The FinTech industry has long been dominated by men, but a growing number of innovative and influential women are making their mark in this transformative field.
From leading groundbreaking startups to shaping the future of digital finance, these emerging female voices are driving change and challenging the status quo.
In this article, we highlight the women to watch in FinTech, whose contributions are reshaping the industry and inspiring the next generation of female leaders.
Top Female FinTech Voices to Watch
Erica Dhawan
In today’s world of collaboration and connection, Erica Dhawan empowers leaders to break down silos, drive growth, and foster innovation through teamwork. Recognised as a leading expert on collaboration and innovation, Dhawan is seen as one of the management thinkers most likely to shape the future of business.
She is the bestselling author of Get Big Things Done and Digital Body Language, a groundbreaking work that explores the nuances of effective digital collaboration. As the founder and CEO of Cotential, Dhawan has made it her mission to equip companies, leaders, and managers with the essential skills needed for success in the modern business landscape.
Her expertise has garnered international recognition, with Thinkers50 calling her “The Oprah of Management Ideas,” and GlobalGurus naming her one of the Top 20 Management Experts. Dhawan is also a regular contributor to publications like Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and The Wall Street Journal.
Her insights have led her to prestigious platforms such as the World Economic Forum at Davos and TED, where she has shared strategies for unlocking team potential, building trust across distances, and fostering authentic engagement. Dhawan’s message resonates with global companies like Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs, FedEx, and Cisco, emphasising the critical role of collaboration in driving success.
Notable Achievements
- Bestselling Author of Get Big Things Done & Digital Body Language
- Founder and CEO of Cotential
- Named The Oprah of Management Ideas by Thinkers50
- Named in Top 20 Management Experts by GlobalGurus
- Featured in Harvard Business Review & The Wall Street Journal
- Keynote Speaker at TED and the World Economic Forum
Lynda Gratton
The relationship between employers and employees is constantly evolving. The days of lifelong corporate loyalty and the traditional 9-to-5 workday are fading. Lynda Gratton addresses these major shifts, helping businesses adapt to the needs of the modern workforce. Is the traditional working week, originally designed for factory settings, still suitable for today’s creative economy? Gratton explores these questions as she guides companies through this transformation.
Her work blends management practices with human resources strategies, focusing on practical corporate applications rather than academic theory. Through her teaching, consulting, and a regular column in MIT Sloan, Gratton tackles the complexities of the changing workplace.
As head of London Business School’s Management Practice faculty, Gratton founded the highly regarded HR Strategy in Transforming Companies program. For over 20 years, this course has been central to organisational design. She also teaches a popular MBA class on the future of work, examining how the professional landscape continues to evolve.
Outside of academia, Gratton founded HSM Advisory, a consulting firm that leads a future of work initiative. This program brings together executives from over 100 companies to discuss workplace design and innovation.
Gratton has written extensively on the future of work, authoring 10 books and contributing regularly to both academic and business publications. Her works, such as Living Strategy, which explores the intersection of business strategy and HR, and The Key, which examines the societal role of corporations, address critical issues shaping the workforce of tomorrow.
As one of the world’s foremost management thinkers, Gratton has earned numerous awards, including the prestigious Tata Prize in India and recognition as a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR). She is also a Fellow of the World Economic Forum and previously served on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Council for designing the 100-Year Life Society.
Notable Achievements
- Regular Column in MIT Sloan
- Founder of HSM Advisory
- Author of 10 Books including Living Strategy & The Key
- Awarded Tata Prize in India
- Recognised as a Fellow of NAHR
- Fellow of the World Economic Forum
Desiree Fixler
Desiree Fixler is recognised as one of the world’s leading experts on sustainable finance. A sought-after speaker, she provides in-depth insights into the state and future of the ESG movement, greenwashing prevention, whistleblowing, and risk management.
With over 25 years of experience in sustainable finance and investment banking, Fixler now advises financial institutions, NGOs, and regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. She is also a frequent guest lecturer at Cambridge University.
Previously, Fixler served as Group Sustainability Officer at Deutsche Bank’s asset management arm, DWS, where she uncovered significant greenwashing practices.
She identified major discrepancies between the company’s public ESG claims and its internal actions. After her concerns were dismissed by leadership, she took her findings public. Her whistleblowing led to investigations by U.S. and German authorities, culminating in a police raid on DWS headquarters, the removal of the CEO and senior executives, and the largest SEC greenwashing fine to date.
Fixler’s courageous stand against greenwashing sent shockwaves through the finance industry, spurring stronger efforts toward transparency and evidence-based ESG practices. She shares her story to encourage clearer ESG disclosures and promote integrity in sustainability efforts.
Before her role at DWS, Fixler held senior positions at JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, and Zais Group, where she led ESG investing and structured credit businesses. Her innovative track record includes creating award-winning products like the iTraxx and CDX indices, as well as impact securitisations.
Fixler holds a BSc in Economics (Hons) from the London School of Economics. She is a member of the CFA’s ESG Technical Committee, the LSE’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Group, and the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Responsible Investing.
Notable Achievements
- Trusted Advisor to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and the Monetary Authority of Singapore
- Guest Lecturer at Cambridge University
- Held Senior Roles at JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank and Zais Group
- Developed Award Winning and Market Transformational Products
- Holds a BSc in Economics (Hons) from the London School of Economics
- Member of CFA’s ESG Technical Committee
- Member of LSE’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Group
- Member of World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Responsible Investing
Dambisa Moyo
Dambisa Moyo is a leading global thinker, known for her influence on strategic investment and public policy. She is highly regarded for her distinctive perspectives, blending contrarian views with balanced judgement, and for transforming economic insights into actionable investment strategies.
