Whenyouchooseentrepreneurship,youchooseto
beapartoftheworldwithmanytwistedknots, uncertainties,andrestlessness.Andwomenjust knowhowtostraightenouttheseknotstobringthebestto thetable.Asanexample,wehaveseenmanywomen entrepreneursmakingtheirmarksinthebusinessworld withtheirtalent,passion,grit,hardwork,andperseverance.
Speakingoftermslikebelief,motivation,and transformation,womeninentrepreneurshiparedoing everythingtoachievetheorganization'sgoalsandsucceed inlife.Itallstartswithasimpledreamofcontributing somethinggoodtotheworld,thepeopleyouworkwith, andthesocietyyoulivearound.Andasaresult,youseethe industryisfilledwithsuchenergeticwomenentrepreneurs whoarereadytotakeontheworldwiththeirleadership.
Today,theirvoicemattersintheorganization,andtheir decisionsareactuallymakingadifference.KamalaHaris, WinfreyOprah,MalalaYousufzai,GretaThunbergare somenameswhohavebecomethevoiceofmanyothers andarestrivingtobringachangeintheworld.
Beitnot-so-glamorousindustrieslikeminingorsupply chainortechnicalsectorslikecybersecurity,womenare shiningineveryindustryandbringingmuch-neededchange atlocal,regional,aswellasgloballevels.
Besides,theadvancementsintechnologyanddigitalization haveopeneddoorstonumerousopportunitiesforwomenin business.Therehasneverbeenabettertimeforwomen entrepreneurstoturntheirpassionsandideasinto businesses.
Inordertoacknowledgeandadmirethecontributionsof womentothebusinessworld,weatInsightsSuccesshave comeupwiththeedition, "The 10 Most Disruptive Women Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2022". Thiseditionfeatures
womenwhohavebroughtdrastictransformation,new perspectives,andpath-breakingsolutionstothebusiness world.
Onthecover,wehaveKatherineMclane,theFounderand CEOofTheMach1Group.Katherineisanaward-winning communicator,regardedbymanyasa"legend"forcrisis managementexperience,whohasalsodefinedherselfasa successfulbusinesswoman.Herfirmisknownforitsaboveand-beyondservicetoclientswhosebrandsarehousehold names.ShecultivatesacultureatMach1thatembraces cooperation,solidarity,innovativethinkinganda'client first'philosophy.
Youwillgettoreadaboutmanysuchstoriesofother womeninthisedition.Lastly,donotforgettoreadtheCXO articlesbytheindustryexpertsalongwiththeinsightful articlesdraftedbyourin-houseeditorialteam.
HaveaPleasantRead!
Cover Story Nigel Green Leading the FINTECH REVOLUTION Managing
Anish
Senior
Business
Sales
SME-SMO
Circulation
Revati
David,
FeaturedPerson
ÁngelaÁlvarez FounderandExecutive Chairman
CeciliaRepinski CEOandFounder
CompanyName
AglaiaCapital aglaiacapital.com
AglaiaCapitalisanindependentCorporateFinanceboutique advisorybusiness.
GreenAssetsWallet greenassetswallet.org
HeleneLi GeneralManager Co-Founder FTAHK www.ftahk.org
LizMiller President
SUMMITPLACE FINANCIAL ADVISORSLLC www.summitplace financial.com SummitPlace
NigelGreen CEO&Founder deVereGroup devere-group.com
GreenAssetsWalletisaglobaltrustplatformthataccelerates impactfulassetallocation.
TheFinTechAssociationofHongKong(FTAHK)isan independent,not-for-profit,membershipbasedassociation representingHongKong’sFinTechcommunity
SummitPlaceFinancialAdvisorsoffersanindividualizedgoalorientedapproachtomanagingwealthforaselectgroupof clients.
Thecompanydeliverspersonalised,independentfinancial advicetoeachofitsclients,builtuponexpertabilities.
SueHayter Founder QualityFinancialGroupisaboutiquemortgagebroker company
QualityFinancialGroup &TrustedMortgage Broker www.melbourne mortgage brokermentor.com.au
CoverStory Green Founder & CEO deVere Group
Nigel
Nigel Green Leading the FINTECH REVOLUTION deVere Group has one unswerving clear purpose: to help our clients plan and achieve their medium and longterm financial goals with personal advice and cuttingedge digital solutions.
Wouldyoubravelysteerawayfroma
conventionalcareerpathandchooseoneof yourownmakings?Mostpeoplewouldstartle whenaskedtomakethistrickychoice,butthosewho decidetopavethewayforthemselveshaveagreatpotential tohelpothersachievetheirpotential,whilstsimultaneously shakingupwholeindustriestogetthemfuture-ready.
Well,thisisthestoryofNigelGreen,theFounderand CEOofdeVereGroup,wholeadsfromthefronttofulfill hisoverarchingmissionofassistingclientstoreachtheir long-termfinancialgoals.
Foroverfourdecades,Nigelhassupportedandencouraged peoplewithauniquemanagementstylecultivatingagroup ofindividualswhobenefitfromregularpersonalcontact rightfromthetop.
InsightsSuccesscaughtupwithNigelandtalkedabouthow hisyearsofexperiencemakehimoneofthemost influentialleadersinFinTech.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Brieflydescribeyourprofessionaljourneyupuntilnow.
Thepathlesstravelledbyaprofessionalinternational nomad.
