What inspired you to pursue a career in the payments industry, and how did your journey lead you to your current role as a Global Product Director?

I’m Nicola Bennett, and I’m joining from London—though the accent’s New Zealand, not British! I’ve been here 12 years after a three-year stint in North America. Honestly, I fell into payments by accident. It’s not exactly a career you plan as a kid, like being a pilot or nurse. My journey began after studying law—not to be a lawyer but because the skills it offered—communication, analysis, negotiation—are useful for many careers.

After deciding to do an “OE” (Overseas Experience) like many Kiwis, I initially aimed to work at a ski field in Canada. While browsing Craigslist (yes, I know that dates me!), I stumbled on a compliance role at a Vancouver payments startup, HyperWallet. I applied and got it—and that’s where my payments career really took root. HyperWallet was an incredible place to start. Back then, it was just a 50-person startup, but later, it was acquired by PayPal for $400 million, so I saw firsthand how impactful a startup could be.

After a while, I wanted to see more of Europe, so I relocated to London. Through some connections, I landed a role at Western Union Business Solutions, now Convera. Initially, I was in sales, but it wasn’t quite my fit. I transitioned into product management when a director noticed my experience and thought I’d be a good fit. Product management was new to me—there isn’t a degree for it, and it’s hard to explain! But I took the plunge and have been in product ever since, moving from regional to global roles. Now, I’m a Global Product Director at Convera.

I never expected to be in fintech, but it’s been the most rewarding “accident” I could imagine. Working in a field that touches every part of our daily lives—from shopping online to business operations—is incredibly fulfilling. Now I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

What is a day in the life like for a Global Product Director?

Working as a Product Director at Convera, each day is packed but energising. Since Convera separated from Western Union Business Solutions, we’ve been on a rapid modernisation path. My role centres on rebuilding much of our tech infrastructure from the ground up. My team and I focus on driving forward this transformation by building applications and solutions that serve the future needs of our customers.

My mornings are usually for my tasks and planning, as most of my team is based in Denver, with our engineering partners in India. Afternoons are where the action is: I connect with my team, tackle cross-functional projects, and address any obstacles they’re facing. A big part of my job is removing blockers so my team can stay productive—whether it’s troubleshooting with engineering, aligning with compliance, or engaging with legal.

Throughout the day, I think about our customers’ needs, not just for today but for the future. I work closely with various teams, from engineering to product delivery, to ensure we’re creating tools our clients will find valuable, sometimes even before they know they want them! I aim to ensure that our product improvements align with timelines and strategic goals set by our leadership and investors.

The classic product management tasks—ideation, sprint planning, writing user stories, working with sales—are all part of my day-to-day. Product managers are like the “CEO of the product”; while we don’t directly manage every team we work with, we rely on many different departments to bring our vision to life. Influencing without formal authority is key, and finding that balance is an art.

My role spans enterprise and global levels, keeping my work varied. It’s intense, yes, but exciting and rewarding to be at the centre of so much innovation and transformation. No two days are alike, but I truly love the challenge.

Do you have advice on how to find the right communities and mentors, or any upskilling advice?

Absolutely—connecting with and leaning on other women can be a powerful tool, especially in a field like fintech, where challenges are often magnified by the industry’s male-dominated history. Many women experience imposter syndrome and uncertainty about asserting themselves. In my career, I’ve found that building genuine relationships with women I work alongside has been invaluable. I started by seeking out women in my company, which was easier pre-COVID when offices were central. But even now, it’s worth investing in relationships with accessible colleagues, especially senior women leaders.

One example that sticks with me involves a colleague, Jericho, who became a mentor to me. She had a strong track record and extensive experience across major companies. We began with small talk, which grew into a supportive friendship. Through her, I learned about her advocacy for women in leadership and board roles, inspiring me to focus on representation issues. Relationships like these are worth cultivating; they can grow into mentorships that don’t need to be formalised but provide real support.

Another experience was a one-time lunch with a woman named Lisa, who helped me adjust to the culture shift I faced moving from New Zealand to the UK’s male-dominated sales environment. That conversation alone gave me validation and practical advice to navigate a challenging time. These relationships might be informal, but they build a network of allies and mentors who offer guidance and encouragement across different stages of your career.

As for the future of women in fintech, I’m optimistic. Fintech itself is relatively young, but the pace of change is rapid. Over my 14 years in the payment industry, I’ve seen substantial progress for women in leadership. Research, such as McKinsey’s findings, shows that companies with more women leaders perform better financially. VC studies echo this, with women-led tech firms achieving higher revenue while using less capital.

I foresee women having a massive impact on fintech in the coming decade. Beyond financial results, women leaders bring emotional intelligence and empathy, both crucial in humanising tech-driven industries. As more women enter senior roles, we’ll see fintech companies that are not only profitable but prioritise inclusivity and balanced perspectives. These companies will also attract a broader talent pool and foster a culture of innovation and resilience.

