In the latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, hosted by Nadia we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Jayven Sandy, a 40 under 40 award winner in the DEI category for black women in asset management. This engaging conversation sheds light on Jayven’s career path, her experiences navigating the complexities of the financial technology industry, and her unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A Journey Through FinTech: From Graduate to DEI Advocate
Jayven’s career journey is anything but linear. Starting as a graduate during a significant merger and demerger, she was thrust into the deep end, forced to adapt quickly without the luxury of hand-holding. This early experience taught her resilience and the importance of taking ownership. Her career evolved from project management to becoming a product owner of the Power Platform, eventually leading to a role focused on people and strategy. Jayven’s transitions highlight the importance of transferable skills, especially in FinTech recruitment, where adaptability and a broad skill set can open doors across Cloud Engineering and DevOps, Cyber Security and IT risk, and other key areas.
The Human Side of Technology
A recurring theme in the discussion is the human side of technology. Jayven emphasises her passion for the people side of tech, revealing how her soft skills became invaluable assets. In a world dominated by software engineering, quantitative finance, and data, having individuals who can bridge the gap between complex technical work and end-user needs is crucial. Jayven’s role often involved acting as the “middleman,” translating technical jargon into plain English, ensuring stakeholders understood not just what was being built but why it mattered. This ability is especially vital in areas like infrastructure support and network engineering, where clear communication can make or break a project’s success.
Transferable Skills in FinTech
Nadia and Jayven explore the significance of transferable skills in technology. Jayven passionately argues that everyone has a place in tech, regardless of their background. The diversity of thought is essential, particularly in FinTech recruitment, where businesses seek talent that brings varied perspectives to Cloud Engineering and DevOps, Cyber Security and IT risk, and product management. Jayven’s journey is a testament to the idea that soft skills—like stakeholder management, active listening, and communication—are just as important as technical expertise.
The Power of Active Listening
The conversation delves into the critical role of active listening in technology projects. Jayven highlights how technologists often get caught up in the bells and whistles of new tools, forgetting to focus on what the user actually needs. In fields like software engineering and data, this disconnect can lead to solutions that miss the mark. Jayven’s approach involves listening carefully, mapping user needs to technological capabilities, and ensuring that stakeholders see the value in the technology they’re adopting. This practice is essential in FinTech recruitment, where understanding client needs in areas like quantitative finance and infrastructure support can lead to better hiring outcomes.
Building Confidence and Resilience
Confidence and resilience are central themes in Jayven’s story. She shares her personal journey of building these traits over time, revealing that even the most confident individuals have moments of doubt. Jayven credits her extroverted nature and her mother’s encouragement for helping her develop the confidence to ask for what she wants, a skill that proved invaluable in her career. For instance, she landed her last job simply by expressing her interest to her director. This proactive approach is something Nadia highlights as a valuable lesson for listeners, especially those navigating careers in FinTech sectors like sales and marketing or product management.
Networking: The Glue That Binds
Jayven’s insights into networking are particularly enlightening. She describes her evolution from a nervous networker to someone who genuinely enjoys building connections. Her approach to networking is rooted in curiosity and a genuine desire to help others. This mindset has allowed her to form meaningful professional relationships, a crucial skill in FinTech recruitment, where building strong networks can connect talent to opportunities in areas like Cloud Engineering and DevOps, Cyber Security and IT risk, and network engineering.
What Inclusion Really Means
Inclusion is a cornerstone of the conversation. Jayven offers a nuanced perspective, emphasising the importance of seeing people as individuals rather than representatives of specific groups. She advocates for being an ally to individuals, understanding their unique experiences and perspectives. This approach is particularly relevant in the context of FinTech recruitment, where fostering inclusive environments in sectors like software engineering and quantitative finance can lead to more innovative and effective teams.
Diversity and Inclusion Networks: Building Community
Jayven also discusses the role of diversity and inclusion networks within companies. These networks can create spaces for employees to celebrate cultural events, share experiences, and build community. In industries like data and infrastructure support, where teams often work in silos, such networks can foster a sense of belonging and encourage collaboration across departments.
Curiosity as a Tool for Inclusion
Throughout the episode, Nadia and Jayven touch on the importance of being curious about colleagues. Jayven believes that genuine curiosity can break down barriers and build stronger, more inclusive workplaces. This idea resonates deeply in FinTech recruitment, where understanding the unique skills and motivations of candidates in fields like Cloud Engineering and DevOps or Cyber Security and IT risk can lead to more successful placements.
Resilience in the Face of Challenges in Financial Technology
One of the most powerful moments in the episode is Jayven’s discussion on resilience. She shares her belief that facing challenges head-on builds strength and that over time, even the toughest situations become easier to handle. This mindset is invaluable in fast-paced sectors like software engineering and quantitative finance, where professionals often deal with high-pressure projects and tight deadlines.
Actionable Steps Towards Inclusion in FinTech
The conversation concludes with actionable advice for creating more inclusive workplaces. Jayven encourages listeners to be genuinely curious about their colleagues, to engage in active listening, and to be proactive in helping others. She emphasises that inclusion isn’t just the responsibility of DEI champions or HR departments—it’s something everyone can contribute to. This message is particularly relevant in FinTech recruitment, where fostering inclusive cultures in areas like product management and network engineering can drive better business outcomes.
Conclusion: Lessons in Inclusion and Resilience
This episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions offers a masterclass in networking, inclusion, and career resilience. Jayven Sandy’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact that soft skills, curiosity, and a commitment to inclusion can have in the world of FinTech. For anyone involved in FinTech recruitment, whether in Cloud Engineering and DevOps, Cyber Security and IT risk, data, or sales and marketing, this conversation provides invaluable insights into building more inclusive and effective teams.
At Harrington Starr, we understand the importance of connecting diverse talent with opportunities across the FinTech sector. Whether you're looking for experts in software engineering, quantitative finance, infrastructure support, or product management, our commitment to fostering inclusive recruitment practices ensures that we help businesses build stronger, more innovative teams. Tune into this episode to learn more about how inclusion and resilience can transform not only individual careers but entire industries.
This episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions featuring Jayven Sandy deeply resonates with Harrington Starr’s mission as a leading FinTech recruitment business. Jayven’s journey, highlighting the importance of transferable skills, active listening, and the human side of technology, aligns with the core values Harrington Starr promotes in connecting talent with opportunity across the FinTech space.
Her emphasis on diversity of thought and the need for varied personalities within technology directly reflects Harrington Starr’s commitment to fostering inclusive recruitment practices. In sectors like Cloud Engineering and DevOps, Cyber Security and IT risk, Data, and Quantitative Finance, it’s crucial to find not just technical experts but individuals who can bridge gaps between technology and people, much like Jayven has throughout her career.
Moreover, the discussion around soft skills—stakeholder management, active listening, and resilience—highlights qualities Harrington Starr seeks when matching candidates with roles in Infrastructure Support, Product Management, Network Engineering, and Software Engineering. Jayven’s approach to networking and building genuine connections is also a cornerstone of effective recruitment, underscoring Harrington Starr’s role in not only finding talent but nurturing lasting industry relationships.
Jayven’s insights into inclusion further strengthen Harrington Starr’s drive to support clients in creating more diverse and equitable workplaces. By promoting candidates who bring unique perspectives and lived experiences, Harrington Starr helps businesses innovate and thrive in competitive markets like Sales and Marketing, while also championing a culture of belonging.
Ultimately, this podcast episode reinforces Harrington Starr’s belief that successful FinTech recruitment goes beyond matching skills to roles—it’s about understanding people, fostering inclusion, and driving positive change within the industry.
