Mary Kemi Agbesanwa.
Fintech Growth Lead, Founder of Now You're Talking Network, Careers Blogger, Board Trustee and 2021 Young Consultant of the Year
What do you do now?
I am passionate about how technology is transforming and democratising the financial services industry and supporting millennials to achieve their full potential. I have spent 5 years working as a strategy and operations Management Consultant working predominantly with banks and fintechs looking to scale or adapt their business models.
Now I work at Seccl which is the tech firm and custodian behind leading fintechs and advisors that want to democratise access to investment products in the UK. Think of us as 'Stripe for investments'. I am the Fintech Growth Lead focused on turbocharging our growth and expanding our portfolio of fintech clients. Outside of work I am also a careers blogger, public speaker, board trustee and Learning Facilitator for Imperial College Business School’s Fintech Programme.
Where did your career start?
My career started in Consulting, which I was attracted to after gaining work experience at a range of different financial services companies. Consulting appealed to me because I was fascinated with how large companies manage macroeconomic challenges and change generally. I also love using both my qualitative and quantitative skills, working in a team, problem-solving and being in client-facing roles.
Has there been a stage in your life where you first appreciated what great leadership looked like?
I have always been fascinated by great leadership from teachers at school, to political leaders like Barack Obama and Angela Merkel and now leaders in the forms of founders I speak to daily.
Do you have any examples of what you have done to develop yourself as a leader?
I am definitely one to jump at any opportunity for leadership training as well as regularly listen to leadership-related podcasts such as the Women on Boards podcast and Women at Work by Harvard business review. My favourite books on leadership are: True North by Bill George, which includes practical case studies from leaders' challenges and advice on finding your true leadership style, I also like Making a Manager by Julie Zhuo which is a great read for young first-time managers.
How do you think Leadership has benefitted you?
A great leader to me is so important. Whether you work with the individual on a day to day basis or they are inspiration from afar they can have such a dramatic impact on you. I love the quote 'you can't be what you can't see' as it reminds me that we can all do our part to inspire others and redefine leadership.