With Women’s Month underway, we wanted to highlight some of the women in our company, who play an important role not only at FASTA but the broader Fintech industry. From challenges they face to advice for aspiring young women in Fintech, enjoy this blog post!
Mariette Bester – Scrum Master
Can you tell us a little bit more about your role and what inspires you about the industry you work in?
What inspires me in my role as Scrum Master is mentoring and coaching others, while also learning new things. It’s a role where coming up with creative ideas is key to improving something, and analysing complex data in order to draw clear and simple conclusions.
This role is about leading a team to success, completing a difficult project, and seeing it through to the end, and I’m inspired by finding ways to solve a problem or overcome a challenge.
What challenge have you had to overcome from working in Fintech?
Identifying a gap in the market and designing a good user experience. You also need to keep up with modern technologies, and learn to mitigate data security breaches in the face of growing infrastructure.
Quality of application code is another challenge – its flexibility, maintainability and scalability. And finally, and more general to the industry, but hiring and retaining quality engineering talent in a hot job market.
How do you unplug from work?
It’s sometimes hard to just unplug, especially working in a Tech team. There is always something on your mind on what can be done better. But I find that weekends are usually easier to unplug, and the only way to unplug for me for a few hours is to either keep myself busy with something else, spend time with family, and cook.
Name one woman that inspires you and why.
My mother. She’s always been my role model because she can do anything and everything and is always there if I need her. She’s also my best friend. I can talk to her about anything. I don’t know anyone who is as hard-working as my mum. She can make my day by making me laugh! She’s what I call a “secret doctor”; she can sense when something is bothering me, for example.
We should appreciate what our parents do for us. Without my mum, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’m thankful for her because she taught me how to be independent and believe in myself. I’m very grateful to have a mum like her!
As we celebrate Women’s Day on the 9th of August, what’s your advice to young women looking to start a career in Fintech?
Step outside of your comfort zone, be curious and keep learning. Play to your strengths and learn to say NO. Embrace what you think you cannot do, be kind to yourself, trust your instincts, and find a mentor and be a mentor to others, especially women.
Yolandi Silberbauer – Front End Designer & Developer
Can you tell us a little bit more about your role and what inspires you about the industry you work in?
I have quite an extensive role. I am part of our Marketing and Development team. In essence, on the Marketing side I am in charge of design and check that we adhere to brand guidelines. I initially assisted with creatingFASTA’slogo, setting up brand guidelines, marketing collateral, videos and the UI (user interface – how the user interacts with the website) for our website.
On the Development side, I’m the Front End Designer and Developer – I’m in charge of the UI and also part of the UX (user experience – how the user interacts with the website) team.
I create prototypes to present our UI and UX to be approved by the team and management. Initially I created the ‘shell’ of our website by coding the HTML and CSS before the Developers added the logic. I’m constantly also ensuring that we optimise the site regularly and assist with these optimisations from a front-end and testing point of view.
What I like about working inFintechis that you are part of creating a solution that usually has never been thought of or implemented before, something totally unique and new. A shift from what is already available to the public to something unique that can satisfy one or more needs. AtFASTA, we currently supply financial solutions through credit products to our customers. We achieve this by creating a seamless, simple and safe process for them to follow online to obtain the financial solution they need. Another exciting thing about Tech, in general, is the optimisation. Your lastproductis never your final product, you are constantly improving and optimising your products to deliver a better experience to your customer.
What challenge have you had to overcome from working in Fintech?
I think in general I haven’t found too many challenges. I find it quite exciting! If I have to mention one thing that one has to be cognizant of in Fintech, as with most fields, is that nothing is ever static. It is forever changing and evolving. So being in Tech, one should always be open to change, learning new things and adapting to the times as tech evolves by expanding your knowledge.
How do you unplug from work?
We live on the West Coast, so I like to go for walks on the beach, and pretend that I’m young and take my bodyboard out to catch a few waves. When it allows, I also like totravel, socialise with friends and try out new food dishes, whether it is at home in my own kitchen or at a restaurant. I also got a paperwhite Kindle last year for my birthday with a backlight, so I can catch up on some reading even though the hubby is already sleeping next to me!
