Embracing Diversity for Stronger Careers

In the latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, host Nadia engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Noemie Koffler, Director of Business Development at Riskified. The episode explores the role of inclusion in career growth and workplace culture, focusing on the importance of creating diverse environments and fostering authentic leadership. Noemie shares her personal experiences, career insights, and advice on navigating the challenges of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the rapidly evolving financial technology sector. The conversation offers valuable takeaways for professionals seeking to elevate their careers and organisations committed to creating inclusive, high-performing workplaces.

Career Growth in the FinTech Sector: Noemie's Journey

Noemie’s career trajectory provides an inspiring example of growth and development within the FinTech industry. She began her journey five years ago in the tech sales space, working for Applause, a leader in crowd testing solutions. During her time there, Noemie closely collaborated with e-commerce brands, which helped her understand customer needs and challenges. This experience proved invaluable as she transitioned to her role at Riskified, where she became the Business Development Manager for the French market.

Having grown up in Paris and later moving to Israel, Noemie’s diverse background has played a key role in her success. Her multilingual skills and ability to adapt to different cultural environments allowed her to bring a unique perspective to her role, helping Riskified expand its footprint in France. As she reflects on her career journey, Noemie emphasises the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and continuous learning as key elements in her progression from a business development manager to Director of Business Development at Riskified.

For Noemie, career growth is about more than just reaching the next position. It’s about embracing one’s strengths and aligning them with personal and professional passions. Understanding what drives you, she suggests, is essential to discovering your unique value proposition and excelling in your career. Noemie’s advice to anyone looking to grow in their career is to invest in themselves, focus on their strengths, and seek roles that resonate with their personal values and interests.

Navigating the Challenges of Inclusion in FinTech

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Noemie discusses the broader challenges of inclusion in the workplace, particularly in FinTech. Inclusion is often referred to as a buzzword, but Noemie stresses that it should not be seen as a trend or an afterthought. For her, inclusion is a moral imperative—a concept that extends beyond gender and ethnic diversity. True inclusion involves creating spaces where individuals from all backgrounds feel heard, respected, and empowered to contribute.

Noemie argues that inclusion is a process rather than a destination. She reflects on how discussions around diversity and inclusion often emerge in the workplace, signalling that many organisations still have a long way to go in creating truly inclusive environments. While progress has been made, Noemie believes there is still much work to be done. In the FinTech sector, particularly, efforts to promote diversity and inclusion can sometimes feel insufficient or performative if not backed by tangible actions and policies. This, she notes, is why inclusion must be treated as a continuous journey that demands the involvement of leadership and all employees.

The Role of Leadership in Driving Inclusion

For inclusion to be truly effective, Noemie argues, it must start at the top. Leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone for an organisation’s culture and determining its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Noemie reflects on how essential it is for management teams to recognise the business value of inclusion, as well as the moral imperative behind it. Inclusive workplaces not only foster a sense of belonging but also drive better outcomes in terms of innovation, collaboration, and overall employee satisfaction. Noemie emphasises that diverse perspectives bring new ideas to the table and can help organisations solve complex problems more effectively.

She stresses that it’s not enough for organisations to simply talk about inclusion—they must invest the time, resources, and effort necessary to make it a reality. This means dedicating resources to recruitment, training, and initiatives that actively promote diversity and inclusion. Noemie highlights how organisations must align their diversity goals with business objectives to ensure that inclusivity becomes an integral part of their strategic vision. Leadership should prioritise the allocation of both budget and energy to support DEI efforts, fostering a culture where inclusion is deeply embedded in everyday practices.

Overcoming Bias in FinTech Hiring Practices

A key topic in the episode is the importance of addressing bias in hiring practices, especially within the FinTech industry. Noemie discusses how job referrals, while often seen as a convenient way to find talent, can inadvertently perpetuate bias and limit diversity. As humans, we tend to refer people who share similar backgrounds, experiences, and values. This results in a lack of diversity in the talent pool and reinforces existing biases.