That'showI'dsumupmyprofessionaljourney.It'sbeenan atypicalcareerforsure,withmanyhighsandmany challengesalongtheway
FewpeoplethatIknowatleasthavebuilttheirownglobespanning,successfulfinancialservicesorganisationwith morethan100legalentitiesfromscratchwithintwo decades.
Istartedonthis'pathlesstravelled'whenIkickedoffmy careerasafinancialadviserinBritainandworkedmyway uptobecometopmanager,afterleadingsuccessfulteamsin theUKforanumberofyearsbeforegoingglobal.Then, confidentthatIcouldprovideabetterserviceforclients,we setupdeVere'sfirstofficeinHongKong20yearsagoand havegrownconsiderablysincethentobecomeoneofthe largestindependentfinancialadvisory,assetmanagement, andfintechorganisationsintheworld.
Whatchallengesdidyoufacealongtheway?
OneoftheprincipalchallengesIfacedalongthewayhas beenfindingtherightpeople.
Agoodleaderneedsgreatpeople.Forme,it'snotabout yourage,yourgender,yournationality,yourrace,oryour sexuality.It'saboutyourdedicationandenergy,a willingnesstolearn,andgreatcommunicationskills.
Anotheroftheprincipalchallengeshasbeentostayatthe toponceyou'rethere.Ofcourse,hardwork,expertise,and commitmentarenon-negotiable,buttheprimewaytostay atthehelmistoconstantlyadaptandevolve.
Thefinanceindustryisextremelycompetitive.Regulations andclientexpectationsarealwayschanging,sotostayat thetop,youhavetokeepimprovingandseekingnewways ofdoingthings.
Whatsignificantimpacthaveyoubroughttothe FinTechindustry?
Ofcourse,we'veseenradicalchangesinthefinancial servicesindustryinrecentyearsthathavebeendrivenby fintech.Assuch,deVereisconstantlybringingfirst-of-theirkindfintechsolutionstothemarketthathavebeenhighly sought-afterbyclients.
Wemaintainaclient-centricfocusonthedemandsofthe tech-savvyandcontinuetogrowoursuiteofinnovative wealthtechproductsandservices.
We'realsohighlyactivewithinthemedia.Assuch,dueto mycommitmenttoandpassionforfintech,I'vebecomea high-profileadvocateofthesectorandin-demandbymedia outletswhowantourthoughtleadership,andourregular commentandanalysislooksatthefutureoffinance.
TellusaboutthedeVereGroupanditsfoundationpillar.
Putsimply,deVereGroupisagamechanger Thereisno otherfirmlikeusinthemarkettoday Weprovideworldbeatingfinancialadvicesupportedbygroundbreaking digitalsolutions.
Weworktogetherwiththebestglobalinstitutionstoensure ourclientshaveaccesstothebestproducts.Ourglobal presenceismassive.We'reoneverycontinent,andour principalfocusistoseekanewlevelofexcellenceinthis currentdigitalage.
Whatisyourtakeontechnology'simportance,andhow areyouleveragingit?
Thefintechrevolutionwe'reseeingnowisunstoppable,and itsimportanceisparamount.
Thefinancialservicesindustryisexperiencingfundamental changeallbecauseoffintech,andit'shappeningat breakneckspeed.
Ibelievethislightningadvanceintechnologyisimmensely positive,anddemandwillcontinuetosoarforahostof reasons.
Fintechboostsfinancialinclusionasitprovidessecure, convenient,andaffordableglobaldigitalpayments,making alife-changingdifferencetomillionsaroundtheworld. Fintechfirmsareliterallyhelpingpeopleoutofpovertyand generatingamorefinanciallyinclusiveworld.
Our experienced and professional financial advisers are at your service, to offer their vast expertise via resultsdriven personalised services, fintech propositions and tailor-made strategies.
Inaddition,anincreasingnumberofpeoplenowrequireall theirfinancialservicesneedstobemanagedviamobileor online.It'sabout24/7,anywhereaccess,andmaintaining pacewithshiftingconsumerhabits.
Businessesalsobenefitasfintechoffersfirmspioneering waystobolstertheclientexperience,cutcostsandmeet regulatoryrequirements.
Fintechishelpingtomakeourworldevermoreconnected, allowingmorepeoplethanevertoreachtheirfinancial goals.Asthesectorgrows,itwillcontinuetoplayakey roleinformingthefutureoffinancialservicestoprovide thesmooth,contextualizedexperiencedemandedby consumers.Itrulybelievefintechwillcreateabetter tomorrow.
WhatwillbethenextsignificantchangeintheFinTech industry?
Artificialintelligence,theInternetofThings,cloud computing,cryptocurrenciesandblockchain,amongstother drivers,willtransformthespacelikeneverbeforeandwill helprevolutionisethefinancialindustry.
Theuseofcryptocurrencieshasrisendramaticallyasthey havedisruptedtraditionalfinancialsystems.
LookatBitcoin.Moreandmorecountriesarelookingto followElSalvadorandtheCentralAfricanRepublicand maketheworld'slargestcryptocurrencylegaltender.Not forgettingtheincreasingnumberofcentralbankslooking intoCBDCs(centralbankdigitalcurrencies).
Aswellasreturnsoninvestments,Bitcoincanalsohelp peopleoutoffinancialandpoliticalrepression.Itisoften viewedasashieldagainsthyperinflationthatcan'tbe manipulatedbyalteringratesorsteppingupquantitative easing.And,ofcourse,thesupplyofBitcoincan'tsurpass 21million,soineffect,it'spracticallydevaluation-proof.
