LEADING LADY IN FINTECH
1. What's your story? What drew you to FinTech?
My past experiences have been Marketing for not-for profit, caused based brands and more traditional brand management for consumer packaged goods companies. Therefore, I cannot say I have this incredible story that drew me to FinTech. That said, when I heard about Drop, I saw an incredible solution to resolve for the staggering statistics of how millennials viewed financial services. With only 8% of Millennials trusting their financial institutions for guidance on their financials, and only 27% of Millennials seeking professional financial advice on savings and investment, there is a clear opportunity here.
Technology allows Drop to build a personalized experience with our members and that is the key to building relationships and trust. Critical components to having a dialogue to discuss more sensitive topics like personal finances.
2. What do you think are some of the most exciting FinTech trends likely to influence the Financial Services industry?
There is a lot of excitement around AI, ML and Blockchain and what these technologies can do. Yes, the trends of these technologies are exciting but I am most excited for the purpose to why these technologies are being used. FinTech is challenging the status quo and removing barriers, allowing consumer needs to be the key to the decisions made. I remember a day when banks were only open between nine to five, online banking didn't exist and investment choices were limited and confusing. Tech is changing the power dynamics and giving consumers a lot more control and flexibility.
3. Can you tell us a little bit about your job function? What are some of the solutions that your currently company offers?
Drop is a personalized rewards program focused on bringing value to its members by making their everyday more rewarding. Drop enables the consumer to earn rewards easily by simply spending with the debit and credit cards they link to the app, eliminating the need to scan receipts, enter promo codes or sign up for additional loyalty programs. This intelligent mobile app surfaces relevant offers and rewards based on what members are spending, creating a highly personalized, seamless experience for the consumer. We are creating a consumer centric brand that empowers millennials to do more. In Marketing, we are building relationships with our members, this means that we have to constantly look at ourselves in the mirror and ensure we are doing right by our members. We have definitely failed at times, but then we learn, iterate and try again. With time, we should consistently exceed our members expectations and we become a trusted partner in their lives, delivering on a rewarding experience, everyday.
4. What career advice would you give to recent college graduates?
Do not be so fixated on title, prestige, promotions or getting that high paying job out of college. Instead focus on who you can learn from on your team, how you can drive more impact through your differentiated strengths, how to be intentional and bold with your ideas and have the persistence to carry them through. If they fail, learn as much as you can, as failure is only a part of the journey to success.
5. What is essential to ensuring FinTech companies attain gender equality?
There is a clear correlation between business success and gender diversity at top levels of leadership. Plain and simple - more diversity in leadership roles equals better company performance. The key is to accelerate the pace of change for company's to advance women in leadership roles so that they can see the positive impact it has on a company's growth.
6. If you did not need to sleep, how would you spend the extra eight hours a day?
I would do all the work I could possibly do while others were sleeping so I could spend a full eight hours during the day engaging with my family and serving the community. There are a lot of moments I have with my family and friends when I think - if I only had more time!
In Esther Park's own words, exclusively for LADIES iN FINTECH.
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