In a world where seeing women in leadership positions is still a rare sight, Michelle's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Her story shows us the power of self-belief, resilience, and having a strong support system.

Michelle grew up in Cape Town and studied a business degree, focusing on finance and accounting. Initially planning to be an accountant, a holiday trip to London after her degree changed her trajectory. Captivated by the city's energy, she decided to stay and pursue her career in the heart of England.

❓How did you find integrating into the corporate culture in London?

It was quite a shift. South Africans tend to be more blunt and direct, which worked to my advantage. Speaking my mind helped me move up quickly and be heard, but I did need to learn how to soften what was in my head! I joined a change team at RBS because I spoke my mind and pointed out what could be done better. At 25, I was flying business class to Singapore, and later to New York, managing a major change programme. It was a dream come true and laid the foundation for my understanding of investment banking.

❓What was your first notable job role?  

My first big role was as a Business Analyst, moving RBS operations to Singapore. It was a fantastic experience; I learned a lot about investment banks and their products. I learned a lot from an experienced project manager at the time and was later given the opportunity to go to New York to manage the ABN-RBS integration for North and South America, which was a huge role and a big part of my growing career.

I did feel at times that I was in the right place at the right time, however, instead of being stuck in my role, I always went out of my way to take on more responsibility and seek opportunities.

❓When you were growing up, what career did you think you wanted?

I wanted to be a vet because I loved animals, but I fainted during my work experience at a vet’s office. My dad was in finance, and after doing some psychometric tests, I realised that finance was the right place for me. It was a challenge at first, as once I moved to London, getting a role within finance was less about your degree and more about your lived work experience.

❓How did you transition into more technology and product-focused roles?

After leaving RBS, I joined a tech startup working with generative AI and large language models. I enjoy product roles because they are tangible and involve a lot of innovation. It allows me to be creative and think about the bigger picture. Plus, no two days are the same, one day I might be working on product marketing, the next on legal and regulatory risks or working with engineers. It’s like running your own business, you get to be entrepreneurial which I love.

❓What would you say are the top three skills needed to be successful in a product role?

• Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and simplify the 'why'. It's crucial to get to the heart of why something is being done.

• You need to be able to think out of the box. Creativity and innovation are key in product roles.

• Develop a thick skin and strong time management skills. People will constantly be vying for your time to prioritise their needs, so you have to manage your time effectively and stay resilient.

❓What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a female leader, and how did you overcome them?

One big challenge was having the courage to believe in myself and speak up, you need to believe you are just as good as the guy sitting next to you. Imposter syndrome was a struggle for me. I had to force myself to get over it and build a supportive network of friends and colleagues who could always give their perception and encourage me to keep going.

Balancing career and family life is another challenge. I took three years off when I had my kids, which set me back career-wise. Getting back into the job market was tough, but my connections and network helped me regain my footing. It took about three years to get back to where I was before I took the break.

❓Can you tell us about your favourite place to work or person to work for?

The best experiences have always been because of the team, less so the company or one individual. My past teams have always had a great team culture. I have worked with multiple colleagues on more than one occasion and have hired many great women and try to remain connected with them. Having fun at work with like-minded individuals who collaborate well makes all the difference.

I’ve recently moved to my perfect job as the Chief Product Officer at Kurtosys. Kurtosys is a FinTech that empowers asset managers to deliver visually compelling, data-driven insight throughout the investor lifecycle. It provides me with a great platform to drive product innovation across the investment management industry. The company has great people and some ambitious goals, which I’m excited to be part of.

We are also a very diverse organisation with several great women who I hope I can inspire to continue their journey in FinTech.

❓LinkedIn recently reported that the number of women in leadership positions is on the decline globally. What do you feel may be the cause of this?

There are several factors: pay gaps, culture, gender bias, and stereotypes. COVID-19 has also made things harder. Working from home, women often take on more caregiving roles and can shrink their professional networks. Social media also plays a part, as women tend to question themselves more and internalise failures.

❓Why do you think a diverse workplace is important?

Diversity breeds innovation, but it’s not just about having a diverse team; it’s about creating a psychologically safe environment where everyone feels empowered to speak up. If you have diversity but don’t listen to all voices, it defeats the purpose. Empowering cultures leads to innovation, which drives positive change and returns.

❓If you could go back and speak to your younger self, what career advice would you give?

I would tell myself to have the confidence to believe in myself. Move through setbacks, deal with them, and don’t dwell on them. Speak up and have confidence that you are good enough.