Rising Together: How Empowered Women Can Empower Others

Welcome to “Women of Thunes”, an interview series dedicated to celebrating the achievements and stories of remarkable women in fintech. We are thrilled to kick off with Aditi Chhibber, Product Director, Virtual Accounts. 

In this Q&A, Aditi shares the highlights of her career journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way and why the former Prime Minister of New Zealand is a major inspiration.

Looking back on your career, what accomplishments are you most proud of and why?

Upon returning from maternity leave in 2017, I was entrusted with a highly ambitious project to launch a new digital savings account product for the bank I was working for at the time. 

Despite the challenges of balancing work and family, I successfully spearheaded the project and delivered the product in seven short months. I take great pride in this accomplishment. It boosted my confidence after having a baby and paved the way for future successes.

What inspired you to pursue a career in fintech? Who helped you the most along the way?

My inspiration to pursue a career in fintech stems from my experience as a relationship manager in branch banking, where I witnessed the importance of money movement and financial needs in our daily lives.

I was motivated to explore roles where I could make a tangible difference in simplifying this experience and building products that meet consumers’ and business needs. 

I firmly believe that “empowered women empower other women.” Throughout my journey in banking and fintech, I have been fortunate to make friends with other women who have become my mentors, cheerleaders, and sounding boards. They have inspired me every day to push my boundaries and achieve my goals. 

Overall, I am excited to be part of the fintech industry and continue to learn, grow and make a positive impact on people’s lives.

What skills and qualities do you believe women bring to the tech industry that are often overlooked or undervalued?

One skill that women bring to the tech industry, which is often overlooked, is the ability to have a laser-focused approach even when dealing with high levels of pressure. Women are often comfortable handling multiple tasks simultaneously and can quickly pivot between them.

Women tend to bring a fresh perspective to problem-solving and decision-making, which can lead to more innovative solutions.

If you could spend an hour having coffee with anyone in the world, who would you pick and why?

If I could have an hour of someone’s time, I would choose Indra Nooyi. 

She is one of the most successful women in the corporate space, having served as the CEO of PepsiCo. She has also been a vocal advocate for the challenges women face in the workplace, particularly when it comes to balancing career and family.

I would love to have the opportunity to learn more about her experiences and insights on how to navigate the unique challenges that women face in the business world.

What have been some of your biggest challenges as a female leader, and how have you navigated them?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced in my career is being soft-spoken.

One helpful strategy is to prepare for meetings well ahead of time so that I feel more comfortable expressing my ideas. 

It has been a conscious effort on my part to ensure that people hear my opinions and ideas, even if they don’t fit into the traditional mould of what it means to be assertive.

Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, has spoken about how women are often given feedback that they are not assertive enough in the workplace. She has acknowledged that this criticism can be particularly challenging for women, making them feel like they are not fulfilling their role or living up to expectations. It is a big challenge for women to ensure their voice is heard and break gender stereotypes.