Digitalcurrenciesareforcingnewandtraditionalfinancial serviceproviderstokeepupwiththeinnovationsothey don'tmissoutonthistechrevolutionthatiscontinually gainingmomentum.
Thefactthatninecryptofirmsmadethisyear'sForbes magazineFintech50listraising$6.5billioninventure capitalbetweenthemandmostmajorfinancialinstitutions–includingWallStreetgiants–offercryptoservicestotheir clients,saysitall.
Itconfirmsmybeliefthatdigitalisthefuture.
Whatareyourgoalsintheupcomingfuture?
Thisisamammothone.
Oneofourkeyfuturegoalsistocreatetheworld'sfirst digitalfinancialcity,comprisingourentiresuiteofcuttingedgetechsolutionsinoneplace.
Inessence,ourveryowndigital-basedfinancialecosystem.
Wearethelargest,mostsuccessfulfintechproviderinthe industry Wearetrulygame-changinginregardtofintech development.Andthisisonlythebeginning.Watchthis space…
Whatadvicewouldyouliketogivethenextgeneration ofaspiringbusinessleaders?
Essentially,thebestadviceIwouldoffertoupcoming businessleadersistoneverstoptryingtoachieveyour ambitions.Keepgoing.Nomatterwhatobstaclesyoucome upagainst,keepmovingforwardandalwaysmaintainthe highestexpectations.Stampoutanynegativityorcriticism.
Asuccessfulleaderhasnotimeforthat.Keepfocused, communicate,andalwayskeeplearning.Learneveryday Boostyourskillsandknowledgeeveryday Thiswillhelp youtoreach,evenexceed,yourpotentialandstayontop.
We know that fintech is the future. Indeed, it is the present as it is already reshaping and redefining the way we handle, access and use money.
Finance Ladder Thriving Strong Everyindustry,everycompany,everyleader,and
everyindividualfaceschallenges. Whetheritis personalorprofessional,weallhaveourownbig orsmallchallengesinlife.Wegrowonlybyfacingthose challenges,andwhenwelookbackonhowweovercame them,werealizethatwe’vebecomeadifferentpersonnow fromwhatwewere.Webecomeflexibleandadaptive peoplewithanysituationaswebecomewell-awareofour strengthsandweaknesses.
Havingbeenbornwithsuchcapabilities,womenin businessaremoredeterminedtoadapttoeverychallengein anyprofessionalcareerfield.Speakingofonesuchversatile fieldisfinance,wherebusinessfunctionsinbanking, investments,mergers,andacquisitions,etc.
TheTalentInside
Ifwethink,womenareusedtoworkingwiththefinancial mattersbecausetheyaretheoneswholookafterour household'sworking.Theirdecisionsaboutfinanceand managingthedailyactivitiesinthehouseisspoton.The sameappliesintheprofessionalarena.Theirwayofdoing businessinvolvestransparency,trust,integrity,diversity, andtheessenceofbringinganimpactintheworld.They leadwithpassion,commitment,andhonesty,buildingan ecosystemoftrustedpeoplearoundthem.
Forbusinesswomen,ethicsisthekeytosuccessinthe financeindustry.Further,itisprettyeasytoworkwiththem astheyalwaysbringnewopportunitieswiththeircreative ideasandapproach.Learningfromtheindustryexpertsto takethecompanytogreaterheightsisalsotheir highlightingfactor.
ReadyforFuture Adoptionofnewtechnologiestospeedthetraditional corporatefinanceisneededintoday’scompetitiveworld. That'swhereFinTechcomesintothepicture.Havingaccess tofinanceforeveryoneandineverypartoftheworldthat providesopportunitiesforeveryoneisthegoalofFinTech. BusinesswomenarewellawareoftheFinTechecosystem andunderstanditsvalueinthebusiness.Fintechallows businesswomentounderstandthecomplexfinancialworld betterandmakedecisionsthatmatchthebusinesspurposes.
Businesswomenhavefoundasustainablewayinthe competitivefieldoffinance.TheydriveCorporateFinance, Mergers,andAcquisitionsintocreatingtheirwayof financialinfrastructure.Theirstyleofleadershipismostly inclinedtowardsinteraction;interactionwiththeboard membersandcommitteeaboutthefutureoffinancial growthfortheteamandthecompany.Creatingaunified ecosystembybringingtogetherdifferentpartsofthe communityissomethingtheyalwaysnurture.
ConqueringtheIndustry Businesswomenhavealwaysworkedhardtogetwherethey aretoday.Ultimately,theinnovativebusinessleaderis alwaystheonewhoensuresthegrowthoftheteam membersandthecompany And,businesswomenareoften seenwiththisquality Theyareinvolvedinworkingin millionsofdollarstransactionsdaily,butoperateit successfullywiththeirqualities.Theyknowtheproblem whentheysenseone.Sometimestheymightbeattheirlow, buttheirwilltobouncebackisstrongerthananything.
Tosupportandmaintainapositiveapproachinthe business,theyestablishapositiveoutlookintheir behaviors,whichreflectsachievingthegoals.
Businesswomeninfinancearestrongerandhavebecomea sourceofeverything.Theirself-confidenceinbeingthebest inspiresmanyotherbusinessleaderstofollowthem.
Withthis,next-generationwomenleadersareaccelerating thefinancialindustrywithgreatmomentum.Finally,itis becauseoftheirhardworkandpersistencetheyare recognizedthroughouttheindustryandnotjustinfinance.
