The 05 Most Influential Women in Finance, 2021 August2021

Editor’s Desk

BuildingStairs toSuccessin Finance

Formanyyears,thefinanceindustrywasbelievedto

bedominatedbymen.However,thatisn’tthecase anymore.Astrendsstartedchanging,women donnedseveralhatstoprovetheirmettleinthefinance sector

Earlier,businessleaderswereunsureabouthavingacareer infinance.Ofcourse,becauseofthefinancialcrisisand bankruptcyof2008,moreandmoreleaderskepttheirway fromfinance.Butrisinginsuchafield,businesswomenare shininginthefinancialleadershiproles.Itisbecauseof theirvisionandapproachtowardscoordinationwiththe clientsandsolvingtheirproblemsrelatedtofinance.

Theirsuccesssaysitall;thededicationandpassionfor consistentlygrowingthecompanyandthemselvesstandsas theirbestquality.Theyarecommittedtobringingthe changeandreachingouttoclientswiththebestfinancial adviceandsolutions.Theirleadershipstyleincludes communicatingwiththerightexpertandbuildingthebest solutionsfortheclients.Eveninthesechallengingtimesof pandemic,theyvirtuallydiscussthefinancialtopicsand supportthecompanyineverypossibleway

Businesswomenhavemanytasksinthefinancialindustry, andbuildinglong-lastingrelationshipsistheirbestwayto grow.Theircontributionisworthappreciatingtoprovide authenticadviceonbecomingastrongandsuccessful leader.Inthisever-evolvingfinanceindustry,theyhave evolvedalongwiththechangingtimesbystayingupdated withthetechnology Today,theyarehelpingcreate employment,education,startups,andassistingthebig industriesandgovernments.

Torecognizeandappreciatethecontributionofsuch businesswomen,InsightsSuccesscomesupwithits upcomingedition-The05MostInfluentialWomenin Finance,2021 Throughthisedition,wesharethebusiness journeys,challenges,andachievementsoftheseleaders.

OntheCoverofthiseditionisSueHayter,theFounderof QualityFinancialGroupPtyLtd.Abrokersince2004, Suehasusedherexperienceandexcellentindustryrecord tobecomealeaderinherfield.Shesharesherknowledge andexpertisetoempowerthebrokerstofulfiltheirdreams ofbeingself-employedandself-sufficientbusinessowners. Asanexperiencedmortgagebroker,Suestartedmentoring brokersin2010.Tosupportthebrokers,sheauthoredthe QualityFinancialGroupMentorProgrammewhichhas beenassessedbytheMortgage&FinanceAssociationof AustraliaandtheFinanceBrokersAssociationofAustralia andisrecognisedandapprovedasamentorprogrammefor newtoindustrybrokers.

Asexcitingisthisedition,equallyinterestingistheCXO writtenbytheindustryexpertsandthearticlebytheinhouseeditorialteam.

Let’sbegintheRewardingExperience!

Business

ÁngelaÁlvarez FounderandExecutive Chairman

CeciliaRepinski CEOandFounder

AglaiaCapital aglaiacapital.com

AglaiaCapitalisanindependentCorporateFinanceboutique advisorybusiness.

GreenAssetsWallet greenassetswallet.org

HeleneLi GeneralManager Co-Founder FTAHK www.ftahk.org

LizMiller President

SUMMITPLACE FINANCIAL ADVISORS LLCwww.summitplace financial.com/ SummitPlace

GreenAssetsWalletisaglobaltrustplatformthataccelerates impactfulassetallocation.

TheFinTechAssociationofHongKong(FTAHK)isan independent,not-for-profit,membershipbasedassociation representingHongKong’sFinTechcommunity

SummitPlaceFinancialAdvisorsoffersanindividualizedgoalorientedapproachtomanagingwealthforaselectgroupof clients.

SueHayter Founder QualityFinancialGroupisaboutiquemortgagebroker company.

