Girls in Finance

From Product to Fintech: Scaling Innovation with Ann Olinger In this episode of?Girls in Finance, we sit down with?Ann Olinger, a fintech leader who transitioned from product operations and marketing to finance, scaling a SaaS product from $500K to over $110M ARR. Ann shares insights on breaking into fintech, navigating leadership as a woman in finance, and the evolving landscape of embedded finance and AI-driven innovation. Tune in for valuable lessons on scaling products, driving financial innovation, and seizing opportunities in fintech. Don’t forget to follow us for more inspiring conversations! Thank you so much, Ann, for coming on our podcast! Rss Podcast: https://lnkd.in/g9t575Gc Spotify Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gysVQcES

Breaking Barriers: Lilian Ejila ACA on Leadership, Inclusion, and Thriving in Finance In this episode of?Girls in Finance, we are joined by Lilian Ejila, Finance Manager at Brails, who shares her journey and invaluable insights into thriving in the financial industry. Lilian discusses the tools and resources that help her stay ahead in a fast-paced industry, including podcasts, newsletters, LinkedIn communities, and internal team collaboration. She emphasizes the importance of fostering inclusive environments for women in finance and offers advice for leaders looking to mentor the next generation of professionals. With reflections on overcoming obstacles, evolving definitions of success, and leading through challenges, Lilian’s story is both inspiring and empowering for anyone aspiring to make an impact in finance. Thank you so much, Lilian, for coming on our podcast! Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gTvs_UWY Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gG3CKxqh

Navigating Hong Kong's Finance Law: Insights with Lily Miao 苗蕾 In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Lily Miao, a Partner in the Corporate Finance department of Appleby's Hong Kong office. With years of experience in advising international financial institutions and corporations, she brings a wealth of knowledge from across the legal and financial sectors. She takes us through her journey from her educational background to the unique experiences that inspired her to enter the legal field and ultimately specialize in finance law. Her story is one of resilience and adaptability, navigating a complex landscape of financial regulations and industry shifts that demand both legal acumen and a deep understanding of global finance. As a partner at her firm, Lily shares invaluable insights into managing a large client portfolio while fostering long-term relationships with international clients who rely on her expertise. Beyond her professional achievements, she discusses the realities of being a woman in a predominantly male industry, offering candid reflections on handling microaggressions and imbalances and providing guidance for young women aspiring to enter the legal field. Thank you so much Lily for coming on our podcast! RSS.com: https://lnkd.in/gyQsFHkK Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gEmzzXVE Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/g6ZNtJRH

Career Compass: Wassia Kamon’s Guide To Finance In this episode, we talk with Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA, a seasoned CFO with extensive experience in corporate finance and FP&A. We explore what inspired her to pursue a career in finance and why she chose to work at a not-for-profit like Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) to support entrepreneurial growth. Wassia opens up about how she’s tackled challenges throughout her leadership journey and shares valuable advice for young women aspiring to leadership roles in finance. We also discuss the key strategies she recommends for building resilience and thriving during times of change, drawing from her session "Navigating Change and Uncertainty with Confidence" at Wharton Online. Wassia provides practical tips for students interested in starting a career in corporate finance and talks about the values that guide her approach to leadership and decision-making. She shares candid insights about her experiences as a woman in finance, including lessons learned and challenges faced along the way. Tune in for actionable insights on corporate finance, resilient leadership, and inspiration from Wassia’s experiences and professional journey. Episode Links: RSS.com: https://lnkd.in/gdY_8HpU Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gu_Qx_7D Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/g76shk2V Thank you so much Wassia once again for coming on the podcast!

Youngest CFO in Hawaii to CEO of Accumulus | Stacey Katakura, CPA In this episode of Girls in Finance, we talk with Stacey Katakura, CEO of Accumulus. Stacey shares her personal journey, discussing how her background and education shaped her career and what inspired her to transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. She provides insight into Accumulus’s mission and her leadership role within the company, reflecting on the challenges and strategies that contributed to her early success. Stacey also offers valuable advice for high school and college students aspiring to enter the accounting and finance industries, emphasizing the importance of developing soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. She opens up about her experiences as a woman in accounting, areas where the field still needs improvement, and how inclusivity in the accounting industry has evolved. Thank you so much once again Stacey Katakura, CPA for coming on our podcast! Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gZpTM-Kr RSS: https://lnkd.in/gAHX-xMb Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gztxbgQ4