Baroness Moyo of Knightsbridge is a member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, where she focuses on economics, finance, energy, the environment, emerging markets, and US-China relations. As co-principal of Versaca Investments, a global family office focused on growth investing, Moyo also serves on several prestigious corporate boards, including Chevron, Conde Nast, and the Oxford University Endowment Investment Committee.
A trusted advisor and influential voice on macroeconomics, geopolitics, technology, and millennial trends, Moyo’s expertise spans capital allocation, risk, and ESG issues. She holds a Doctorate in Economics from Oxford, a Master’s from Harvard, and is the author of four New York Times bestsellers, celebrated for her fresh and innovative ideas.
Her most recent book, How Boards Work, ranked number five on the Wall Street Journal’s Best Business Books list. Her other works include Edge of Chaos (2018), Winner Take All (2012), How the West Was Lost (2011), and Dead Aid (2009).
Baroness Moyo is an honorary fellow of the Foreign Policy Association, a member of the Bretton Woods Committee, and part of the Trilateral Commission. Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, her insights have been published in The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and Harvard Business Review. Moyo has travelled to over 65 countries, advocating for innovative and sustainable economic growth models.
In her spare time, she is passionate about running marathons and practising Pilates and is committed to fostering collaboration between the public, private, and civil sectors to address the world’s most pressing economic and geopolitical challenges.
Notable Achievements
- Member of the UK’s House of Lords
- Co-Principal of Versaca Investments
- Serves on Chevron Board
- Serves on Conde Nast Board
- Serves on Oxford University Endowment Investment Committee
- Doctorate in Economics from Oxford
- Masters from Harvard
- Best Selling Author of Several Books Including Edge of Chaos and How the West Lost
- Named Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People in the World
Dominique Mielle
Dominique Mielle is a Franco-American investor and expert in distressed investing and bankruptcy. As one of the few female portfolio managers in the 1990s, she chronicled her experiences in Damsel in Distressed, a widely acclaimed memoir praised for its wit, insight, and advocacy for more women in finance.
Drawing on over two decades of industry experience, Mielle was a partner and senior portfolio manager at Canyon Capital, a hedge fund with $25 billion in assets under management. At Canyon, she focused on sectors such as transportation, consumer products, and municipal finance, and played a key role in corporate bond securitisations and the firm’s collateralised loan obligation initiatives.
Mielle’s expertise in navigating complex bankruptcies distinguished her in the field, where she became known for delivering strategic financial solutions. Her expertise was crucial during her time as a director and audit committee chair for PG&E, guiding the company through an 18-month bankruptcy process. Today, she continues to advise corporations and serves on the boards of four public companies.
A respected voice in financial discourse, Mielle contributes to both lay and specialist audiences. She was featured in the latest edition of Security Analysis, the seminal work by Graham and Dodd, and regularly writes for Forbes on topics such as hedge funds and diversity in finance. Her insights have also appeared in leading publications like the Financial Times, Business Insider, and Absolute Return.
Mielle holds an MBA in Finance from Stanford University and a Master’s in Management from HEC Paris.
Notable Achievements
- Expert in Bankruptcy and Investment
- Senior Portfolio Manager at Canyon Capital
- Featured in Security Analysis
- Writer for Forbes
- Featured in Leading Publications such as the Financial Times, Business Insider and Absolute Return
- MBA in Finance from Stanford University
- Master in Management from HEC Paris
Booking Female FinTech Speakers
The most difficult part of connecting with keynote speakers is the actual booking process, which can be cumbersome and frustrating. That’s where we, at CWG speakers, come in.
At CWG Speakers, we aim to bring transparency and fresh, original perspectives to the world of thought leadership.
As a speakers’ agency and expert network, we collaborate with a diverse range of experts from fields such as politics, journalism, academia, business, sports, and entertainment.
Our clients include financial institutions, businesses, industry groups, and knowledge-sharing organisations. We specialise in matching our clients with the ideal speakers for their events, ensuring impactful and engaging experiences.
Event organisers partner with CWG Speakers either to book a specific speaker we represent or to explore fresh ideas. In both cases, we begin by gathering key details about the event. Based on this information, we provide availability and fees for the chosen speaker or offer a tailored selection of speaker options.
Once the speaking terms and fees are agreed upon, CWG Speakers will issue a standard agreement to confirm the booking. If preferred, we can work with your in-house contract template to align with your terms.
After the booking is finalised, our dedicated operations team will handle all event logistics, including:
- Scheduling a briefing call with the speaker.
- Coordinating travel and accommodation needs.
- Delivering a detailed schedule and itinerary to both the speaker and the client.
A CWG Speakers representative will be available throughout the lead-up to the event and on the event day to address any concerns. We can also arrange for an on-site representative to support the speaker at your event if needed.
Final Thoughts
The world of FinTech is rapidly evolving, and women are playing an increasingly pivotal role in shaping its future.
From innovative startup founders to trailblazing industry leaders, emerging female voices in FinTech are pushing boundaries and redefining how technology intersects with finance.
These women are not only driving advancements in digital banking, blockchain, and financial inclusion but also leading the charge for greater diversity in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
In this article, we highlight the emerging female FinTech voices you need to watch as they inspire change and shape the future of finance.
At CWG Speakers, we connect you with thought leaders and keynote speakers throughout the world, perfect for your events and conferences. Contact us today for more information.
