Ever wonder what really happens after you click “buy” or “sell” on a stock? While it feels instant on your screen, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes. That simple trade kicks off a complex chain of events — every transaction must be checked, confirmed, processed, and settled. If anything goes wrong along the way, it can lead to delays, unexpected costs, or even larger financial risks. Many investors find themselves frustrated by unclear timelines, surprise fees, or trouble tracking their trades.
This is where strong leadership plays a critical role. Behind the scenes, experts build and manage the systems that keep trading smooth. They oversee every step of the post-trade process — from clearing and settlement to risk management and regulatory compliance. Their work ensures trades are accurate, secure, and fast. By solving problems early and constantly improving systems, they help keep financial markets running efficiently and reliably.
One such leader is Soumiya Ramesh, Global Product Owner at her current organisation. She drives fintech innovation by leading efforts to modernize systems, streamline operations, and improve client experiences. Soumiya shapes product strategy, leads cross-functional teams, and ensures technology meets business goals and regulatory standards. Her leadership has helped integrate technologies like APIs and real-time analytics into legacy platforms, making them more scalable and efficient. She also champions a collaborative culture focused on innovation, performance, and mentorship—especially for women in fintech—leaving a lasting impact on the organization and the industry.
Early Career
Soumiya Ramesh’s journey into fintech and leadership has been shaped by curiosity, resilience, and strong mentorship. With a solid foundation in capital markets and technology, she began her career working on projects that blended finance and tech—sparking her interest in fintech’s potential to transform the industry.
Her transition to a product management role at a leading FinTech company was a turning point, placing her at the heart of innovation and pushing her to think strategically. One key project she led helped global custodians manage settlement instructions more efficiently. Its success boosted her visibility, built confidence, and deepened her skills in teamwork, stakeholder management, and aligning products with business goals.
Soumiya’s path to leadership evolved naturally, driven by a passion to deliver impactful solutions, inspire teams, and shape company culture. She believes leadership means asking the right questions, empowering others, and bringing clarity to complex challenges.
Guided by inspiring women mentors, Soumiya Ramesh has grown while staying grounded. Energized by fintech’s pace and impact, she remains excited for the future and the opportunities it brings.
Empowering Teams Through Experimentation and Learning
Soumiya’s leadership philosophy centers on empowering her teams by fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous learning. Influenced by mentors who modeled clarity, empathy, and conviction, she believes leadership is about creating space for others to thrive rather than exerting control. She leads transparently and purposefully, ensuring her team understands the deeper “why” behind their work—how it impacts customers, advances business goals, and aligns with the company’s mission. This clarity drives alignment, motivation, and a shared sense of purpose.
For Soumiya Ramesh, empowerment means encouraging her teams to take risks, learn from failures, and grow continuously. She champions open communication, cross-functional collaboration, and ongoing feedback, modeling curiosity and a learning mindset by valuing diverse perspectives. Instead of micromanaging, she sets a clear vision, trusts her team’s abilities, and removes obstacles to foster a supportive, innovative environment—an essential approach in fintech’s fast-paced, high-pressure setting.
Championing Women in Fintech Through Mentorship
Soumiya Ramesh is proud of her key contributions at her current organisation that benefited the company, teams, and clients:
- Led a major upgrade of a core post-trade platform, improving performance and client experience despite complex global and regulatory challenges.
- Introduced agile methods to boost team collaboration, delivery speed, and independence.
- Passionate mentor for women in fintech, supporting their growth and leadership.
Her work reflects her core values of impact, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Power of Persistence and Resilience
Soumiya’s leadership journey involved overcoming unconscious biases that affected how her ideas and potential were perceived. Early on, she realized technical skills weren’t enough—she needed to build credibility, speak confidently, and find supporters, requiring persistence and resilience. Balancing visibility with authenticity was another challenge, as she resisted pressure to fit a certain leadership style and stayed true to values like empathy and transparency to inspire her teams. She sought mentors who supported her and now gives back by mentoring others and promoting diverse, inclusive cultures. Ultimately, she views these challenges as opportunities to grow stronger and make fintech more innovative and inclusive.
