{"id":359031,"date":"2020-12-07T15:43:31","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T22:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/?p=359031"},"modified":"2020-12-07T15:43:34","modified_gmt":"2020-12-07T22:43:34","slug":"women-in-fintech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/finance\/women-in-fintech\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Lessons from groundbreaking women in Fintech"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/business-woman-on-phone-laptop-fintech-feature-600x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-359034\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/business-woman-on-phone-laptop-fintech-feature-600x200.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/business-woman-on-phone-laptop-fintech-feature-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/business-woman-on-phone-laptop-fintech-feature-768x256.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/business-woman-on-phone-laptop-fintech-feature-450x150.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/business-woman-on-phone-laptop-fintech-feature-900x300.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/business-woman-on-phone-laptop-fintech-feature-1400x467.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/business-woman-on-phone-laptop-fintech-feature.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/disclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Disclosure regarding our editorial content standards<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For as revolutionary and disruptive as the fintech industry claims to be, it fails to embody those attributes in a few notable ways, especially when it comes to women in the workplace. Women are vastly underrepresented throughout the industry, particularly in leadership roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gender inequality is widespread, but some women have beaten the odds by rising through the ranks of the fintech industry. They often aren\u2019t given the credit they\u2019re due for fighting against various hardships and roadblocks, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From online banking to improved payment services, fintech has the potential to alter life as we know it\u2014and it already has in numerous ways. Banking apps, online insurance brokers, retirement management, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/fix-my-credit\" target=\"_blank\">credit health tools<\/a>, you name it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fintech companies have changed how we manage our money and approach financial health, and according to <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/fortunly.com\/statistics\/fintech-statistics\/#gref\" target=\"_blank\">Fortunly<\/a>, nearly half of consumers only use digital banking services when it comes to managing their money these days. It\u2019s likely that group will only grow as the industry works to make all financial services faster and easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This prosperous industry, though, has long excluded women or made it difficult for them to get skin in the game. This has been true of the traditional finance sector for ages\u2014don\u2019t forget, women (both single and married) <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/nextadvisor\/credit-cards\/ruth-bader-ginsburg-credit-card-legacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">struggled to get credit cards<\/a> in their own name until the mid-1970s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s a known gap when it comes to who\u2019s running the show as well. Here we\u2019ll go over where women stand in the fintech industry and share some words of wisdom from those who\u2019ve climbed the ranks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/fintech-in-action-consumers-use-digital-banking-services.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-359043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/fintech-in-action-consumers-use-digital-banking-services.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/fintech-in-action-consumers-use-digital-banking-services-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/fintech-in-action-consumers-use-digital-banking-services-600x160.png 600w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/fintech-in-action-consumers-use-digital-banking-services-768x204.png 768w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/fintech-in-action-consumers-use-digital-banking-services-450x120.png 450w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/fintech-in-action-consumers-use-digital-banking-services-900x239.png 900w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/fintech-in-action-consumers-use-digital-banking-services-1400x372.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Equality in the Fintech workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In February 2020, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/fintech\/2020\/#4d0538b74acd\" target=\"_blank\">The Forbes Fintech 50: The Most Innovative Fintech Companies in 2020<\/a> was released, outlining successful players in the game and up-and-comers to keep an eye on. The list is composed of notable private companies that have operations or customers in the U.S., all with a similar underlying goal to make financial services faster, cheaper and easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The list also showcased 19 newcomers, highlighting the ever-expanding landscape of the fintech industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pretty remarkable, huh? Definitely, but let\u2019s dive in deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-statistics.png\" alt=\"It\u2019s predicted that fintech will be worth $26.5 trillion in 2022. Women CEOs only receive 2.7% of all VC funding. Women founders make up 17% of fintech companies.\" class=\"wp-image-359044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-statistics.