Looking ahead, I think we’ll see fintech evolve more rapidly toward gender inclusivity than older industries like law. As women lead more initiatives, they create ripple effects that open doors for others. This will lead to workplaces that value diverse perspectives and drive growth and success on both the human and business fronts. In ten years, fintech will likely feature a strong presence of women in leadership roles, pushing the industry forward in exciting new ways.

What strategies have you found effective in balancing the demands of your career and personal life?

Finding balance in my career is always a challenge. For anyone juggling work and family, consistency in achieving that balance feels elusive. The reality is that progressing in your career, especially in this industry, requires hard work and some level of sacrifice, and each person has to define “balance” in a way that resonates personally.

For me, balance means having time over the weekend to relax, not waking up at night stressed about work, and most importantly, actually enjoying my job. When work intrudes on personal time, it’s much more manageable if you find your work rewarding. If I didn’t enjoy my job, the encroachment on my personal time would feel unbearable.

I also implement some specific strategies. Since I work globally, with a team based mostly in Denver, I have more flexibility in my mornings here in London. My mornings are sacred—they’re for walking the dog, exercising, catching up with family, or just having a moment to myself. My afternoons are packed with meetings, so I also protect an hour daily for lunch. It’s my “green hour” when I step away from the laptop. Working from home requires this structured break, or I’d never fully disconnect.

One thing I had to work on, particularly as a woman, was learning the art of saying no. It’s challenging because women often feel pressured to be people-pleasers, but I’ve learned to communicate my boundaries directly and without apology. For instance, if I have plans and can’t attend a late call, I’ll just say, “I have personal time blocked—please record or reschedule.” Saying no isn’t easy, but it’s crucial for setting healthy boundaries that prevent work from overtaking personal time.

Ultimately, for me, balance isn’t about dividing hours evenly but having the flexibility to adjust according to what’s needed professionally and what I want personally.

What key trends or innovations do you foresee shaping the future of the payments industry, and how can women position themselves to capitalise on these opportunities?

With more women entering the payments and fintech industry, there’s an incredible chance to engage with transformative trends, especially in cross-border payments and fraud prevention areas. Cross-border payments are experiencing rapid growth, largely driven by e-commerce and globalisation. For instance, cross-border payment volumes are expected to reach about $290 trillion by 2030. This is a crucial area for innovation, with advancements in real-time payments and open banking driving change. Given how early we are in these innovations, now is the perfect time for women to jump in and start shaping the future of these developments.

I’d suggest actively joining the conversations around these trends to get involved. That might mean participating in meetings, attending industry groups like Women in Payments, subscribing to relevant newsletters, or even doing research. However you approach it, staying engaged and learning as much as possible is key. Opportunities won’t just fall into place; it takes an active commitment to immerse yourself and express your interest in being part of the future of fintech.

Fraud is another dynamic area, given how innovation often creates new vulnerabilities. For instance, recent data shows a 61% spike in mobile fraud, with some companies seeing losses of over €1 million. Convera’s recent report highlights these escalating challenges, and it’s clear that fraud management, compliance, and information security will be pivotal growth areas. Given the evolving government regulations and the rise of cyber threats, these fields are filled with opportunities to establish expertise.

The key here is to focus on foundational yet emerging areas where you can build your expertise. Engaging with industry trends now can position you as a leader in a few years. Whether through networking, mentorship, or self-directed research, finding ways to contribute to and learn from these conversations can be hugely beneficial. Looking at these trends not just as current challenges but as areas with long-term demand and value is a powerful way to shape a successful career in payments and fintech.

What message or words of encouragement would you like to share with women and girls who aspire to make their mark in the payments industry or any male-dominated field?

Research from MIT shows that companies with gender-diverse workforces perform better and are more productive, underscoring the value women bring to any organisation. I believe it’s essential to seek companies that genuinely support diversity—not only because they say it but because they act on it. Most companies today recognise this, and the data already affirms the impact of diversity on workplace success. Women bring unique perspectives that are no less valuable than those of their male counterparts. Those perspectives aren’t just equally valuable in the right setting—they can be even more valuable.

For any woman considering a path in fintech, there are numerous resources to help you dive in and succeed. Groups like Money20/20’s Rise Up and others specifically support women in the industry, and they offer connections, insights, and encouragement. Building a network is crucial. It doesn’t take an enormous group, just a supportive network you can lean into and grow with. Having mentors and, eventually, becoming a mentor yourself can be transformative. Supporting others not only strengthens your network but also enhances your professional growth.

I started in this industry over a decade ago, and the shift toward more women in fintech and payments has been incredible. Women aren’t just participants—we’re leaders and innovators. The groundwork has been laid for younger women to join and thrive in this industry. With determination, a supportive network, and a strong sense of self-worth, women can find fintech to be an incredibly fulfilling space, filled with opportunities for success and excitement.

So, to women considering this field: take the plunge, seek companies and networks that value your unique contributions, and let your career unfold in a space that truly needs diverse talent to innovate and thrive.