Finding Your Voice in FinTech Leadership

Championing Diversity in Payments

In this compelling episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, host Nadia is joined by Tiffany Johnson, Chief Product Officer at NMI, for a thought-provoking and deeply personal conversation that offers a blueprint for authentic diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the financial technology space. Tiffany shares how her impressive 18-year career across payments, product leadership, and global business has shaped her commitment to inclusive innovation and mentorship.

As a leading FinTech recruitment firm, Harrington Starr recognises that creating equitable workplaces in FinTech requires more than good intentions—it demands action, understanding, and the cultivation of diverse leadership pipelines. This episode brings to light the lived experiences, leadership strategies, and inclusive principles that businesses must embrace to futureproof their hiring strategies and create truly inclusive teams.

FinTech Product Leadership Rooted in Empathy, Innovation, and Business Value

Tiffany begins the podcast by offering an insight into her role as Chief Product Officer at NMI, a global payment gateway enabling around 400,000 small and medium-sized businesses to accept payments. Her responsibilities span a diverse and complex product portfolio that supports a wide network of channel partners. With experience gained at publicly traded companies, Big Four consulting firms, VC-backed start-ups, and PE-backed ventures, Tiffany brings a depth of knowledge that’s incredibly valuable for any business building product teams in FinTech.

Her international background—having worked in the United States, the UK, and Italy—gives her a global lens on product innovation. Tiffany has been instrumental in the launch of major financial products such as Apple Cash, Uber Instant Pay, and the Walmart Family Card. Her work demonstrates how customer-centric, empathetic innovation can change lives and redefine industries.

Tiffany describes product leadership as sitting at the intersection of empathy and innovation. She advocates for a three-tier mindset: being customer-obsessed, technology-enabled, and business-minded. It’s an approach that has enabled her to build products that are not only commercially successful but also human-focused and inclusive.

At Harrington Starr, we see these qualities as vital indicators when we partner with clients to recruit FinTech leaders. Today’s product leaders must possess more than technical expertise—they must deeply understand customer behaviour and build inclusive tools that address real-world problems. Tiffany’s story reinforces why FinTech recruitment must move beyond CV checklists and seek out professionals with the emotional intelligence and vision to lead inclusive innovation.

Supporting Underrepresented Talent in Financial Technology Careers

One of the key themes in this episode is the importance of representation in FinTech leadership. Tiffany opens up about being one of the only women in the room early in her career. On top of this, her role as a military spouse meant she relocated frequently and worked remotely long before it became a workplace norm. She often had to balance the demands of her career while acting as a single parent during her husband’s deployments.

These challenges could have deterred many, but Tiffany leaned into them with resilience and determination. She explains how finding mentors, allies, and sponsors was critical to her growth. She credits this support network for helping her find her voice in male-dominated environments and for creating space for her at the decision-making table.

For organisations looking to improve diversity through hiring, Tiffany’s experience provides a clear message: inclusion isn’t a one-time hire—it’s a continuous effort. At Harrington Starr, we champion FinTech recruitment strategies that don’t just place talent but build long-term environments where underrepresented professionals can thrive, lead, and stay. Inclusive hiring starts with broadening pipelines and continues through structured mentorship, workplace flexibility, and visible allyship from leadership.

Building Innovation Through Inclusion in the Payments Industry

Tiffany believes that inclusion isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a business necessity. She highlights that in the payments industry, where customer bases are inherently diverse, a diverse workforce is essential for understanding user needs and developing relevant solutions. “The future of payments will be shaped by the voices that reflect the diversity of our customers,” she states.

This philosophy is something Harrington Starr actively incorporates into our approach to FinTech staffing. We work with businesses to understand not only the technical needs of their open roles but also the cultural and inclusive impact those hires will have on their teams. When companies align their workforce with the communities they serve, innovation is no longer hypothetical—it becomes operational, measurable, and transformative.

Tiffany explains that inclusive leadership requires listening to different perspectives, amplifying overlooked voices, and empowering people to bring their full selves to work. By embedding inclusion into product development, customer experience, and team management, businesses can stay ahead of market demands and attract top-tier talent in an increasingly competitive FinTech jobs landscape.

