E X P E R T F O R E C A S T
E X P E R T F O R E C A S T
Dani Palmer, Chief Marketing Officer at Loqbox, the UK’ s leading credit-building business
Teresa Cameron, Finance Director at Clear Junction
Nina Papazyan, Head of Product & Banking Integration at Clear Junction
Even in challenging times, investing in inclusion must be a long-term business strategy, not a passing trend. The debate around DEI continues, but the data speaks for itself: inclusion isn’ t just something we do on the side when we can afford it – it’ s a core driver of success. After all, we all have friends, colleagues, daughters, sisters – people we care about – who deserve a fair shot at success.
Dani Palmer, Chief Marketing Officer at Loqbox, the UK’ s leading credit-building business
Progress isn’ t passive – it’ s a choice we make every day. If we want gender equality, we must accelerate action by challenging bias, championing inclusion, and pushing for systemic change. The cost of waiting is lost potential, lost voices, and lost opportunities. Urgency isn’ t about rushing – it’ s about refusing to let another generation inherit the same battles. Change happens when we stop accepting‘ later’ and demand‘ now.’
Teresa Cameron, Finance Director at Clear Junction
International Women’ s Day is our yearly reminder to reflect on the progress that we, as women, have made in the journey toward gender parity – and to ask ourselves, what’ s changed?
Over the past two decades, we’ ve witnessed a dramatic shift in gender stereotypes, driven by evolving family dynamics, societal norms, and economic pressures. Twenty years ago, it was common to see two-parent families where fathers worked while mothers stayed home with the children. Today, families come in many forms – single-parent households, same-sex parents, and blended families – and the traditional roles have been redefined. In many cases, both parents now share caregiving and financial responsibilities, creating an environment where women can actively pursue their career aspirations.
The workplace has also evolved. Advances in technology and the changes brought by COVID-19 have transformed the traditional 9-to-5 model, allowing greater flexibility. This progress enables women to find a work-life balance that works for them, aim higher in their careers, and take up leadership roles without compromising their personal lives.
That said, we’ re not there yet. There’ s still much to be done to achieve true equality. We must continue to champion one another, challenge outdated norms, and inspire younger generations. My daughter, for instance, is currently studying at university and pursuing a career in STEM. I encourage her every step of the way, knowing that the progress we’ ve made so far has opened doors that were once closed to women. With continued effort and support, I’ m confident that the opportunities available to her will only grow.”
Nina Papazyan, Head of Product & Banking Integration at Clear Junction:
Accelerating gender parity requires bold action and systemic change. From my own experience, returning to work after an extended maternity leave felt like starting from scratch, with assumptions about my capabilities creating an invisible barrier to my progress and shadowing my work.
Entering the payments industry with minimal knowledge was equally challenging, but I was fortunate enough to have male mentors who not only guided me but also championed my potential. Their allyship reinforced the important role that advocacy and support play in driving equality.
Yet, an allyship alone isn’ t enough. True progress demands concrete action – equal pay, flexible policies, and leadership pipelines tailored to empower women at every stage of their careers.
Motherhood, and other key life stages, should never be seen as obstacles but as opportunities to rethink and redesign workplaces into truly inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. � www. intelligentfin. tech
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