In this episode, we sit down with Frances Zelazny, a trailblazer in the biometrics and fraud prevention space. Frances shares insights into her unique journey, shaped by her mixed cultural background, and how it led her to create innovative solutions for one of the world’s biggest challenges: fraud. From her early career in foreign policy to discovering the potential of biometrics, Frances talks about how her experiences shaped her mission to protect personal data in an increasingly digital world. Join us as we explore the intersection of identity, technology, and fraud prevention, and how we can build a safer, more secure future.

In this very special episode of Humans of Fintech, we’re taking you live to an unforgettable evening: the book launch party for FinTech Feminist in New York City. With 100 of the most dynamic leaders in fintech gathered to celebrate, the energy was electric. But here’s the twist—this time, the mic wasn’t in my hands.

Our guest interviewer? The one and only Amy Nauiokas, Founder & CEO of Anthemis and a visionary force in fintech investing. Known for her fearless commitment to inclusive innovation, Amy turns the tables and dives into the stories behind the book, explores the future of fintech, and uncovers what it really takes to thrive in this ever-evolving industry.

Get ready for a candid, inspiring conversation full of community spirit, personal reflections, and bold ideas. Let’s dive in!

In this episode, we're bringing the heat with Tori Dunlap, powerhouse founder of Her First $100K and advocate for women's financial independence. Tori’s on a mission to smash the glass ceiling of money myths and help women claim their financial power. She gets real about her journey, her upbringing, and her path from breaking into the financial world to empowering women everywhere to take control of their wealth.

Expect insights on breaking down barriers, owning your financial story, and why Tori believes financial freedom is the greatest form of protest. Get ready for some serious inspiration—let’s dive in!

Note: This interview was recorded in January 2024.

In this episode, we’re bringing some serious fire with none other than Sallie Krawcheck—the OG queen of fintech and Founder & CEO of Ellevest. She’s out here breaking down barriers, building empires, and proving that women can—and will—run the financial world. We get real about money, leadership, and what it really takes to flip the script in an industry built by men, for men. Sallie drops gems on leveling up, owning your power, and why the future of finance is female.

Get ready to feel inspired and maybe a little savage. Let’s dive in.

Student loan debt is a major issue in the United States, affecting millions of Americans. Nicole sits down with Laurel Taylor, CEO and Founder of Candidly, to discuss how her company is using technology to empower individuals and help them navigate the complexities of student loan repayment.

Laurel shares her personal journey and the challenges she faced in bringing her idea to life. She explains how Candidly uses AI to go beyond simple debt by helping users achieve financial wellness. On track to deliver nearly a billion dollars in student loan debt savings, Candidly is one of the foremost fintech solutions for absolving a financial crisis so many face.

Plus, Nicole and Laurel also discuss the broader implications of student debt on the economy and how technology is ultimately a force for sustainable, positive change.

00:00:02 - Navigating the World of Human Fintech

00:02:47 - The Growing Crisis of Student Debt in America

00:09:57 - How Candidly Helps Americans Manage Student Debt

00:15:34 - Overcoming Rejection: Turning Laughter into Success

00:22:36 - Human Touch: Managing Student Debt

00:28:05 - Secure Act and Student Loan Payments

00:35:10 - Staying Positive Through Uncertainty and Student Debt

00:40:16 - Enlightened Capitalism: Purpose and Profit in Fintech

Learn More About Candidly:

Website: https://getcandidly.com

Follow Laurel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ltmit/

Follow Nicole:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nicole-casperson-0820a5133/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolecasperson

And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintech

Thank you so much!

In this episode, Nicole sits down with Nina Mohanty, the founder of Bloom Money, a platform that provides financial options for immigrants. Nina shares her personal experience as a first-generation immigrant and discusses the importance of diversity in the fintech industry.

She also chats with Nicole about the need for financial inclusion and explains how Bloom Money is working to serve distinct communities better, reflecting on her own upbringing and how it shaped her mindset towards money.

00:01:24 - A Multicultural Upbringing in Silicon Valley

00:06:06 - The Immigrant Experience: Challenges and Privilege

00:12:24 - The Influence of Parents on Money Mindset

00:21:32 - Building Wealth for Immigrants: Bloom

00:27:34 - Fintech Company Helps Immigrants Financially

00:31:05 - The Unexpected Journey of a Founder Obsessed with Financial Inclusion

00:33:59 - The Importance of Diversity in Fintech

00:38:42 - Enjoying a Meal Together

Follow Nina:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninamohanty/

Follow Nicole:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nicole-casperson-0820a5133/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolecasperson

And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintech

Thank you so much!

You can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/

And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech Insider

Meet fintech’s most influential women in the industry. Sasha Pilch, Principal at Fin Capital, Emma Zhang, Founder and CEO of Pactfi, and Kathryn Petralia, Co-Founder of Keep Financial, join Nicole live from Money 20/20 to discuss the importance of female representation and empowerment in fintech.

With women making up less than 30% of the fintech workforce and only 8% holding leadership roles, something needs to change. These inspiring women share their experiences and insights on how to break through the barriers and create a more inclusive industry.

From the importance of storytelling and confidence to the need for more female VCs and founders, this roundtable discussion covers it all, touching on the power of male allies and sponsors in supporting women in fintech.

Join us for this candid and insightful conversation as we celebrate the achievements of women in fintech and pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive future.

00:01:40 - The Importance of Female Leadership in Fintech

00:04:36 - From Investment to Fintech Success

00:08:14 - Increasing Female Representation in Fintech

00:14:21 - Leveraging Storytelling: Strength of Female Fintech Entrepreneur

00:19:27 - The Contrarian Approach to Entrepreneurship

00:22:44 - Strategies for Women in VC Funding

00:23:51 - Overcoming Biases: Women Founders and Funding

00:29:09 - Empowering Women to Build Big Ideas

00:36:01 - Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Sales

00:41:54 - The Power of Male Allies in Creating Change

00:44:29 - Fintech's Potential to Change Lives

Follow Sasha:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-pilch/

Follow Emma:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-zhang-57035a33/

Follow Kathryn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynpetralia/

Follow Nicole:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nicole-casperson-0820a5133/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolecasperson

And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintech

Thank you so much!

You can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/

And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech Insider

Trust is a crucial element in the fintech industry, and Anaid Chacon, SVP of Product Development at Argyle, knows just how important it is to establish trust with customers.

In this episode, she and Nicole discuss the challenges of building trust in fintech and how incorporating behavioral finance elements into Argyle's product helps to create a more trustworthy experience for its users.

Anaid also shares her personal journey with fintech and the importance of authenticity and diversity in the fintech space. And later, she divulges why women should stop worrying about knowing everything before diving headfirst into the fintech industry.

00:00:49 – Anaid’s Story with the Fintech Industry

00:05:01 - Establishing Trust in Fintech Companies

00:08:21 - Argyle: Bringing Trust to Financial Data Access

00:12:12 - The Importance of Emotion in Fintech

00:15:06 - Incorporating Behavioral Finance into Product

00:24:04 - Navigating the Journey of Leadership

00:31:36 - How Confidence Transforms Personal Presentation

00:32:49 - Authenticity and Diversity in Fintech

00:37:21 - Bringing Transparency and Trust to Fintech

Follow Anaid:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anaid-chacon/

Follow Nicole:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nicole-casperson-0820a5133/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolecasperson

And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintech

Thank you so much!

You can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/

And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech Insider