QualityFinancialGroup &TrustedMortgage Broker www.melbourne mortgage brokermentor.com.au

Cover Story

Sue Hayter Founder Quality Financial Group Pty Ltd

Sue Hayter

AProminentNameintheFinanceIndustry

Workingasamortgagebrokermentorinthemale dominatedAustralianmortgagebroking

financialservicesindustrywhichhaslessthan 25%womenhascertainlybeenaninterestingand rewardingexperienceforSueHayter.

SueHayteristheFounderofQualityFinancialGroup PtyLtd.,aboutiquesub-aggregationmortgagebroking business.ItincludesTrustedMortgageBrokerand MelbourneMortgageBrokerMentor,allofwhicharesolely ownedandoperatedbyher.Sheoffersanholisticfull servicementoringmodelfornewmortgagebrokerswho choosetooperateundertheirownbusinessname.

Abrokersince2004,Suehasusedherexperienceand excellentindustryrecordtobecomealeaderinherfield. Shesharesherknowledgeandexpertisetoempowerthe brokerstofulfiltheirdreamsofbeingself-employedand self-sufficientbusinessowners.

Asanexperiencedmortgagebroker,Suestartedmentoring brokersin2010.Tosupportthebrokers,sheauthoredthe

QualityFinancialGroupMentorProgrammewhichhas beenassessedbytheMortgage&FinanceAssociationof AustraliaandtheFinanceBrokersAssociationofAustralia andisrecognisedandapprovedasamentorprogrammefor newtoindustrybrokers.

SpecialistinMentoringImmigrants

EmigratingfromSouthAfricatoNewZealandandthento Melbourne,Australiawasbothexcitingandterrifyingfor Sue.Shedidn’tknowasinglesoulwhenshearrivedin Melbournein2001.Todaywhenshereflectsbackoverthe years,sheisimmenselyproudofherachievements.Sue specialisesinmentoringimmigrantstoAustraliabecause sheunderstandshowdifficultitistobecomeestablishedin anewbusinessandbuildanewnetworkinordertobecome successful.

Operatinganewbusinesscanbealonelyexperiencefora newmortgagebrokerandtoovercomethisSuecreateda feelingofasenseofbelongingtoacommunitywithinher mentoringbusiness.Shehashelpedmanyimmigrantsfrom adiverserangeofcountriessuchasSriLanka,Philippines, Nepal,China,VietnamandIndiatonameafew Allthe brokersstartedasnewtoindustryunderhermentorship. Shehasproudlywatchedhowtheyhavebenefitedfromher experience,guidanceandbuiltasolidfoundationwith whichtogainafeelingofsecurityandfinancialfreedom.

GloriousRecognitions

SuewasveryproudtoberecognisedastheAustralian WomeninFinanceMentoroftheYear2020andalsoThe BetterBusinessMentoroftheYear2019.Herother achievementsovertheyearsincluderecognitionasafinalist forInnovatoroftheYear,IndustryThoughtLeaderofthe YearandTraining&EducationProgramoftheYear

DrivenbyValues

Sue’skeyleadershipandmentoringvaluesarebasedona foundationofhonesty,integrityandtrust.Thisissupported byhabitsofexcellencewhicharenurturedbyamutual respectforeachotherandtranslatedintoherbusiness processes.Thementeecompletesanapplicationformso thatshecanestablishwhetherthementeeisalignedwith hervalues.

Therefore,fromtheoutset,Sueattractsthepeoplewiththe samevaluestoworkalongsideher.

MaintainingOperationalExcellence

SuerecognisesthattheAustralianfinanceindustryishighly regulated.Mortgagebrokersneedtobe100%compliant

andadheretoresponsiblelendingrulesandregulationsin ordertoprovidecreditassistancewhichisinthebest interestsofthecustomeranddoesnotdisadvantagethe customerinanyway.Inordertoachievethis,Suestrivesto maintainoperationalexcellencewherebythementeesare supportedbyhermentoringprogramme.

Suedesignedandbuiltthe“QFGOnlineResourceCentre” whichisanonlineplatformthatisupdateddailybyher.The brokerhas24/7accesstotheplatformwhichhouses100’s ofeducationaltools,templatesandmarketingexamplesto helpthemstandoutfromthecrowd.

