Purpose Driven FinTech

In today's episode, we explore how innovative fintech partnerships are tackling the UK's massive £4 billion energy debt crisis through compassionate collections and flexible payment solutions.I speak with Fliss Berridge, UK Managing Director and Co-Founder at Ordo, and James Sharpe, Sales Director, Digital Native Business at Eviden. We talk about their groundbreaking partnership creating an intelligent recommendation and notification engine that helps consumers manage utility payments in a way that matches their actual income patterns, not arbitrary monthly billing cycles.Their solution combines open banking, AI, and a deep understanding of customer behavior to transform how utilities collect payments while making financial management more accessible and humane for consumers struggling with the cost of living crisis.🔑 Key Highlights:The UK energy debt crisis £4 billion challengeThe concept of "compassionate collections with kindness" that benefits both consumers and utilitiesUsing AI and open banking to create payment schedules that match actual income patternsThe importance of designing financial services around people's lives, not forcing people to adaptHow partnerships between large corporations and agile fintechs can drive purpose-driven innovationWe discuss how traditional payment methods like direct debits are failing vulnerable customers, particularly those with irregular income streams or in the gig economy. The solution recognizes income patterns and suggests appropriate payment amounts at the right times, providing relief for consumers while improving collection rates for utilities.This collaboration demonstrates how fintech innovations can address significant social challenges while creating commercial value, proving that compassion and profitability can coexist in financial services.Follow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Connect with Fliss and James: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fliss-berridge-07a05b84/Website: https://ordopay.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrnsharpe/Website: https://eviden.com/👉 Follow Monica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millares TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover: [00:00:00] Introduction to the UK's £4 billion energy debt crisis[00:03:00] Breaking down large bills into manageable chunks[00:07:00] Compassionate collections: How kindness can coexist with effective payment solutions[00:11:00] Preventing late payments through early intervention and intelligent recommendations[00:15:00] Designing financial services around people's lives, not the other way around[00:19:00] Partnership for purpose: How Eviden and Ordo collaborate effectively[00:25:00] How startups and large corporations can work together effectively[00:32:00] The six-week proof of concept: How rigor and discipline drive innovation[00:37:00] Understanding diverse customer attitudes toward money and bill payment[00:42:00] The trust problem with direct debits and how open banking solves it[00:47:00] How AI creates personalized, ethical payment recommendations[00:51:00] The future: Variable recurring payments and expanding to other sectors#CompassionateCollections #OpenBanking #FinTechPartnerships #EnergyDebtCrisis #FlexiblePaymentsDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

In this episode, I speak with Natalya Thakur, Founder of Knox, and Kevin Hoang Founder of EQ Exchange (EQX), two innovative founders who are tackling the fundamental issue of trust in the digital assets space🔑 Key Highlights:How EQX aims to become the first company in the world to disclose financial statements in real-timeThe critical difference between "compiled" vs "generated" financial statements for transparencyHow technology can play a central role in creating new trust frameworks for financial services👉 Follow Natalya and KevinNatalya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nthakur9/Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinh5/https://www.eq.exchange/Press release of their partnership: https://www.eq.exchange/blog/building-a-new-era-of-trust-in-digital-assets-with-knox-network👉Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00:00] Introduction and defining trust in financial services[00:04:00] Exploring the components of trust: what is transacted and who is transacting[00:06:00] Knox's purpose: creating a multi-asset ledger as a unified source of truth[00:08:50] Natalya's background in traditional finance and digital assets[00:12:30] EQX's purpose: rewriting the script on crypto exchanges[00:15:00] How Knox's and EQX collaborate to solve trust problems[00:18:30] Kevin's background and entrepreneurial journey[00:21:30] EQX's innovative approach to real-time financial statements[00:24:00] Product thinking behind building a trust-based moat[00:28:45] Translating radical transparency into user-facing features[00:32:00] How companies can help customers trust the crypto space[00:36:00] Challenges of applying design thinking with institutional users[00:39:00] Obstacles financial institutions face with crypto adoption[00:42:00] Why crypto remains too complex for mainstream adoptionSEARCH QUESTIONSWhat is the definition of trust in financial services?How did FTX collapse affect crypto exchange trust?What does transparent financial reporting in crypto look like?How to build trust in cryptocurrency exchanges?Why do we trust traditional banks over crypto platforms?What are real-time financial statements for crypto exchanges?How can crypto exchanges improve user experience?What is a multi-asset ledger in cryptocurrency?How to manage both traditional and digital assets together?What challenges do financial institutions face with crypto adoption?Why is crypto still too complex for mainstream users?How can design thinking improve crypto user experience?What's the difference between compiled and generated financial statements?How can technology build trust in financial services?What is radical transparency in financial services?How do you establish trust as a new financial services company?What are best practices for crypto custody and security?How to simplify cryptocurrency for everyday users?What is the purpose of Knox's in the crypto ecosystem?What trust problems is EQX trying to solve?Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

