‘Unlimit’ed Access: Female Voices (Vol XVIII)

Please give us an overview of the career pathway that has led you to today. What does a day look like for you as Senior Payment and Fraud Manager now?

I’m Elena, and I’ve been with Wargaming for the past 12 years. Before that, I spent almost five years working in a mobile carrier company’s roaming department, which was a good job but a bit limited in responsibilities. I started looking for something different and, surprisingly, found myself a fit for the gaming industry—even though I wasn’t a hardcore gamer. My skill set at the time matched well with the needs of Wargaming’s newly formed payments team, which I joined when it was just three of us. It was exciting to help build that department from the ground up, creating policies, strategies, and workflows from scratch. It was definitely challenging, but I was young and eager, and it turned out to be a great learning experience.

Eventually, I started managing a team, which was a new challenge since I had no prior experience leading others. Looking back, there are three key things that have defined my career journey so far. First, I’ve always valued practical experience over theory. At Wargaming, I often faced tasks I’d never done before, pushing me out of my comfort zone. After gaining hands-on experience, I supported it with theory through various courses, which worked out well for me and was encouraged by the company.

Second, I’ve always been given a choice in my projects—a real privilege. For example, I wanted to handle payment implementation in Latin America simply because I loved the region, and that became my project for a few years. Today, I oversee fraud prevention at Wargaming, a role I pursued because I found the topic exciting and started exploring cases independently years ago.

Lastly, my role has grown constantly. Every year brings new projects and challenges, helping me grow as a professional. I’ve never felt stagnant in this job, and that’s something I truly enjoy about my work at Wargaming.

How relevant do you think payments are to achieving business goals? How is fraudulent activity hindering this, and what steps are being taken in the industry to combat it?

Payments are fundamental to any business’s success, but the quality of payment services often gets overlooked. Surprisingly, many companies still don’t have dedicated payments or fraud teams, despite the critical role they play. Behind every transaction decline or unfavourable commercial terms, potential revenue loss could be saved with proper investment in these teams.

I bring up fraud teams because, in e-commerce, companies can face massive financial hits or even lose their business due to a few large-scale fraud attacks. Unchecked fraud can be devastating, no matter how robust your payments team is.

The challenge in combating fraud lies in balancing a smooth payment experience for customers while preventing fraudulent activity. Ironically, the most effective anti-fraud tools—like 3D Secure, CAPTCHA, or two-factor authentication—also add friction to the user experience. The more you reduce this friction, the more vulnerable you become to fraud, making it a challenging puzzle for businesses to solve.

That’s where creativity comes into play. Companies are continually innovating, using tools like facial recognition or fingerprinting for two-factor authentication to reduce fraud without sacrificing convenience. However, fraudsters are just as creative, adopting the same new technologies for their own purposes. It’s a constant chase, and unfortunately, businesses have no guaranteed happy ending. It’s a fascinating and complex topic that requires continuous adaptation to stay ahead of emerging threats.

What made you enter the world of payments, and what drove you into the gaming industry with that skill set?

Entering the world of payments felt a bit like stepping into outer space—it’s a magical and unexpected world. Honestly, it was a happy accident for me. I hadn’t planned on it, didn’t consider it, and had no idea about the vibrant life hidden within gaming and e-commerce payments.

For anyone, especially young women, looking to break into this field, I think having a flexible mindset is essential. Analytical skills are crucial, too, and you need to be resilient to handle the fast-paced changes. But, above all, a good sense of humour goes a long way. In this world, everything starts with communication, and connecting and laughing with people makes all the difference.

Gaming and payments are often seen as male-centric spaces. How did you feel entering them, and did your gender impact how you were perceived at work? If so, how did you handle and overcome that?

I’ll be totally transparent here: I never really thought much about the gender dynamics in gaming and payments. Sure, it’s statistically a male-dominated field, but over the past 12 years, I’ve seen more talented women joining the industry, and some of them have become key voices in the space. In my experience, motivation and professionalism are what truly open doors, regardless of gender. It’s about knowing what you want and working persistently toward it.