Sueusestheplatformfortrainingandsupport.Thesetools instilasenseofselfbeliefandconfidence,allowingthe brokerstogrowtheirbusinessandachievesalesand revenue.

EmbracingTechnology

Aleaderinthementoringspace,Sueadvisestheuseof innovativetechnologysuchascloudcomputing, productivityandcollaborationtools.Thisenables mentoring,coachingandtrainingregardlessoflocation. Thebrokersareabletolearnandworkefficientlywhilst remainingcompliantandensuringthesecurityofthe customerdata.

Mortgagebrokermenteesoftenhaveminimalexperience howtooperatesuccessfullywithinthecomplexityofthe manydifferentlendersandloanscenarios.Theycanmake manymistakescostinglendersmillionsofdollars. Sometimesbrokerscoulddisadvantagecustomerswiththeir mistakes.Toovercomethishurdle,Suedevelopedthe unique,innovative“BusinessinaBox”system,whichis continuallyupdatedbyherinlinewiththechangingfinance environment.

Thesystemdeliverspowerfulresultsbyhelpingthebrokers organiseandsubmitloans.Itforcesthebrokerstofollow thebestbusinessprocesswhichmeetstheindustry standards,anditsuitsmenteeswhodon’thavetheskillsets tomapoutthenecessaryprocesses.Itismandatoryto followherstep-by-stephomeloanprocessroadmap, complianceguideandauditchecklistwhichresultsina delightfulcustomerjourney

PandemicSurvivalPlantoThrive “Inthemiddleofdifficultyliesopportunity”–Albert Einstein.

DuringtheMelbournelockdownwhichlastedmorethan7

months,Sueadaptedtomentoringandworking100% electronicallywiththebrokers.Sheasserts, “We all worked from home as an online community. We have all adapted and evolved our businesses and most of us still prefer to work from home to this day.”

Suehashelpedandinspiredthebrokersthriveduring COVID-19.Shesuccessfullyeducatedthebrokersaboutemarketingwithzerocostandhasassistedthemtoevolveas mortgagebrokerswhichhasresultedinmaintaining operationalexcellence.Thebrokershavealsoachieved positiveresultsbyassistingthecustomerswithastress-free homeloanapplicationjourneywhichproducedgreat outcomes.

WhicheverwaySuelooksatit,there’snodenyingthat COVID-19hashadamassivepositiveimpactontheway shehasconductedhermortgagebrokermentoringbusiness. Andthisexcitesherasithasallowedhertoexplorecreative ideasinthemortgagebrokermentoringspace.

HereareafewthingsSueimplemented:

• Sherecordedfacetofaceindividualzoomtraining sessionsforeverybrokersothattheycouldrefertotheir ownindividualtraining/educationvideoatanytime.

• Groupmeetings:Herteamlookedforwardtoweekly zoomsessionsandthebrokerslovedthem,asworking

‘‘ Mentally strong women are totally comfortable with their efforts, and don’t hold back to talk about their achievements. Be comfortable in your own skin. ‘‘

• fromhomeandbeinginlockdownwasaverylonely experience.

• Shebelievesthatit’simportanttokeepasenseof humourandthus,shehad“coffeecatch-up”mentoring sessionsonzoom,whereeveryonehadtoshowtheir favouritecoffee/teamug.Thesharedexperiencewas enjoyedbyeveryone.

• Sheeducatedthebrokerstoembracedigitaltechnology andthereforeproactivelyplanaheadtopreparefora rangeofpositiveoutcomesgoingforwardintothenew normal.

• Digitallypoweredrelationships–Sheeducatedthe brokerstointegratedigitaltoolswithintheirbusiness processes,includingelectronicinterviews,e-signatures anddigitaldocumentationinordertodrivemore efficientcustomerserviceandenableremoteworking.

• Asthehighestlevelsofcustomerserviceandefficiency comefrombeingdigitallyconnected,thebrokers replacedphysicalface-to-faceinterviewclientmeetings

withelectronicfacetofacemeetingswhichprovedtobe veryconvenientforthecustomers.

