Chargebacks911 is making headlines with its initiative aimed at empowering women in fintech, launching a new micro-mentorship programme through its sister brand Fi911. The programme, known as LIFT, seeks to recruit female mentors and mentees to facilitate the entry and advancement of women in the finance, technology, and payments sectors.
Despite notable progress in gender representation within the fintech industry, significant challenges persist. A study from Cambridge University reveals that women occupy just 4% of CEO positions, 18% of executive committee roles, and a mere 7.7% of entrepreneurship slots in fintech.
Monica Eaton, the Founder and CEO of Chargebacks911, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “While strides are being made towards gender balance in leadership roles, it’s crucial that the industry reflects the diverse customers and communities we serve. The LIFT programme aims to build on the momentum we’ve seen in promoting diversity within fintech.”
Tailored Support for Women in the Sector
The LIFT programme is designed to cater to women at all stages of their careers, allowing mentees to determine their specific needs for support. Participants can engage in complimentary video chats with prominent women from various sectors, enabling them to gain valuable insights and actionable advice to further their careers.
Eaton highlighted that the programme not only focuses on rising professionals but also encourages experienced female entrepreneurs to share their knowledge and experiences. “Many young women struggle to envision themselves as future leaders in fintech,” she noted. “By facilitating one-on-one meetings with established industry leaders from firms like The Access Group, NatWest, and Microsoft, we provide a platform for mentees to address challenges and gain guidance from seasoned professionals.”
Encouraging Early Career Progression
While the representation of women diminishes at higher levels, there is a more optimistic picture for entry-level roles, where women make up 49% of positions. However, this number drops to 40% at the manager level, highlighting the barriers women face as they ascend the corporate ladder.
Eaton, recognised as one of the Most Influential Women in Fintech for 2024, shared her insights for women looking to thrive in the industry. “I’m actively involved in several organisations, including Women in Technology International and the Fintech Diversity Radar, which provide valuable resources for women to expand their networks,” she explained. “While we’ve seen progress over the last decade, there’s still a need to encourage young women to pursue STEM subjects and to ensure continued support throughout their careers.”
For those interested in joining the LIFT programme as a mentee or mentor, further details are available at Fi911’s LIFT programme.
Chargebacks911® is a leading global provider of chargeback prevention and remediation technology, dedicated to safeguarding transactions and countering post-transactional fraud for over 2.5 million merchants across 87 countries. For more information about their comprehensive solutions, visit Chargebacks911.
