FinTech's DEI Discussions – Powered by Harrington Starr

What does it really mean to build a fair workplace? In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions , Nadia  is joined by Rosie Crowley , Director of Transformation, and Rajni Rughwani , Lead Data Analyst at Smart Pension, for a powerful conversation on inclusion, equality and the long-term impact of workplace decisions. Together, they explore the realities of the gender pension gap, why "f...

What does the future of fintech hiring look like in an AI-driven world? Recorded live at Money20/20, Nadia Edwards-Dashti, joins Igor to discuss how the FinTech talent market has evolved, the impact of AI on recruitment, and why keeping hiring human-centric has never been more important. From the shift in market conditions since the hiring boom of 2021 and 2022 to the growing challenges around tal...

How can organisations unlock the talent they already have while building more inclusive, future-ready workplaces? In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti is joined by Cia Kouparitsas, CEO at Greenbeam, to explore the power of skills-based hiring, workforce capability data, and why human potential should never be underestimated. From hidden talent and transferable sk...

In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti sits down with Joel Blake OBE, Founder and CEO of GFA Exchange, to explore why inclusion should be viewed as a competitive advantage, not just a moral imperative. From access to finance and inclusive innovation to governance, risk, and resilience, Joel shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey and explains how organisat...

In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti is joined by Stacy Litke, VP, Banking Programs at Green Check Verified, for a powerful conversation about purpose, financial inclusion, leadership and creating opportunities for others. Stacy shares her unique career journey through banking, technology and the rapidly evolving cannabis finance sector, explaining how Green Chec...

What happens when people start living to 100, but financial services is still designed for a much shorter life? In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti is joined by Helene Panzarino, experienced FinTech relationship professional, former banker, investment readiness consultant, and business advisor, to explore one of the biggest demographic shifts facing the industry...

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti is joined by Joanna Akers-Khan, Senior Director, Global Regional Marketing at Feedzai, to explore the power of career pivots, inclusive leadership, and creating meaningful change in financial technology. Jo shares her journey from a small town in Australia to a global leadership role in FinTech, reflecting on how curiosity, transfe...

What does it take to build both the technology infrastructure and the human infrastructure that power modern FinTech? In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti is joined by Srishti Jain-Andreasen, Global Executive for Business Development at RS Software and Country Ambassador for Denmark at EWPN. Together, they explore a career that has spanned cybersecurity, global p...

In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, recorded live at Fin. Tech Marketing Conference 2026, Nadia Edwards-Dashti sits down with Kelly Waller, Global VP Field Marketing at Quadient, to explore the role leaders and organisations must play in creating truly inclusive workplaces. Drawing on her experience leading teams across both FinTech and MarTech, Kelly shares why developing people ha...

Recorded live at the Fin. Tech Marketing Conference 2026, this special episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions brings together some of the brightest minds in financial services, technology and marketing to explore the future of inclusion, innovation and leadership in FinTech. Hosted by Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Chief Customer Officer at Harrington Starr, this episode features insights from Conrad Fo...

In this special episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti shares her contributions from the Westminster Business Forum webinar on Women in the Workplace, exploring the implications of the Employment Rights Act 2025 and what it means for women across financial services, fintech, and technology. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in recruitment, Nadia examines the s...

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com

What responsibility does marketing have in building a more inclusive FinTech industry? In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti is joined by Emma Callaghan, Director of Marketing at KOR, recorded live at the Fin. Tech Marketing Conference 2026 in London. Emma shares her journey from journalism into FinTech marketing, while exploring how marketing teams can drive real chan...

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia sits down with Marie Weidlich from Open Banking to explore transferable skills, neurodiversity, leadership, innovation, and the future of financial services. From career pivots across fintech and investment management to advocating for inclusion and redefining leadership through impact, Marie shares an honest and thought-provoking perspective on...

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, recorded live at Pay360 2026, Nadia Edwards-Dashti is joined by John SamKubam, CEO for Africa at Crown Agents Bank, for a powerful conversation on leadership, representation and what real inclusion in financial services looks like. From moving to the UK from Cameroon to study law, to building a career across global banking institutions including JP Mor...

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions , Nadia is joined by Sean Tyrer, CEO and Founder of the Money Carer Group of Companies, to explore what financial inclusion really means in practice. From building Money Carer to supporting vulnerable individuals, Sean shares how simple, people-first thinking can transform financial services. The conversation covers inclusion beyond compliance, the impo...

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions , Nadia is joined by Azy Shojaeian, Group Chief Compliance & Risk Officer & MLRO at Pockit & Monese, to explore what inclusion really looks like in FinTech leadership. Azy shares her journey into C-level roles, the reality of often being the only woman in the room, and why self-advocacy, resilience, and knowing your worth are critical for ca...

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti is joined by Jayde Tipper, Chief People Officer at Temenos, for an honest conversation about what inclusion really looks like in today’s FinTech industry. From starting her career in recruitment to leading global people strategy, Jayde shares her journey and challenges the idea that career progression and family life are mutually e...

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions , Nadia Edwards-Dashti speaks with Denise Johansson, CEO & Co-Founder of Enfuce, about the hidden impact of fraud in financial services. Drawing on new research, Denise explains why fraud isn’t just a financial issue, but a financial inclusion issue. While men and women experience fraud at similar rates, the emotional and long-term impact is often f...

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions , recorded live at PAY360 2026, Nadia sits down with Dane Pedro, Head of UK Compliance & MLRO at Mollie, to unpack a journey defined by resilience, growth, and impact. From starting out as a debt advisor during a financial crisis to leading at a board level, Dane shares the realities behind career progression in financial service, being overlooked,...

Recorded live at Pay360 2026, this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions sees Nadia Edwards-Dashti joined by Macs Dickinson, Director of Engineering at LHV Bank, for a conversation that challenges how the industry thinks about talent, inclusion, and what “good hiring” actually looks like in FinTech. From a non-traditional route into tech to leading international engineering teams, Macs shares why t...

At Pay360 in London, Nadia Edwards-Dashti hosts a panel that challenges a big assumption in financial services: if innovation is moving forward, why are so many still being left behind? Featuring Faith Reynolds, Nick Quin, and Malintha Fernando, this conversation cuts through the noise around financial inclusion and gets to the reality. From the millions quietly supporting others through everyday...

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions , host Nadia Edwards-Dashti sits down with Sam Emery, FS Executive, NED and Advisor, for a powerful conversation recorded live at PAY360 2026. With over two decades in payments, spanning leadership roles across the Financial Conduct Authority and Lloyds Banking Group, Sam brings a unique perspective on how inclusion, or the lack of it, is shaping the fu...

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions , Nadia Edwards-Dashti sits down with Julia Babahina of SWIFT to challenge outdated thinking around ambition, performance, and inclusion. From non-linear career paths to returning from maternity leave, Julia shares honest insights on why trust, not pressure, drives performance, and why the real issue isn’t ambition, but systems, access, and opportunity....

Careers aren’t always linear, and in this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions , Mel Mills proves exactly why that’s a strength, not a weakness. From fashion and retail to FinTech leadership, Mel shares how transferable skills, curiosity, and a growth mindset can unlock entirely new opportunities. She and Nadia explore the power of diversity of thought, why hiring for difference drives better perf...