FinTech's DEI Discussions – Powered by Harrington Starr
Welcome to the award-winning FinTech’s DEI Discussions, the podcast where we explore how financial technology can lead the way in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Join our host, Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Chief Customer Officer at Harrington Starr, as she inspires us to 'walk the talk' and create more equitable workplaces where everyone can thrive.
Each episode invites you into the conversation, offering actionable steps to foster an inclusive environment in your organisation. From recruitment to retention and investment in talent, engagement, productivity, and career progression can mean different things to different people.
Through our series specials and insightful discussions, we delve into these varying experiences, learning together how to better support diversity in our workplaces.
Join us as we discuss, learn, and advocate for meaningful change in the FinTech sector.
Powered by www.harringtonstarr.com
Episodes
640 episodes
How Do You Scale Without Losing Your Culture? | Emma Hagan, UK Chief Executive Officer at ClearBank
In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Emma Hagen, UK CEO of ClearBank, to explore inclusive leadership, workplace culture and the human side of growth.Emma shares how ClearBank has approached scaling while prot...
EWPN The New Frontier: Human Centric AI in the Future of Finance and Payments | Melanie Ockerse, Ruta Kairyte and Nilixa Devlukia
Artificial intelligence is transforming finance and payments at an extraordinary pace, but how do we make sure innovation never comes at the expense of people?Recorded live at Money20/20 2026, this special episode of FinTech's DEI Dis...
Why Smart Data Needs a Human Purpose | Heather Xiao, Founder and Lead at Horizon Zero Ltd
In the latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti sits down with Heather Xiao, Founder and Lead at Horizon Zero Ltd, to explore why the future of AI, smart data and open banking depends on putting people first.Heat...
Building a More Resilient Future for Payments | Sumaiyah Ali Qadri, Founder at Zentra
What does the future of payments look like, and who is building it?In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia Edwards-Dashti sits down with Sumaiyah Ali Qadri, Founder of Zentra, to discuss payment resilience, intelligent infras...
Human Centric Leadership: The Superpower AI Cannot Replace | Leila Foulon, Gaya Ananda, Violas Xiao
Can AI improve how we work without losing what makes great leadership human?In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Leila Foulon, Gaya Ananda and Violas Xiao for a thought-provoking conversation on the leade...
The Hidden Cost of Inequality in Financial Services | Rosie Crowley and Rajni Rughwani from Smart Pension
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 Pensi...
The Future of FinTech Hiring Is Still Human | Nadia at Money 20/20 Speaking with FinTech Garden
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 h...
The Talent Hidden in Plain Sight | Cia Kouparitsas, CEO at Greenbeam
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 explor...
How Inclusive Innovation Creates Better FinTech Businesses | Joel Blake, Founder and CEO of GFA Exchange
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 acc...
The Power of Purpose in Financial Services | Stacy Litke, VP, Banking Programs at Green Check Verified
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...
The 100-Year Life Is Reshaping Financial Services | Helene Panzarino, experienced FinTech relationship professional, former banker, investment readiness consultant, and business advisor
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 relation...
How to Pivot Your Career and Thrive in FinTech | Joanna Akers-Khan, Senior Director, Global Regional Marketing at Feedzai
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 chang...
Building the Human Infrastructure Behind FinTech | Srishti Jain Andreasen, Global Executive for Business Development at RS Software and Country Ambassador for Denmark for EWPN
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...
Why Inclusion Requires Action, Not Intentions | Kelly Waller, Global VP Field Marketing at Quadient
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 ...
Question Time: Fin.Tech Marketing Conference 2026
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, innovatio...
WEmF - Women in the Workplace Talk | Nadia Edwards-Dashti
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 ...
How FinTech Marketing Can Drive Real Change | Emma Callaghan, Director of Marketing at KOR
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....
Why Transferable Skills Are Reshaping FinTech Careers | Marie Weidlich, Open Banking
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 fi...
Leadership That Reflects the Customers You Serve | John SamKubam, CEO for Africa at Crown Agents Bank
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 ...
Financial Inclusion in FinTech Goes Beyond Compliance | Sean Tyrer, CEO and Founder at the Money Carer Group of Companies
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 suppor...
Why Fair Pay and Progression in FinTech Are Still a Problem | Azy Shojaeian, Group Chief Compliance & Risk Officer & MLRO At Pockit & Monese
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 s...
Why Flexible Policies Are Critical for FinTech Talent Retention | Jayde Tipper, Chief People Officer at Temenos
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 he...
Why Fraud Is a Financial Inclusion Problem | Denise Johansson, CEO & Co-Founder at Enfuce Financial Services
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...
Compliance Careers in FinTech | Dane Pedro, Head of UK Compliance & MLRO at Mollie
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...