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-statistics-300x114.png 300w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-statistics-600x227.png 600w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-statistics-768x291.png 768w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-statistics-450x170.png 450w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-statistics-900x341.png 900w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-statistics-1400x530.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Out of the 50 companies showcased, only nine were founded or co-founded by women, representing only 18 percent of the list.<\/strong> All nine women are in leadership positions, but only six sit in the CEO\u2019s corner office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This figure, unfortunately, isn\u2019t terribly surprising. Fintech is notorious for being an unbalanced industry, and various executives and reporters have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliverwyman.com\/our-expertise\/insights\/2020\/apr\/how-to-shift-the-gender-balance-in-fintech.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">calling it out for years<\/a>. The inequality shows up in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/women-and-money\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wage gaps<\/a> across all positions, a lack of women in leadership roles and a toxic culture among the predominantly male-run industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women also notably face more barriers when it comes to getting VC funding. Of the roughly $80 billion in venture capital each year, women CEOs only get <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inc.com\/magazine\/201810\/kimberly-weisul\/female-founders-funding-guide.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2.7 percent<\/a> of it, or $2 billion. For example, Snejina Zacharia, who we\u2019ll read more on later, has been in meetings where investors only direct the conversation and questions to her co-founder, despite the fact that her decades of business experience speak volumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gap in fintech leadership especially doesn\u2019t add up when you look at how women perform in leadership roles. In a study by the <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2019\/06\/research-women-score-higher-than-men-in-most-leadership-skills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Harvard Business Review<\/a>, women outscored men in 17 out of 19 measured capabilities. These capabilities were found to separate outstanding leaders from average or poor ones, and included everything from resilience and drive for results to innovation and bold leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no denying that women in fintech have a lot of challenges to overcome in order to rise in the ranks. Against all odds, though, there are notable figures to look up to, and the list of inspirational leaders grows longer every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"831\" src=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-why-it-matters-leadership-skills.png\" alt=\"A Harvard Business Review study on leadership skills found that women scored higher than men in 17 out of 19 categories, including taking initiative, resilience, high integrity and honesty, bold leadership, collaboration and teamwork and inspiring and motivating others.\" class=\"wp-image-359045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-why-it-matters-leadership-skills.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-why-it-matters-leadership-skills-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-why-it-matters-leadership-skills-600x332.png 600w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-why-it-matters-leadership-skills-768x425.png 768w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-why-it-matters-leadership-skills-450x249.png 450w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-why-it-matters-leadership-skills-900x499.png 900w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-why-it-matters-leadership-skills-1400x776.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Words of wisdom: lessons from 9 women in Fintech<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The women represented in the Forbes 50 have plenty of advice and wisdom to share. We\u2019ve compiled notable lessons from them below. Whether you\u2019re looking for inspiration for your business dreams or need a boost when it comes to improving your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/mortgage-and-housing-information\/5-easy-things-you-can-do-for-financial-literacy-month-home-edition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">financial literacy<\/a>, the lessons we share are golden for anything you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suneera Madhani: Founder + CEO, Fattmerchant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Suneera Madhani founded <a href=\"https:\/\/fattmerchant.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fattmerchant<\/a> to revolutionize merchant services. Not only that, but she did it after others in the payments industry told her that her idea for creating a business model based on popular subscription services couldn\u2019t be done. Fast-forward a few years and Fattmerchant is valued at $140 million\u2014and Madhani has become an inspiration for her approach to business and motherhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Words of Wisdom: <\/strong>\u201cKeep your passion. Remember your why. . . . Remember why you started and hold that close to your heart when times get tough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In Action: <\/strong>Whether you\u2019re looking to climb the corporate ladder or boost your credit score, keep your eye on the prize. Keep your goals top of mind and reference them regularly to stay on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"587\" src=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/stay-passionate-suneera-madhani-quote.png\" alt=\"Stay passionate. \u201cRemember why you started and hold that close to your heart when times get tough.