Hey, fintech fam! 💜

Hope your Thanksgiving has left you stuffed with food, love, and maybe a little self-care, too!

This time of year always gets me reflecting—and wow, what a year it’s been. Fintech Is Femme turned 3 (my business baby is officially a toddler), I took full ownership of the company (boss moves), wrote my first book, Fintech Feminists, and hit the road for a book tour.

It’s been a transformative, whirlwind year.

And through it all, I’ve been reminded how grateful I am for you. This community is the heart of Fintech Is Femme—trailblazers, dreamers, and doers who are reshaping fintech with brilliance and empathy. Together, we’re proving that finance can be as innovative, inclusive, and equitable as we dare to make it.

To celebrate YOU, here’s a little holiday treat:

🎁 Buy one ticket to the FEMMY Awards and get one free.

Bring a friend, colleague, or someone you’ve been dying to collaborate with to join us on Dec. 9 in NYC. It will be a night to celebrate and honor the changemakers of our industry with insights from legends like Lule Demmissie and Sheila Lirio Marcelo.

Grab your ticket here, and I’ll send you a unique code to invite a friend for free.

HOLIDAY EDITION

Thankful, Thriving, and Transforming Fintech

Three years ago, I leaped.

I left my job as a fintech reporter, fueled by the belief that women are the key to building a better financial system that brings true equity to our economy through the power of advanced technology.

That belief became the foundation of Fintech Is Femme.

Throughout my journey, I encountered numerous skeptics. Former colleagues and bosses often insisted that Fintech Is Femme "doesn't make sense."

That’s when I decided to stop believing in the limits others tried to place on me—and start redefining what’s possible.

Today, I’m wrapping up the first leg of my book tour—5 cities in 4 weeks—including a lecture at Harvard University and accepting a Shorty Impact Award, where I shared the stage with icons like LeVar Burton, all while planning our final event of the year, The FEMMY Awards, happening on December 9 in New York City.

It’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come—and how much further we still have to go.

Growing up as a journalist, a professor once told me:

“Journalists pen the first drafts of history.” 

That idea stuck with me. It shaped how I saw my work—not just as reporting but as a way to use my pen as my sword. A tool to challenge the status quo and amplify the stories that were being overlooked.

Now, standing here on the other side of three years of growth, countless stories, and a community of over 50,000 fintech professionals, I realize something even more profound: the journey isn’t just about amplifying women's voices in fintech.

It’s about reclaiming our rightful spot as leaders—the leaders we’ve always been and are destined to be.

Why fintech? Because there’s nothing more powerful than shaping—and rescuing—the economy.

But this journey didn’t happen alone. Fintech Is Femme grew because of a community that believes in equity, collaboration, and abundance.

It’s a reminder that the systems we’re navigating weren’t built for us, and sometimes, they seem determined to make sure we don’t succeed.

Take the fintech industry, for example. It’s an industry built to disrupt the inefficiencies of finance—one that’s supposed to be innovative, forward-thinking, and inclusive.

Yet the stats tell a different story. Women comprise less than 2% of funded fintech founders and hold just 6% of fintech CEO roles.

It’s not because women aren’t capable.

Women-led startups generate 2.5 times more revenue per dollar invested than those led by men. Women also outperform men in 84% of leadership qualities, from inspiring teams to making strategic decisions.

But here’s the quiet part out loud: It’s not us. It’s them.

The Fintech Ceiling

We know what we’re capable of in this space. On top of doing the work, we build networks, pitch our startups, close deals, and generate value—not just for ourselves but for everyone around us.

And yet, we still run into the same barriers that exist in every male-dominated industry:

• The VC who can’t quite “see the potential” in your product unless it’s a crypto bro with a buzzword pitch.

• The boardroom that questions your leadership style because it doesn’t look like theirs.

• The media narrative that still calls us “female founders” instead of just founders.

These aren’t fintech problems—they’re systemic problems. But fintech, an industry supposedly designed to democratize access and opportunity, has a responsibility to do better.

Why We Built Fintech Is Femme

That’s why I built Fintech Is Femme.

This isn’t just about celebrating the women who manage to break through despite the odds. It’s about rewriting the rules entirely—creating space for more women to lead, more women to innovate, and more women to thrive.

Our work is rooted in three pillars:

1. Amplify Her Story

“You can’t be what you can’t see.”

For too long, women’s voices have been absent from fintech. We’ve been overshadowed by the same narratives and voices dominating traditional finance.

Our first mission is to amplify women's voices in fintech—not as exceptions to the rule but as the rule.

Through our newsletter, podcast, and book, Fintech Feminists, we’ve spotlighted trailblazing women who are solving the industry’s most pressing problems.

These stories matter—not just for the inspiration they spark but because they shift the narrative of who belongs here.

2. Share Her Blueprint

Knowing who you are isn’t enough if the system isn’t built to support you.

That’s why our second mission is to share actionable strategies for navigating and transforming fintech.

From the insights of founders like Sallie Krawcheck to investors like Asya Bradley, we’ve distilled the tools and tactics women need to thrive—whether they’re breaking through the glass ceiling or avoiding the glass cliff entirely.

Fintech needs more blueprints, not just for women but for everyone. Because when women succeed, we all do.

3. Build Her Community

No one gets there alone.

The most powerful opportunities I’ve had in my career didn’t come from luck—they came from community. From people who believed in me, invested in me, and opened doors for me when the system wouldn’t.

That’s why community is the cornerstone of Fintech Is Femme. It’s not just about networking—it’s about building an ecosystem of mentorship, sponsorship, and shared success.

The FEMMY Awards & Membership Community

Now, we’re taking this mission to the next level.

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the Fintech Is Femme Membership Community and the first-ever FEMMY Awards & Celebration.

📅 December 9, 2024

📍 Rise by Barclays

This isn’t just another event—it’s a movement. Founding Members will gain access to:

✨ Mentorship with top fintech leaders

✨ Strategic networking opportunities

✨ Career coaching and branding support

✨ A seat at the table to shape the future of this community

🎟 Reserve your ticket here.

It’s Time to Rewrite the Rules

If you’re tired of being told to “just work harder” or “prove yourself again,” join us.

If you’re ready to stop asking for a seat at the table and start building a new one, join us.

Together, we’re not just breaking through barriers—we’re redefining what fintech can be.

New Podcast: Perfect for Your Weekend Walk

I’m excited to share our latest podcast episode featuring the phenomenal Amy Nauiokas.

Amy brings insights into leadership, innovation, and fintech’s future, leaving you ready to take on the world.

It’s the perfect listen to kick back, reflect, and get inspired this weekend.

And in a fun twist, Amy flipped the script and interviewed me about my book live at my New York City launch party.

You don’t want to miss this one—tune in here (or watch us on YouTube here).

_{LET’S CONNECT}

📰 Share this newsletter with a friend and start growing your network.

🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn for daily insights on female leadership.

🤝 Grow your business through content & community by partnering with me.

📣 Promote yourself to 50,000 subscribers by sponsoring this newsletter.

🎤 Host an epic event by booking me as a speaker, moderator, or emcee.

📚 Increase your expertise by ordering your copy of my book, Fintech Feminists: Increasing Inclusion, Redefining Innovation, and Changing the Future for Women Around the World.

That wraps up today’s edition—thanks for reading! Until next week, keep innovating and challenging the status quo. See you Tuesday!

Love,

Nicole 💜