IWD 2025: Celebrating women at Thunes
International Women’s Rights Day, often referred to as International Women’s Day (IWD), was first held over a century ago (in 1911) and celebrates women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements, highlighting the progress made and the work still needed.
This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, highlights how long it is expected to take to achieve full gender parity – until 2158, according to the World Economic Forum.
We asked some of our talented employees from across Thunes – both women and allies – to share their thoughts on what IWD means to them and how Fintech companies can accelerate action. Here’s what they had to say:
Chloé Mayenobe, President and COO
“At Thunes, being such an international company, fostering inclusion and empowerment is a key part of the company’s values and strategy. We have more than 60 nationalities and that diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences ensures our success.
By fostering an environment where inclusion and empowerment are at the heart of our culture, we create a workplace that supports individual growth as well as driving overall company performance. It’s a powerful approach that ultimately leads to stronger collaboration, innovation, customer satisfaction and effectiveness.”
Ligia Stefanescu, Head of Treasury Collections
“As a woman in fintech, Accelerate Action is a call to push for real, measurable change and it’s a mindset I live by every day. Fintech is about pushing boundaries, finding new solutions, and disrupting outdated systems. I’ve experienced both the challenges and the opportunities in this fast-moving industry, and I’ve seen firsthand the power of mentorship, the impact of diverse teams, and the strength of women who refuse to wait for change but create it.
At Thunes, we are driving innovation in global payments, and that innovation must include diverse voices and perspectives. There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”
Bao Harifara Andriatsitohaina, VP Legal
“International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate our individual achievements and recognise our collective responsibility to drive progress. It’s an opportunity to champion women’s empowerment and rights while acknowledging the challenges that remain.
Reflecting on my own journey, I’m proud to have broken barriers and challenged norms by moving to Europe from Madagascar 19 years ago. Today, I’m grateful to work for a fintech company like Thunes that can positively impact women’s digital financial inclusion.”
Daniel Ward, Head of Talent Acquisition
“International Women’s Day is about celebrating achievements and progress but it is also critically about recognising the work ahead that needs doing. Accelerate Action is a fantastic theme as it’s so true that we need to be ‘doing’ and not only ‘talking’ – we need to continually push for equality. As a male ally I believe it’s my role to listen, learn and be a voice in driving this equality too.”
Lina Herrera, Senior Compliance Manager
“As a Latina in fintech, International Women’s Day holds a special and personal meaning for me. It is a reminder that progress happens through action. This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, particularly resonates in fintech, where innovation and inclusivity coexist, and must be used to address the challenges women experience worldwide. Women have faced glass ceilings in finance and technology for too long, and this year’s theme inspires me to challenge and break them down permanently for future generations.
At Thunes, by making the global economy more accessible, we have the opportunity to build a more inclusive financial system. We empower women around the world to build independent, secure futures. Through Accelerated Action, we are transforming a financial system that has confined women – especially those in communities like mine – into a more equitable one, and helping remove the barriers that prevent women from thriving.”
Babul Balakrishnan (BK), Head of Customer Experience (CX) Operations
“‘Accelerate Action’ means pushing beyond performative gestures and driving real change. For me, that starts with fully embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in every interaction: at work, in my personal life, and even in conversations with my family.
Real change happens when DEI isn’t a corporate initiative but a mindset we carry into daily discussions, debates, and decisions. When we challenge biases in hiring, advocate for balanced representation in leadership, and ensure fintech is an industry where everyone can thrive, we translate words into action. Progress doesn’t come from a single initiative or event, it comes from the way we choose to show up every day. And when we make inclusion a habit, we accelerate not just conversations but real, lasting impact.”
Bilhah Waithera Kinuthia, Manager, Network Commercialisation
“True change happens when we move beyond surface-level representation to ensure that women’s contributions are strategic, impactful, and valued. I am honored to work for an organisation that upholds these values.
I believe in taking action(s) that create lasting impact, through mentorship, breaking biases, and fostering inclusivity. This year, I challenge myself and other women to be intentional in using our career experiences to uplift the next generation, while encouraging those starting out to embrace learning with humility and openness.”
Jane Jackson, Chief People Officer
“At Thunes, fostering inclusion and empowerment means building for people and creating an environment where people can be themselves.
Inclusion shows in everyday moments, like ensuring our hiring process considers different perspectives, encouraging managers to focus on outcomes rather than office time, decisions we make around our products that encourage financial inclusion and simply recognising that everyone’s contributions matter regardless of their role.
It also means being aware of our biases, conscious or not, and working to address them. The more we hold ourselves accountable, the stronger our culture becomes. We are all human, unique, and shaped by our own experiences. Inclusion is not a box to tick. It is how we work, connect, and grow together. When it becomes a habit it’s no longer just something we do, but who we are.”
Astrid Huijssoon, Head of Product Marketing
“For me, Accelerate Action means ensuring that DEI isn’t just a checkbox but a fundamental driver of progress, because when women thrive, businesses and societies flourish. It means using our voices, being role models, and ensuring men feel included in the changes still required, both at work and at home.
I’m grateful for the women and men who continue to challenge norms and push for a more equitable world, including my partner, who shares the responsibility of raising our boys equally. And I’m proud to be part of a company that puts these values into action. At Thunes, whether it’s having a diverse workforce made up of 60 nationalities, or making a tangible difference for underbanked women worldwide through our Direct Global Network, diversity is more than a statistic, it’s a driving force behind our impact.”
Daniel Parreira, SVP Sales Africa
“As an ally for women in fintech, for me this theme highlights the importance of recognising the barriers that women face in the industry and taking concrete steps to remove those barriers. It encourages individuals and organizations to actively support initiatives like mentorship, advocacy, networking and education that promote women’s participation, mentorship, and leadership in fintech. Accelerating action means being intentional about creating an inclusive environment and ensuring that women have equal opportunities to thrive in fintech and beyond.”
Thunes fosters an inclusive and collaborative environment where the unique perspectives of our team of Thunesters sparks innovation. Join us and make a difference! We’re hiring!
