Nadia Ismadi is the CEO and co-founder of Pod, a mobile savings app that helps gig workers better manage their finances. She touches on what it means to be a female leader in fintech today
Do you think the fintech industry is moving in the right direction when it comes to issues surrounding gender equality and representation?
I believe there has been some progress made in the fintech industry, but there is still so much room for improvement. Speaking from my personal experience, when I joined the finance industry in 2015, women were already making significant strides in the financial services industry. But I left that world to start a fintech company, which men still dominate.
Have you ever experienced bias or discrimination as a female leader?
It is not uncommon to still encounter investors who ask when I plan to settle down as they worry that my priorities and dedication to the business would change should I start a family. They often weigh in the opportunity cost between a female and male founder because they are under the impression that a male founder is able to focus on the business better.
I feel that kind of bias is one of the more considerable challenges for fundraising in the fintech space. Despite that, I will be diplomatic in my response and affirm that no one is more committed to the business than me and my cofounder Ng Ying Teng, a woman. That is not to say all investors are this way, but there are those from the financial industry who support our startup.
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It is not uncommon to still encounter investors who ask when I plan to settle down as they worry that my priorities and dedication to the business would change should I start a family.