Soumiya Ramesh_ Transforming Fintech with Vision, Empathy, and Execution.pdf

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.

1. Soumiya Ramesh: Transforming Fintech with
Vision, Empathy, and Execution

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. ●​Rise by Lifting Others: Committed to mentorship and inclusion, creating
space for diverse voices to lead and succeed.