I haven’t felt particularly impacted by my gender in this industry, but cultural differences are a factor across any field. For instance, I remember a meeting where I led negotiations, and the other party kept addressing my male manager instead of me. It was frustrating, but I understood that sometimes, especially in certain regions, patriarchal management styles still prevail. Awareness of these cultural nuances helps you handle situations with the right approach and sometimes avoid them.

I’d recommend The Culture Map by Erin Meyer for anyone navigating similar challenges. It’s a fantastic resource that helped me understand business cultural dynamics. Thankfully, during that meeting, my manager recognised the situation and backed me up, redirecting the conversation to me.

You come across a lot of interesting situations in this field, and the key is to be prepared and ready to respond appropriately. It’s all part of the journey, and anticipating challenges is always better so you’re not caught off guard.

What advice for success and managing self-doubt would you give other women aspiring to reach management positions?

There’s no one-size-fits-all advice, but over the years, I’ve developed a few guiding principles that have become essential in my career. First, confidence is crucial—but don’t overdo it. Always challenge yourself, and don’t let “I don’t know” or “I can’t” be part of your vocabulary. Instead, think, “I’ll learn it by tomorrow.” Relying on your colleagues is also key, so don’t hesitate to ask for help or to ask questions. Even if they seem basic, they’re essential to continuous learning.

Say yes to opportunities, even if they’re intimidating—whether it’s speaking, presenting, or negotiating. Early on, I learned the importance of being prepared for every meeting, conversation, and presentation. At first, it takes time, but it quickly becomes second nature and always pays off. And don’t worry too much about people liking you; focus on being respected. As long as others respect you, you’re on the right track. Likewise, treat everyone you interact with respect, regardless of their role or position.

It’s also important to balance empathy with firmness. Be kind and understanding, but stay firm and direct when it comes to your principles. Some might see this as too blunt, but I believe it’s essential for clarity and integrity. Lastly, don’t shy away from taking on more responsibilities—embracing them is how you grow.

While some of these principles may seem obvious, they’ve proven invaluable. Simple truths often make the biggest impact.

What would you say are the most significant challenges in positions like yours?

I view every challenge as an opportunity for growth. Anything that pushes me to develop is a challenge, regardless of my role at the time. For instance, managing a team is a significant challenge because it involves taking responsibility for others and making strategic decisions that affect the company. Another challenge is diving into a completely new project or field where I lack experience, even as a senior professional.

Accepting an invitation to speak at a conference is also a big challenge for me, especially since public speaking can feel daunting. But, I’ve found that overcoming these smaller challenges equips me with the confidence and strength to tackle the bigger ones successfully. Each step forward, no matter how small, provides momentum for future growth.

What do you see as the future for women in tech and payments?

That was a challenging question for me, and I hadn’t thought about it before, so I found it intriguing. I’m generally sceptical about rapid, sweeping changes worldwide or even within a specific industry. 

In my view, success—whether for women or men—still comes down to professionalism, experience, motivation, a clear goal, and maybe a bit of luck. While I wish there were a rapid solution or something that could create instant change, I don’t think that’s realistic. Building self-confidence through experiences is key, and women should take advantage of networking, reading, and mentorship opportunities to understand what resources and paths are available to them.

I appreciate initiatives like this series, which offer a platform for these stories. When I first entered the industry, there wasn’t the same level of visibility for women’s experiences and careers in sectors like gaming and tech. Over the last twelve years, however, I’ve seen more conversations around these topics. I think that’s where real change begins—by sharing our stories and encouraging others to explore new opportunities. So, thank you for the important work you’re doing to help shape the future.

What advice would you give your younger self and other women about succeeding in our industries?

When I hear this question, I would advise my younger self on a few specific things. First and foremost, don’t be afraid to speak up. Challenge others if you believe something is incorrect, even if the person is more senior. Don’t hesitate just because of your position—speak your mind when it matters.

Another key piece of advice is to take initiative. Don’t wait for someone else to tell you what to do. If you see something that needs addressing, go ahead and take action. It’s also practical to always double-check and reread emails before sending them. Verify the accuracy of any information you’re passing along, as ultimately, it becomes your responsibility.

Most importantly, always be polite and well-mannered, but don’t let others manipulate you. These are the five essential things I’d go back and tell my younger self, and I would encourage other women to embrace them as well.