The financial industry is transforming rapidly, with traditional banking giving way to innovative FinTech solutions that are reshaping how people interact with money worldwide.In this solo episode, I share my personal journey from traditional banking to building FinTech startups and products across multiple continents, revealing the challenges, insights, and transformational lessons learned along the way. From my first steps into product leadership to scaling products to millions of users, I share the journey, what helped me succeed and the mistakes that taught me the most valuable lessons.What you'll learn:How I transitioned from traditional banking to the dynamic world of FinTechMy unexpected path into product leadership How I ended up in Malaysia - from startup to scaleupThe reality of building financial products across different markets and culturesKey insights from 10 years of FinTech product developmentFollow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00] My journey into FinTech - why I left traditional banking[05:30] The catalyst moment that changed my career trajectory[10:45] Discovering product leadership and the early challenges[15:20] Building FinTech products from Mexico to Malaysia[22:10] The unique challenges of developing products across different markets[28:40] How purpose drives better product decisions[34:15] Balancing innovation with compliance and security[39:30] My framework for building high-performing product teams[45:10] The future of FinTech and where I see the industry heading[50:25] Critical advice for aspiring FinTech buildersSEARCH QUESTIONSHow to transition from banking to FinTech?What skills transfer from banking to FinTech product development?How to build FinTech products that solve real customer problems?What are the biggest challenges when building FinTech products?How to balance innovation with compliance in FinTech?How to build purpose-driven financial products?What does a FinTech product leader do?How to build FinTech products across different markets?What are the key differences between banking and FinTech product development?How to build high-performing FinTech product teams?How to create successful FinTech products with limited resources?What is the future of FinTech product development?How to build customer-centric financial products?What are the most important metrics for FinTech products?How to identify opportunities in the FinTech space?How to navigate regulatory challenges in FinTech?What does it take to be a successful FinTech builder?How to scale FinTech products globally?How to create inclusive financial products?What are the biggest pitfalls when building FinTech products?#FinTechBuilder #BankingToStartups #ProductLeadership #FinancialInclusion #PurposeDrivenFinTechDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers.

FinTech LaTam is booming; but it's not just just about digital transformation - we have the power to transform the region, but to do so, we must do a paradigm shift and focus on infinite adaptation and human-centered innovation.In this episode, I speak with Maria and Ray from FinTech Americas, who share powerful insights about LaTam, building trust in financial services, driving true financial inclusion, and fostering innovation that puts people first. And of course, they reveal why LaTam's unique challenges require a paradigm shift from traditional transformation to continuous adaptation.🔑 Key Highlights:Why trust remains the foundation of financial services innovationHow COVID accelerated digital adoption but created new challengesThe critical balance between technological efficiency and human connectionWhy Latin America needs "infinite adaptation" rather than linear transformationThe role of collaboration between banks and fintechs in driving meaningful changeFollow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Follow Maria & Ray:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marialmancuso/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayruga/Website: https://www.fintechamericas.co/en/👉 Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00:00] Introduction to FinTech Americas' mission[00:02:04] Key challenges in Latin American financial services[00:04:32] Building trust in digital financial services[00:07:34] Banking fundamentals and regulatory challenges[00:09:33] Bank-FinTech collaboration benefits[00:12:30] The infinite adaptation paradigm[00:15:14] Power of peer-to-peer learning at conferences[00:16:06] Human-centered financial inclusion[00:18:09] Balancing technology with humanity[00:20:51] FinTech Americas 2025 event details[00:22:27] FemTech and leadership initiatives[00:24:15] Networking and innovation opportunitiesSEARCH QUESTIONS:How to build trust in financial services in Latin America?What is the future of banking in Latin America?How are fintechs collaborating with banks in LATAM?What is infinite adaptation in financial services?How to drive financial inclusion in Latin America?Why do people not trust digital banking in LATAM?What is the unbanked population in Latin America?How did COVID impact digital banking adoption?What are the biggest challenges for FinTech in LATAM?How to balance technology and human touch in banking?What is the role of conferences in financial innovation?How to create human-centered financial products?What is the state of digital transformation in LATAM banks?How are banks and fintechs working together?How to build trust in digital financial services?What is the future of financial inclusion in LATAM?How to drive innovation in traditional banks?What are the key fintech trends in Latin America?How to succeed in Latin American fintech market?What makes FinTech Americas different from other conferences?#FinTechLatAm #FinancialInclusion #DigitalTransformation #BankingInnovation #FutureOfFinanceDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

