speakers
Our speakers bring expertise, insight, and bold perspectives to the stage, shaping the industry’s most important conversations.

Venture Partner at Augmentum Fintech
Tracy Doree is Venture Partner at Augmentum. She joined the company in her 16th year as a venture investor having been an angel, and founding partner of Kindred Capital, investor at MMC Ventures and Tiny Supercomputer, venture partner at Entrepreneur First, and LPAC member at Common Magic.
Her entrepreneurial experience includes founding Llustre, which was acquired by Fab.com, where she went on to lead the European team.
Tracy began her career at NM Rothschild and Accenture after studying at Oxford University (Maths, First Class). Outside of work, Tracy enjoys practising yoga and functional fitness training.
- Seed investing
- Managing effective boards, governance etc.
- Evaluating founding teams
- Building teams
- The future of fintech
- Tracy is based in London and can be available for the right opportunity
- She is best contacted directly on LinkedIn

Founder and MD of Started PR
Kimberley is an award-winning marketer, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor with over 15 years of experience spanning the financial services, technology, retail, mobile, and banking sectors. She co-founded SkyParlour, a global communications agency, in 2009, which has successfully served Fintech clients across the world. As the Managing Director of Started, she leads a PR and marketing program focused on empowering innovative technology startups.
A recognised leader in the Fintech space, Kimberley serves as co-chair of the pro-manchester Fintech committee and is an industry advisor for the University of Salford’s Fintech MSc program. She is passionate about mentoring and is a long-term mentor for Rise by Barclays, Fintech Alliance, and Fintech Circle. Kimberley also contributes to youth education through the Founders for Schools initiative.
As the host of the popular Get Started podcast, Kimberley hosts industry leaders and founders to discuss the evolving landscape of financial technology. She has also hosted the Future of Banking podcast and regularly shares her insights at key events like Web Summit, Fintech Week London, Fintech Fringe, Finance Magnates, and Fintech North. Kimberley's thought leadership is featured in prominent publications such as Fintech Magazine, Payments Expert, Verdict, and The Fintech Power50 journal.
She is also a board advisor to several exciting Fintech start-ups, including ekko and Lemon, with more to be announced soon.
- Fintech industry trends, strategy and marketing
- Startup growth and empowerment
- Financial services and technology integration
- Financial innovation and disruption
- Public relations and communications for fintech
- Mentoring fintech founders and advising on business strategy, funding, and growth.
- Hosting podcasts that explore fintech innovation, trends, and insights, and engaging with industry leaders.
- Providing insights on fintech at major industry events, including Web Summit and Fintech Week London.
- Financial inclusion and promotion of sustainability through fintech
- Based in Manchester, UK
- Best contact is directly on kimberley@startedpr.com

Banking and Fintech COO and Executive Coach
Joanna is an international financial services leader with 20 year of experience in banking and fintech driving growth and transforming teams.She is known as an energetic leader who has built high performing teams in China, SE Asia, UK and Middle East delivering corporate finance advisory, digital transformation and operational excellence. She creates an environment for innovation, both internally and externally.
She built her career in Corporate Banking and Capital Markets with HSBC before switching to fintech.She was Head of Strategy for Commercial Banking globally for HSBC as well as COO for HSBC Commercial Banking in China. More recently she was COO for Globacap, a b2b SaaS business digitising private capital markets, launching the US business and scaling the team.Joanna is also an ICF accredited leadership coach.
She built her business to support ambitious individuals to succeed in their leadership role and/or grow their business. She coaches across a range of industries in Asia, Europe, Middle East and Latam. She regularly provides practical tips for leaders in blogs and podcasts.
- Scaling fintech business
- Building a regulated business
- International expansion
- Managing cross-cultural teams
- Digital transformation - technology, people, communication
- Talent development
- Leadership
- Joanna is based in London and open to all speaking opportunities, both remote andin person, subject to availability.
- She is best contacted on joanna@joannatibbitt.com

Founder and CEO of Lightning Reach
Ren Yi Hooi is the Founder and CEO of Lightning Reach, an award-winning Fintech for good startup which streamlines access to financial support. Passionate about using technology to drive social impact and financial inclusion, she was previously the Product Director at FinTech scaleup Railsr.
She also led and worked in international teams supporting financially underserved communities across Asia and Africa.
Ren was recognised as one of TechRound's Top 50 Women in Tech, Women in FinTech Powerlist and Big Issue 100 Changemakers.She has spoken at events in multiple countries and served as a mentor for the FCA's Financial Inclusion Techsprint. A recipient of the Tech Nation Global Talent Visa, Ren holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from UC Berkeley.
- Fintech / Tech for good (scaling impact through technology)
- Entrepreneurship (as a female / immigrant / solo founder)
- Financial inclusion (UK, Asia, Africa)
- Partnerships (public, private and nonprofit sectors)
- Ren can be flexible for the right opportunity. She is based in London, but is open to travel if necessary as well as virtual events.
- She is best contacted either directly on LinkedIn or via our contact form.

