Celebrating Women in Fintech: Breaking the Glass Ceiling

This October, The Fintech Times is shining a spotlight on the remarkable women in the fintech industry. With women making up around 30% of the fintech workforce, it’s crucial to recognize those who have not only reached the top but have also paved the way for future generations. Here, we hear from five inspiring leaders—Roxana Mohammadian-Molina, Jinnee Lim, Diane Myer Brown, Ophelia Snyder, and Helen Child—who share their journeys of smashing the glass ceiling.

Roxana Mohammadian-Molina: Chief Strategy Officer at Blend Network

Roxana Mohammadian-Molina emphasizes the importance of mentorship in her career. “The one single most important thing that has helped me smash the glass ceiling throughout my career has been seeking and finding mentors who could support my career goals,” she states. She believes that having internal advocates is essential for career growth.

Roxana also highlights the significance of role models, noting that they don’t always have to be high-profile figures. “The best role models have been ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” she explains. One of her inspirations is Dame Helena Morrissey, who once remarked that the narrative around the glass ceiling often focuses too heavily on women and the shortcomings of men. Roxana advocates for including male champions in the conversation to create a more balanced approach to breaking barriers.

Moreover, she stresses that smashing the glass ceiling is an ongoing effort. “Attaining equality at the table is an ongoing job,” she asserts, urging senior leaders to actively work towards creating champions for change. “Our efforts on smashing the glass ceiling are a marathon, not a sprint,” she concludes.

Jinnee Lim: Chief Growth Officer – Southeast Asia at Finder

Jinnee Lim’s journey to leadership involved overcoming her initial hesitance to voice her ideas. “When I started my career, I was quiet and would hesitate to speak up,” she recalls. This often led to her ideas being presented by male colleagues as their own. Recognizing the need to be more visible, Jinnee focused on creating opportunities to express her views, despite her initial fears.

Her turning point came when she disagreed with a regional head’s decision, a bold move that many considered risky. “Turns out he thought my approach was honest and refreshing,” she shares, leading to increased responsibilities and a regional leadership role. Jinnee emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself as a leader, stating, “You can be feminine and an effective leader. You just have to discover your own ‘X’ factor and nurture it.”

Diane Myer Brown: Chief Marketing Officer at TrackStar.ai

Diane Myer Brown attributes her success to a data-driven approach. “I led with data to smash the glass ceiling because it is hard to argue with it,” she explains. By focusing on delivering great work and leveraging data, Diane was able to gain trust and credibility, which opened doors for her ideas.

She acknowledges the existence of gender inequalities but emphasizes the importance of not letting them derail her work. “It’s okay to acknowledge gender inequalities when they arise, but I made sure not to let that affect my work product,” she states, illustrating her resilience in a challenging environment.

Ophelia Snyder: Co-Founder and President at 21Shares

Ophelia Snyder’s journey into entrepreneurship was driven by a personal mission. “I became a founder because I wanted to solve a very personal problem,” she shares, explaining how she and her co-founder created products aimed at making cryptocurrency accessible to their mothers. This desire to democratize financial products led to the establishment of 21Shares, the world’s largest issuer of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs).

Ophelia believes that cryptocurrency can empower women globally, providing them with financial independence and access to education. “This has tremendous implications for women globally,” she notes, highlighting the broader impact of her work. She credits her success to the support of mentors and advisors, including Catherine Wood of ARK Invest, who have guided her through the challenges of building a business.

Helen Child: Founder at Open Banking Excellence

Helen Child reflects on her early career, noting that she broke the glass ceiling by the time she was 30. “I was the MD of one of the investment portfolio companies at ING Barings,” she recalls. However, she questions whether enough has changed for women in fintech since then. With only 7% of fintech founders being women globally and just 30% of the UK fintech workforce being female, Helen highlights the ongoing challenges.

Despite the statistics, she remains optimistic about progress. “In 2011, just 9% of women served on FTSE 350 boards. That’s a remarkable change in a very short space of time,” she points out. Helen collaborates with changemakers at Open Banking Excellence, fostering global conversations that drive innovation in finance.

Drawing inspiration from her family legacy, she continues to champion women in finance. “I come from a long line of strong, go-getting women,” she shares, connecting her work to her grandmother’s pioneering spirit. Helen’s journey illustrates the importance of community and collaboration in driving change.

These five women exemplify the strength and resilience needed to navigate the fintech landscape. Their stories not only inspire but also serve as a reminder of the ongoing work required to achieve true equality in the industry. As we celebrate their achievements this October, we also recognize the collective responsibility to continue breaking down barriers for future generations of women in fintech.