Celebrating Women's History Month

Women’s History Month was an incredibly inspiring period at Affirm. While our Women@Affirm employee resource group provides programming and education all year long, the last few weeks have been filled with stories and content that highlight inspiring and trailblazing women. This led me to spend time reflecting on the women in my life who have been particularly impactful, and to ask the same question to several of our senior female leaders at Affirm: Who has been profoundly influential in shaping who you are today?

The woman who often comes to my mind is my maternal grandmother. I could (and one day hope to!) write a book about her exploits, and the many amazing things she taught me. She shared some seriously direct lessons on life with me, even when I was a little kid. As a person of extremely high integrity (occasionally to her own detriment!), my grandmother helped shape my views on morality, and its importance in everything I do, personally and professionally. The very core of Affirm is our commitment to integrity, something she instilled in me decades ago.

She also had a wicked sense of humor, and could be full of good-natured mischief, but also a source of constant support for me as I was growing up. One of the things I heard her say quite often was “Get past ‘I can’t do this.’" – a Russian version of “toughen up already!”

Basically, imagine a 5’2” Russian-speaking Yoda of a lady with henna-dyed hair, with a couple of advanced degrees in Astrophysics, and you get the gist. More grit! – that was her answer to just about every life trouble, and it’s the greatest bit of inspiration she gave me. It’s a lesson that I bring into work and life each day and one that will stand the test of time.

Here’s who has inspired some of Affirm’s women leaders:

Siphelele Jiyane, Controller

Who has been your biggest role model?

Mike Byrne. I worked with Mike for 3 years at PwC Channel Islands (UK). At the time he was a director, he is now a Partner. Mike taught me most of what I know in the world of structured financial products and securitization. Our work covered special purpose vehicles originated by major banks in mortgage receivables, credit cards receivables, commercial papers.

What did he do that made him so impactful?

If I were to summarize, there are three things that stand out:

1. He had expert knowledge on how deals are structured and the risks that come with those structures. Mike was able to zoom in from 30,000 ft into the details of a deal at hand, understand what is at stake, and navigate how to address those risks.
2. He was a great teacher/coach. He didn’t just dish out answers or instructions but rather spent time teaching. His teaching style was impactful in that he would quiz you and train you to look for certain things that could lead you to an answer. He created a friendly environment for me to learn complex processes and methodologies and become an expert. I was, in turn, able to pass on everything I have learned to the junior members of my teams.
3. He cared about his clients and at all times put himself in the shoes of the client. He was also humble in that there was no work that was too low or junior for him if he needed to roll the sleeves and help out he would do just that, but he would also not miss an opportunity to coach/critique on what could be done better next time.

What lessons did they teach you that you take into work every day?

I’m able to solve complex problems in the world of structured finance with ease every day because of the many lessons that I learned from Mike.

• Working hard and being humble:I work hard in supporting all teams at Affirm as we navigate the fintech world. My position enables teams in making decisions that impact our financial statements. I’m providing input both from business and accounting perspective.
• Understanding the basics: If I don't understand the basics then I cannot solve the bigger picture problems facing our company. I coach my teams to be able to explain the work we do in layperson’s terms. If they can't explain it like this then they don't understand it well enough themselves. This is incredibly useful in discussions with engineering or product teams to help them understand accounting and business issues, or when I interview candidates. I am always assessing whether they can explain a complex role or project in a simple, understandable way.
• Solving complex problems: No matter what the issue is, I am always confident that even if I do not have the answer right now, I will be able to unpack the issue through research and understand how the issue arose.
• Humility: I believe that with hard work and a willingness to ask for help, everyone is capable of becoming what they dream to be. In all my relationships and interactions at work, I strive to help and serve the next person to achieve their goals. I put myself in their shoes and offer a helping hand.

Overall, Mike was not only interested in what I had to deliver for him, but his humility towards me went a long way.

Julia Edwards, Senior Software Engineer

Who was/is your biggest role model?

One of my biggest role models is my incredible grandmother, Amma.

What did they do that made them so impactful?

Amma has lived a life full of adventure and I grew up hearing many of her stories. Like how she helped take over a warehouse owned by Harvard University on International Women’s Day in 1971 (to convert it into the Cambridge Women’s Center) and about the women’s group she started in her town to support her fellow women through serious issues like domestic violence. Also, how she met her partner, Kali–my second grandmother–while living in a communal house in Essex, MA in 1980.

Growing up with Amma’s stories has shown me what it looks like to be a confident, independent woman with plenty of love for herself and those around her. Between the example that Amma has set and her outpouring of love and support for me growing up, we have formed a connection with one another that is unparalleled.

What lessons did they teach you that you take into work every day?

Amma has taught me to believe in myself and lead with my heart. As a child I was very stubborn (or, as Sheryl Sandberg might say, I exhibited “executive leadership skills”). Amma loved these traits in me and fostered them while setting appropriate boundaries. Memories of this include the time I was not allowed to go to the Children’s Museum in Boston because I refused to eat anything other than pickles for breakfast. There was the time when Kali woke up to find me already hard at work at the kitchen table, cutting up cardboard and taping it back together again to make a “ ‘puter” (computer). Without looking up, I said, “Kali, I need string” for the mouse.

Because Amma encouraged these traits in me at a young age rather than criticizing them, my confidence grew throughout childhood and into adulthood. Today, in a profession where imposter syndrome is a very real challenge, this confidence has been a lifeboat. It can be difficult to ask seemingly “dumb” questions in front of a group or to own up to a gap in my skill set. But, in large part due to Amma, I recognize that being vulnerable for the sake of growth is a trade-off often worth making, and I feel empowered to make that trade.

Who was your biggest role model and how did they help shape who you are at work?