Co-Founder, CEO and Partner at Anabasis Partners
A seasoned strategic communications and marketing expert with over 20 years’ experience working with B2B and B2C organisations. Vivienne has a broad range of sector experience including healthcare, FMCG, automotive, energy, technology, fintech and financial and professional services.
She is a strategic leader who has worked extensively with PE, VC and in growth equity for high profile scale-ups and portfolio companies to raise capital, scale for long-term value and build market profile through her sector knowledge, network and advisory expertise.
Recognised as a one of the top 100 most influential women in the start-ups and VC space, she is a frequent speaker on key topics: finance, fintech, investing, emerging technologies, marketing ,communications and DE&I.
- Fintech
- Women in finance and or tech
- Payments
- Emerging technologies and the impact on BFI’s
- Marketing and comms in finance and tech
- DE&I in finance and tech
- Investing for start-ups, scale-ups
- GTM and market expansion for Fintechs
- Female founder/ and entrepreneurship in finance and tech (including capital investing)
- Vivienne is based in London and can be flexible for the right opportunities between Monday - Thursday.
- She is best contacted directly on: vivienne@anabasispartners.com

Vice President of Global Marketing for Finfare
Ingrid is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of global marketing experience, specialising in B2B and B2C strategies. She has a strong track record of driving revenue growth and enhancing lifetime customer value for global organisations.
With her visionary leadership style, Ingrid has excelled in building and nurturing high-performing marketing functions by fostering a culture of empowerment and trust. Her extensive skill set includes expertise in brand strategy, customer lifecycle management, digital marketing, sales enablement, and data analytics, among others.
Ingrid's most recent role as the VP of Global Marketing with Finfare has seen her play an instrumental part in establishing and leading a 20-member team in California, focusing on brand positioning, product marketing, and user experience to solidify Finfare's standing as a leading fintech and rewards provider.In addition to her professional achievements, Ingrid is actively engaged in mentoring programs.
- Leadership principles
- Marketing strategy & execution
- Customer experience
- Building and managing global teams
- Transitioning roles from a traditional corporate to a fintech startup
- Ingrid is based in London and frequently travels to California. She can be flexible for the right opportunity.
- She is best contacted via our contact form.

Fractional CMO and Author
Kathryn Strachan is an award-winning fractional CMO, strategic advisor, and expert keynote speaker with a proven track record of driving business growth. As the former founder and CEO of CopyHouse, she built the content marketing agency into a market leader, growing it to a team of 32 and achieving a $1.5 million turnover.
Kathryn’s expertise has attracted top global tech companies, and she now serves as a non-executive director and advisor to various organisations. She also hosts the podcast Tech Marketers Uncorked and recently released a B2B Content Marketing course with Semrush.
A sought-after guest lecturer at NYU, Kathryn’s first book, Scaling Success: Building Brands that Break Barriers, is set for release in fall 2024. Her achievements have earned recognition from the CMA, The Drum, and IoD, including Young Director of the Year and Content Marketing Person of the Year awards.
- Marketing strategy & consultancy
- B2B sales cycles
- Personal branding & executive profiling
- Agency life
- Entrepreneurship
- Kathryn is based in London but is open to travel with expenses covered
- The best contact for her is kathryn@kathrynstrachan.io

Founder of The Money Mindset Hub
Alejandra Rojas is founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a financial platform dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurs in their financial growth. As an Afro-Latina, trauma-informed finance professional, Trauma of Money™️ Certified Practitioner, and Money Mindset Mentor, she has a unique perspective on financial education and empowerment.
As host of The Money Mindset Show Podcast, she regularly shares insights on various financial topics, and her work has been featured in major publications such as Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, BestLife, and others.
She has coached over 250 female entrepreneurs and developed two unique financial frameworks, one of which is currently being trademarked. She has also been been part of the prestigious Amplify program by Money20/20.
- Financial wellbeing
- Financial literacy and education
- Gender inequality in finance (disparities women and women of colour face in the financial sector)
- Female entrepreneurship
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Financial Inclusion: Promoting access to financial services for underserved communities
Alejandra is based in The Netherlands, and is best contacted either directly on LinkedIn or on email: hello@themoneymindsethub.com
- She is open to both remote and in person opportunities where possible.

