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Hey, fintech fam! 💜

Last night’s first-ever FEMMY Awards was nothing short of extraordinary. I’m still buzzing from the wisdom, growth, and sisterhood we created together.

As my friend Kesi Johnson perfectly captured on LinkedIn: “Sitting in close proximity to industry titans like Sheila Lirio Marcelo and Lule Demmissie and hearing their leadership lessons is nothing short of awe-inspiring.”

Moments like these remind me why I’ve spent my career building relationships with incredible women like Sheila and Lule.

Each interaction stretches me in new ways—it’s like a masterclass in leadership, personal growth, and vision. These women aren’t just extraordinary leaders; they’re the heartbeat of our community.

And the best part? I’m so thrilled to bring that kind of proximity and wisdom to the members of The Academy of Fintech.

Curious about membership? Applications are open now—apply here.

Now, let’s dive into today’s insights.

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LEADERSHIP

The Courage to Fail Out Loud—and Other Lessons from the FEMMY Award Winners

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to climb the upper echelons of leadership, shatter glass ceilings, and become one of the first women to take a tech company public, let me introduce you to Lule Demmissie and Sheila Lirio Marcelo.

These two powerhouses graced the FEMMY Awards stage last night, and let me tell you—they didn’t just drop nuggets of wisdom. They dropped whole blueprints.

From embracing failure to redefining success, here’s what I learned about leadership, ambition, and why finishing the dish is more powerful than chasing the next big thing.

Lesson #1: Lead Out Loud—and Fail Out Loud, Too

Lule Demmissie is the kind of leader who can tell you exactly where you’re messing up, and somehow, you’ll thank her for it. Her approach to leadership? Tough love with a purpose.

“People don’t need you to tell them they’re great,” she said. “What they want is to be seen. Once they feel seen, they’re ready to hear wisdom—and wisdom isn’t always sweet.”

Her mantra: “Fail out loud.”

Because courage doesn’t grow in secret, it grows when you own your missteps publicly and learn from them. That’s where leadership is born.

But it’s not just about failing—Lule believes in the power of finishing. She calls it “finishing the dish.”

“Big ambition is overrated. What matters is finishing what you start. Microfinance has taught us that. Resourceful and persistent women thrive when given the right tools because they know how to finish.”

Lesson #2: Struggle Is a Feature, Not a Bug

Here’s a refreshing take: Lule relishes tough times. Not just tolerates them—relishes them.

“I’m my sharpest, wittiest, and kindest when things are hard,” she shared. “Struggle isn’t a detour; it’s the fuel for growth. Embrace it, and you’ll see the Matrix.”

This isn’t the kind of advice you hear every day, especially in a world obsessed with quick wins and shortcuts.

But Lule is clear: There are no shortcuts. 

“You have to be excellent at what you do first. No amount of networking or schmoozing will bypass that step.”

The secret? Excellence gives you confidence. And confidence is the foundation for tackling whatever comes next.

Lesson #3: Redefine Success on Your Terms

Sheila Lirio Marcelo is no stranger to success. She founded Care.com, turned the invisible labor of caregiving into a $6 trillion industry, and became the first Asian American woman to take a company public.

But her story isn’t just about the accolades.

It’s about balance, purpose, and knowing when to pause.

Sheila shared a poignant moment from her IPO dinner. Her son stood up, looked her in the eye, and said, “Mom, you’re a great mom, and I’m proud to be your son.”

For Sheila, that moment was a reminder: Success isn’t about the trophies or titles. It’s about the lives you touch along the way.

After selling Care.com, she hit pause. She sold her house, meditated, and leaned into what she calls “checking in instead of checking off.” That reflection led to her latest venture, Ohai.ai, a virtual assistant designed to ease the mental load of household management.

Her takeaway? Productivity isn’t just for the workplace. “If we can free ourselves from the mental clutter at home, we unlock time for what really matters—connection, creativity, and joy.”

Lesson #4: Intergenerational Wisdom Is the Ultimate Edge

Both Lule and Sheila credit much of their growth to the exchange of wisdom between generations.

Sheila surrounds herself with young women who challenge and invigorate her. “Their fresh perspectives sharpen my own ideas and keep me innovative,” she said.

Lule, meanwhile, emphasized the power of intersectionality and diverse experiences.

“If there are 10 seats at the table, I’m six of them,” she joked.

But her point was serious: diversity brings depth. It helps you notice who’s excluded and design solutions that include everyone.

The Blueprint for Bold Leadership

Here’s what I’m taking away:

1. Fail loudly and proudly. Courage grows in the mess.

2. Finish the dish. Start small, but finish strong.

3. Redefine success. It’s not about checking boxes; it’s about creating impact.

4. Lean on your community. Wisdom is a team sport, and it thrives across generations.

The Courage to Keep Going

Both women reminded us that leadership isn’t about perfection but persistence, perspective, and purpose.

Lule said it best: “When you embrace struggle, you let the light in.”

So, what’s your “dish” this week?

What challenge will you tackle head-on, and how will you fail out loud?

Let me know—I want to hear your stories.

If you love learning from fintech leaders like Lule and Sheila, be sure to fill out your application to join The Academy of Fintech, our premium membership community for leaders ready to connect, grow, and reshape the future of fintech together.

_{WTF ELSE?}

• Wealth Management Is Transforming. Which Banks and Challengers Will Come Out on Top?

• Fintech Employment Soars with 7.5% Growth in 2024 

• Exclusive (Axios): Growth equity firm Centana raises $600M

• Redefining success: A new playbook for African fintech leaders

• The future of fintech is vibrant, interconnected, and undeniably human-centric

_{I WANT IT, I GOT IT}

• 📰 Today’s Read: TIME 2024 CEO of the Year: Lisa Su.

• 🍿 Today’s Watch: As the new year approaches, I'm focused on making it my best one yet. Inspired by Cal Newport's insights in this video about "The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout," I've been exploring the concept of slow productivity.

• 🌍 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

🎵 Doechii: Tiny Desk Concert

This is my favorite way to discover a new (to me) favorite artist. What a breath of fresh air and excellence this performance is!

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That’s all for now! See you Thursday!

Love,

Nicole 💜