• Positiveresultshavebeenachievedbecausedigital communicationiskeyandthishasenabledscalabilityof theirbusinesses.Italsodrivesefficiencyandhelps mortgagebrokerscontinuetofacilitateabettercustomer experienceandprovideafasterservice.

Suelovesherroleofmentoringmortgagebrokersasithas enabledhertobeinnovativeandencouragethemtobe resilientandhavetheabilitytocontinuetobeadaptable.By sharingherknowledge,expertiseandexperience,shehas beenabletoempowerthementeestofulfiltheirdreamsof beingself-employedandself-sufficientbusinessowners. Workingfromhomehasbecomethenew“businessas usual”.Manywomenhaveenjoyedtheflexibilityofthe “newnormal”andinSue’sopinionwewillseemore womenjoiningthefinanceindustryinthefuture.

ProvidingMentalHealthSupport

Howcanabrokermentallysurvivethechangingand challengingtimesofourfinancialenvironmentwithout substantialmindsetsupporttopreventdepressionand suicide?

Tosupportandmaintainapositivemindsetwiththe brokers,Sueusestechniquessuchasemotionalintelligence andNeuroLinguisticProgramming.Shehasbeena coach/practitionersince2010helpingsupportthebrokers to:

• Maintainapositiveoutlookwithinthemselveswith regardstotheirlifestyle,familyandbusiness.

• Definetheirpurpose/clearvision

• Successfullyobtainingandestablishinggoals

• Overcomenegativethoughtsanddecisions

• Establishgoodhabitsandbehaviours

Suebelievesthatmanybrokersneedhelptobelievein themselvestoremainmentallystrongsotheycanhelp themselves,theirfamilyandcustomerswhilemaintaininga healthybusinessandachievealifetheylove.Shealso recognisesthatmentallystrongwomenremainfocused, stridingconfidentlyforwardontheirownpathandtherefore growstronger.

EnlighteningAspiringWomenEntrepreneurs

Suegivesfivepiecesofadvicetoup-and-comingwomen entrepreneurswhoaspiretoenterintofinanceindustry

“Always have a positive attitude and transform any negative thoughts into positive thoughts. Your positive thoughts will lead to positive feelings and will feed your soul.”

“Recognise that you are the source of everything you manifest and recognise that you have the strength and will to activate your inner potential.”

“Have the courage to speak up if you see that something is wrong. Always remain professional and dignified and this will gain you respect.”

“Confidence to achieve is a valuable key ingredient to have in your life. Self-confident people are admired by others and inspire confidence in others. You too can inspire your partner, children and business colleagues.”

“To cope with the stresses of today’s world, start by taking care of yourself. I love to walk and run to keep my body and mind fit and healthy and I share videos and posts to inspire others to do the same.”

Climbing the Finance Ladder

ThrivingStrong

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.

ÁngelaÁlvarez Founderand ExecutiveChairman

Ángela Álvarez

LeadingaNewGenerationofCorporateFinance

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 Repinski

DrivingtheCredibleTransitionofCapitalMarkets

Withchangingtrendsinthecapitalmarket, 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

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

MotivatingTeamtoaCommonAgendaofSustainability

Helenebelievesaleadershouldleadandmotivatetheteam toacommonagendaofsustainability.Thestylethatbest suitsherleadershipisinteractivewhilefocusingon individualneedsandthedeliverablesasateam.

TheFinTechAssociation’sThreePillars

TheFinTechAssociationofHongKongisledbya

“TheFinTechAssociationofHongKong(FTAHK)isnotfor-profitandhasanindependentstructure,basedon pillarsoftransparency,accountabilityandgovernance.”

“Bridgingthegreatdividebetweenthetalkandaction, acceleratingtheSustainableDevelopmentagendafrom intentiontoimplementation–GoImpactmeansImpact madeeasyandactionable.”

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.

The05MostInfluentialWomeninFinance,2021

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,andIamamemberoftheWomen’sPresident’s 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