Name one woman that inspires you and why.
I can’t think of one specific woman that inspires me, but I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing women in my life. From my Marketing Director, Zaida Essop, during my Momentum Investments days (she is currently Head of Marketing at Glacier of Sanlam) to my very current Marketing Manager, Karen Senior, here areFASTA, as well as the rest of the ladies in my Marketing team. These ladies inspire me every day. They are not scared to try new things, their creative drive and energy to market our brands and products are contagious. We also learn from each other which empowers us in our career and also sometimes on a personal level.
As we celebrate Women’s Day on the 9th of August, what’s your advice to young women looking to start a career in Fintech?
Always be true to yourself as to who you are and who you aspire to be, never limit yourself to what other people expect of you or follow the flow as to where everyone else is going. If you are true to yourself and love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. And taking all of this in consideration, if you think your career path is in Fintech, then go for it!
Nerine Van Zijl – Head of Collections & Operations
Can you tell us a little bit more about your role and what inspires you about the industry you work in?
I am responsible for the overall recovery ofloansdisbursed to consumers as well as Customer Support. The recovery space requires different methodologies and techniques for every phase of the cycle. Consumer behaviour in this space is ever-changing and requires us to continuously learn and adapt our methodologies. It is the ever-changing, ever-learning, fast-paced environment that I love.
What challenges have you had to overcome from working in Fintech?
The one exciting challenge we constantly face is technological enhancements. Some people find it incredibly daunting, but the more you adapt and pivot, the better you can serve. The challenge that took me the longest to overcome is to have a voice in a male-dominated industry. Although I dug my heels in and stood my ground, it took years to break through.
How do you unplug from work?
Golf. Golf. Golf. If not golf, I love to spend time with loved ones next to a fire of course, or I am working on self-development and mindfulness. I always have a stack of books still to be read.
Name one woman that inspires you and why.
It is very difficult to pick just one, to be honest, because I try to learn from every individual I follow or interact with. But if I consider the learnings of the last year, I will settle on Brene Brown.
As we celebrate Women’s Day on the 9th of August, what’s your advice to young women looking to start a career in Fintech?
Make yourself seen, and make yourself heard by continuously investing in yourself, your leadership, and your knowledge. Make an impact in every single task and responsibility you are given. Ask yourself how you can take it to the next level. Pass on your knowledge and ask yourself “Have I been bringing enough people along?”, and “Have I really been the servant leader I thought I was?”
Mandy Adams – Customer Support Supervisor
Can you tell us a little bit more about your role and what inspires you about the industry you work in?
I am a Customer Service Supervisor. I come from a Customer Service background and back then I worked in Retail. My manager at the time always installed the “treat the customer like it’s your parents” in us. Just because you know something doesn’t mean they do. Do not treat them any differently because of the questions asked. Rather teach them as you would with your parents. That always stuck with me and made me look at my work differently.
What challenge have you had to overcome from working in Fintech?
I overcame my fears of speaking to people in various positions. I’m leading staff which I never ever thought I’d do. I have learnt a lot about the financial sector that the average customer has no knowledge of due to a lack of not knowing their rights and it helps me daily at work and with family and friends.
How do you unplug from work?
Rest.. that’s all. I take whatever free time I have and just rest.
Name one woman that inspires you and why.
Nerine. She’s like a walking encyclopaedia. She treats people with so much respect and has a way of always seeing life and your daily tasks from all angles before reacting.
As we celebrate Women’s Day on the 9th of August, what’s your advice to young women looking to start a career in Fintech?
Myadvicewould be to always stand your ground as a female in a male-dominated environment. Don’t let anyone dim your light, and take each opportunity and failure as a lesson as you are never ever too old to learn.
Read more from our FASTA team onHow to Effectively Build Your Credit Score from ScratchandCredit: Is It Right for You?
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