Ángela Álvarez Founder and Executive Chairman
Ángela Álvarez Leading a New Generation of Corporate Finance Thereisplentyofevidencethatsupportsthelink
betweenhavingmorewomeninbusinessleadership positionsandhigherprofitability.Yet,weseethe outnumberingofwomeninthecorporatefinanceindustry However,theprogressongenderbalanceintheworkforce inthefinancialservicesindustryisbeingcarriedout.The mindsetsareshiftingslowlybutsurelyduetothehardwork andcommitmentofwomenleaders.
Womenarebringingamuch-neededchangetothesectorof corporatefinance.Theyarecreatingastrongholdfor themselves.OnesuchwomanisÁngelaÁlvarez,the FounderandExecutiveChairmanofAglaiaCapital, whohasbeenevolvingwithherownviewcorporatefinance andthefinanceindustry,establishingherindependent corporatefinanceadvisoryfirm,combiningthetraditional worldwithanewdigitalworld,foundingalsoaFintech usingblockchainbasedonherownvisiononherindustry, leadinganewgenerationofcorporatefinance,where finance,digitalandvaluessuchassustainability,diversity, andimpactforabetterworld,areco-existing.
Inourendeavortofind'The05MostInfluentialWomenin Finance,2021,'wecrossedourpathswithÁngela.Inthe followinginterview,wegotadetailedinsightintoher journeysofar
Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:
Takeourreadersthroughyourjourneyandthe challengesyoucameacrossfoundingAglaiaCapital& beingaFinanceProfessional.
Serendipityhasbeenaconstantinmyprofessionalandvital path.EverychallengeIhavefacedhasbroughtanew beginningorsomethingmorealignedwithmyinterests.I usuallyfocusmyattentionandenergyonthenewinsteadof lookingback;somanychallengeshaveappearedalongthis
pathandhaveconvertedintomeansforadvancingmy growthprocess.
AglaiaCapitalwasbornwithadeterminedconvincementof contributingtochangingtheindustrieswhereIhave developedmyprofessionalcareer,InvestmentBanking, CorporateFinance,Mergers&Acquisitions,Restructuring, andAlternativeFinanceindustries.Ontheonehand, exploringanddevelopingwithBlockchainaplatformfor
makingmoreefficientandscalablethebusinessof providingfundingandmakinginvestments.Ontheother hand,tryingtoimprintawayofdoingbusinesswhere ethicsandbalanceamongthepartieswillbepresent throughatransparentandtrustfulwayofproceeding,as wellasthevaluesthatalsoconstitutesouressence,suchas innovation,sustainability,integrity,diversity,andimpactto makeabetterworld.
Whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?Whatstyleof leadershipdoyoupersonallypreferatAglaiaCapital?
Myideaofimpactfulleadershipisleadingbyexample,also inspireotherstomakeanimpact.Iliketalent,passion, commitment,andtransparencyandhonesty,asawayto createtrust.Ilikecooperativebusinessmodelswherethe partiesarerelatedonthebasisofatrustfulecosystem.
Takingintoconsiderationthecurrentpandemicandits impactonglobaleconomies,howareyoudrivingthe companytosustainoperationsandensuringthesafety ofyourassociatesandemployeesatthesametime?
Weareusedtoworking,alsoearlier,remotelyfrom everywhere,usingtoolsthatmakeiteasytoworkwithin theteamorwithpartnersorexternalteams.Theimpacton theeconomybroughtusalsonewopportunitiesonthe traditionalCorporateFinance,butalsoonthedigitalassets space,whereithasspeededfurtherthetransformationand adoptionoftheBlockchainanddigitalassets.
Whatopportunitiesdoyouandyourcompanyofferfor FinancialgrowthwithInvestmentsolutionsto IndividualsandCorporates?
OnthetraditionalCorporateFinancebusiness,wherewe arefocusonHotels,RealEstate,andAlternativeFinancing forallsectors,withafocusmainlyinEuropeand selectivelyinothergeographies.Wehaveanaffiliated companyinLondon,UK.Weusuallyworkwithniche investors,familyoffices,andfundsthatarenotthemost commoninthemarket,andweofferoff-marketselected opportunities,aswellasalternativefinancesolutionsfor corporatesandfordevelopers,RealEstate,andhotels.
WearealsoaFintech,offeringAglaiaCapitalDeFi PlatformforTokenisationsdevelopedwithblockchain technologymainlyfocusedonthedigitalizationof securities,securitytokensandconnectedtoasecondary marketofdigitalassets,whichweareabouttolaunch.
Weadviseon"Tokengeneratingevents"fromthestrategy process,implementation,development,andsetupof investmentvehiclesconstitutedforthispurpose,aswellas providingourownplatformtocarryouttheprivateand publicsaleofthedigitalassetthroughtheplatformAglaia
Follow your vision and passion, and let them work their magic. “ “ CapitalDeFiPlatformwithconnectiontoasecondary marketofDigitalAssetsthatwillprovidefundingfor ownersofassetswantingtosellandalsoprovide investmentopportunitiescomingfromtheneweconomy.
Ondigitalassets,aswell,weareintheprocessoflaunching asecuritytokenthatallowsyoutoinvestwithan underlyingasset,getanannualresult,andreducingyour carbonfootprint,participatinginventurecapitalaimingat sustainableinvestments,alsoalignedwithoneofourcore values.
Whatmakesyourorganization'sStrategyandFinancial adviceapreferredchoiceofyourclientsoverthe competition?
