11/12/2024
Budapest Fintech Week insights 🔮
We need female role models!
Currently, only 13% of leadership roles in the banking sector are held by women, and the percentage is even lower in fintech. That’s why the Women in Tech roundtable discussion was so significant, as women in leadership shared their experiences and thoughts.
⚡ "We live in a world where soft skills matter, and women have an advantage here," emphasized Neha Mehta, founder and CEO of FemTech Partners.
"Anyone can be a founder! Anyone! It’s not about what others say about you but what you think of yourself."
💡 "Women are more open, they collaborate more easily and willingly – all of which are assets in the IT sector," shared Mary Alcantara, senior partner at Interactive Venture Partners. She highlighted the unique challenges of working in a competitive industry as a woman compared to a man: "For instance, I left the United States and moved to Europe to start a family. In the U.S., maternity leave is practically nonexistent, while it’s a given in Europe. However, this often means women take on far more household responsibilities, which makes achieving a healthy work-life balance challenging. At the same time, corporate leadership in Europe tends to be more traditional and old-fashioned than across the Atlantic, which isn’t always comfortable for women."
💭 "The only way to change this situation is to have more female role models," said Agnes Szogi, managing partner at Intuitech. She underlined the importance of self-belief: "Women need to believe in themselves and dare to apply for higher positions. Careers are often determined by these pivotal decisions."
