By Nadia Edwards-Dashti
Welcome to the award-winning FinTech’s DEI Discussions, the podcast where we explore how financial technology can lead the way in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Join our host, Nadia
The podcast currently has 563 episodes available.
In this episode of FinTechs DEI Discussions, hosted by Nadia, Inesa Smigola, Head of Presales at Xceptor, talks about her career and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in fintech.
Inesa shares her journey at Xceptor, where she leads the EMEA and APAC sales engineering teams. She explains the role of sales engineers and how Xceptor uses data and process automation to solve problems for major financial institutions.
A key focus of the discussion is DEI. Inesa highlights the Women’s Network she launched at Xceptor to support women’s professional growth. She emphasises how diversity in her team has driven better results and helped the company grow. Inesa also shares how leadership and employees alike can contribute to creating inclusive work environments by encouraging diverse opinions and making sure everyone’s voice is heard.
FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com
On the latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Abi Bryant Spolar, Global Head of Customer Success at Notabene.
In this episode, Abi shares her career journey, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and flexibility in the fintech industry. She passionately discusses the need for better workplace environments that support individuals through pivotal life moments, ensuring that talent, especially women, can thrive without compromising their personal lives.
Abi emphasises the value of open communication, creating spaces where employees feel safe to express their needs, and the significance of including male allies in the conversation to drive meaningful change.
FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com
This episode focuses on Karine's career journey and her insights on financial inclusion, workplace diversity, and her return to work after a long career break. Karine describes Edenred Payment Solutions' mission, emphasizing their commitment to financial inclusion not only for the underserved but across a broad spectrum, enhancing everyday lives through payment solutions. She highlights how Edenred balances innovation with a strong company culture.
Karine also shares her personal story, discussing her career in wealth management, taking a nine-year break to focus on her family, and her eventual return to the workforce. She emphasizes the challenges of re-entering the job market, including self-doubt, the importance of networking, and the struggles of navigating return-to-work programs. Despite numerous rejections, she remained persistent and ultimately found the right opportunity with Edenred, where she was drawn by the company’s vision and the challenge of building a new sales team.
The conversation touches on the broader topic of inclusion in the workplace, with Karine advocating for hiring based on talent and values rather than fulfilling quotas. She also offers advice to employers, urging them to give meaningful feedback to job applicants and reconsider biases when reviewing resumes.
Karine encourages individuals navigating career transitions to believe in themselves, and she stresses that career breaks are a strength, not a failure. She urges hiring managers to look beyond gaps in employment and value the skills and resilience these candidates bring.
FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Isaac Harvey MBE, a Disability Advocate, Ambassador for numerous charities, and President of Wheels and Wheelchairs.
In this episode, Isaac shares his inspiring journey, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of living with a disability. He emphasises the importance of true inclusivity, not just within the workplace but also in the daily journeys that disabled individuals face.
The conversation moves beyond mere awareness, offering practical insights on how organisations can create more inclusive environments that truly cater to everyone.
Isaac stresses the need for flexibility, the importance of understanding individual needs, and the power of giving people a choice in how they work, ensuring that all individuals can thrive both personally and professionally.
FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com
In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, we explore how diverse career paths can lead to leadership in FinTech.
Our guest, Meryem Habibi, CRO of Bitpace, shares her journey from marketing to sales and partnerships, and how these experiences shaped her success in crypto payments.
We dive into the differences between crypto payments and crypto trading, highlighting the role of Bitpace in making cross-border payments faster and more accessible for businesses globally.
Meryem also discusses the importance of building diverse, inclusive teams that drive innovation in FinTech, and offers advice for professionals looking to make their mark in this fast-paced industry.
Tune in to learn how crypto payments are reshaping the financial landscape and why adaptability and continuous learning are key to success in FinTech careers.
FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Limor Bergman Gross, an Executive Coach and Mentor.
In this episode, Limor shares her journey from software engineer to leadership, highlighting the crucial role of mentors and sponsors in her career. She discusses her passion for supporting women in tech and emphasises the importance of emotional intelligence in fostering inclusive workplaces.
The pair delve into actionable strategies for creating truly inclusive environments, where empathy, understanding, and curiosity replace judgment. Limor stresses the need for empathy and self-awareness, encouraging everyone to embrace differences and actively contribute to a culture where everyone can thrive.
FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com
In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia sits down with Matt Ryan, Chief Transformation Officer at Totem, live at our London office to discuss how Totem's tech arm, Reef, evolved to enhance audience engagement in the financial services sector, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He emphasises the importance of learning from industries like retail to personalise and improve user experiences in fintech. Matt also highlights the role of technology in promoting inclusivity and accessibility by offering personalised digital experiences.
Finally, he advocates for workplaces to value individual contributions over superficial attributes, ensuring a more inclusive and effective work environment.
FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com
How can we drive real change in fintech while fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity?
In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Claire Seydoux, Client Success Lead at Ozone API, shares her inspiring career journey, her transition from a large corporation to a smaller FinTech company, and her commitment to inclusion.
Claire's career began at American Express, where she spent years in various roles across project management, business planning, sales and client management, balancing professional growth with her personal life. Her transition to Ozone API, driven by the company’s values of respect, innovation and collaboration, allowed her to continue thriving in the FinTech space.
Claire emphasises the importance of agility, culture and inclusion in the workplace. She actively supports women in FinTech and promotes diversity in recruitment, believing that success should be based on merit, not gender.
Her involvement in Ozone API’s ESG committee and mentorship programs further highlights her dedication to driving positive change and inclusion within the financial technology sector.
FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com
On this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Frances Edwards, Chief Operating Officer at Avantgarde.
In this episode, Frances shares her journey, highlighting the importance of values-based leadership and the critical role of psychological safety in fostering inclusive workplaces within the fintech industry.
The pair delve into the nuances of navigating both formal and informal company cultures to ensure that inclusion permeates every aspect of an organisation.
The conversation moves beyond theory, offering practical insights on how to build environments where all individuals can thrive. Frances emphasises the importance of trust, transparency, and empathy, encouraging open dialogues and actions that align with inclusive principles.
FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com
In this special episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, recorded live at Money 20/20 in Amsterdam, Nadia is joined by Mary Agbesanwa (Lloyds Bank), Lynda Clarke (Tribe Payments), and Anil Hansjee (Fabric Ventures) to explore the question: "Is DEI Dying?"
The discussion delves into the relevance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in today’s corporate world, addressing the potential 2024 anti-diversity trend.
Mary emphasises the lived experiences of women and minorities, stressing DEI's critical role. Lynda highlights the dangers of sidelining inclusion and the importance of personalised support. Anil provides a historical perspective, advocating for pragmatic, low-cost DEI initiatives that foster genuine inclusion.
The guests offer actionable advice, such as mentoring, sponsorship and integrating DEI into broader corporate strategies.
Let's listen, let's learn, let's walk the talk.
FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com
The podcast currently has 563 episodes available.
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