IntraditionalCorporateFinance,weusuallyarefocusedon anichebase,withinvestorsthatarenotonthemarketand withinvestmentopportunitiesthatareoff-market.Our adviceispersonalized,independent,andweusuallyanalyze theopportunitieswithalensofinvestorsandknowwellthe ecosystemofinvestorsandfinancingprovidersandwhat theyareinterestedin.
RelatedtodigitalassetsandBlockchain,weareinsiders alsointheFinancialIndustry,whichmakesadifferencefor theunderstandingandassistinginmaximizethevalue OnDigitalassets,wearealsoaFintechcompany,withour ownblockchaindevelopment,AglaiaCapitalDeFi Platform,whichallowsustogetfundingandinvesteasily whileparticipatinginthenewfinancialinfrastructure.
Accordingtoyou,whatessentialtraitsshould entrepreneurspossesstothriveinthepresent-day cutthroatbusinessecosystem?
Resilience,Courage,Determination,Creativity,and ParadoxicalThinkingandFlexibility,asthesetraitsallowto understandthiscomplexworldbetterandmakingbetter decisionswhichmatchwiththebusinesspurposes.Ialso thinkthathaveasustainableanddiversitylenswillbevital forentrepreneursintheshortterm,beingacompetitive advantage,andalsowillactasselectioncriteriadrivenfrom consumers.
Inwhatwayshaveyouorthecompanycontributedto thecommunity?Ifgivenachance,whatchangewould youbringinsolvingthemostcomplexfinancial problemsfortheclients?
IfoundedAglaiaCapitaltocombinetraditionalCorporate FinanceandFintechBlockchain,mainlyfocusedon TransactionalServices,andtocontributeintransforming myindustrywhereIhavedevelopedmyprofessional career,CorporateFinance,MergersandAcquisitions (M&A),AlternativeFinancing,Restructuring,and contributingincreatingthenewfinancialinfrastructure.
TheAglaiaCapitalDeFiPlatformdeployedina PermissionedBlockchainandconnectedwithaSecondary MarketofDigitalassetsprovideaccesstoassetsownersto funding,andtoinvestorsinaneasierandmoreefficient waybyusingBlockchain.
Repinski Founder and CEO
Cecilia
Green Assets Wallet
WCecilia Repinski Driving the Credible Transition of Capital Markets ithchangingtrendsinthecapitalmarket, impactinvestinghasstartedgainingmomentum inthepastfewyears,asitdrivessocialand environmentalprogressthroughinvestments.Whatelse couldbeabetterwaytogivebacktosocietywhilealso generatingfinancialreturns?Afterrealizingtheimportance ofsustainablefinance,investorsareactivelycontributingto helpbuildabetterworldforall.
However,thequestionofcredibilityintransactionsstillgets raised.Scalingupimpactinvestmentsrequiresentirelynew levelsoftransparencyandwaystodeterminethecredibility ofissuersofgreenassets.ThisisexactlywhatCecilia Repinski,aningeniousentrepreneur,bringstothetable.
Throughhercompany,GreenAssetsWallet(GAW), Ceciliaisfacilitatinghigh-impactassetallocation, providingtheneededsolutionstoissuersandinvestorsto thriveandscaleinthesustainablebondmarketwithrealworldmeasurableimpact.
Ceciliaisdrivenbyhervisionofbuildingprosperousand sustainablesocieties,andGAWismakingthispossible. Inourendeavortofind“The 05 Most Influential Women in Finance, 2021”, wecaughtupwithCeciliatounveilher journeyasaleaderandhowGAWisunleashingglobal capitalatscale.
FromanInnovationProjecttoaPurpose-Driven Company
GreenAssetsWalletfirstcameaboutasaninnovation projectsupportedbypublicgrants.Theprojectgrewvery fastandnaturally,reflectingtheneedinthefinanceindustry forpracticalsolutionstorampupimpactfulassetallocation. Asmarketdemandforinnovationingreenfinancegrew,it decidedtospinoffasaprivatecompanyinDecember2019. ItsgreatestchallengecamewhenGAWtransitionedfroma projecttoaself-sustainedpurpose-drivencompanytoserve capitalmarketsbetter Thattransitionperiodwas
challenging,butbeinginthenextphaseandwithagreat teamonboard,thingsaremovingfasterthanever.
InjectingEfficiencyandTransparency GAWistheworld’sfirstplatformforvalidatingand reportingfinancialimpact.Itisdesignedtoinjectefficiency andtransparencyintothegreendebtmarket.Itsgoalisto equipinvestorswiththenecessarymeanstomakeimpactful assetallocationswhileenablingimpactfulprojectownersto accesscapitalsothatthesetwopartiescanrealizeacredible andsustainablecapitaltransition.
CeciliaalsomentionsthatGAW’scommunityofusers appreciatesthatitisapurpose-drivenandindependent company Thiscreatesanimportantfoundationoftrust.The actorsitworkswithfeelthatGreenAssetsWalletisthereto supportthemandhelpthemdrivethetransitiontowards sustainabilityinawaythatwillmakeadifference.
DrivingTransitiontoSupportSustainableLifeonEarth AtGAW,Ceciliaaimsatservingthesustainability champions,drivingthetransitiontosupportsustainablelife onEarth,includingthoseneedingcapitaltoimplement bettersolutionsandthosewantingtosteertheircapital towardssuchactivities.
Ceciliabelievesinempoweringeveryonearoundher.Her ideaofimpactfulself-leadershipistobeveryclearabout thefuturetheyallstrivetorealizewithGreenAssetsWallet. Everyoneintheteamshouldfeelempoweredtotakethe necessarystepstoreachthisoutcome,whileatthesame timefeelsupportedtomaketheirowndecisions.