\u201d -Suneera Madhani, Founder + CEO, Fattmerchant.\" class=\"wp-image-359046\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/stay-passionate-suneera-madhani-quote.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/stay-passionate-suneera-madhani-quote-300x117.png 300w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/stay-passionate-suneera-madhani-quote-600x235.png 600w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/stay-passionate-suneera-madhani-quote-768x301.png 768w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/stay-passionate-suneera-madhani-quote-450x176.png 450w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/stay-passionate-suneera-madhani-quote-900x352.png 900w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/stay-passionate-suneera-madhani-quote-1400x548.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kathryn Petralia: Co-founder + COO, Kabbage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After nearly 15 years in the credit, payments and e-commerce industries, Kathryn Petralia co-founded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kabbage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kabbage<\/a>, which uses its automated lending platform to lend money directly to small businesses and consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing she\u2019s noticed since co-founding the company, last valued at $1.2 billion (AKA \u201cunicorn\u201d status), is how few women there are in the industry, especially when it comes to venture capitalists. Her \u201csay yes\u201d approach has helped her climb the ranks and stand out as a leader for women across the fintech industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Words of Wisdom: <\/strong>In reference to rocking her career and raising a family and the gendered disparity between parental leave, Petralia says, \u201cThere\u2019s more we can do to create that equality if we wanted to. It goes back to saying yes. If there\u2019s something you want to do, figure out a way to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In Action: <\/strong>When it comes to your personal finances, saying yes to learning more about what you can do with your money can help you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/money-management\/types-of-investments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">expand your investment portfolio<\/a>, get that raise or start that side hustle to make some extra cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Snejina Zacharia: Co-founder + CEO, Insurify<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We don\u2019t need to tell you that insurance is complicated\u2014deductibles, auto insurance, premiums and more can feel like they\u2019re there just to confuse you. Why does it have to be so hard?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thankfully, Snejina Zacharia saw the same issues and co-founded <a href=\"https:\/\/insurify.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Insurify<\/a>, a virtual insurance platform that utilizes artificial intelligence and natural language processing to streamline the ordeal of shopping for insurance. Making something so simple takes a lot of work, though, and Zacharia has operated with humility, leadership and a team-centric attitude to reach this success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Words of Wisdom:<\/strong> \u201cNever behave as the smartest person in the room because you may miss some of the best ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In Action: <\/strong>Whether you\u2019re attending a board meeting or navigating your finances, be sure to approach everything with a learner\u2019s attitude. You\u2019re always a student, and when you can remember that, you\u2019ll always learn some new tricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adena Hefets: Co-founder + CEO, Divvy Homes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/mortgage-and-housing-information\/is-2020-the-year-to-buy-a-house\/\" target=\"_blank\">Buying a home<\/a> is incredibly personal, but the finance world is infamously cold. Adena Hefets approached the industry with heart and personal experience: After her parents were denied a mortgage when they first tried to buy a home, she wanted to improve upon the homebuying experience and make it accessible to everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/getdivvy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Divvy<\/a> was founded to help streamline the rent-to-own process and make the American dream of owning a home available to more people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Words of Wisdom:<\/strong> When speaking to the importance of setting and reaching goals in her business, Hefets has said that \u201chaving a purpose-driven mission is what motivates [her] to wake up each morning to build something that\u2019s making a positive impact on the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In Action: <\/strong>Know your end goal. Are you looking to nail your side hustle game and move more quickly toward financial independence, or do you want to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/lending\/student-loan-hurting-credit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pay off your student loans<\/a> in less than five years? Knowing your \u201cwhy\u201d for achieving your goals will help keep you motivated and moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leanne Kemp: Founder + CEO, Everledger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The old saying goes that \u201cdiamonds are a girl\u2019s best friend,\u201d but the modern iteration has evolved to include considerations for ethical and transparent sourcing. That\u2019s where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everledger.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Everledger<\/a> comes in: The blockchain technology company helps verify the origin of assets and create a digital record to help prevent fraud and money laundering. