Women in Web3: Advancing Gender Diversity and Leadership in Digital Assets and Blockchain Transformation

Championing Female Leadership in the Next Era of Financial Services

The emergence of Web3, digital assets, and blockchain is reshaping the financial services landscape, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation, inclusion, and growth. Yet, as the industry evolves, so too must its approach to talent, leadership, and diversity. At Publicis Sapient, we recognize that advancing gender diversity in Web3 is not just a matter of equity—it’s a strategic imperative for building the future of financial services.

Spotlight on Female Leaders and Innovators

Women have long been at the forefront of technology and finance, driving progress from the earliest days of computing to today’s digital transformation. Within Publicis Sapient and across the industry, female leaders are shaping the direction of Web3 and digital assets:

Fifi Ahmed, Director within Publicis Sapient’s Financial Services vertical, is a visible advocate for gender equity and digital innovation. She regularly convenes industry leaders to discuss how inclusive design and mentorship can accelerate change, emphasizing the need to keep women at the center of technology advancement.
Priya Bajoria, Senior Vice President and Head of Financial Services North America at Publicis Sapient, is a champion for talent development and inclusive leadership. She highlights the importance of democratizing financial education and leveraging technology to break down barriers to financial independence and equity.
Alicia Sandberg, President and Digital Brokerage Head at Plink Services, has pioneered digital solutions designed specifically for women investors, recognizing that inclusive design benefits everyone. Her work demonstrates that when products are built with women in mind, they welcome and empower a broader audience.
Saira Khan, Head of Partnerships and Innovation at First Direct HSBC, is driving a paradigm shift in how financial institutions approach female talent and innovation, advocating for women to take charge of technology and product development.

These leaders, alongside many others, are not only influencing the trajectory of Web3 but are also mentoring the next generation of women in technology and finance.

The Power of Inclusive Design and Mentorship

Inclusive design is more than a buzzword—it’s a foundational principle for building products and services that serve diverse needs. As Alicia Sandberg notes, designing for women ensures that solutions are accessible and welcoming to all. This approach is especially critical in Web3, where new technologies like decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity, and tokenization are redefining how people interact with financial systems.

Mentorship and talent development are equally vital. Programs like the STAR Talent Accelerator, supported by industry leaders such as BNP Paribas and Publicis Sapient, provide women with the guidance, networks, and confidence to accelerate their careers. As Gráinne Edmonds of BNP Paribas observes, mentorship can help women bypass the slow cycles of progress, enabling them to learn and lead faster.

Priya Bajoria emphasizes the need for organizations to open the aperture—welcoming talent from non-traditional backgrounds and reskilling existing employees to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry. Technology, she notes, can democratize learning and make ongoing education accessible to all, supporting both job security and gender equality.

Building the Future: Why Gender Diversity Matters in Web3

The financial services industry faces a talent crisis, with diversity and inclusion emerging as critical levers for innovation and resilience. Research shows that organizations with diverse leadership are better equipped to understand customer needs, drive creative problem-solving, and deliver superior business outcomes.

In the context of Web3 and digital assets, gender diversity is especially important:

Product Relevance: Women are increasingly influential as financial decision-makers. Solutions that reflect their needs and perspectives are more likely to succeed in the market.
Risk Mitigation: Diverse teams are better at identifying and mitigating risks, including those related to bias in AI and digital systems.
Sustainable Growth: Inclusive cultures attract and retain top talent, fueling long-term growth and adaptability.

Publicis Sapient’s Commitment to Inclusion

At Publicis Sapient, we are committed to fostering an environment where women can thrive as leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Our approach includes:

Mentorship and Sponsorship: Supporting formal and informal mentorship programs to accelerate women’s career progression.
Inclusive Design Practices: Embedding diversity into every stage of product and service development.
Talent Development: Investing in continuous learning, reskilling, and leadership opportunities for women at all levels.
Industry Collaboration: Partnering with clients and industry bodies to advance gender equity across the financial ecosystem.

Join Us in Shaping the Future

The journey to a more inclusive Web3 is just beginning. By championing female leadership, investing in mentorship, and designing with diversity in mind, we can unlock the full potential of digital assets and blockchain transformation. Publicis Sapient invites you to join us—whether as a client, partner, or future leader—in building a financial services industry that reflects and serves the world we live in.

Contact us to learn more about our initiatives, connect with our female leaders, or explore career opportunities in Web3 and digital assets.

Publicis Sapient: Empowering women, transforming finance, and shaping the future of Web3—together.