Recognition for Inclusive Leadership in FinTech Recruitment and Product Development

Tiffany was named one of American Banker’s Most Influential Women in FinTech for 2024, a recognition that celebrates both her contributions to product innovation and her relentless drive to foster diversity in technology. Her work spans beyond corporate boardrooms and into community-building initiatives that uplift the next generation of FinTech professionals.

She has been actively involved with programmes such as Money 20/20 Rise Up and Amplify, ETA’s EmpowerHer, Catalyst’s mentorship scheme, and serves as executive sponsor of the NMI Women’s Network. Through these platforms, she mentors emerging leaders and creates pathways for career progression. She’s clear about her mission: to lift others as she climbs, ensuring the doors that opened for her remain open for others.

This message resonates strongly with Harrington Starr’s broader goal to make a difference across the FinTech recruitment landscape. We don’t simply connect professionals to jobs; we advise businesses on how to retain talent, support internal mobility, and foster inclusive growth. Tiffany’s work serves as a guiding light for what happens when leadership, inclusion, and innovation intersect.

Empowering FinTech Candidates: Start Before You're Ready, Find Your People, and Own Your Story

Tiffany provides practical advice for anyone at the beginning or mid-point of their FinTech career. Her first recommendation is to “start before you’re ready.” Many of her most pivotal moves happened before she felt fully prepared. Confidence, she says, is often built in the process—not before it.

She encourages professionals to “find your tribe”—mentors, sponsors, and peers who believe in you, challenge you, and walk with you through your career journey. In her words, the right support network can truly change everything.

Lastly, she stresses the importance of self-advocacy. Particularly for women and underrepresented groups in FinTech, learning how to tell your story is vital. “We often underestimate our accomplishments,” she explains. “Talk about yourself in the same way you’d talk about someone you admire.”

At Harrington Starr, we embed this philosophy into our candidate engagement strategy. From coaching on personal branding to helping talent articulate their career milestones, we prepare FinTech professionals to step into roles with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

From Awareness to Action: Making DEI a Business Imperative in Financial Technology

As the podcast draws to a close, Nadia poses a key question: How do we move from conversation to action? Tiffany’s response is simple but powerful—start small. Whether you’re a senior leader or an early-career professional, there’s always a step you can take to make a difference.

She urges leaders to reach out to someone in their organisation—particularly women or underrepresented professionals—and offer mentorship or support. These seemingly small actions, she says, have the potential to spark ripple effects that transform lives, teams, and the broader industry.

This advice is essential for any FinTech company looking to create a sustainable DEI strategy. From inclusive job descriptions to equitable promotion pathways, from anonymous hiring processes to internal sponsorship programmes—every detail matters. At Harrington Starr, we help our clients implement these initiatives, ensuring that their hiring processes not only attract diverse talent but also retain and develop them for long-term success.

Why Inclusive FinTech Recruitment Is Essential for Industry Growth

This episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions makes one thing clear: diversity, equity, and inclusion are not optional extras in FinTech—they are critical to sustainable innovation, customer engagement, and commercial success.

Tiffany Johnson’s story is not just one of individual success. It’s a roadmap for organisations that want to thrive in an increasingly competitive FinTech talent market. She demonstrates how inclusive leadership fuels product excellence, team resilience, and industry-wide transformation.

For a FinTech recruitment partner like Harrington Starr, these lessons are more relevant than ever. Whether you’re building product teams, hiring software engineers, or appointing board-level executives, your recruitment decisions shape not just your company—but the future of the sector.

When you prioritise inclusive hiring and champion diversity in your leadership pipelines, you do more than meet your business objectives. You play a part in shaping a more equitable, innovative, and sustainable FinTech ecosystem.

Conclusion: Building the Future of FinTech, One Inclusive Hire at a Time

Tiffany Johnson’s episode on FinTech’s DEI Discussions, hosted by Nadia, is a masterclass in leading with empathy, authenticity, and purpose. From her groundbreaking work at NMI to her advocacy for underrepresented professionals, Tiffany exemplifies the kind of leadership that modern FinTech needs.

For companies aiming to scale, retain top talent, and build inclusive cultures, the path forward is clear. Start small. Stay committed. Create space for new voices. And partner with FinTech recruitment experts who understand that people, not just placements, make the difference.

At Harrington Starr, we’re proud to be that partner. Whether you’re hiring your first diversity-focused leader or building a global team, we’re here to help you walk the talk—and build a FinTech business fit for the future.