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/leanne-kemp\/#609f5f5445ad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leanne Kemp\u2019s<\/a> 20+ years in tech and numerous successful companies make her a force of nature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Words of Wisdom:<\/strong> \u201cNo one would ever give me a \u2018real job\u2019 because I think about things differently. I ask the question \u2018why\u2019 rather than \u2018what\u2019 or \u2018how\u2019 first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In Action: <\/strong>Don\u2019t be afraid to think outside the box and offer your unique perspective, especially as you approach a new situation with a learner\u2019s attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rhian Horgan: Founder + CEO, Kindur<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/education\/counseling\/retirement-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Retirement planning<\/a> is one of the most stressful parts of finances that many people just bypass completely. Fast-forward a decade, and suddenly you\u2019re scrambling to save enough for your golden years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rhian Horgan set out to help streamline the process of saving for retirement for baby boomers and developed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kindur.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kindur<\/a>. After working for 17 years in financial advising, she had found a gap in the market for people looking to retire and knew she needed to change gears. Kindur is the result of her decision to create something of her own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Words of Wisdom: <\/strong>Talking about life during the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/education\/counseling\/coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">coronavirus pandemic<\/a>, Horgan aims to \u201cencourage [her] friends and customers to focus on the things they can control.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In Action: <\/strong>Any financial stressor can be overwhelming, whether it\u2019s an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/credit-card\/what-happens-when-i-dont-pay-my-credit-card-bill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">overdue credit card bill<\/a> or a global pandemic. Take a breath, step back and see what you have control over\u2014focus on those things first to help you craft a plan for moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shivani Siroya: Founder + CEO, Tala<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Running a small business is a challenge in and of itself, especially when it comes to financing. Shivani Siroya founded <a href=\"https:\/\/tala.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tala<\/a> to help counteract this and make small business financial access easier with mobile tools and straightforward financing. Her experience in global health, micro-finance and investment banking has informed her work with Tala, and she also serves on the board of Young Women Social Entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Named one of Fortune\u2019s 40 under 40 in 2020, Siroya has even given a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/speakers\/shivani_siroya\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TED Talk<\/a>, if you need a little extra inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Words of Wisdom:<\/strong> \u201cStay excited, focused on results and be incredibly optimistic. It\u2019s okay to really believe in your gut\u2014just make sure that you see the results with it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In Action: <\/strong>Don\u2019t be afraid to trust your gut, but remember to check in frequently. Combining your intuition and tangible, measurable goals will keep you on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"596\" src=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/trust-your-intuition-shivani-siroya.png\" alt=\"Trust your intuition. \u201cStay excited, focused on results and be incredibly optimistic. It\u2019s okay to really believe in your gut\u2014just make sure that you see the results with it. -Shivani Siroya, Founder + CEO, Tala\" class=\"wp-image-359047\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/trust-your-intuition-shivani-siroya.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/trust-your-intuition-shivani-siroya-300x119.png 300w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/trust-your-intuition-shivani-siroya-600x238.png 600w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/trust-your-intuition-shivani-siroya-768x305.png 768w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/trust-your-intuition-shivani-siroya-450x179.png 450w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/trust-your-intuition-shivani-siroya-900x358.png 900w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/trust-your-intuition-shivani-siroya-1400x556.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nichole Mustard: Co-founder + CRO, Credit Karma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Nichole Mustard is proof that focusing on happiness and working hard can drive your career. She helped start Credit Karma, a personal finance platform that was recently acquired for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/90475429\/queer-50-nichole-mustard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$7.1 billion<\/a> in cash and stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of her goals was ensuring she helped establish a data- and consumer-focused company. These two elements were critical in helping her stay authentic in the business world, and as a result, she helped establish a company that aligns with her personal values\u2014a win-win across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Words of Wisdom:<\/strong> On just graduating college: \u201cI didn\u2019t have a job, a place to live or a car. But I figured if I was happy, the rest would follow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In