Ugne Buraciene, CEO of payabl.:

“This year’s International Women’s Day is focusing on “accelerate action” – and at the moment there is a real lack of action when it comes to representation at the top – especially in fintech. Companies should focus on getting more women into leadership roles not just solely through hiring but also by creating real pathways for career growth. Diversity is a business strength, not a box-ticking exercise and tackling systematic barriers including biased promotion structures, lack of mentorship, and the preconception that women should prove themselves more than men, can help create diverse work environments where talent wants to stay and succeed.”

“I have always found that one of the biggest challenges for women in leadership is the unwritten expectation that we should fit a specific mold – strong, but not ‘too’ strong; confident, but not ‘too’ confident. I’ve learned to navigate that by being unapologetically myself.”

“Over the past decade the fintech industry has seen some progress as more female founders and leaders emerge, yet women receive a fraction of the funding that men do. Investing in women-led businesses and providing networking systems for women in the industry will be key to accelerating the action this year’s International Women’s Day is all about.”

Jolita Strasunskaite, Chief People Officer, payabl.:

“Real diversity awareness begins at a personal level not just within organisations. Decision makers are the driving force for change and it is their responsibility to question how they hire, promote and support a diverse range of talent.”

“Many companies are finally recognising that diverse leadership isn’t just good optics – it leads to stronger decision making and better results. The real challenge isn’t just removing barriers; it’s making sure they don’t quietly reappear in the form of outdated expectations about who can lead, who deserves a seat at the table, and what a ‘career’ looks like.”

“At payabl., we have seen firsthand that when you hire based on talent, diversity happens naturally – our CEO Ugne has built a company where talent and capability drive decisions. With a leadership team that is almost 50/50 men and women because we base our hiring on capability and not bias.

For companies still struggling with diversity – stop overcomplicating it. If you hire based on skills focusing on fairness, opportunity and competence, then diversity will follow on naturally.”

Thekla Paschali, Chief Technology Officer, payabl.:

“While we are seeing more women in leadership positions, female representation in technical and executive roles is still low. One major challenge is the lack of visibility – as a sector, the fintech industry needs to do more to amplify women’s voices and provide equal funding opportunities for female entrepreneurs. Leadership training and policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible working and parental leave can help accelerate change.”

“Like many women in tech I have faced challenges – from being the only woman in the room to having to work twice as hard to prove my expertise – but the support of incredible mentors through leadership programs and networking groups has been a game changer in helping me fulfil my abilities.

payabl. has made diversity a priority, not an afterthought. Representation matters and companies that embrace diversity will always be stronger, more innovative and better positioned for long-term success.”

Esfira Zaka, Chief Marketing Officer, payabl.:

“For a long time, the conversation around gender equality in fintech has revolved around just that – gender. While representation is critical, real progress means women in the industry should be valued for their insights on payments, technology, and business, not just as representatives of their gender. The ultimate goal isn’t just to increase the number of women at the table – it’s to ensure that once they’re there, they are heard, respected, and making an impact.”

“Organisations such as European Women Payments Network (EWPN) and Women in Tech have been instrumental in shaping the conversation, not just about representation but about the real challenges women face in fintech and beyond. Engaging with these communities has been eye-opening – it has shifted my perspective on the importance of peer-to-peer support, education, and fostering equity and inclusion at every level. Learning from others’ experiences, sharing knowledge, and lifting each other up is how we make lasting change.”

“I am lucky to work at payabl., where diversity is never an afterthought or a box-ticking exercise. We don’t need quotas to achieve balance – when you hire the best person for the job, regardless of gender, diversity follows naturally. And that’s the real lesson: businesses should reflect the real world. Women make up half the population, so why shouldn’t they make up half of fintech?”