GoingForthandRising Whenthepandemicarrived,ithadadrasticimpacton individualsaswellasbusinesses.GAWalsowitnessed manychangesinitsoperations.
Green Assets Wallet is a global trust platform that accelerates impactful asset allocation. GAWservesaglobalmarket.Beforethepandemic, everyoneintheorganizationparticipatedinmeetingsand conferencesworldwidetoconnectwithacommunityof impactinvestors,greenbondissuers,policymakers,and others.Thischangedduringthepandemic.Astravelceased, anyonebenefittingfromGreenAssetsWallet’ssolutions wasengagedviavideomeetings.
Ceciliaexpressesthatevenafterthepandemic,thismaynot changetothewayitwasbefore.Theworldhaslearnedto connectandcreatemeaningfulrelationships,evenifthey don’thappeninperson.GAWwillfostertheseprocessesin thefuturetoexemplifyhowaglobalbusinesscanhavea zero-carbonfootprint.However,meetingsinpersonmay stillbenecessaryandoftentheonlywaytonetworkand createthenecessaryexchangetocreatenewsolutions.
TowardsSustainability GreenAssetsWalletishopingtotransformhowimpact investmentsaremade,enablinganytrustedactor,regardless ofsize,location,orbusinessorientation,toeitherinvest and/oraccessfinancetodeliverimpactfuloutcomesthat otherwisewouldnothavehappened.
TalkingaboutthefutureofGAW,Ceciliastatesthatthey havejuststarted,andmanymoremilestonesareyettobe achieved.
EnlighteningUpcomingEntrepreneurs Inheradvicetotheup-and-comingwomenentrepreneurs aspiringtoentertheFinancialIndustry,Ceciliasays, “Trust your instincts. Believe in yourself. And remember to have fun.”
Helene Li A Profound Leader Powering Hong Kong’s Sustainable Finance and FinTech Community Sustainablefinanceistheneedofthehour,and ensuringsustainablefinanceisthekeyparameterto successinthefinancesector Withthatbeingsaid, beingorganizedandhavingstrategicplanningandthought processiskeytoensuringsustainablefinanceandstability. “The future of finance will be shaped around sustainable development,” expressesHeleneLi,theGeneralManager atFinTechAssociationofHongKong(FTAHK)andCoFounderofGoImpact
HeleneLiisamanagementconsultantturnedbanker,turned impactentrepreneur.Shehasheldvariousleadershiproles atglobalfinancialinstitutionssuchasJ.P.Morgan, LombardOdier,BNPParibas,andconsultinggiantslike BostonConsultingGroupandWillisTowersWatson. Throughoutthisexcitingjourney,shewitnessedthehighs andlowsoftheglobalfinancialcrisisandthesignificant systematicgapsthattheyneedtobridge–sustainable developments,ESG(Environmental,SocialandGovernance).Currently,Heleneisattheintersectionwhere capitalandtechnologycanbeharnessedtodeliverthis importantagenda.
PushingforSustainableFinanceandConnectingthe Dots Heleneisafirmbelieverinapplyingmarket-basedsolutions
“The tofast-tracksocialandenvironmentalimpactanda passionateadvocateforSustainableFinanceandImpact Investment.SheisaleadingvoiceonSustainableFinance, DigitalTransformationandFinTech,aTEDxSpeaker,anda sought-afterspeakerandmoderatoratconferencesand industrysummits.
Havingworkedintheultra-high-net-worthspaceformost ofhercareer,Heleneiscommittedtoleveragingthe financialpowerandheartofthe1%toacceleratetheimpact inhelpingthe99%.Itisinthisspiritthatsheco-founded GoImpactasanaction-drivenecosystemtoconnect stakeholdersinacceleratingtheImpactmomentum.Shehas beenspearheadingandcuratingindustry-recognizedand highlyratedNextGenerationFamilyBusinessprograms, andaregularcontributortoImpactandEntrepreneurship researchthroughoutherbankingandconsultingcareer
MotivatingTeamtoaCommonAgendaof
Sustainability Helenebelievesaleadershouldleadandmotivatetheteam toacommonagendaofsustainability.Thestylethatbest suitsherleadershipisinteractivewhilefocusingon individualneedsandthedeliverablesasateam.
TheFinTechAssociation’sThreePillars TheFinTechAssociationofHongKongisledbya
is Helene Li
General Manager at FTAHK Co-Founder of
“Bridging the great divide between the talk and action, accelerating the Sustainable Development agenda from intention to implementation – GoImpact means Impact made easy and actionable.” volunteergroupofboardmembersandcommitteeco-chairs whocareaboutthefutureofFinTech.Itissetuponthree pillars:
Advocate–CreatingtheunifiedvoicefortheHongKong FinTechecosystem
Collaborate–Bringingtogetherthediversepartsofthe community
Educate–Learningfromexistingleadersandnurturethe nextgenerationoftalent
Today,TheFinTechAssociationofHongKongisatthe forefrontofadvancingcapitalandtechnologyindrivingthe sustainabilityagenda,contributingtothecollectiveefforts neededtowritethenextchapteroffinanceand sustainability
ElevatingHongKong’sStatusasaFinTechHub TheFTAHKisverymuchacommunity-building,ecosystem-focusedorganization.Itisthesuper-connectorforthe financeaswellasthetechnologysector.Itaimstounitethe HongKongFinTechindustryandecosysteminorderto elevateHongKong'sstatusasaFinTechhub.Itworkson creatingawareness,employment,education,promotion,and advocacyaroundFinTech.Membersrangefromstart-upsto theworld’sleadingglobalcorporationscometogether through14committeesonvariousverticalsofFinTech includingBlockchain,AI,WealthTech,Payments,Digital BankingandFinancialInclusion.
