I am truly honored to be named an Inspiring Fintech Female of 2024 by NYC Fintech Women! This recognition feels especially meaningful as I stand alongside an incredible group of women who are committed to breaking barriers, amplifying voices, and driving a more inclusive future in Fintech and Payments.

Together, we embrace the power of purpose and collective impact. Here’s to continuing to stand in our power and make a difference!

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that the key difference between where I am and where many of the people I grew up with could be lies in one thing: opportunity. I am not where I am because I am inherently special or because my path was set out for me; I am here because people believed in me, invested in me, and took a chance.

Their faith in me has made all the difference. I am deeply grateful for the privilege of this life and the opportunities that have shaped it.

Mentorship is a journey, and sometimes, it’s okay to part ways if the relationship no longer aligns with your goals. Reflecting on my own experience, I learned that mentorship should be mutually beneficial and built on clear expectations.

Ending a mentorship respectfully can open doors for both parties to grow. It’s all about honoring the journey and the growth that comes with it.

No, it’s not all in your head. Can we talk?

Work-life balance is a myth in many workplaces.
If you want even a glimpse of it, you have to start advocating for your needs so your health isn’t negatively impacted.

One of the key takeaways for me was the reminder of how powerful storytelling can be in building your personal brand at work. Often, we shy away from sharing our stories, thinking no one’s paying attention or we’ve already said it all. But the truth is, it’s your story — and it’s yours to tell as many times as needed. The key is to always center your audience and the value you bring to them. People connect with authenticity, and storytelling creates a bridge to foster understanding and open doors to career growth.

Bold Ambitions: From Lagos to Radio City

Ambition is a powerful desire to achieve something, but it requires unwavering belief in yourself and the persistence to stay the course. I remember Tems speaking in interviews about her struggles as a young Nigerian woman navigating a male-dominated industry. She faced countless challenges but remained relentless in pursuing her dreams.

In our careers, it's easy to be distracted by daily challenges—whether it's imposter syndrome, a lack of growth opportunities, microaggressions, or feeling overlooked for our talents. But ambition is about pushing forward despite those obstacles. It’s the drive that keeps you from quitting when the environment becomes tough. You sharpen your skills, constantly improve, and stay ready for opportunities. As the saying goes, "Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready”

This summer, I finally got to meet my ever-brilliant colleague, Tolami Franklin, in person while she was visiting from London on holiday. We’ve been there for each other through some tough career moments, so when we finally met face-to-face, it felt like we’d known each other forever!

This whole experience got me thinking about how important it is to build strong, genuine relationships at work. Networking at work shouldn’t always feel transactional—it’s about creating real connections that go beyond just exchanging business cards or adding someone on LinkedIn. When you invest in relationships with people at all levels, you open the door to unexpected support, collaboration, and even lifelong friendships.

I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a career panel organized by the New York Bates Network and the Purposeful Work Center at Bates College. Joined by fellow panelists Felix Xie, Shirley Serrao Martin, CMA, CFA and Lucy Faust, I was honored to share my career journey with current students, summer interns, and fellow alumni.

One of the major things standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself; the one on autoplay.

Fresh out of college, the pressure to find a "real job" was strong. But I craved something different. So, I embarked on a non-traditional path, exploring India, Vietnam, London, Morocco, and South Africa. I became a citizen of the world. It was an incredible journey of self-discovery, understanding the world, and realizing how I could make a real difference.

Of course, doubt crept in. "I'm not ready," "I’m not qualified enough," "Maybe I need more degrees." These internal battles threatened to derail me, but with the help of mentors, I refocused on my core purpose. I pushed through the good and bad times, always remembering what truly mattered. I learned to silence those negative stories and refocus on my "why."

Finding my path meant rewriting my script and telling a different story.

Why are we so intimidated by conversations around mid-year reviews?

A few days ago, I led a virtual session on barriers to career success for high achievers in corporate environments, and we covered many topics, including mid-year career reviews.