Action: <\/strong>When you\u2019re just starting out in your career, remember that prioritizing happiness will usher in success in due time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anna Mongayt Counselman: Co-founder + Head of People and Operations, Upstart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Online lending has become the norm in recent years, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.upstart.com\/\">Upstart<\/a> is a leader. Anna Mongayt Counselman helped get the company off the ground, going from a tiny team to over 200 employees and more than $6 billion in loans distributed. Not only that, but she\u2019s received the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.upstart.com\/blog\/immigrants-and-innovation-the-white-house-honors-our\">White House Champion of Change award<\/a>, honoring her work as an exemplary immigrant innovator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Words of Wisdom:<\/strong> \u201cFeel the fear and do it anyway and trust that you\u2019ll figure it out as you go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In Action: <\/strong>New to investing or buying a house on your own for the first time? Those are definitely intimidating things to take on, but don\u2019t let the fear bring you down. Keep an open mind and learn as you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Future of Women in Fintech<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no telling where fintech will go from here, especially after the onset of the global <a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/education\/counseling\/coronavirus-credit-journey\">coronavirus pandemic<\/a>. However, one thing is for certain: The importance of flexibility, ease of use and speed when it comes to managing your finances are core principles of fintech and will continue to drive the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women continue to prove themselves to be <a href=\"https:\/\/thefinancialtechnologyreport.com\/the-top-25-women-leaders-in-financial-technology-of-2020\/\">invaluable players<\/a> in fintech, and many are looking to women to help jump-start the industry\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/madhvimavadiya\/2020\/06\/01\/women-in-fintech-will-play-a-crucial-part-in-the-covid-19-recovery-plan\/\">recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a>. Despite the fact that businesses worldwide have taken a blow in the wake of the pandemic, the characteristics that allow fintech to shine will be all the more important as the world recovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re feeling the effects of the pandemic or just need a little help brushing up on your credit health before jumping into your next business venture, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/credit-education\">our team of credit advisors<\/a>\u00a0 can help you take your credit education to the next level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"6224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-IG.png\" alt=\"Women in Fintech infographic\" class=\"wp-image-359048\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-IG.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-IG-72x300.png 72w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-IG-768x3187.png 768w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-IG-370x1536.png 370w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-IG-450x1867.png 450w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-IG-600x2490.png 600w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-IG-900x3734.png 900w, https:\/\/www.creditrepair.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/women-in-fintech-IG-1400x5809.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sources: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.deloitte.com\/content\/dam\/insights\/us\/articles\/4209_Diversity-and-inclusion-revolution\/DI_Diversity-and-inclusion-revolution.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Deloitte<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketscreener.com\/quote\/stock\/INDUSTRIAL-AND-COMMERCIAL-6499173\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MarketScreener<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inc.com\/magazine\/201810\/kimberly-weisul\/female-founders-funding-guide.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Inc.<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.innovatefinance.com\/if-news\/female-founders-make-up-just-17-of-fintech-companies-and-women-receive-only-three-percent-of-vc-fintech-funding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Innovate Finance<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2019\/06\/research-women-score-higher-than-men-in-most-leadership-skills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Harvard Business Review<\/a> | Forbes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/fintech\/2020\/#4d0538b74acd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/stephaniemacconnell\/2018\/07\/09\/kathryn-petralia-kabbage-pres-is-shaking-things-up-in-fintech\/#597401206b20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2 <\/a>| <a href=\"https:\/\/www.housingwire.com\/articles\/2020-hw-rising-star-adena-hefets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HousingWire<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/ideamensch.com\/shivani-siroya\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IdeaMensch<\/a> | Medium <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/authority-magazine\/snejina-zacharia-of-insurify-5-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-before-i-became-a-ceo-7ea6f5e0ce9e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womensbusinessdaily.com\/featured-women\/suneera-madhani-ceo-founder-fattmerchant\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Women\u2019s Business Daily<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The fintech industry often fails to be revolutionary when it comes to representation of women. 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