Noemie explains that the hiring process should focus on candidates’ skills, qualifications, and potential rather than their personal connections or backgrounds. She acknowledges that job referrals can be valuable, but they must be balanced with a broader approach to recruitment that emphasises diversity and inclusion. Companies should actively seek out candidates from underrepresented groups and create hiring processes that are free from bias. Noemie urges employers to rethink their referral programs and ensure that hiring decisions are made based on merit rather than familiarity.

The Power of Self-Awareness and Continuous Growth

A central theme in Noemie’s advice is the importance of self-awareness and continuous personal growth. Noemie credits much of her career success to her ability to reflect on her strengths and weaknesses and use those insights to improve her performance. She shares an example from her time in Israel when she had to work twice as hard as her peers because she didn’t know Hebrew. This experience taught her the value of perseverance and hard work, qualities that have stayed with her throughout her career.

Noemie stresses that Financial Technology career growth is not just about climbing the corporate ladder but also about developing oneself professionally and personally. She encourages individuals to be humble enough to acknowledge areas where they can improve and to be proactive in seeking feedback and opportunities for growth. This mindset, she believes, is what sets successful professionals apart from others. Noemie also emphasises the importance of networking and building relationships with people outside of one’s immediate circle. Networking allows individuals to learn from others, gain new perspectives, and expand their horizons, ultimately contributing to personal and career growth.

The Importance of Creating Safe and Inclusive FinTech Work Environments

Noemie’s conversation with Nadia further explores how organisations can create more inclusive and safe environments for their employees. She highlights the significance of fostering a workplace culture where individuals feel comfortable being their authentic selves. Employees should feel safe to voice their opinions, ask questions, and share their ideas without fear of judgment or exclusion. Noemie explains that this can only happen when leadership actively supports such an environment and ensures that inclusivity is a fundamental part of the company’s culture.

Creating a safe and inclusive workplace, Noemie notes, requires a commitment from all levels of an organisation. Employees should be encouraged to bring their full selves to work, and companies should create channels for open communication and feedback. Noemie acknowledges that many employees hesitate to speak up because they fear their questions or concerns might be dismissed as trivial or irrelevant. This is why leaders must create a culture where all voices are valued, and all perspectives are considered. In an inclusive environment, employees will feel empowered to take risks, innovate, and contribute to the success of the business.

Conclusion: Driving Real Change Through Inclusion

The episode concludes with Noemie offering her final thoughts on how individuals and organisations can make meaningful progress toward creating inclusive and diverse workplaces. She reiterates that inclusion is not a one-time fix but an ongoing effort that requires continuous attention and commitment. Companies must invest in diversity and inclusion programs and ensure that they are embedded in the company’s values and operations. Leaders must prioritise inclusive hiring practices, promote diverse perspectives, and create a safe environment where all employees feel heard and valued.

For individuals, Noemie emphasises the importance of being self-aware, investing in personal growth, and building a professional network that includes people from diverse backgrounds. By doing so, professionals can expand their horizons, develop new skills, and ultimately advance their careers in a more inclusive and supportive environment.

The episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions featuring Noemie Koffler offers essential insights for anyone looking to create a more inclusive workplace and advance their career in the FinTech sector. Noemie’s advice on how to navigate the complexities of diversity and inclusion provides a roadmap for both individuals and organisations to foster positive change and drive long-term success. Through authentic leadership, self-awareness, and a commitment to inclusivity, the FinTech industry can become a more diverse, equitable, and innovative space for all.

This episode is an invaluable resource for professionals in the FinTech industry, particularly those working in recruitment, human resources, and leadership. At Harrington Starr, we recognise the importance of building inclusive workplaces, and this podcast serves as a powerful reminder of the steps that both individuals and organisations can take to create lasting, positive change. By embracing diversity and inclusion, we can create a more dynamic, successful, and innovative FinTech sector where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.