We live in a world where marketing acquisition budgets are tight and we have a ton of pressure to deliver growth! - as a result content marketing has emerged as a powerful strategy for FinTech growth. In this episode, I speak with Araminta Robertson, Founder of Mint Studios, and we answer the big question: How to leverage content marketing effectively in the FinTech space?Araminta brings deep expertise in content strategy and SEO and shares insights on building effective content strategies that drive measurable results and explains why bottom-of-funnel content is becoming increasingly crucial in the age of AI.We explore how content can bridge the financial education gap, the strategic approach to SEO in an AI-driven world, and the balance between brand awareness and lead generation. We also discuss the challenges of creating technical content that resonates with B2B audiences and the importance of authentic expertise in content creation.🔑 Key Highlights:The shift from paid acquisition to content marketing as budgets tightenWhy bottom-of-funnel content is crucial for driving measurable resultsHow AI is changing SEO and content strategy in 2025The importance of technical expertise in FinTech content creationWhy customer obsession should drive content strategy👉 Follow Araminta:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aramintarobertson/Website: https://www.mintcopywritingstudios.com/👉Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00:00] The challenge of FinTech growth with tight budgets[00:01:19] How content democratizes financial knowledge[00:07:23] Content marketing ROI and measuring success[00:13:52] B2B FinTech content challenges[00:17:28] Introduction to Mint Studios and FinTech Marketing Hub[00:20:05] Building an effective content strategy[00:25:54] The impact of AI on SEO[00:33:26] In-house vs. agency content creation[00:37:00] Finding quality FinTech writers[00:41:24] Content distribution strategies[00:44:11] Building customer-centric FinTech businessesSEARCH QUESTIONSWhat is the future of FinTech content marketing in 2025?How to measure content marketing ROI in FinTech?What is bottom-of-funnel content in FinTech?How is AI changing SEO for FinTech companies?Should FinTechs build in-house content teams or hire agencies?What makes effective B2B FinTech content?How to create technical content that converts?What is the best content distribution strategy for FinTechs?How to balance brand awareness vs lead generation in FinTech?What skills do FinTech content writers need?How to create content with limited marketing budget?What is the impact of AI on FinTech content strategy?How to measure content marketing success in FinTech?What are the best SEO strategies for FinTech companies?How to create authentic FinTech thought leadership?What content formats work best for B2B FinTech?How to stand out in FinTech content marketing?What is the role of technical expertise in FinTech content?How to build a scalable content strategy for FinTech?What are the common FinTech content marketing mistakes?#FinTechMarketing #ContentStrategy #B2BFinTech #FinTechGrowth #ContentROIDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

We all wonder how to incorporate AI into our workflows! Soo I've recorded as special episode on AI in FinTech Product Development! Join me with Jas Shah, founder of Bitsul, and 3rd time guest in the show as we dive deep into how AI can streamline innovation and create more purpose-driven fintechs. We take a very practical approach so you'll learn frameworks for implementing AI, from automating admin tasks to enhancing customer research, and discover how to build sustainable, customer-centric solutions that create lasting valueIf you enjoy this Purpose Driven FinTech pod, please subscribe in YouTube, follow in Spotify, and leave a 5 star rating apple podcast. Remember to connect in LinkedIn to keep the conversation going.Let’s get into it!👉 You can find Jas hereLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jas-shah/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitsul/Website: https://bitsul.co.uk/👉 And you can find Monica here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://moni-millares.mystrikingly.com/We cover: [00:00] AI as a catalyst for customer impact[03:05] Purpose-driven FinTech with AI[06:01] Incorporating AI in product development[10:06] Practical AI tools for product teams[14:00] Crafting effective AI prompts[21:42] Using AI for customer research[29:16] Building AI-powered solutions[32:34] Cost considerations and ROI[38:38] Common mistakes to avoid[41:48] Ethical considerations in AI[45:54] Future of open banking[50:00] Key changes for sustainable AISEARCH QUESTIONSHow to implement AI in FinTech products?What are the best AI tools for product development?How to use AI for customer research in FinTech?Is AI replacing product managers?How to measure AI ROI in FinTech?What are common AI implementation mistakes in FinTech?How to build cost-effective AI solutions?Should FinTechs build or buy AI capabilities?How to create AI-powered customer experiences?What is the future of AI in banking?How to use ChatGPT for product development?What are the best practices for AI in FinTech?How to automate product management tasks with AI?What are the risks of AI in financial services?How to build ethical AI products in FinTech?How to use AI for product innovation?What is the impact of AI on product teams?How to create AI strategy for FinTech?How to scale AI solutions in FinTech?How to balance AI automation with human touch?DISCLAIMERDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