Co-founder of Old Street Ventures
Natalie is the co-founder of Old Street Ventures, a fintech company building a platform to allow mass market retail investors access to VC via fund of funds style products.
Her background is in marketing, strategic partnerships and product management. She has successfully launched VC-backed start-ups, helped build out the marketing function of businesses, managed multi-million-pound campaigns, and developed impactful brand strategies.
She is passionate about helping early stage startups and entrepreneurs and has acted as a panel judge for pitch competitions.
- Building a startup (with a good culture)
- Marketing/ brand
- Partnerships + building relationships
- Early stage product
- Natalie is based in the UK and available for both in person and virtual events.
- She's open to all events schedule permitting. She is best contacted on natalie@oldstreet.vc

Founder of Women of Fintech and Head of Marketing for Seismic
Gemma Livermore is the founder of Women of FinTech, an award-winning community promoting gender equality and inclusion in financial technology.
With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Gemma is a passionate marketer and community builder known for driving rapid growth and achieving outstanding results.She hosts a podcast, speaks on DEI in finance, and has a strong background in B2B product and FS marketing.
Currently, she leads international FS marketing at Seismic, focusing on thought leadership and community building.
- Gender equality and inclusion in fintech
- Community building and development
- B2B product marketing
- Financial services marketing strategies
- DEI advocacy in finance (as an LGBT+ female with 6 kids this can be first hand experience too!)
- Social mobility
- Growth and performance marketing
- Strategic communications
- Gemma is based in London (UK) and is open to all speaking opportunities subject to availability. She can also travel with enough notice.
- She is best reached directly on glivermore@seismic.com

CMO at Volt
An enthusiastic and long-term member of the fintech community, Irina is an accomplished Fintech marketing leader with over 18 years of experience building world-class brands at the intersection of payments and technology, across Europe and Asia.Currently Irina is CMO at Volt, a UK-based payments startup and real-time payments platform.
Before that she held marketing leadership roles at Thunes and Rapyd, making substantial contributions to the global growth of these two payment unicorns.She was also part of Southeast Asia super-app giant, Grab, where she helped to launch GrabPay, Grab’s mobile wallet, and GrabRewards, its loyalty platform across Southeast Asia.
She also spent several years with Visa, where she was part of the Innovation and Digital Partnerships team.
- Fintech and B2B marketing
- Growth strategy
- Cross border payments
- Open banking payments
- Alternative payment methods
- International growth & expansion
- Super-apps
- Irina is based in London and can be flexible for the right opportunity. Remote opportunities can need as little as a few days with bigger events potentially needing a few weeks.
- She's best contacted directly on irinachuchkina@gmail.com

Global Client Director at Microsoft
Passionate for driving change, Jen is a respected Business Leader with 22 years’ experience working with a range of clients, from start-ups to global FTSE 100 accounts and SI partners, to drive innovation and business transformation. Focussed on building exceptional trusted relationships, and leading global teams, Jen has enjoyed building strategic partnerships with businesses in all sectors with lasting personal connections.
Currently working at Microsoft, heading up the strategic partnership between Microsoft and Vodafone globally, leading and orchestrating a skilled team across the globe and bringing together the full capability and power of 'One Microsoft' to deliver value and innovation to Vodafone. Taking particular accountability for driving the Africa partnership on M-Pesa and Vodapay as a key pillar of the recently announced 10 year market making agreement.
Prior to that at Rackspace Technology for 18 years driving business development, leading sales teams and working with Global SI partners such as Deloitte, Accenture, CapGemini and IBM.
An alumnus of Oxford University, her personal interests include social mobility, music, public speaking, charity work, travel and embracing geographical and cultural differences. She has four sons and lives in Beaconsfield, UK.
- Strategic partnerships /deal making
- Business transformation through technology
- Sales leader, building high performance teams
- Fintech, telecommunications, FSI
- Africa transformation
- Artificial intelligence
- Women in tech
- Performance coaching / career mentoring
- Jen can be relatively flexible for the right opportunity and is willing to travel where necessary. She is based in Beaconsfield, UK.
- She is best contacted directly on jbagshaw@microsoft.com

