
Humans of Fintech
Humans of Fintech is all about getting into the raw, unfiltered stories behind the most innovative leaders—why they built their companies, what drives them, and how they’re smashing the status quo. Join your host, author and award-winning journalist, Nicole Casperson, as she dives deep into the human side of fintech, unpacking the real motivations, struggles, and triumphs behind the empires these leaders are building—no jargon, just straight-up inspiration, business insights, and power moves.
Latest episodes

Feb 15, 2023 • 38min
S4 Ep8: How To Align Money With Meaning, Vered Frank, Seeds Investor
From traditional finance to fintech and back again, Vered Frank is the CMO helping investors find meaning and connection.She is Head of Marketing at Seeds Investor, empowering financial advisors to deliver a more meaningful investment experience.Nicole and Vered talk robo investment advisors, the disconnect between earning and spending, and how Vered found her fintech sweet spot.Follow Vered:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veredfrank/And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!You can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech InsiderTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:39 Learning From Tradition06:34 Leveraging Processes In A Startup12:58 The Seeds Vision13:16 The Fintech Disconnect Between Earning And Spending17:13 Financial Investor Role19:10 New Ways Of InvestingHow To Align Your Values With Your WorkAs a fintech professional, it's important to ensure that your work aligns with your values. When you are working in an industry that has the potential to impact people's lives, it's crucial to be intentional about the impact you want to have. In this blog, we'll explore some tips on how to align your values with your work in fintech.Identify Your ValuesThe first step in aligning your values with your work is to identify your core values. What is important to you? What motivates you? What do you want to achieve in your career? Identifying your values can help you determine if your work aligns with your personal goals and aspirations.Choose Your Employer CarefullyChoosing the right employer is crucial to ensuring that your work aligns with your values. Before accepting a job, research the company's mission, values, and culture. Do they align with your own? Are there opportunities for growth and development? Working for a company that shares your values can make a huge difference in your job satisfaction and sense of purpose.Seek Out Meaningful ProjectsAs a fintech professional, seek out projects and initiatives that align with your values. For example, if you are passionate about financial literacy, seek out opportunities to develop educational resources or work on initiatives that help people make informed financial decisions. By working on projects that are meaningful to you, you can feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your work.Take ActionAligning your values with your work is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. It's important to take action to ensure that your work reflects your values. This can include advocating for ethical practices in your organization, volunteering your time and resources to causes you care about, or speaking up when you see something that doesn't align with your values.Connect with Like-Minded ProfessionalsFinally, connecting with like-minded professionals can help you stay motivated and inspired in your work. Joining industry groups, attending conferences, or networking with colleagues can provide opportunities to collaborate with others who share your values and goals.In conclusion, aligning your values with your work in fintech can help you find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in your career. By identifying your values, choosing the right employer, seeking out meaningful projects, taking action, and connecting with like-minded professionals, you can create a career that aligns with your personal goals and aspirations. As a fintech professional, investing in values alignment can help you build a successful and fulfilling career in the industry.

Feb 8, 2023 • 38min
S4 Ep7: The First-Time Fintech Founders Creating Community On Their Terms
What happens when you’re frozen out of financial conversations because of gender and ethnicity? You start your own conversationEve Halimi and Anam Lakhani are the first-time founders behind Alinea Invest, the community-driven money app with financial education, news, stock & crypto investing.Nicole, Eve and Anam explore why so many women aren’t taught how to save and invest, the importance of non-predatory platforms and how Alinea got funded, despite investors not getting the problem or seeing the need for a solution.Follow Eve:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eve-halimi/Follow Anam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anam-lakhani-443032134/And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!You can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech InsiderHow To Build A Fintech CommunityAs a professional in the fintech industry, creating a strong community can be a key factor in the success of your business. A fintech community can provide numerous benefits, such as networking opportunities, collaboration, and access to valuable resources. In this blog, we'll explore some tips on how to create a fintech community that fosters growth, innovation, and engagement.Identify Your Target AudienceThe first step in creating a fintech community is to identify your target audience. Are you targeting startups, investors, or established companies? What are the key interests and pain points of your audience? Understanding your target audience will help you create content and events that are relevant and valuable to them.Create an Online PresenceIn today's digital age, creating an online presence is crucial for building a fintech community. Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook can be used to engage with your target audience, share content, and promote events. You can also create a blog or website that provides valuable insights and resources for your community.Host Events and MeetupsIn-person events and meetups can be a powerful way to build a fintech community. These events provide an opportunity for networking, collaboration, and learning. You can host events like conferences, workshops, and hackathons that bring together fintech professionals and enthusiasts.Provide ValueTo create a successful fintech community, you need to provide value to your members. This can be in the form of educational resources, networking opportunities, or access to funding and investment opportunities. By providing value, you can build a loyal community that is engaged and invested in your business.Encourage Engagement and Collaboration
Engagement and collaboration are key to building a strong fintech community. Encourage your members to share their thoughts and ideas, ask questions, and collaborate with each other. This can be done through online forums, group chats, or in-person events. By fostering a culture of collaboration, you can create a community that is innovative and supportive.
In conclusion, creating a fintech community can be a powerful way to build a successful business in the industry. By identifying your target audience, creating an online presence, hosting events, providing value, and encouraging engagement and collaboration, you can create a community that is engaged, supportive, and innovative. As a financial services professional, investing in a strong fintech community can be a valuable strategy for growth and success.