The AI revolution in FinTech is happening faster than you think! This week I speak with Pawel to explore how AI is transforming financial services and what it means for product leaders.From beating competitors with limited resources to preparing for a future where your customers might be AI copilots - this episode is packed with actionable insights for FinTech leaders who want to stay ahead of the curve.Discover:Why the AI transformation will happen 20x faster than the industrial revolutionHow to identify high-impact AI use cases with limited resourcesReal examples of cross-industry innovation that drove ROI in monthsThe secret to building sustainable, purpose-driven AI productsWhy your 2030 customer might not be human (and how to prepare)Perfect for FinTech leaders, product managers, and innovation teams looking to create lasting impact in an AI-first world.👉 Follow Pawel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pawelstezycki/👉Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://www.purposedrivenfintech.com/We cover: [00:00:00] The biggest fear in FinTech today[02:49:00] Building purpose-driven AI solutions[05:17:00] How AI enables better financial habits[08:00:00] Historical perspective: From printing press to AI[13:32:00] Framework for identifying AI use cases[16:10:00] Cross-industry innovation success stories[22:06:00] The human factor in AI transformation[25:21:00] AI-powered learning revolution[29:25:00] Ethics and trust in AI solutions[32:29:00] Your 2030 customer isn't human[36:30:00] Preparing for the bot economy[39:31:00] Building sustainable AI-powered businessesSEARCH QUESTIONSHow fast are competitors copying FinTech features in 2025?How to build purpose-driven AI products in FinTech?How can AI improve financial habits?How long will AI transformation take compared to other revolutions?What are the best AI use cases for FinTech?How to innovate with AI on a limited budget?Will AI replace jobs in FinTech?How to use AI for financial education?How to ensure AI solutions are trustworthy?What will FinTech customers look like in 2030?How to prepare for AI copilots in banking?How to build sustainable AI products?What is the ROI of AI in FinTech?How to test AI solutions quickly?How to find AI innovation opportunities?How to build an AI-ready culture?How to make complex financial information engaging with AI?What are the risks of AI in FinTech?How will AI change banking services?What regulations affect AI in FinTech?#FinTechInnovation #AIStrategy #ProductLeadership #FutureOfFinance #PurposeDrivenTechDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

DORA is here and if you are a FinTech in Europe you MUST listen to this conversation!  DORA is the Digital Operational Resilience Act that is effective from 17th Jan, 2025; and will affect all FinTech partners – yes it’s a biggy one; potentially bigger than GDPR!In this pod I speak with Wayne Scott, Regulatory Compliance Solutions Lead at Escode.  Wayne brings his extensive global regulatory expertise and breaks down why this new European regulation is a game-changer for FinTechs worldwide - and why we should be paying attention NOW.🔑 Key Highlights on DORA:DORA goes into effect January 17th, affecting 15,000+ financial institutions and 7-8,000 fintechsUnlike previous regulations, DORA extends to ALL critical suppliers and partners in the fintech ecosystemPotential fines could reach 2% of global revenue PER DAY for non-complianceThe regulation impacts any company providing services into Europe, regardless of their locationNot just about security - DORA focuses on operational resilience, supplier failure, and concentration riskWe discuss how regulation actually spurs innovation rather than stifling it, diving deep into the practical implications of Europe's new Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and its global ripple effects; explore the concept of operational contagion in our interconnected fintech ecosystem, and how businesses need to prepare for the AI revolution from a regulatory standpoint. We go wide and talk critical supply chain risk management, demystifying the process of identifying and protecting vital business infrastructure, and the future of global financial regulation in 2025 and beyond. We cover: [00:10:00] What is DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) explained in plain English[00:10:25] The scope: Affects 15,000 financial institutions and 7-8,000 fintechs[00:11:29] Why you can't argue your way out of DORA compliance[00:11:49] Understanding critical services - from cloud providers to core systems[00:15:10] The five key principles for DORA compliance checklist[00:30:22] Redefining Business Resilience - Beyond just "getting up and trying again"[00:31:43] The real meaning of resilience in fintech operations[00:35:03] Understanding Operational Contagion and its domino effects[00:36:20] Real-world example: How a single outage affected global operations[00:37:33] The Silicon Valley Bank case study - When operational fails trigger financial contagion[00:39:35] AI's impact on financial services regulation[00:41:00] How AI could make current tech companies obsolete[00:42:15] Managing the risks of rapid AI adoption in financial services[00:48:57] The regulatory roadmap for 2025 and beyond🚀 Your Action Items:Assign someone to own DORA complianceMap your critical suppliers and infrastructureDocument policies and proceduresTest scenario capabilities👉 Connect with Scott:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynethomasscott/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escodeglobal/posts/?feedView=allWebsite: https://www.escode.com/👉 Connect with Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://www.purposedrivenfintech.com/Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

