Girls in Finance

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 subscribe and follow us for more inspiring conversations!

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.

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. Listeners will hear firsthand about the challenges she faces in balancing legal practice with leadership responsibilities, as well as her strategies for maintaining composure and clarity amidst the daily unpredictabilities of her role. Beyond her professional achievements, she discusses the realities of being a woman in a predominantly male industry, offering candid reflections on handling micro-aggressions and imbalances and providing guidance for young women aspiring to enter the legal field. This episode offers a unique perspective into the life of a top finance lawyer and the evolving opportunities and challenges within Hong Kong’s finance and corporate services sector.

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.

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.

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!

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.

In this episode of Girls in Finance, we interview Theodora Lau, 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.Whether you’re looking to carve your own path in a male-dominated field, explore unconventional career routes, or get ahead of the curve in the future of FinTech, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration just for you!

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.

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.

In this episode of Girls in Finance, we welcome Julie Muhn, a senior research analyst at Finovate. Julie delves into the unique aspects of Finovate, emphasizing its focus on innovation and industry collaboration. She breaks down complex fintech concepts like blockchain, cryptocurrency, and decentralized finance (DeFi), illustrating their transformative potential in the financial sector. Julie also addresses the challenges faced by legacy banks still running on outdated COBOL systems, highlighting the slow-paced industry. She discusses real-world applications of fintech innovations, such as improving financial inclusion and streamlining banking operations.

In this episode of Girls in Finance, we are joined by Eugenia Malamud, the Board Chair of CIMA Canada and FX and Commodity Valuations professional at BMO Financial Group, who shares her insightful journey in the financial industry. We discuss what CIMA is, how it impacts her day-to-day responsibilities at BMO Financial Group, and why she decided to pursue being a Board Chair. Through discussing the vital role of mentorship in Eugenia’s life, we talked about how young professionals can seek and approach mentors in the finance industry.

In this episode, Veena Venkatraman dives into her journey to becoming the Vice President Credit Advisory at RBCx (Royal Bank of Canada's Technological and Innovation Banking arm). Veena delves into her passion for banking, discussing what initially drew her to the industry and what keeps her motivated. She also emphasized on the importance of networking, sharing strategies young women can use to build strong professional networks. Additionally, Veena debunks the common negative stereotypes about the finance industry, offering her perspective on why these perceptions persist and how they can be challenged.

In today's episode, CPA entrepreneur and podcast host Erica Goode shares her insightful background in corporate finance at Walgreens. Erica explained what Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) is and how it was conducted during her time at Walgreens, providing a detailed look at the inner workings of corporate finance. She delved into the pros and cons of the field, offering a balanced perspective based on her experiences. Additionally, Erica elaborated on her current lifestyle, highlighting her ability to maintain a 15-hour workweek now that she owns her own CPA practice.

In today's episode, we are thrilled to host Keren Stephen, a distinguished CFO, consultant, and board advisor at a leading Restructure and Turnaround Consultancy, as well as a member of the AICPA Board of Directors and member of the council at CIMA.With a wealth of experience spanning multiple industries, Keren shares captivating stories from her dynamic career journey. She delves into how a solid foundation in accounting and tech proficiency propelled her success. Curious about which degrees can offer the most career flexibility? Eager to understand the nuances between finance and accounting? Join us for an enlightening conversation packed with valuable insights and professional wisdom. Tune in today to learn more!

In this episode regarding accounting, we talked with Lexy Kessler, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader for Aprio. We discussed the level of inclusivity in this field, how accounting gave Lexy financial freedom, and how teenagers can seek mentorship. Listen to learn more!

Our guest speaker for this episode is Lisa Simpson, the Vice President of the AICPA. Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, providing unique perspectives to accounting that you may have not thought of before. Throughout the interview, Lisa shared insights into the changes of accounting, discussing how the profession has adapted to embrace digital technologies and data analytics. We also explored practical tips for managing personal finances, including budgeting, saving, and investing wisely for the future for Gen Z.

Curious about Bitcoin and its potential? Well, in this episode, Caitlynn, the CEO of Eldridge CPA LLC, shares some interesting insights into the topic.

For our second episode, we interviewed Caitlynn Eldridge, the CEO of Eldridge CPA LLC. We discussed the different ways teenagers can handle their finances and start considering the financial implications of selecting a college right for them. Wondering what it takes to be a personal accountant and the lifestyle they have? How will this career change with the emergence of new technology? Learn more by listening today!

Welcome to the Girls in Finance Podcast! For our first episode, we interviewed Trisha Nomura, the owner of Ascend Consulting LLC located in Hawaii. Through our interview, we were able to discuss her career ventures with accounting, HR, and most importantly tips/lessons she has for the younger generation interested in finance.We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to discuss with Trisha. We hope you enjoy this insightful interview and can take some great takeaways from it.