Women challenging status quo globally

The financial/ tech industry is a major market that determines so many things in the society today. Indeed, all other industries now revolve around it to keep up with modern day realities.

However, there is a misconception that the industry is for men as it is a stressful industry that will test the strength of women emotionally, but this has been proved wrong by women who, in line with the UN’s vision of bringing women and other marginalised groups into technology/ financial to achieve more creative solutions and are making waves in the industry.

According to President Ursula von der Leyen at the EP FEMM interparliamentary committee meeting during the 2021 International Women’s Day celebration, “Having women in leadership position should become the norm, not the exception”

For the first time in history, the World Trade Organization is being led by an African, Nigeria’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala with her new job at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). With an intimidating profile, the 66-year-old is the first woman, first African, to occupy the position.

The former number two woman at the World Bank hails from Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. Despite recently taking out United States citizenship, she revels in being Nigerian and is fiercely patriotic, flaunting her African identity in her African-print outfits.

Jaya Vaidhyanathan is another notable woman who opened the floodgates of achievements in tech and financial sectors. Research proves she was Born in Mumbai in 1971. She holds a management degree from Cornell University and is a computer engineering graduate. She also holds a CFA charter, and is part of the CFA Society, New York

Jaya began her career in US as an investment banker, specializing in mergers and acquisitions across technology, telecom, and utilities verticals with several top Wall Street firms.

Findings shows that she is a three-time winner of the prestigious Stevie Award. In 2020, she was voted as India’s most trusted CEO and winner of the Databird Female Executive of the Year. Jaya has made prominent appearances in international events as keynote speaker, panellist and moderator. Her talks frequently draw on her experience in risk management, corporate governance, product innovation, and digital banking.

According to publication by Money control news, She is one of two external directors on the Global Board, and one of two independent directors on the PwC India Board. She also serves as an Independent Director on the Board of UTI Asset Management Company and IndiGrid and previously served on the board of Altran (Cap Gemini Engineering).

Jaya is currently the CEO of BCT Digital, a global digital transformation company delivering disruptive FinTech, RegTech and Cleantech solutions to large organisations across diverse industry verticals.

She has also worked as an Investment Banker on Wall Street, specializing in mergers and acquisitions across technology, telecom, and utility verticals. She was also previously a Partner of Accenture.

It is also worthy to note that the rise of women is not about the fall of men. Many societies are fast moving on from women having to succeed in a man’s world. In that wise, stereotypes are being challenged and diverse representation of women is more evident.