Women in Fintech: Annelyse Fournier, COO of PDX Global

Annelyse Fournier is COO of PDX Global. Based in London and trained as an economist, she has an MBA from the European University, in Geneva.

She has over 20 years of experience in large multinational companies, including Philip Morris, Mondelez, Barclays and First Data, covering Executive Compensation & Reward, corporate governance, large-scale project management, M&A and IPO preparation. We caught up with her to find out why finance and fintech are her passion, how she got into the industry and what her predictions are for the industry.

What drew you to fintech and crypto – is there a story there?

Change is exciting – few people would say that – but this is what I like. I find the payment ecosystem fascinating and at the same time terrifying as it becomes almost intangible: fewer people have cash in their pockets, we have a card, a phone, a watch… and this is part of my fascination with fintech. Where does it go next? What will the payouts look like in 10 years or even as soon as five years?

I am also fascinated by the power of the blockchain and its high level of security, and soon, the transparency it brings to transactions; we are only at the beginning of this revolution.

I have a love/hate relationship with Crypto. Let me clarify. I think crypto is here to stay for the long term, and my frustration actually comes from the observation that it is not coming fast enough. Crypto is still too often seen as an obscure mechanism for drug dealers and the dark web. Error! Crypto should be used as an everyday currency, and this is where PDX comes into play. It is going to make crypto a mainstream payment tool.

How have you forged your own path when it comes to going against family norms?

Determination is definitely a key criterion. I grew up in a conservative environment and a professional career was not really the norm. I decided to ignore my family’s preferences, completed a master’s degree and headed for a corporate career.

I have always been driven by independence, both intellectually and financially, and I really value education, learning and keeping an open mind. If I don’t like something, I think again. And I ask myself the question “WHAT” do I not like about it?

There are many reports in the news right now about older women in the workforce struggling to manage the pressures of their careers along with physical changes. How is it that you are more energetic than ever at the age of 55?

I wish I could bottle the recipe and I would make a fortune! I am healthier, fitter and stronger than I have ever been in my entire life and I have an amazing energy level.

It comes with some discipline, but for the most part, I’ve reached a stage in my life where I’m free and I’ve empowered myself to make the decisions that are right for me, whether it’s personal or financial. I don’t have unnecessary barriers and it has changed the way I approach business, life and friendship.

You became an entrepreneur later in life and describe it as the best decision you ever made. Tell us why?

I had planned my corporate career to be a learning journey, when I realized that I was unlikely to spend 20 years in the same company. I set myself the goal of learning, experiencing and being the best I could be in my field of expertise (executive compensation) while keeping in mind my goal of establishing my own consulting practice.

It wasn’t until I took the plunge three years ago that I realized that not only was it the right decision, but I really thrive in that environment. I went on to get involved with another fintech startup and I’m a board member for a few other businesses. I am also looking at being an angel investor.

Giving back to the community is important and education is what I am really passionate about. I had several miscarriages and did not have the chance to have children of my own, and this has possibly strengthened my commitment to being a force for good. I am a school governor and this is probably one of the most humbling experiences. I am also involved with a startup in Hong Kong called Sophia, which is dedicated to providing financial education to women.

Why is curiosity the biggest factor in your success?

I am impatient and fast-paced, and I have a huge appetite for learning and understanding. When I first got involved with PDX, I took it upon myself to understand the blockchain. Curiosity gives me the opportunity to ask questions and allows people around me to share their views, creating a dialogue. I haven’t always been comfortable asking questions partly because I feared I would appear ignorant or worse, that it could be seen as pushy.

What are your tips for other women after 20 years of being the only woman in the corporate boardroom?

There have always been a few women in the senior levels of an organization and as I reflect back, I would make the following observations.

Women don’t always support each other….. Know your worth – not just financially, but know what you bring to the table as a leader. You are there because you are competent.

Be a team member and understand who you—and anyone in your position—must interact with in the rest of the organization. What is your own unique selling proposition and what makes you stand out?

Network, network, network! Inside the company, outside the company, professionally, socially, every person you meet is someone who can open a door for you, give you some advice or just be a friend.

Express your ideas. Sounds silly, but slow down your speech and lower your voice. To add a very cliche thing – don’t be the notice if you’re the only woman on the team.

Tell us about your hopes for the future of crypto/fintech and the opportunities for women

The working environment has changed a lot and accelerated in the last two years, and I would encourage girls to study mathematics and technology even if they end up in a completely different profession. These disciplines train your mind to be agile, rational and curious at the same time.

I’ll give you an example. My cosmetologist decided in her mid-thirties to go back to college and study coding and cyber security. She graduated with honors and she can’t find a job in her chosen field – not enough experience, too old, female, anything. She is now developing an app and starting her own business. I want to help her get financed and possibly even invest myself.

She said I inspired her to follow her dream – that to me is the most valuable reward ever.

If you could give one piece of advice today to your 20-year-old self – what would it be?

Get a mentor, someone who can guide you and who really cares. I followed my instinct and I was right. I could have achieved the same with fewer bruises if I had been given better advice and surrounded by people I could trust had my back.

What inspires you in fintech today?

The sky is the limit and technology is brilliant – but ultimately it still requires a human brain. I think the next evolution is to bring digital banking to everyone – many people don’t even have a standard bank account. In addition, we can simplify the setup of e-wallets and streamline verifications of Know-your-customer and Know-your-company. Imagine your ID/biometric data being held on the blockchain from your birth. It would bring ID verification to a whole new level.

I think AI will continue to grow as well. By allowing us to make better choices faster, AI will help reduce our carbon footprint by optimizing the way we use energy.