đŸ€‘ Christmas Eve Special

Fintech Feminists on Christmas Eve: Gifts, Goals, and the Future We’re Building

Author

Nicole Casperson
December 24, 2024

In partnership with

Hey, fintech fam! 💜

So, it’s Christmas Eve—the calm before the holiday whirlwind and those last precious moments to reflect before we dive headfirst into 2025.

As I sit here with a seasonal drink in hand (maybe with a splash of something stronger, but that’s our little secret), I can’t help but think about everything we’ve collectively accomplished this year—and what lies ahead.

If you’ve been along for the ride, you know that my book, Fintech Feminists, has been a long time coming.

It’s about the women who are driving the fintech revolution, and if I’m being honest, it’s easy to forget how much progress we’ve made in this space.

So before you get lost in the holiday chaos—or while you’re killing time waiting for everyone else to finish getting ready—here’s a quick peek at one of my favorite moments of reflection from the first three chapters of the book (don’t worry, no major spoilers).

IMPACT

Fintech Feminists on Christmas Eve: Gifts, Goals, and the Future We’re Building

2024 has been one heck of a year. Between navigating economic rollercoasters, societal shifts, and the constant push for change, one thing is clear: Fortune favors the bold. And powerful women in fintech? They’re not waiting for permission.

As we close out the year, I’ve been reflecting on my own journey—which is at the heart of my book, Fintech Feminists.

Signing copies of Fintech Feminists at the Shorty Awards in Los Angeles, part of the book tour.

In fact, here’s an excerpt from the introduction that feels particularly fitting as we look ahead to 2025:

“To change the story, we have to change the storytellers. We must learn how to be innovative entrepreneurs, investors, and CEOs by listening to and learning from the women building in fintech. Throughout this book, the stories of female leaders will rewrite the narrative with the truth: women have always played an integral role in shaping our finance and technology innovations, maybe you just haven’t read about them yet.”

— Fintech Feminists, Chapter 1

In a world where the fintech space is still predominantly male, it’s easy to overlook the women making real, lasting strides. And let’s be honest: the media has played a massive role in perpetuating this bias.

For years, stories about women in business have been sidelined, written off as “activism” or “diversity initiatives” when they should’ve been recognized for what they truly are—groundbreaking contributions to an industry that shapes economies and societies.

Looking back on my career, I saw this reality firsthand.

“As I rose in my career from reporter to editor, I noticed a troubling trend in every newsroom: they are predominantly male-led. Globally, only 22% of 180 top editors across 240 news outlets are women, despite women making up 40% of journalists in the 12 markets studied across five continents. Women are significantly underrepresented in editorial leadership roles and news coverage, leaving their voices muted in a global news industry still dominated by men.”

— Fintech Feminists, Introduction

I’ll be honest—seeing this imbalance in the media pushed me to take action.

I realized something important was missing in fintech reporting: the stories of women driving change. So, I decided to dig deeper, uncover those stories, and start telling them.

“Women do not simply operate feminist fintech companies, and ‘fintech feminism’ goes beyond just a ‘feminine’ approach to fintech. Instead, ‘fintech feminism’ critically analyzes the industry as a whole, scrutinizing how systemic flaws stem from an inequitable representation of women and the global majority.”

— Fintech Feminists, Introduction

The fintech world is often seen as a male-dominated space, but the truth is that women have always been there—paving the way. Let’s take a moment to honor those trailblazers:

“In the history of finance and technology, the pioneers in these fields were women who often balanced activism and entrepreneurship, shaping the future of finance and working toward a more equitable world. For example, on 27 December 1967, Muriel Siebert became the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange, the lone woman among 1,375 members. In 1977, she was appointed Superintendent of Banks for New York State, the first woman to hold the post.”

— Fintech Feminists, Chapter 1

These women—Muriel Siebert, Maggie Lena Walker, Grace Hopper—were not just leaders in their time; they were visionaries.

And their work wasn’t just important—it was foundational. Yet despite their monumental contributions, women in fintech are still underrepresented, and it’s high time that changes.

