American Banker, Arizent’s essential resource for senior executives in financial services, has released the list of finalists for the new recognition programme, The Most Influential Women in Fintech.

The award honors women leaders in the fintech community who are paving the way for the industry’s future while championing critical issues like diversity, inclusion and mentorship. The inaugural list of finalists includes 20 women leaders from organizations that vary in size and business concentration.

“It’s no secret that women are underrepresented in the C-suites of financial technology companies, so we’re shining a spotlight on standout women in the sector,” says Executive Editor, Technology at American Banker, Penny Crosman. “These are incredible leaders driving innovation and creating a more diverse, inclusive industry, and they should be recognized for their achievements.”

Finalists for The Most Influential Women in Fintech award are:

• Chief Executive Officer, Cohen Circle, Amanda Abrams
• Partner and Co-Founder , Klaros Group, Michele Alt,
• CEO and Co-founder, Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR), Jo Ann Barefoot
• Co-founder, Fintech Sandbox, Sarah Biller
• CEO, Securrency, Nadine Chakar
• Vice President/General Manager, Wallet, Google, Jenny Cheng
• Co-founder and Head of Business Operations, Upstart, Anna Counselman
• President and CEO of Partnership Fund for New York City and Co-Founder of the FinTech Innovation Lab, Maria Gotsch
• Co-Founder and CEO, Global Digital Asset & Cryptocurrency Association, Gabriella Kusz,
• Founder, Unconventional Ventures, Theodora Lau
• CEO, TomoCredit, Kristy Kim
• President and Chief Executive Officer, Financial Technology Association, Penny Lee,
• SVP, Consumer Lending Business Leader, TransUnion, Elizabeth Pagel
• Managing Director and Global Head of Venture Studio, Anthemis, Katie Palenscar
• Partner, K&L Gates LLP, Judie Rinearson
•  Chief Experience Officer, Chime Financial, Janelle Sallenave
• Co-founder and President, Alloy, Laura Spiekerman
• Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Actuate Law and quointec, Dara Chevlin Tarkowski
• General Partner & Co-Founder, The Artemis Fund, Leslie Goldman Tepper
•  Founder and CEO, Goalsetter, Tanya Van Court

Among the 20 honorees, three top winners will be announced at the awards dinner at American Banker’s DIGITAL BANKING conference, which takes place June 12-14, 2023 at The Boca Raton resort in Boca Raton, Florida.

The Most Influential Women in Fintech is a part of American Banker’s continued coverage of the progress in diversity, equity and inclusion measures throughout financial institutions, and expands on the publication’s mission to support, empower, celebrate and advance women in the banking industry.