These reviews often induce anxiety and discomfort for many people due to factors like fear of uncertainty, communication and relationship dynamics, psychological and emotional stress, among other things.

Networking - a word that conjures different images for each of us. For some, it's a finely tuned professional necessity, a skill they've mastered over time. For others, it might evoke memories of those slightly awkward interactions at Happy Hour.

But for me, networking transcends the mere exchange of business cards. It's a gateway to uncharted realms, a bridge to connect with diverse universes waiting to be explored.

My key takeaway from the session underscores the significance of owning your personal brand to propel career success. It's about consistently communicating your brand, whether in interactions with peers, during team meetings, or with mentors and stakeholders. By actively sharing your knowledge and expertise in both internal and external forums, you not only showcase your capabilities but also open doors for career advancement. This broader visibility allows others to understand your skill set beyond day-to-day operations, fostering reliability and trust.

Happy International Women’s Day! 🥳💫

Among the many inspiring women, Martha Dali Mghendi-Fisher, a social entrepreneur from Taita, Kenya, stood out. Leading the European Women Payments Network, she exudes empowerment and innovation, embodying the soul of our industry. Equally impressive is Swati Bhargava, from Ambala, India, who has forged her path as the co-founder of Cash-pro, India’s premier Cashback & Coupons app. And let’s not forget trailblazers like Alicia Vivanco, a Peruvian entrepreneur and co-founder of Holos, a Mexican startup pioneering immersive training experiences for businesses through virtual and augmented reality technologies. Their stories underscore the transformative power of women in shaping our future.

What does it mean to truly embody courage in the workplace?

A few days ago, I attended a networking event with industry colleagues where this question permeated the air. Showing up with courage can be challenging when navigating the complexities of professional environments. As we shared our experiences, it became evident that courage is a necessity.

I am honored and excited to share that I've been nominated for the Rising Star Award for Women in Payments!

As I look back on four transformative years in the Payments industry, the last three have been dedicated to JPMorgan— a journey that has been nothing short of challenging, rewarding, and defining. This nomination goes beyond mere acknowledgment; it serves as a testament to the exceptional people who surround me.

Unpopular opinion - You should not bring your whole self to work.

In today's ever-evolving workplace, the concept of bringing your "whole self" to work is a matter of ongoing debate. The idea of bringing your whole self to work suggests that you should embrace your "authentic" self, acknowledging the full spectrum of your personality. This means bringing your interests, hopes, dreams, and fears with you, even if they don't seem directly relevant to your work. But what does this concept truly entail, and does it result in a more productive and inclusive work environment? The answer, it turns out, is far from straightforward.

This year, I've had the privilege of moderating several panels at conferences, and I often receive questions about the best practices for effective panel moderation. Here's a quick guide on how to prepare for successful panel moderation:

Throughout my professional journey, I've encountered numerous individuals who hesitate to voice their ideas. I completely understand this, as I, too, grew up in an environment where expressing one's thoughts wasn't always encouraged.

This initially posed a challenge when it came to articulating myself in professional settings, a crucial skill to develop if you aspire to advance in your career. Nevertheless, with consistent practice (and by that, I mean a whole lot of practice), you can acquire the ability to confidently speak up and transcend the discomfort that may be holding you back, thereby unlocking your full potential.

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a conference and explore the vibrant city of #Atlanta! Working for a global company has allowed me to build a network that spans regions, countries, and industries. Networking is a cornerstone of my professional journey, and when I travel to a new city for work or a conference, I'm all about maximizing my time and connections.

Attending conferences has a unique way of igniting and inspiring, and the PayTech Women Leadership Summit was no exception! Through impactful programming, I had the privilege of interacting with and learning from exceptional women in the Payments/Fintech industry. This experience has provided me with invaluable insights that I'm enthusiastic to share with you.

My biggest takeaway from the event is the importance of having the audacity to both do and be! Additionally, as leaders, we must be deliberate in our efforts to support other women, whether through mentorship, allyship, or sponsorship.