"We expect women to be workers as if they don’t have children and to be mothers as if they are not working." - Caroline Ericsson
This is just some of the powerful insights shared in the final session of Fintech Week London, "Women of FinTech," by far the best session of the event!
Even more impressive was that this panel of women came together at such short notice—only the night before, Lucy Heavens was asked to moderate and find women to join her. This truly showcases the value a community can bring.
These incredible women shared their insights and experiences in the fintech industry, highlighting the importance of change, innovation, and support for women in the field.
Tiffany Nana Afua Appiah (who I must say is just amazing) emphasised the need for meaningful change:
"I needed to be part of change; I like the idea of innovation. If I am going to do something that is part of change, it has to do good."
She also shared empowering advice on leveraging available resources and seeking mentorship:
"Within the blink of an eye, you have everything accessible—make use of it. Put yourself out there. If you are lacking, get mentors and talk to people. Don’t be afraid to admit you are missing something but then commit to getting better."
Alexandra C. about the power of inspiration and representation:
"Being inspired by other women allows you to be in the room where it happens."
Caroline Ericsson also touched on the importance of advocacy and inclusion:
"If women are underrepresented, make no mistake that black women are too. We need specific strategies and actions to ensure black women are included."
Nitika Vyas, CFA, founder of Aila Money, shared her journey to fintech, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for women:
"Coming from a low-income background, I didn’t know about finances or saving. Entering finance, I saw just how male-dominated it was. It made me question if I wanted to be the 'alpha woman' to get to the top."
She found her mission in closing the wealth gap: "Financial stress is the second biggest stressor. My mission is to close the wealth gap and help people achieve life goals through financial literacy."
They encouraged tapping into networks: "Women in fintech, please join and sign up. If there’s one network worth your time, it’s these women."
Overall, the session was simply fantastic and one to remember! These women highlighted the transformative potential of fintech, the importance of mentorship and networks, and the unique challenges women face in balancing professional and personal roles.
#womenoffintech #fintech #women #inclusion #community #networking #fintechweek
