and scale new brands and ventures in various sectors for almost two decades. Her expertise in corporate finance, administrative organization and internal structure has facilitated the success of countless projects, and her unique “new problem, same principle” approach has allowed her to expand her skillset over the past years.

Odunayo Eweniyi, COO and Co-founder at PiggyVest

Odunayo is the Co-founder & Chief Operations Officer of PiggyVest, the leadin digital savings and investment platform in Nigeria. She was named one of Forbes Africa 30 under 30 Technology in 2019 and one of 30 Quartz Africa Innovators 2019. In 2020, Odun cofounded The Feminist Coalition, a group of young Nigerian feminists who work to promote equality for women in Nigerian society, with a core focus on education, financial freedom, and representation in public office.

Ola Doudin, CEO and Co-founder at BitOasis

Ola Doudin is an ambitious woman in FinTech, who co-founded BitOasis, a digital asset exchange that allows users to purchase, sell, and trade digital assets against the UAE dirham. Users in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco can use the portal. Since Ola Doudin strived for contributing to FinTech sector, BitOasis has become an integral part of her life, her joy and happiness.

Pamela Cytron, Founder and CEO at Pendo Systems

Pamela Cytron is an award-winning Technology Entrepreneur, spending the last three decades delivering back office and artificial intelligence solutions to Financial Services. Extensive knowledge in legacy computers, processors, coding, regulations, and complex relevant laws and accounting rules in major financial centers. With her understanding of what financial institutions have, and what they and their customers need, she applies fresh thinking and innovative ideas that take full advantage of the latest in technology. A WBENC organization and Pam recently recognized as one of the Top 25 Women Entrepreneurs in NJ.

Rita Liu, COO at Mode

Rita Liu spent over a decade refining her abilities and rising through the ranks at Alibaba-backed finance firm Alipay before joining Mode as Chief Commercial Officer. She is an inspirational FinTech executive, a supporter of cryptocurrencies, dynamic and seasoned business leader with extensive expertise in company development, marketing, operations, and product management.

Romina Savova, Founder & CEO at PensionBee

A former Goldman Sachs analyst with an experience in risk management and investments, Romina Savova launched PensionBee, the UK's top online pension service, after a traumatic pension transfer experience. She believes that customers should view their pension balance online, make contributions and withdrawals, and utilize a smart calculator to plan their savings effectively. 

Saira Rahman, VP Finance at HMBradley

As an enthusiastic supporter of simplifying one’s finances, Saira Rahman brings her experience and skills into HMBradley, With over 10 years of working in financial sector, she knows exactly what customers need to maintain their financial well-being.

Samantha Seaton, CEO at Moneyhub Enterprise

As an executive at Moneyhub Enterprise, Samantha Seaton truly believes that there is no more exciting opportunity than to be an agent for change in the sector of financial services. She achieves real-life goals by viewing market situations from consumers’ perspective, focuses on genuine problems and takes actions meaningfully.

Susanne Chishti, CEO at Fintech Circle

An award-winning entrepreneur and investor with strong FinTech expertise, Susanne Chishti is CEO of Fintech Circle, Europe’s first Investor Network focused on FinTech project development. She is also co-editor of the international bestseller "The FINTECH Book", which has been translated into ten languages.

Silvija Martincevic, CCO at Affirm

Silvija Martincevic leads Affirm's revenue strategy, partnerships, customer success, sales, go-to-market, marketing, and communications teams. Prior to joining Affirm, she was COO of Groupon International, a company with over $1 billion in revenue across 14 countries across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Silvija Martincevic also led Groupon's $900 million North American Health & Beauty division as CMO International. Groupon's analytics, pricing, business development, marketing, and product strategy teams all report to her.

Sujata Bhatia, COO at Monzo Bank

A former American Express executive in Europe, Sujata Bhatia came to Monzo in 2020. Although she joined Monzo in a turbulent time of pandemic COVID-19 outburst, She viewed every obstacle as an opportunity to improve, grow and prosper. Such attitude helped her make significant achievements and bring challenger bank to the new level. 

Terry Monteith, SVP Acquiring & Payments at BlueSnap

Terry Monteith is a passionate specialist with an extensive experience in global payment technologies, which helps her to take part in optimizing global and mobile checkout together with her team. At BlueSnap, Terry Monteith works on Powered Buy Platform, which drives growth for businesses seeking to reach global consumers and capitalize on new sales possibilities.

Vilve Vene, CEO & Co-founder at Tuum 

From her time at Hansabank, one of the first commercial banks in Estonia, to founding Icefire, Vilve Vene always had a vision of a financial world transformed by technology. In 2019, she launched Modularbank, a next-generation core banking platform, to enable any firm to design and launch new financial products in weeks.