“Historically, women have built the foundation of the fintech industry, but cultural norms have iced them out of these spaces over time. Software programming was once an almost entirely female profession. As recently as 1980, women held 70% of the programming jobs in Silicon Valley. That ratio has completely flipped today.”

— Fintech Feminists, Chapter 1

This historical erasure fuels my drive to tell the stories of today’s women in fintech—women who are not just participating but reimagining the future of finance.

And here’s the thing: the myth of scarcity—that false narrative that there aren’t enough women, talent, or funding to go around? It’s time we call it what it is: a myth.

Women’s economic power is undeniable. Women control over $10 trillion in assets. They are already the majority of decision-makers in household spending, and they’re taking on more roles as entrepreneurs and business leaders.

“A silver lining to the pandemic-driven layoffs and the increased household responsibilities women shouldered due to societal norms was the rise of female entrepreneurship. As many women exited the labor force, they returned to work as business owners, marking one of the most significant economic shifts of the pandemic. Women accounted for nearly half—47%—of new business owners, up from 29% in 2019, according to 2023 data from Gusto. This trend continued, with women making up 49% of new business owners in 2021 and 47% in 2022.”

— Fintech Feminists, Introduction

The truth? Women aren’t just consumers of financial services—they’re creating them.

But for this revolution to truly thrive, we need more women leading, more women entrepreneurs shaping the future of finance.

We need more women building the tools that will close the gender and racial gaps in financial access.

And here’s the exciting part: when women lead in fintech, they design products that address the unique needs of women, people of color, small business owners, and underserved communities.

“We need to stop trying to ‘fix’ women and start listening to and learning from them to fix the system. Research shows, over and over, that women build more profitable businesses, drive greater returns, and show stronger leadership qualities while receiving only a fraction of the money to do so.”

— Fintech Feminists, Chapter 3

As we look to 2025, it’s clear that we’re at a crossroads.

The world of finance and technology is evolving rapidly—and women are leading that charge. But it’s not enough to just be part of the conversation.

We need to lead it. We need to shape it, redefine it, and build the future we want.

And this isn’t a dream we’re waiting on—it’s something we’re building, right now.

One way we’ll make that happen? The abundance mindset.

No more competing for scraps at a table that’s already too small. Instead, let’s build new tables—ones that are diverse, inclusive, and built on equity.

The future of fintech isn’t about hoarding opportunities; it’s about sharing them.

“An abundance mindset is all about believing there are enough resources in the world for everyone – which aligns with the values of equity and inclusivity. It’s about creating a level playing field for everyone, where equal access and rights are guaranteed to all.”

— Fintech Feminists, Chapter 3

This holiday season, let’s make a pact: in 2025, we don’t just participate in the future of fintech—we create it.

And Fintech Feminists will be here to help guide the way.

So, if you’re looking for a gift that inspires, motivates, and keeps the momentum going, I can’t recommend Fintech Feminists enough.

Yes, it’s my book that I put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into, but it’s also a call to action, a celebration of the women already changing the world of finance, and a blueprint for how we can all do the same.

As I wrote:

“The future of fintech isn’t just about algorithms and disruption—it’s about breaking down barriers and building new pathways for leadership.”

— Fintech Feminists, Chapter 2

Wishing you a merry, joyful, and downright revolutionary holiday season.

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  • 📰 Today’s Read: Meet Time CEO of the year Lisa Su and have some insights into this leading woman in tech that you may not know about — yet.

  • 🍿 Today’s Watch: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is the superior Christmas movie. Don’t @ me.

  • 🌍 Today’s Giving: As 2024 winds down, I’m proud to partner with SafePlace International, celebrating the graduation of their largest class of LGBTQI+ leaders across Africa. These Dream Academy graduates are creating economic impact in their communities despite facing discrimination and violence. Your gift, matched until year-end, can help fuel this incredible work—click here to invest.

FINTUNES

Ari is treating us to this Christmas hit a decade after its original debut.

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That’s all for now! See you Thursday!

Love,

Nicole 💜