As a female executive, I appreciate that the shareholders treat me in the same vein as my male equivalents. That's incredibly important to me. By all demonstrable metrics, I'm regarded as an equal. It's a top-down approach, and a clear indication of how EXANTE treats its workforce as a whole.

I get to work with really challenging, interesting problems. I spend a lot of time concerned with marketing strategies, mulling over EXANTE's branding and positioning. Knowing that my work has a tangible impact on the business line is really exciting.

I also get to work with brilliant people. Everybody's at the top of their game. They're true self-starters who always take the initiative. As a 'leader,' I don't feel like I'm driving them. If anything, I feel like they're driving me!

I understand why FinTech careers are a daunting prospect for a lot of women. On the whole, this is a sphere almost exclusively dominated by men. I'm very lucky to have had strong female role models throughout my career, and because of that, I was always afforded a clearly defined archetype. I think we need comparably resilient role models to be made visible within our industry. Ultimately, I think that will encourage more women to pursue careers in this sector.

In recent years, I've focused on B2B marketing for a wide range of industries. Operationally speaking, these sectors are united by certain similarities, but how you interact with different business lines can differ quite substantially. Consumer mentalities are disparate across the board. Learning to adapt to these various business models can prove challenging, but I feel like I've managed to navigate each to the best of my ability.

I've also worked in lots of different countries. I began my working life in the US before moving to China. From here, I held positions in Israel, Thailand and South Africa, before eventually settling in Kenya, which is where I'm currently based. I've had to consistently adjust to different cultures, norms and expectations. I think this sense of exposure is what makes me an effective marketer. I'm able to interact with clients from all walks of life, and offer my expertise in a wide variety of contexts and scenarios.

I'm not sure if there's a definitive guiding force in my work life. I think these things are often layered. If I had to choose, I think empathy might be the most important aspect of being a marketer. You have to have a sense of understanding when it comes to the needs and wants of your clients. That's how you form lasting relationships and garner success. I think that the same considerations should also extend to peers and colleagues. I strive to extend that sense of empathy wherever I can.

I also think it's vital to remain purposeful. I always try to ask myself 'north star' questions. When I joined EXANTE, I made sure that I devised a diligent strategy. It's my job to ensure that this company lives up to its potential, and becomes a world-class brand. Having a decisive approach helps me remain focused in all of my interactions, and keeps me attentive to our goals.

I think I have two. It's funny. Whenever I used to read 'my mum is my hero,' I'd think that kind of familial answer was lame and sentimental. But now I've eaten my words! When I really think about it, my personal hero is my late grandmother. This is a woman who lived through the Cultural Revolution and underwent a cesarean without any anaesthetic. I really admire her attitude: she worked hard and never made excuses. She was a magnanimous, bright spirit. She had such a tenacity for life, and channelled her compassion into the people and things that mattered.

Professionally speaking, I really admire Anne Wojcicki, founder and CEO of 23andMe. Embroiled in various business difficulties with the FDA, she was able to work through her issues in a productive, collaborative way. Whilst navigating a highly-publicised divorce dispute with Google co-founder Sergey Brin, she extended a willingness for compromise in her personal affairs, and I thought that was admirable, too. She knew when to negotiate, and she knew when to let go. Her attitude is something I feel we could all learn from.

I look relatively young, and the cadence of my speech patterns can sometimes appear naive to those who don't know me. I love it when people underestimate my skills. I thrive under that kind of pressure.

Don't back down. I think there are lots of situations where women are gaslighted or made to feel unsure of themselves. It's so easy to give into that feeling. What really distinguishes the achievers is conviction. Retain that sense of confidence, and always stand your ground. As women, we're often told that our desires and aspirations aren't important. We're taught that sacrifice is a virtue, when in actuality, it isn't. Ask for the things you want. Demand them. That's how you ascend the corporate ladder and deliver results. It's the most authentic form of communication, and something we should all affirm.