In this episode, we talk with Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA, a seasoned CFO with extensive experience in corporate finance and FP&A. We explore what inspired her to pursue a career in finance and why she chose to work at a not-for-profit like Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) to support entrepreneurial growth. Wassia opens up about how she’s tackled challenges throughout her leadership journey and shares valuable advice for young women aspiring to leadership roles in finance.

We also discuss the key strategies she recommends for building resilience and thriving during times of change, drawing from her session "Navigating Change and Uncertainty with Confidence" at Wharton Online. Wassia provides practical tips for students interested in starting a career in corporate finance and talks about the values that guide her approach to leadership and decision-making. She shares candid insights about her experiences as a woman in finance, including lessons learned and challenges faced along the way.

Tune in for actionable insights on corporate finance, resilient leadership, and inspiration from Wassia’s experiences and professional journey.

In this episode of Girls in Finance, we talk with Stacey Katakura, CEO of Accumulus. Stacey shares her personal journey, discussing how her background and education shaped her career and what inspired her to transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. She provides insight into Accumulus’s mission and her leadership role within the company, reflecting on the challenges and strategies that contributed to her early success.

Stacey also offers valuable advice for high school and college students aspiring to enter the accounting and finance industries, emphasizing the importance of developing soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. She opens up about her experiences as a woman in accounting, areas where the field still needs improvement, and how inclusivity in the accounting industry has evolved.

In this episode of Girls in Finance, we had the opportunity to converse with Imade Iyamu, who shared her journey from law to business, now working at Goldman Sachs’ Private Family Office Imade shared how her role integrates both fields, offering comprehensive wealth management, tax planning, and generational wealth strategies for high-net-worth clients. She also gave us an inside look at her day-to-day responsibilities and highlighted emerging opportunities in finance that extend beyond traditional investment banking and consulting.

Imade emphasized the key skills essential for success in wealth management, particularly the importance of building strong client relationships and mastering technical expertise. Reflecting on her journey as a woman in a male-dominated industry, she spoke about the challenges she faced and how mentorship and confidence have been pivotal in navigating her career.

Tune in to hear valuable insights from her inspiring and multifaceted career!

In this episode, we’ll be speaking with Renuka, a Small Business Advisor at Scotiabank, about her diverse career journey from RBC's contact center to her current role. We’ll explore the rewards of being a Small Business Advisor, the motivation behind her career transitions, and how each role has prepared her for the next step. Renuka will share insights on building strong client relationships, her passion for mentorship and women in leadership, and offer advice for aspiring young women in finance. She’ll discuss the challenges she’s faced in the banking industry, especially as a South Asian woman, and share insights regarding the differences between retail and corporate banking.

In this episode of Girls in Finance, we interview Theodora Lau, founder of Unconventional Ventures, a company that connects founders with funders to drive innovation in the banking industry, to uncover how taking risks and pursuing diverse career paths can lead to unexpected and rewarding opportunities in FinTech.

Theo shares how she navigated the transition across industries, the personal challenges she faced, and how she discovered her passion for reshaping finance. We also dive into the accessibility of FinTech for women, with Theo offering candid insights on the barriers and the exciting opportunities within this rapidly evolving field. We explore how Theo’s global perspective, shaped by her experiences in markets from Hong Kong and Japan to the U.S., provides her with unique insights into the slow pace of change in the American finance industry.

Whether you’re looking to carve your own path in a male-dominated field, explore unconventional career routes, or get ahead of the curve in the future of FinTech, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration just for you!

In this episode of Girls in Finance, we sit down with Lisa M. Ong, President & Founder of Wishing Out Loud LLC and a seasoned professional with extensive experience at PwC. Lisa shares her journey through the world of auditing, demystifying what it entails and highlighting its critical role in the corporate landscape. We also explore Lisa's current venture, Wishing Out Loud, where she brings her passion to life as a business owner and executive coach regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She discusses the inspiration behind starting her own business and offers advice to teenagers who are considering careers in the corporate world.

In this episode of Girls in Finance, we interviewed Christina Linda Chan, an accomplished architect with a diverse career spanning an MBA, business ventures, and entrepreneurship. Christina shares her inspiration for pursuing an MBA and how workplace politics played a role in her decision, highlighting how her academic background has contributed to her business success. She discusses her entrepreneurial journey, detailing how her MBA and architecture experience have synergized to shape her business approach and financial management.

Christina offers practical advice on managing personal finances and provides essential tips for young entrepreneurs aiming to build a solid financial foundation. Additionally, she addresses financial strategies for women in long-term relationships, exploring the advantages of shared versus individual accounts for maintaining financial independence.

In this episode of Girls in Finance, we welcome Julie Muhn, a senior research analyst at Finovate. Julie delves into the unique aspects of Finovate, emphasizing its focus on innovation and industry collaboration. She breaks down complex fintech concepts like blockchain, cryptocurrency, and decentralized finance (DeFi), illustrating their transformative potential in the financial sector. Julie also addresses the challenges faced by legacy banks still running on outdated COBOL systems, highlighting the slow-paced industry. She discusses real-world applications of fintech innovations, such as improving financial inclusion and streamlining banking operations.