Building Inclusive Workplaces in FinTech

In this compelling episode of the FinTech’s DEI Discussions podcast, hosted by Nadia, we sit down with Inesa Smigola, Head of Presales at Xceptor, for a deep dive into the intersections of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the fast-evolving world of financial technology. At Harrington Starr, a leading FinTech recruitment business, we are dedicated to not only placing top talent but also fostering discussions that promote a more inclusive and diverse industry. This episode is part of our ongoing effort to highlight the importance of DEI in FinTech and provide insight into how individuals and companies alike can help create a more inclusive workplace.

The Role of DEI in Financial Technology

Inesa Smigola brings her extensive experience to the table, as she currently leads the EMEA and APAC sales engineering teams at Xceptor, a company that specialises in data and process automation for capital markets. From her background in Bloomberg and FIS to her current leadership position, Inesa walks us through her career journey, highlighting the skills required to succeed in presales roles and the broader FinTech space. Throughout the discussion, she underscores the critical importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within both her team and the wider organisation.

Inesa uses a clever analogy, describing sales engineers as the "Jedi Knights" of the tech world, masters in solution design, architecture analysis, and client relationship management. These individuals are instrumental in translating complex technical concepts into digestible, actionable solutions that resonate with a wide range of stakeholders, from C-level executives to business leads and IT teams. Her unique insight into the sales engineering role is invaluable for both individuals looking to enter the FinTech space and companies looking to strengthen their technical leadership.

Inesa’s leadership at Xceptor extends beyond gender diversity. She shares her thoughts on the business benefits of DEI, citing research that shows diverse teams perform better, make better decisions, and achieve superior results. For Xceptor, the advantages of diversity are clear: Inesa's sales engineering team includes members from Latvia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, and Venezuela, with a 50/50 gender split. This diversity not only strengthens internal collaboration but also enables the team to better understand and serve Xceptor’s diverse global clientele.

One of the key initiatives Inesa highlights is the Women’s Network she launched at Xceptor, which seeks to create opportunities for #WomeninFinTech to grow professionally and personally. This initiative is close to her heart, and through her leadership, Xceptor has made great strides in fostering a more inclusive environment. By listening to Inesa's journey and insights, listeners will gain a better understanding of how DEI initiatives can help businesses attract and retain top talent, a key goal that aligns with Harrington Starr's FinTech recruitment strategies.

The Career Journey: FinTech Sales Engineering and Beyond

In the first segment of the podcast, Inesa walks listeners through her current role at Xceptor and explains what sales engineering entails. Sales engineers, or presales solution consultants, are crucial to bridging the gap between technical solutions and business needs. Inesa compares sales engineers to Jedi Knights of the tech world, explaining how their skills in solution design, architecture analysis, and client relationship management make them essential to the success of FinTech companies.

Inesa’s journey at Xceptor has spanned over seven years, where she’s grown from senior presales engineer to leading a global team. As Xceptor has grown from 50 employees to over 250, she has helped build a team that includes consultants from diverse backgrounds, including Latvia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, and Venezuela. This diversity, according to Inesa, has been a key contributor to the success of Xceptor’s business and client relationships.

Her previous roles at FIS and Bloomberg laid the foundation for her current work, where she manages a team responsible for providing solutions to top financial institutions like Northern Trust and Bank of New York. Inesa also touches on the importance of AI and automation in shaping the future of FinTech, citing examples like data extraction and reconciliation that rely heavily on innovative technologies.

Empowering #WomenInFinTech

A key highlight of the episode is Inesa’s commitment to empowering women in the FinTech industry. Recognizing the value of support networks, she launched the Women’s Network at Xceptor in 2022. This initiative aims to build a community where women can support one another, share knowledge, and collaborate on career development.

Inesa shares that the Women’s Network has already had a positive impact, with activities such as leadership panels, networking events, and initiatives promoting well-being. She emphasizes that the mission of the network is to provide opportunities for women to grow both professionally and personally through mentorship, collaboration, and a strong support system.

As Harrington Starr, we know how important it is to encourage more women to pursue and advance in FinTech careers. Inesa’s work at Xceptor is a shining example of how companies can take proactive steps to not only promote diversity but also create a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

Diversity as a Business Strategy in FinTech

Inesa provides compelling insights into how DEI initiatives positively affect business outcomes. She references studies that show diverse teams generate better results and make more informed decisions. For Xceptor, the impact of these initiatives has been clear: their sales engineering team, with its global representation and 50/50 gender split, has thrived by leveraging the varied perspectives of its members.

According to Inesa, creating an inclusive environment is not only beneficial for internal teams but also helps better serve a diverse client base. She underscores that businesses must remain committed to diversity, not just as a buzzword but as a core element of their strategy to attract and retain talent. This directly resonates with Harrington Starr’s mission as we continually aim to match top FinTech talent with companies that value diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Driving Inclusion in FinTech

Towards the end of the episode, Nadia asks Inesa what more can be done to drive inclusion in the workplace. Inesa responds by emphasizing that leaders need to have formal KPIs and metrics in place to track progress. She also advocates for making diversity a key part of succession planning, mentoring, and creating opportunities for employees to prove themselves.

At the same time, Inesa notes that everyone in an organization can contribute to fostering inclusion. Small actions, such as making sure everyone’s voice is heard in meetings or ensuring the right people are invited to the table, can have a big impact. Creating a culture where people feel empowered to speak up is critical for driving meaningful change.

Inesa also highlights the role that every individual can play in creating an inclusive environment. Something as simple as ensuring all voices are heard in meetings, inviting diverse opinions, or supporting colleagues from different backgrounds can make a big impact. These everyday actions contribute to a culture where employees feel safe, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas.

This call to action resonates deeply with Harrington Starr’s mission as a FinTech recruitment business. We believe that building an inclusive workplace requires collaboration from all levels of an organization, and we are committed to placing talent in companies that share this vision.

Inesa’s approach is one that reflects the values we hold at Harrington Starr, where we believe that diversity is essential for the continued growth and innovation of the FinTech industry. Through our work in FinTech recruitment, we are committed to helping companies find the right talent while also promoting a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Walking the Talk for Inclusion

As the episode draws to a close, Nadia asks Inesa what businesses and individuals can do to drive inclusion in the workplace. Inesa offers practical advice, stressing the importance of both top-down and bottom-up approaches. For leaders, she recommends setting formal KPIs and metrics to ensure that DEI remains a priority amidst the everyday pressures of running a business. This can involve creating structured time for reflection on inclusive leadership, succession planning, and identifying opportunities to mentor or promote underrepresented employees.

This episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions offers a wealth of insights from Inesa Smigola, a leader who has successfully combined her passion for sales engineering with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Her journey at Xceptor, from launching the Women’s Network to fostering a globally diverse team, provides a clear blueprint for how companies in the FinTech space can actively promote DEI.

At Harrington Starr, we are proud to spotlight these conversations as part of our broader mission to support the growth of FinTech through recruitment and DEI advocacy. We encourage our listeners to take actionable steps, both as leaders and individuals, to create a more inclusive workplace. By focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion, we can build a better future for the FinTech industry, one where innovation thrives because of diverse perspectives and inclusive practices.

Listen to Inesa’s full podcast episode to learn how to make your workplace more inclusive, whether you’re a leader or an individual contributor in the FinTech sector.