The Metaverse isn't just a GenZ trend -- it's our chance to rebuild financial services with trust at the core! 🔥Join Victoria Richardson, David Birch and I as they share their findings from their book "Money in the Metaverse". We explore why identity infrastructure must be built differently this time, how native metaverse payments will transform commerce, what it really means to build safe spaces in virtual worlds, and what Gen Z is teaching us about virtual economies. Finally, Victoria and David reveal their framework for financial institutions to navigate this transformation: from establishing presence to creating entirely new products for virtual economies, and yup, they explain why it's not about building another app! 😎We cover: (00:00) The Future of the Metaverse: Beyond Commerce(06:13) Purpose Driven Innovation and the Human Element(15:30) Trust: The Foundation of Virtual Worlds(23:15) Digital Identity and Authentication(27:45) The Evolution from Virtual Worlds to Metaverse(33:20) Building Experiences vs Building Platforms(37:00) The Future of Payments and Digital Assets(40:15) Three-Stage Strategy for Financial Institutions(42:45) Risk Management and Training in Virtual Spaces(43:26) The Power of Shared Experiences(45:32) Building Trust Through Mutual Authentication👉Get their book "Money in the Metaverse" HERE👉 Connect with Victoria:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-richardson-40a48b6/👉 Connect with David:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgwbirch/Website: https://dgwbirch.com/👉 Connect with Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://www.purposedrivenfintech.com/Key Takeaways:1. The Metaverse PurposeIt's not just about new ways to buy - it's about human connectionWill create entirely new job categories and ways of workingSuccess depends on building safe, trusted spaces first2.Trust ArchitectureMutual authentication is critical (both users and companies need verification)Trust indicators should be built into the infrastructure (like color coding for verification status)Move from consumer-verified to system-verified trust3.Metaverse Strategy FrameworkStage 1: Establish PresenceStage 2: Enable Transactions Stage 3: Create Native Products4.On PaymentsKeep transactions within the metaverseUse tokenization for efficiencyFocus on seamless wallet experiences5.On Risk ManagementUse the metaverse for training and risk reductionConsider new types of risks in virtual spacesThink about liability and monetization modelsDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

Are you feeling that growing pressure of becoming irrelevant in today's fast-paced FinTech landscape? In this episode, I'm going solo and I'm sharing my battle-tested career development framework - the exact approach that has helped me stay ahead in an industry where yesterday's innovations become tomorrow's table stakes. I'll show you how to transform that fear of irrelevance into your biggest advantage, building a strategic career plan that keeps you at the forefront of FinTech innovation.Key Insights:Why traditional goal-setting fails and how strategic development planning leads to lasting career growthThe power of being the driver of your career instead of letting circumstances control your pathHow to identify and leverage growth opportunities in industry, company, and teamThe importance of building distinctive capabilities that make you irreplaceableWhy visibility planning is crucial, especially for women and introvertsWe cover:(00:00) Welcome to 2025: Why Strategic Planning Beats Goal Setting(01:00) My personal story: From Big Banks to FinTech Startups(02:45) The Power of Creating Your Own "Practical MBA"(04:02) 1: Being Strategic About Your Direction(06:00) The Importance of Clarity in Career Planning(07:03) Exercise: Permission to Dream Big(09:07) Being Honest With Your Self-Assessment(13:15) 2: Following the Growth(14:53) Identifying Growing Industries and Companies(16:00) Analyzing Trends and Their Impact on Your Role(19:26) 3: Building Your Capabilities(20:29) Developing Your Value Proposition(22:14) The Power of Unique Combinations(24:03) Creating Your Visibility Plan(26:00) Common Mistakes to Avoid(27:10) Action Steps for ImplementationTake Action This Week:The Dream Exercise: Give yourself permission to envision your ideal career without constraintsGrowth Audit: Assess your current skills against where you want to beValue Proposition: Create your unique combination of skills, experiences, and personality traitsFollow for more insights on building successful careers in FinTech and strategic professional development.👉 Connect with MonicaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://www.purposedrivenfintech.com/—Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.