This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the resilience, ambition, and leadership of women in our industry. The theme, “Accelerate Action,” challenges us to push beyond conversation and drive real, lasting change. Women across Financeit have shared their experiences—the challenges they’ve faced, the lessons they’ve learned, and the advice they’d give to others navigating their careers. From overcoming self-doubt and advocating for their expertise to building networks and driving inclusion, their stories highlight the power of taking action. As we reflect on their insights, one message stands out: progress happens when we show up, speak up, and support each other in shaping the future of finance.
Desiree Lashley
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Can you share a challenge you’ve faced as a woman in your field and how you overcame it? I’ll start with the challenge because it informs the advice I would give to women in this industry. One major challenge has been feeling like I had to prove myself more than my peers—whether in meetings, negotiations, or leadership discussions. There were moments when I held back from speaking up, fearing I wasn’t “qualified enough.” How I overcame it: • Reframing self-doubt by treating imposter syndrome as a sign of growth rather than a weakness. If I felt out of my depth, it meant I was pushing my boundaries. • Seeking out allies to build a network of supportive colleagues who championed my work and provided constructive feedback. • Speaking up early and often. Instead of waiting until I had the “perfect” answer, I made a point to contribute in meetings. Over time, my confidence grew, and so did others’ recognition of my expertise.What advice would you give to women looking to grow their careers in our industry? • Own your expertise: Imposter syndrome is common, but remember—you are in your role for a reason. Speak with confidence, even if you have to fake it at first. • Find mentors and sponsors: A mentor provides guidance, but a sponsor actively advocates for you in rooms where decisions are made. Seek both. • Build your network: This industry can feel like a “boys’ club,” so create your own club. Join women-led finance groups, attend industry events, and form strong alliances. • Negotiate unapologetically: Whether it’s your salary or a promotion—know your worth, ask for it, and settle for nothing less. • Keep learning: Financial services evolve quickly, so stay ahead by continuously upskilling and keeping an eye on industry trends. Ask your network what they observe in the industry as well.What does this year’s IWD theme, “Accelerate Action,” mean to you, and how do you see it reflected in your work? “Accelerate Action” is about moving beyond performative gestures and driving real, measurable progress. In my work, that means pushing for more women in leadership, encouraging bold career moves (including my own), and using my position to mentor, sponsor, and uplift other women in the industry—so we’re not just participating but shaping the future of finance. |
Cristina Martins
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What advice would you give to women looking to grow their careers in our industry? My advice is to venture outside your comfort zone and never give up!Can you share a challenge you’ve faced as a woman in your field and how you overcame it? I used to be scared to speak up, share my opinion, or ask questions. Learning to respectfully not care so much about being judged or what people think has brought me confidence.What does this year’s IWD theme, “Accelerate Action,” mean to you, and how do you see it reflected in your work? This year’s theme emphasizes increasing momentum to address systemic barriers and biases women face, both personally and professionally. It’s about implementing effective strategies, allocating resources, and engaging in activities that positively impact women’s advancement. |
Lori Platek
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What advice would you give to women looking to grow their careers in our industry? Take charge of your career by seeking out growth opportunities and openly communicating your goals with your manager to create a plan for achieving them. Build your network and surround yourself with people who can provide advice, coaching, and support. Don’t be shy about celebrating your accomplishments!Can you share a challenge you’ve faced as a woman in your field and how you overcame it? There have been times when I was the only woman in the room—and sometimes the most junior. It can be intimidating, but I remind myself: I’ve earned my seat at the table and my voice matters.What does this year’s IWD theme, “Accelerate Action,” mean to you, and how do you see it reflected in your work? Significant progress has been made, but we need to keep pushing forward. Statistics show that gender parity won’t be achieved until 2158! We can accelerate progress by supporting women through leadership development, raising awareness of unconscious biases, providing mentorship and coaching, and fostering an inclusive workplace. |
Darya Ilyenko
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What advice would you give to women looking to grow their careers in our industry? Networking—especially with other women—can significantly help grow your career, whether in FinTech or another professional field. There are now numerous women’s networking organizations that bring together women from various communities, making it easier than ever to find like-minded mentors or peers for mutual support. If there are membership fees involved, don’t hesitate to ask your manager if your company would cover them. You are in charge of your growth, and you should be unapologetic about making the connections that will help guide you. Can you share a challenge you’ve faced as a woman in your field and how you overcame it? HR is a female-dominated field, yet I’ve encountered preconceived notions that extend to HR professionals by association. People often assume that, as an HR professional and a woman, I would be less decisive or less practical in my recommendations. Once people get to know me, this myth is quickly dispelled—but having to prove myself repeatedly can be exhausting. Over time, I’ve learned to assert my approach early so I can move past these assumptions and focus on the real challenges at hand. What does this year’s IWD theme, “Accelerate Action,” mean to you, and how do you see it reflected in your work? As an HR leader, I feel a huge responsibility to take action that elevates women and creates opportunities for advancement. While I’ve been fortunate to work with leaders who don’t allow conscious gender biases, unconscious bias can still creep in. I’m in a position to challenge, question, and intercept decisions that may have unintended consequences—and I take that responsibility seriously. |
Laura Cooney
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What advice would you give to women looking to grow their careers in our industry? The financial world is always evolving. The best advice I ever received was from a leader who told me, “Just ask questions and stay curious.” I still live by that. Staying aware of market trends, regulations, and new technologies is crucial. That means continuous learning. Luckily, Financeit makes it easy—we have weekly product emails, learning and development updates, and an industry news Slack channel. Jump in and be part of it all!Can you share a challenge you’ve faced as a woman in your field and how you overcame it? During a large-scale launch with a major bank, I was tasked with representing our organization’s interests in a group of about fifteen people. It was a pivotal moment—my first big challenge in understanding the importance of asserting my voice and speaking with confidence. By actively contributing, I ensured our project’s requirements were met and also began to establish myself as a reliable, knowledgeable partner. That experience taught me that being a strong advocate builds influence and paves the way for future collaboration. Now, I always encourage team members to speak up—it impacts both personal growth and team success. What does this year’s IWD theme, “Accelerate Action,” mean to you, and how do you see it reflected in your work? To me, “Accelerate Action” is about having a proactive mindset. When it comes to professional development, it’s recognizing that your growth isn’t solely the responsibility of others—you have to be an active participant. That means crafting a clear plan, advocating for your needs, and taking initiative. In my work, this theme is reflected daily. My role is to drive action and execution, ensuring momentum and forward progress. It’s not about waiting for things to happen—it’s about anticipating needs, removing roadblocks, and consistently pushing initiatives forward. |