Founder and CEO of Caywood
Megan is Founder and CEO of Caywood, a new WealthTech startup based in London. She moved to the UK from San Francisco in 2016 when she was awarded an Exceptional Talent Visa for her work in fintech to move to the UK to help start Starling Bank as Chief Platform Officer, where she was subsequently awarded Forbes 30 under 30 in recognition of her work.
She was subsequently headhunted to Barclays to serve as Head of Digital Strategy, and then was promoted to Chief Product Officer for Barclays UK.
She also served as chairman of the Digital, Tech, and Cyber Board at UK Finance, before now starting her newest venture Caywood, a wealth-tech platform and product that uses AI to provide financial guidance that personalised in real time.
- Fintech news and trends
- Wealthtech
- Banking platforms
- Super apps
- AI
- APIs (notably, Open Banking / PSD2, Open Finance)
- Digital assets (Stablecoins, CBDCs, tokenised deposits, crypto)
- Digital banks / Challenger banks
- Digital transformation
- Embedded finance and banking
- Data and personalisation
- Future of banking and financial services
- Women in technology and finance
- Leadership
- Disruptive Innovation
- Product Strategy
- Megan is based in London and can be flexible depending on the week. She will try to accommodate most dates and times if planned far enough in advance
- She is best reached via the contact form.

COO & Cross-functional Leader
Former COO at Lumon Pay and former Director, Strategic Initiatives at Western Union, Megan Dunford is a pathfinder, finding the way forward from the ambiguous or complex and taking people on a journey from strategy to execution.
She has 20 years of experience in cross-border payments, most recently as COO at Lumon Pay.
She is passionate about putting people at the centre of process and solving the problems of today while building the foundations for growth.
In addition, she is passionate about coaching, developing people and championing women having been a mentor for the Money20/20 Rise-up program and was formerly the Global Lead for Women@WU, Western Union’s ERG for women.
- Payments
- B2B cross-border payments
- Strategy execution
- Change management
- Leadership
- Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
- Megan is based in London and available for in person & virtual events (she's not open to travel outside the UK currently)
- She can be contacted through the contact form

Co-Founder and COO of Fintern
Michelle He is the Co-Founder and COO of Fintern. Before co-founding Fintern, she was a Director at EY in London. During her tenure at EY, Michelle specialised in lending, credit analytics, and driving complex banking transformations for banks and financial institutions.
Her motivation to start Fintern stemmed from her personal experience after moving from Singapore to the UK 14 years ago. Despite having a stable job and decent pay at EY, and a PhD in AI, she struggled to secure a £5000 loan due to a lack of credit history.
This inspired her to co-found Abound (the B2C arm) and Render (the B2B arm) to de-risk lending for financial institutions and provide access to finance for individuals like recent graduates and immigrants who have no credit histories.
She holds a Ph.D. in machine learning from the National University of Singapore and is a trusted advisor to rapidly growing global fintech firms.
- AI and open banking
- Traditional lending systems
- Credit analytics
- Raising capital
- Transitioning from big corporate life (EY) to co-founding a start-up
- Michelle is based in London. Her availability varies month to month but if an opportunity arises, there is usually scope to move things around with enough notice.
- Please share all opportunities with Fintern’s PR agency Pagefield at abound@pagefield.co.uk

CEO at nimbl and Group COO at Caxton
Alana is an accomplished business executive with extensive hands-on experience in the foreign exchange, payments and pre-paid cards sectors.
She joined Caxton over 20 years ago and has had many roles during that time. She is now the COO, helping bring our strategy to life whilst focussing on efficiency and output, with a stronghold over product, payments and operations.In addition, she is the CEO of nimbl, a pocket money and children’s financial educational app.
- Leadership
- Relationships and partnerships in fintech
- Operations
- The value of customer service
- Foreign exchange, payments and pre-paid cards
- Alana is based in London and can be available for the right opportunities with enough notice
- She is best contacted directly on alana.parsons@caxton.io

and PR Consultant

at Stripe

Belgium

at Lightyear




Crypto at Onafriq

and PR Consultant

at Stripe

Belgium

at Lightyear




Before The Heard, I never saw myself as a speaker—I thought public speaking was for ‘other people.’ The training gave me the confidence to own my expertise, and now I’ve spoken on fintech panels alongside industry leaders. The Heard didn’t just amplify my voice; it changed my career.