Episode 14: The Hidden World of Private Family Offices | Imade Iyamu In this episode of Girls in Finance, we had the opportunity to converse with Imade Iyamu, who shared her journey from law to business, now working at Goldman Sachs’ Private Family Office Imade shared how her role integrates both fields, offering comprehensive wealth management, tax planning, and generational wealth strategies for high-net-worth clients. She also gave us an inside look at her day-to-day responsibilities and highlighted emerging opportunities in finance that extend beyond traditional investment banking and consulting. Imade emphasized the key skills essential for success in wealth management, particularly the importance of building strong client relationships and mastering technical expertise. Reflecting on her journey as a woman in a male-dominated industry, she spoke about the challenges she faced and how mentorship and confidence have been pivotal in navigating her career.? Tune in to hear valuable insights from her inspiring and multifaceted career! Thank you so much once again Imade for coming on our podcast! RSS: https://lnkd.in/gnjACAra Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gGpT-MJ9 Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gqSdnG96

Why having soft skills is essential in the financial industry? Renuka Bhadran IFIC, RFRA, CIFP In this episode, we’ll be speaking with Renuka, a Small Business Advisor at Scotiabank, about her diverse career journey from RBC's contact center to her current role. We’ll explore the rewards of being a Small Business Advisor, the motivation behind her career transitions, and how each role has prepared her for the next step. Renuka will share insights on building strong client relationships, her passion for mentorship and women in leadership, and offer advice for aspiring young women in finance. She’ll discuss the challenges she’s faced in the banking industry, especially as a South Asian woman, and share insights regarding the differences between retail and corporate banking.? Thank you so much Renuka for coming on the podcast! RSS: https://lnkd.in/g8czJWzf Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gmYrUCUS Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gFJUigWx

Episode 12: Why Community Matters for Women in Finance with Theodora Lau In this episode of Girls in Finance, we interview Theo, founder of Unconventional Ventures, a company that connects founders with funders to drive innovation in the banking industry, to uncover how taking risks and pursuing diverse career paths can lead to unexpected and rewarding opportunities in FinTech. Theo shares how she navigated the transition across industries, the personal challenges she faced, and how she discovered her passion for reshaping finance. We also dive into the accessibility of FinTech for women, with Theo offering candid insights on the barriers and the exciting opportunities within this rapidly evolving field. We explore how Theo’s global perspective, shaped by her experiences in markets from Hong Kong and Japan to the U.S., provides her with unique insights into the slow pace of change in the American finance industry. Thank you so much Theo for coming on our podcast! Podcast link: https://lnkd.in/gSWZE3JR Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gF6g9Z_h Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gVCTxg5c

Episode 11: Transitioning From Corporate to Coaching｜Lisa M. Ong, PCC, CPA In this episode of Girls in Finance, we sit down with Lisa M. Ong, President & Founder of Wishing Out Loud LLC and a seasoned professional with extensive experience at PwC. Lisa shares her journey through the world of auditing, demystifying what it entails and highlighting its critical role in the corporate landscape. We also explore Lisa's current venture, Wishing Out Loud, where she brings her passion to life as a business owner and executive coach regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She discusses the inspiration behind starting her own business and offers advice to teenagers who are considering careers in the corporate world. Thank you so much Lisa for coming on our podcast! Links to the podcast: RSS.com: https://lnkd.in/gvG3vVbN Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gXDf3cWu Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gyQbarMe

Episode 10: Is an MBA worth it? | Christina Linda Chan, M.Arch, MBA In this episode of Girls in Finance, we interviewed Christina Linda Chan, an accomplished architect with a diverse career spanning an MBA, business ventures, and entrepreneurship. Christina shares her inspiration for pursuing an MBA and how workplace politics played a role in her decision, highlighting how her academic background has contributed to her business success. She discusses her entrepreneurial journey, detailing how her MBA and architecture experience have synergized to shape her business approach and financial management. Christina offers practical advice on managing personal finances and provides essential tips for young entrepreneurs aiming to build a solid financial foundation. Additionally, she addresses financial strategies for women in long-term relationships, exploring the advantages of shared versus individual accounts for maintaining financial independence. Thank you so much Christina for coming on our podcast! Listen to the episode here RSS: https://lnkd.in/gVsnxpFZ Spotify: https://lnkd.in/g2KVPHtF Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gvEdh2JU Here is our website: https://lnkd.in/ejbcYMFz