BeingSuperConnectorforFinanceandTechnology Sector Thefinancesectoriskeentorespondtotheneedsofcapital owners.ThisissomethingthatGoImpactasaplatformis workingtoeducate,advocate,andacceleratebyconnecting thedotsthatdrivenextstepactions.GoImpactaddresses thecrucialpainpointsinadoptingsustainablefinance.The twokeyaspectsofitsofferingare:executiveandinvestor educationaroundESGandSustainableFinance,aswellasa
holisticapproachtoESGportfoliomanagement.Its community-driveninitiativesgiveitauniquepositionto speakonbehalfoftheFinTechcommunity
BeingInfluencedbyInnovativeLeaders HeleneisinfluencedbytheinnovationofSteveJobs,the visionandleadershipofLeeKuanYewandthecommitmentanddriveofHelenClark.Thebook "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" isthought-provokingforher.
BeingFlexibleandAdaptableinTimesofCrisis Talkingabouttheimpactofthepandemiconbusinessesand individuals,Helenementionsthatthepandemichas reshapedtheworkplacecompletely,includingtheoperation processandleadershipmindset,whichhasreallybeen challengedupsidedown.Shebelievesthatflexibilityand theadaptabilitytolearnarekeystothefutureofwork.
RecognizingImportanceofGrit,Resilience,and Adaptability AccordingtoHelene,entrepreneursshouldhavethe qualitiesofgrit,resilience,andadaptabilitytothriveinthe present-daycutthroatbusinessecosystem.Sheadvises aspiringentrepreneursinthefinancialindustrytowork hard,butshealsosuggeststheyworksmartandstay focused.
Liz Miller CFP®, CFA, President
Liz Miller Havinganenrichingexperienceof30+yearsinthe financeindustry,LizMiller,CFP®,CFA,isthe epitomeofvisionaryleadership.Lizservesasthe PresidentatSummitPlaceFinancialAdvisors,LLC. BeforelaunchingSummitPlace,Lizheldincreasingly seniorrolesatdifferentfinancialserviceorganizations.
HerteamatSummitPlaceoffersapersonalizedgoalorientedapproachtohelppeopleachievetheirfinancial objectives.Combiningherexperienceandexpertise,Liz hassignificantlycontributedtosimplifyingthefinancial livesofpeople.
InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Lizshedslightonher professionaljourneyandhowSummitPlaceishelping peopleenjoycoordinatedfinancialwell-beingatthemost personallevel.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Takeourreadersthroughyourjourneyasabusiness leaderuntilyourcurrentpositionatSummitPlace FinancialAdvisors,LLC.
Afteryearsofmanaginginstitutionalandindividualclient investmentportfolios,Iresignedmypartnershipatan investmentmanagementfirmthemorningLehmanBrothers declaredbankruptcyin2008.IlaunchedSummitPlacein themiddleofthefinancialcrisis,unsureifIwouldhavea businesstorunbytheendoftheyear.Butafterhearing moreandmorenon-investmentquestionsfrommyclients overtheyears,Ihadavisiontouniquelyadvisemultigenerationalfamiliesontheirinvestmentsandlegacygoals whilecoordinatingthebestadviceamongtheirother professionals.
Onesourceofoursuccessfulgrowthhasbeenmyvision thatthenichemarketofclientswith$5-$25Minassetshad out-grownthefinancialindustry’scookie-cutterapproachto clientsandwaslookingforcoordinated,holisticwealth expertise.Leadingastart-upfinancialservicesfirm,itis temptingtotakeoneveryclientthatislookingforan advisor,butIkepttomyvisionandheldtheteamfocused onourtargetclientswhereweknewwecouldoffer enormousvalue.Internally,weregularlydiscusswhatthat clientlookslikeandwhattheyseekinfinancialservices.
Also,fromthefirm’sbeginning,Ihadavisiontoinclude everygenerationofafamily,asIrecognizethatstrong relationshipswithyoungergenerationshelpassurefamily continuity,stewardship,andgeneralaccord.Longbefore theindustrymentioned“millennials,”wewereoffering themdedicatedserviceandadviceaspassionatelyaswedo fortheirparents.Thishasbeenasecondsourceofgrowth, asweconsistentlyseematuringparentslookingforafirm thatwillinclude,respect,and“educate”theiradultchildren.
Whatmakesyourorganizationapreferredchoicefor yourclientsoverthecompetition?
Weknowthatgenuinerelationshipsgrowovertime,and whencarefullybuilt,theycanlastgenerations.Thisisthe coreofourapproachtoclients.Unlikemanyfirmsthat assignhundredsofclientstoadvisorsandputgrowthas theirfirstannualbusinessgoal,SummitPlaceputs exceptionalclientexperienceasourtopgoal.Weare committedtomaintainingateamthathasthetimeeachday tothinkaboutourclients,whatishappeningintheirlives andtheirpotentialneeds.Wewanttoanticipatehowwecan helpbeforeourclientsreachouttous.
