Fintech, AI And What ‘Inspires Inclusion’

In celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day theme: Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress, we speak to two female fintech and AI leaders, Jeremy Lapiz, Consultant, Bloom Consulting, and Uridah Sami Ahmed, AI Lead at SpendConsole. They discuss their career journeys in tech and what diversity and inclusion mean to them in their vastly under-represented industry.

Career challenges and opportunities in fintech and AI

“I initially started my career in engineering, which was also an industry dominated by men, then transitioned to IT. I’m used to being the lone female in the room, trying to show that I can contribute, regardless of gender,” Jeremy says.

“Sometimes, you’ll encounter intimidating situations but let this push you to work harder and strive to be better in your career, representing all the females that are thriving in the IT industry as well.”

Jeremy says she is grateful for the fellow women in tech who helped her both when she was starting out until now as she continues to progress her career.

“You’ll meet successful women throughout your journey in this industry, take inspiration from them, don’t stop learning, and enjoy this thrilling career. “You got this girl!” – This is what I always say to my colleagues,” she adds.

Uridah has been in the tech industry since September 2015. She initially started as a QA Engineer and eventually, transitioned into Machine Learning and AI.

“Over the years, I’ve progressed from a Software Engineer to a Senior Software Engineer and currently hold the position of AI Lead at SpendConsole,” she says. “I’ve had the privilege of working with supportive individuals both personally and professionally, which has allowed me to successfully balance my role as a tech professional and a mom to two wonderful kids.”

While Uridah is grateful that she hasn’t faced significant stereotyping, she says there have been moments when societal expectations and gender roles have presented challenges.

“However, I’ve been fortunate to overcome these hurdles with determination and by surrounding myself with motivating individuals,” she explains. “It’s essential to acknowledge that, as a woman in tech, there can be unfair expectations, but my positive experiences and accomplishments demonstrate that dedication and skills can break through any preconceived notions.”

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Create a supportive network and rise up together

Jeremy’s word of advice is to take every problem, blocker and bug as an opportunity to continuously upskill and prove to everyone what you’ve got.

“Once you have established yourself, pay it forward. Help and encourage other fellow women to build their confidence and eventually help increase the number of women in the tech landscape,” she explains.

“I want to encourage aspiring female talent to embrace the opportunities within the tech landscape. Don’t let the gender gap demotivate you. Instead, view it as a challenge to overcome. Dedicate yourself to continuous learning and the expansion of your technical skills and knowledge. It will make you a valuable asset to any team. Connect with other women in tech, fostering both online and offline relationships,” Uridah adds.

“Building a supportive network can be incredibly invaluable in navigating the challenges and celebrating successes together. Remember, never hesitate to speak up for yourself and your ideas – your unique perspective and contributions are vital in shaping the future of technology.”

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Fostering inclusivity and diversity in fintech and AI

In order to foster inclusivity, Jeremy advises developing a culture of openness where everyone can be heard, acknowledged, and recognized. This can improve the trust of the employees not only to their team, but to the leadership and the company.

“It is also important to align the culture to the company’s values. I am proud to say that Bloom Consulting has been consistent in maintaining a work environment aligned to our values, and in translating these values to the work that we deliver to our clients as well,” Jeremy explains.

Uridah’s final word of advice is that organizations can foster a culture of diversity by implementing inclusive hiring practices, providing education on diversity and inclusion, and promoting diverse leadership representation.

“Embracing flexible work policies, supporting mentorship programs, and ensuring equal opportunities for development contribute to a dynamic and innovative workplace where diverse perspectives drive progress,” she concludes.

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