Feb 2, 2023 • 4min
Fireside Chat: Michelle Tran - Head of Enterprise Sales and SVP at Vestwell
Hold on tight as Michelle answers a lightning round of questions from Nicole in this fireside chat.Get personal with 3 minutes, you don’t want to miss!And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!Follow Michelle:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellektran/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MkateMamaYou can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech Insider

Feb 1, 2023 • 38min
S4 Ep6: The Fintech Entrepreneur Empowering Women Against Bro Culture
Michelle Tran is building a community, meeting fintech bro culture head on. Find out why she will no longer be talked over.Michelle Tran is the Head of Enterprise Sales and SVP at Vestwell, a platform working to close the savings gap. She’s also the Founder of NYC Fintech Women and Dreamers // Doers, a collaboration and mentorship community.Nicole and Michelle get into her inspiring family story of immigration in tough circumstances, why she’s determined to keep on giving back, and the aha moment when she found herself talked over at a pitch meeting, triggering her mission to create a supportive community and mentoring other women in fintech.And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!Follow Michelle:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellektran/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MkateMamaYou can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:29 The Quest For A Better Life07:00 The Art Of Giving Back11:21 Checking Those Family Boxes14:02 That Aha Moment17:29 Power To All The People20:18 Looking At The End Game22:28 Finding Your Fintech People26:18 All About Visibility36:14 What Is The Change You Want To Be?And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech Insider

Jan 30, 2023 • 6min
S4 E5: Commentary - The Female Founder Funding Gap
It’s 2023 and still female founders are facing tough challenges getting recognized and funded. Why? Nicole explores the topic in this 5-minute commentary episode.Join Nicole as she dives into recent research showing the difficulty female founders have getting funding from male-founded VC firms. She gets into the numbers around this issue and some solutions to changing up the status quo.And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!You can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech Insider

Jan 26, 2023 • 4min
Fireside Chat: Drew Glover - Co-founder of Fiat Ventures and Fiat Growth
Hold on for this lightning round of questions, getting to know Drew a little deeper.From the best advice to dream collabs - this is 3-minutes you can’t miss!And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!Follow Drew:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drewbailergloverLinkedIn: https://twitter.com/DrewBailerYou can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech Insider

Jan 25, 2023 • 34min
S4 Ep4: Meet The Unconventional Fintech Founder Changing The VC World
From struggling to read to becoming a highly successful VC and Founder, this is the unique story of Drew Glover.Drew is Co-Founder of Fiat Ventures and Fiat Growth, helping fintech startups scale through mentorship and investment. He grew up overcoming learning difficulties, thanks to his own determination and an encouraging mom, and is now a successful investor and mentor.Nicole and Drew get into how his success as an athlete helped him become the best communicator, why admitting your weaknesses is the key to self-growth, and why he believes fintech investment will unlock opportunities for smaller companies who deserve success.And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!Follow Drew:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drewbailergloverTwitter: https://twitter.com/DrewBailerYou can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech InsiderTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:22 Outside The Traditional School System05:52 Making It Out Alive06:12 Fintech Is Meant To Be Unconventional10:45 The Aha Moment14:15 Noticing Your Super Powers16:30 When Your Mom Knows Too Much20:50 Change Needs to Happen21:17 A Different Vantage Point26:33 Unique From Day One

Jan 19, 2023 • 3min
Fireside Chat: Meg Nakamura - Co-founder and CEO of Apto Payments
Get to know Meg a little better, as Nicole unleashes this lightning round of questions.From Fintech songs, to Meg’s biggest supporter - this is 3-minutes you can’t miss!And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!Follow Meg:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/megnakamuraYou can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech InsiderTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:21 The Japanese Influence On Apto04:43 Society Working For The Greater Good06:15 The Skill Of Spotting Opportunity09:34 Moving The Needle Through Real Change16:28 Building Trust Through Community17:55 No Hall Pass For Mistakes20:04 The Challenge of Recruiting in a Pandemic22:58 Growth As Key27:43 Meg’s Three Wishes

Jan 18, 2023 • 30min
S4 Ep3: How Apto Payments is Moving The Needle Through Trust, With Meg Nakamura
You don’t get a hall pass for making mistakes with people’s money.Meg Nakamura is the Co-founder and CEO building trust through fintech. Find out how.Apto Payments is the next-generation cards and payments platform that helps companies design and launch successful card programs in as fast as a day. Meg and Co-founder Greg Kidd are building a company with community and trust at its core.Nicole and Meg talk about how Meg’s Japanese upbringing influenced her approach to business, why you only get one chance to handle people’s finances, and what it’s like to keep your company afloat in the face of challenge.And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!Follow Meg:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/megnakamuraYou can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech Insider

Jan 12, 2023 • 3min
Fireside Chat: Yoni Assia - Founder Of eToro
Get to know Yoni a little better with this lightning round of questions..From Fintech songs, to Yoni’s biggest supporter - this is 3-minutes you can’t miss!And if you love listening to Humans of Fintech, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/humansoffintechThank you so much!Follow YoniLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yoniassiaTwitter: https://twitter.com/yoniassiaYou can keep up-to-date with everything Humans of Fintech at https://workweek.com/brand/wtfintech/And if you’ve enjoyed Humans of Fintech why not try: Chicks of FinTwit, Tech Unlocked, Breaking Banks or Fintech Insider