Werecognizethatthe bestwaytobuildyour uniquewealthstrategyis tofullyappreciateyour circumstances,concerns, andaspirations.Thatis whywebeginwithyou andyourgoals,never withproducts. ‘‘ ‘‘ SummitPlacealsostandsoutinthecrowdedfinancial servicesindustrybytargetingagrowingandignoredmarket niche:thosewith$5-$25millioninwealthwhosefinancial complexitydemandsmorethanmass-marketsolutions.
Therearenowsomanymorerulesandlawsaroundtaxes andestateplanningthatmanyfamilieswithwealthhave becomeoverwhelmedtryingtounderstandandcoordinate allthefacetsoftheirfinanciallives.SummitPlaceoffers coordinatedfinancialservicesbasedonafullviewofour client’scircumstances.Wehelpclientsconsiderhowall partsoftheirfinanciallifeworktogetherandwecommunicatewithallappropriateprofessionals,sharingexpertise andbuildingvettedsolutionstopresenttoourclients.
Whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?Whatstyleof leadershipdoyoupersonallypreferatSummitPlace FinancialAdvisors,LLC?
Ibelieveimpactfulleadershipisastylethatleadseach memberofmyteamtoagreaterlevelofsuccessand satisfaction.Itfocusesontheendgoalsofthefirmwhile executingwithaneyetowardthedevelopmentof employees.Ileadwithindividualgoalsforemployeesthat encompassbothtask-orientedgoalsatthefirmaswellas professionaldevelopmenttowardtheemployee’sstated desires.
Ileadwithablendofanauthoritativestrategicvision marriedtoparticipatoryengagementandsupport.Ivalue collaborationandpositivethinkingandbelieveeachofmy employeesiscapableofmorethantheyyetrealize.Iam committedtohelpingthemgettherefortheirpersonalgood thatultimatelysupportsandservesthefirm.
Whatisyourthoughtonthenecessityforbusinessesto aligntheirofferingswithnewertechnological developments,especiallywhenitcomestoinnovative thinkingtosolvecomplexproblems?
Inthepastfewyears,welaunched“MySummitPlace.com” linkingtoathird-partyproviderforamoreinteractive experiencethatappealstoallgenerationsofourclients.Our siteprovidessecuredocumentorganizationandstorageof financialstatements,meetingpresentations,andimportant documents.Thesecanbesharedwithusorkeptprivate; theycanalsobesharedwithotheralliedprofessionalsona document-by-documentbasis.Thesitealsoaggregatesall ourclients’financialassetsandliabilitiesforafullviewina singlesignon.Clientscanalsogeneratereportsfortheir
ownfinancialmanagementneedsattheirsite.Ouryounger clientsembracetheaggregationofcreditcardaccountsand budgetingwithintheirsite.Theyalsoenjoyhavingmobile accessontheirtabletsandphones.Thisimplementationhas enhancedclientmanagementfromourendaswell.Itused tobeacomplexandmanualprocesstogainafullviewof ourclients’financialassets.Today,wecanviewourclient’s fullfinancialpictureandintegratetheinformationintoother toolstodelivertrulypersonalizedsolutions.Thisiscritical forourcomplexclientelethatrelyonusforourunique perspectiveandexpertisetotheirfullwealthsituation.Now, weareabletomanageinvestmentstotheirinvestment policywithreal-timereviewsoftheirotherassets.
Inwhatwayshaveyouorthecompanycontributedto thecommunity?Ifgivenachance,whatchangewould youbringinInvestmentplansforsolvingthemost complexfinancialproblems?
Icaredeeplyaboutgivingback.Basedonourwork,we havebeenhonoredformorethanfiveyearsasthetop financialservicesfirminSummit,NJbasedonour outstandingservicetoclientsandthecommunity Additionally,Iserveontheboardofdirectorsofthe CertifiedFinancialPlannerBoardofStandards,Inc,helping tobringqualifiedandethicalfinancialplanningtothe broaderpublic.
Afewyearsago,Iestablishedamentoringprogramfor youngwomenenteringthefinancialservicesindustry.BE ME-BelieveEnvisionMentorEmpower-inviteswomen fromlocaluniversitiesintheirJunioryearthrough professionalsupto5yearsout.Wemeetvirtuallymonthly todiscusscareertopicsandsharesupportforeachother.I believethatdevelopingandsupportingamorediverse communityoffinancialprofessionalsisthesinglebiggest changeourindustrycanmaketosolveourfuture challenges.
Iamalsoanalumniinterviewerformyalmamatersharing myexperienceswithstudentsinterestedinPennand Wharton,and amemberoftheWomen’sPresident’s Iam Organizationsupportingotherfemaleprofessionals.
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetotheup-and-coming womenentrepreneursaspiringtoenterthefinance industry?
Ibelievethatittakesmanydifferentcharacteristicstobe successfulinthefinancialindustry Thethingthatmaybe
mostimportant,inmyopinion,istheunderstandingthat lastingrelationshipsgrowovertime.I’vealwaysfelt committedtobuildingauthenticconnectionswithclients andprospectswhoprovidegrowthtothefirmandmy employeeswhocontributetoit.Secondly,thesedaysitis importanttoembracemediaoutletstobuildcredibilityand astrongpublicimage.Ibringattentiontomyexpertiseand SummitPlacethroughradioandtelevisionspotsand articles.Finally,Ibelieveyoumustbestrategictobea successfulfinancialleader.Notonlydoyouneedastrategy inplaceforyourfirmtoday,butwhereitwillbein5years andwhatbusinessmovesyouwillneedtomaketosupport yourclientstostayaheadofanevolvingindustry