Processing Over $2 Quadrillion Transactions
In 2024, her current organisation showed strong financial growth while advancing key operations and innovations that support global markets.
Here are some highlights from the year:
- Financial Performance: In 2024, the revenue of the leading FinTech company grew 11% to $2.49 billion, driven by strong market activity and higher transaction volumes. Net income increased 6% to $482 million.
- Operational Impact: FinTech company processed over $2 quadrillion in transactions, shortened settlement to T+1 for key assets, and expanded U.S. Treasury clearing.
- Global Expansion and Innovation: FinTech company upgraded its cloud-based data exchange, boosted global adoption of corporate actions and reference data, and launched new services for ETFs and fixed income markets.
Scaling Innovation Responsibly
Emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI, and real-time data processing are reshaping fintech by making it faster, clearer, and more reliable. Blockchain, for instance, provides a secure, real-time, and tamper-proof method for handling post-trade transactions. Her leading FinTech company is at the forefront of this innovation through initiatives like Project Ion, a leading distributed ledger platform. Meanwhile, AI plays a crucial role in managing risks, detecting unusual activities, and ensuring regulatory compliance, while also improving data accuracy and accelerating processes like settlement and exception handling.
Real-time data empowers market participants to act proactively by delivering faster insights and enabling near-instant reconciliation—an essential capability as markets become more global and interconnected. Throughout these advancements, her current organisation stands out by scaling these technologies thoughtfully, maintaining a careful balance between innovation, trust, stability, and regulatory compliance in this highly regulated industry.
The New Standard in Fintech Processing
From Soumiya Ramesh’s view, three key trends are shaping fintech today:
- Real-Time Everything: There’s a strong shift toward real-time processing in payments, data, and settlements. Customers and institutions want instant access and faster results, pushing upgrades like faster settlement times (e.g., T+1).
- Embedded Finance & Open Ecosystems: Fintech is moving from standalone products to integrated experiences, such as payments within e-commerce or lending in ERP systems. Open banking and APIs enable more personalized, seamless services.
- AI-Driven Decisioning and Risk Management: AI is now central to product design, fraud prevention, customer support, and regulatory compliance. Using AI responsibly is a major advantage in this data-rich industry.
These trends are driving innovation and reshaping how trust, speed, and intelligence are embedded in financial services.
Open Letter from Soumiya Ramesh to Emerging Fintech Leaders
“To anyone starting out or growing in fintech, I want to remind you that your unique perspective is your greatest strength. This industry moves fast and can sometimes feel overwhelming. But don’t wait until you feel “ready” to share your ideas or take on challenges. Trust your instincts, stay curious, and step outside your comfort zone—real growth happens there.
To the women entering fintech: know that you belong here just as you are. You don’t need to fit a mold—being authentic is your true power. Seek out mentors and supportive communities, and when you can, become a mentor yourself. There’s incredible strength in lifting each other up.
Remember why you chose this path. Fintech is more than technology; it’s about solving real problems, improving lives, and building trust in a digital world. Lead with purpose, hold tight to your values, and don’t be afraid to create your own path.
The future of fintech needs leaders who are bold, thoughtful, and inclusive. You have the power to help shape that future—and I’m excited to see what you will achieve.”
Global Product Owner
Soumiya Ramesh’s 5 Powerful Business Mantras
- Vision Drives, Precision Delivers: Bold strategies paired with seamless execution—modernizing systems while meeting business and regulatory needs.
- Empower Teams to Thrive: Building trust, encouraging experimentation, and fostering a shared purpose—leading through empowerment, not control.
- Simplify the Complex: Transforming intricate processes into clear, scalable solutions that boost speed and confidence.
- Innovate with Integrity: Adopting advanced technologies responsibly—balancing innovation with security, trust, and compliance.
- Rise by Lifting Others: Committed to mentorship and inclusion, creating space for diverse voices to lead and succeed.
