Redefining the Future of Finance: Meet the 11 Women Leading the Fintech Revolution

They say that money moves the world, but who moves the money?

Meet the female fintech leaders dismantling legacy systems, bridging financial divides, and proving that innovation thrives when leadership reflects the diversity of the customers it serves. From revolutionizing digital banking to driving financial inclusion and innovation, these 11 women are not just breaking barriers, they’re building the future of fintech and payments. With vision, grit, and an unwavering commitment to innovation, these women are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, opening doors for future generations, and transforming the way we interact with money.

Anne Boden is the founder and CEO of Starling Bank, a mobile banking platform serving 4.2 million active users. As the first woman to establish a UK bank, she has a remarkable career in finance. Having held senior roles at major financial institutions like Standard Chartered, ABN AMRO, and the Royal Bank of Scotland, she leveraged her expertise to launch Starling in 2014 with a mobile-first banking model. Despite early funding challenges, she secured £163 million, turning Starling into a leading digital bank in the UK with billions in deposits. Recognized with an MBE for services to fintech, Boden has played a pivotal role in reshaping modern banking through innovation, smart financial tools, and banking-as-a-service solutions.

Sabrina Flunkert is the CEO of Ratepay, having joined the company as CFO in 2019 and later serving as Managing Director alongside Nina Pütz since 2021. She played a key role in Ratepay’s strategic realignment, enhancing its market position and strengthening partnerships with financing providers. With over a decade of experience in banking and private equity, Flunkert has led acquisitions, exits, including IPOs and carve-outs, structured financing deals, and built high-performing teams. Her expertise spans digital transformation, strategic development, and risk management, making her a driving force in Ratepay’s growth and innovation.

Miriam Wohlfarth is a pioneering fintech entrepreneur and one of Germany’s first female founders in the industry. With over 22 years of experience in the digital sector, she launched Ratepay in 2009, growing it into a company with over 300 employees. She later co-founded Banxware, driving innovation in embedded financial services. Wohlfarth is a member of the Digital Finance Forum of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance, serves on multiple supervisory boards, and is a recognized thought leader and published author. She is also dedicated to fostering digital education for young people through initiatives like Startup Teens, the Hacker School, and 42 Heilbronn.

Fonta Gilliam is the CEO and Founder of Wellthi, an embedded social finance software designed to help institutions increase the lifetime value of customers. With over a decade of experience in development finance, Fonta is a former U.S. diplomat and Deloitte consultant. She has also launched women’s business centers in Africa and designed financing programs for small businesses globally. In 2016, she received the U.S. State Department’s Franklin Award for her work in economic empowerment. Gilliam holds degrees from American University and Howard University.

Martina Weimert has been the CEO of EPI Company since its founding in 2020, leading efforts to create an independent European payment solution in partnership with EPI’s shareholders. With two decades of international consulting experience, she has specialized in payments, fintech, blockchain, and retail banking across Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Previously, she was a partner at Oliver Wyman and held senior roles at Capgemini Consulting and Deutsche Bank. Weimert holds degrees from the Institute of Political Science in Paris, Sorbonne University, and the University of Bonn, bringing a strong academic foundation to her leadership in the financial sector.

Cristina Junqueira is the co-founder of Nubank, one of the world’s largest neobanks and Latin America’s most successful fintechs. After five years at Brazilian banking giant Itaú, she left in 2013 to revolutionize the industry, joining forces with Colombian CEO David Vélez to launch a no-fee, mobile-first banking platform. Under her leadership, Nubank expanded into Colombia and Mexico, driving financial inclusion across the region. A trailblazer in fintech, she advocates for gender diversity and work-life balance while spearheading innovation through AI-driven, customer-centric solutions. Recognized as Brazil’s second self-made female billionaire and a top fintech leader, she also supports educational and social initiatives in Brazil.

Emilie Choi is the President and COO of Coinbase and an Independent Director at Okta, overseeing key operational functions that drive the cryptoeconomy. With a strong background in corporate development and strategic operations, she previously played a pivotal role at LinkedIn as VP of Corporate Development, leading major acquisitions and partnerships. Before that, she held leadership roles at Warner Bros. and Yahoo. Since joining Coinbase in 2018, Choi has been instrumental in shaping its growth strategy, including its successful NASDAQ public listing, cementing her influence in the tech and cryptocurrency sectors.

Lissele Pratt is the Co-Founder of Capitalixe and a recognized expert in foreign exchange, payments, and financial technology, helping businesses in high-risk industries access global banking solutions. An entrepreneur from a young age, she built a seven-figure fintech consultancy in just three years. Her achievements have earned her spots on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Finance list and the TechRound 29 Under 29 list, along with multiple award recognitions, including Rising Star of the Year at the UK Fintech Awards. As the host of the Success Secrets podcast, she shares inspiring stories of achievement, while also advocating for diversity and inclusion in fintech, empowering women to thrive in the financial sector.

Michelle Beyo is the CEO and Founder of Finavator, a renowned payments and finance consultancy. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, her leadership has driven innovation in the retail and payments sectors, fostering growth for North American companies. As an internationally recognized thought leader, she has spoken at major events influencing conversations on the future of finance. A mentor and advisor, Michelle champions consumer data rights as President of the Open Banking Network Canada (OFNC). Named one of Toronto’s “Top 50 Women Leaders” in 2023 and recognized as “Most Outstanding FinTech Executive Canada” in 2022, she also contributed to the USA bestseller Habits of Success.

Charlotte Hogg is the Executive Vice President and CEO of Visa’s European operations, bringing over 25 years of experience in financial services, banking, and management consulting. Before joining Visa in 2017, she served as COO of the Bank of England and held leadership roles at Santander, Experian, and Goldfish Bank. Hogg has also worked at Morgan Stanley and McKinsey & Company. She is a board member of Now Teach and a non-executive director for RELX. Hogg holds a B.A. in Economics and History from Oxford, is a Kennedy Memorial Trust Scholar from Harvard, and has an honorary Doctor of Laws from Warwick University.

Ugne Buraciene is the Group CEO of payabl., a fintech company renowned for its innovative payment solutions and merchant servicing. With over 15 years of experience in banking and payments, she has been instrumental in scaling payabl.’s global operations. Ugne is also a board member for TechIsland, an advisor for Bivial, and the Cyprus Country Ambassador for the European Women Payments Network, where she champions the growth and innovation of the payments sector worldwide.