
Rethinking Financial Inclusion and Innovation
In this deeply engaging episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, host Nadia Edwards-Dashti dives into an impactful and illuminating conversation with Ceren Danis, Co-Founder, CPO, and CFO at Unique Payments. Together, they explore the transformative potential of technology in addressing pressing financial challenges, the profound importance of authentic leadership, and the critical urgency of fostering inclusion across the financial technology sector.
Tackling the Late Payment Crisis with Technology
Ceren Danis begins by drawing attention to a critical and pervasive issue for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe: late payments. She highlights the alarming reality that late payments cost SMEs an estimated 275 billion euros annually, with one in four businesses facing bankruptcy as a result. Unique Payments, the innovative company Ceren co-founded, is on a mission to tackle this crisis head-on by automating account receivables processes and expediting payment collection for B2B businesses.
Through cutting-edge advancements in AI, big data, and cloud infrastructure, Unique Payments equips SMEs with the tools they need to adapt and thrive in an evolving financial ecosystem. Ceren passionately describes how these solutions empower businesses to focus on their strengths while simultaneously driving economic prosperity across Europe. This mission underscores the essential intersection of finance and technology, showcasing the real-world impact of innovative solutions in addressing systemic issues. She underscores the urgency of adopting these tools to secure the financial stability of SMEs and, by extension, bolster Europe’s economy at large.
Finance and Technology Career
Ceren’s journey into the world of FinTech is both inspiring and instructive. From her academic studies in economics and finance to her early career in investment banking, she cultivated a deep understanding of financial systems. Over a decade spent in the Netherlands provided her with invaluable experience across capital markets and financial structuring, which laid the groundwork for her entrepreneurial ambitions.
Her current role as Co-Founder of Unique Payments reflects the culmination of these experiences. Combining her passion for financial flows with her commitment to addressing pressing challenges, Ceren has built a company that embodies her vision for progress. Her story is a testament to the importance of continuous growth, adaptability, and staying true to core values—qualities she believes are fundamental to professional success. Her ability to weave her learnings into the fabric of Unique Payments’ mission is a shining example of how personal experiences can lead to impactful innovation.
Challenges of Leading in Male-Dominated FinTech Environments
Reflecting on her early years in investment banking, Ceren candidly shares the difficulties of navigating male-dominated spaces. She describes the pressure to conform to traditional workplace norms while maintaining her identity as a woman in finance. Although progress in diversity and inclusion has been made, she emphasises that much work remains.
Ceren’s advocacy for women in the workplace is rooted in these formative experiences. She underscores the significance of representation in leadership, noting how witnessing strong, inspirational women in senior roles gave her the confidence to envision her own success. As a visible role model herself, Ceren hopes to inspire others to overcome barriers and pursue their ambitions with authenticity and determination. Her reflections offer valuable lessons for organisations looking to create cultures where women and other underrepresented groups can thrive.
Resilience: Driving Innovation in FinTech
A standout theme in this episode is Ceren’s perspective on resilience and the transformative power of reframing setbacks. She recounts the experience of co-founding a previous startup that ultimately did not succeed. Rather than viewing this as a failure, she reframed it as an invaluable learning experience that strengthened her resolve and informed her future endeavours.
Ceren highlights the importance of embracing challenges as integral to personal and professional growth. She believes that reframing obstacles as opportunities for learning and development not only builds resilience but also fosters innovation and inclusivity within organisations. This mindset, she explains, is vital for creating environments where authenticity and creativity can thrive. She speaks passionately about how this resilience has informed her leadership style, enabling her to guide her team through complex challenges with clarity and purpose.
Building Inclusive Cultures from the Ground Up in FinTech
As an entrepreneur, Ceren recognises the unique opportunity to shape organisational culture from its inception. At Unique Payments, she is committed to creating a workplace where individuals feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. This approach transcends superficial diversity initiatives, embedding inclusion into the fabric of the company’s daily operations.
Ceren speaks passionately about the gap between rhetoric and action in fostering inclusion. She challenges leaders to go beyond words and implement meaningful changes that ensure every team member feels valued and supported. Authentic leadership, she asserts, involves laying strong foundations and modelling the behaviours that inspire others to contribute to a positive, inclusive culture. This proactive approach, she argues, is the cornerstone of a sustainable and thriving workplace.
Male Allies in FinTech
A central theme of the conversation is the vital role of male allies in advancing diversity and inclusion. Ceren emphasises that true inclusion requires active participation from individuals of all genders. Her experiences with the European Women in Payments Network (EWPN) demonstrate the power of engaging male allies in conversations about gender diversity and workplace equity.
By involving individuals who may not have traditionally engaged with these issues, organisations can broaden their impact and create a more inclusive culture. Ceren argues that showcasing diverse voices and recognising the expertise of women in traditionally male-dominated fields is crucial for breaking down stereotypes and driving systemic change. This inclusive approach aligns with her vision for a collaborative and equitable FinTech sector. She calls on male leaders, in particular, to champion these efforts and set an example for others to follow.
The Transformative Role of Communities like EWPN
Ceren’s work with EWPN has been instrumental in her advocacy for inclusion in FinTech. As the Country Ambassador for the Netherlands, she organises events that bring together stakeholders from the payments ecosystem to discuss both technical and soft skills. These gatherings foster a sense of community, empowerment, and shared learning among participants.
What makes EWPN unique, according to Ceren, is its unwavering commitment to inclusivity. The network actively encourages participation from individuals of all genders and backgrounds, creating a supportive space where everyone can thrive. This holistic approach reflects Ceren’s belief that inclusion is a collective responsibility that benefits the entire sector. She credits EWPN with providing her and others with invaluable opportunities to learn, grow, and inspire meaningful change.
This aligns seamlessly with Harrington Starr’s 2025 International Women’s Day event, 'IWD FinTech Inclusion Includes YOU,' which champions the idea that inclusion is a shared responsibility. Like EWPN’s commitment to creating spaces for all genders and backgrounds, Harrington Starr’s event emphasises the importance of collective action in fostering equitable environments. By spotlighting opportunities for growth and meaningful change, the event echoes the values shared by Ceren and EWPN, inspiring individuals across FinTech to embrace inclusivity as a catalyst for success.
Practical Advice for Driving Inclusion
Ceren offers actionable advice for those seeking to drive inclusion in FinTech. She stresses the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices, involving diverse stakeholders in decision-making processes, and fostering genuine connections within teams. By creating environments where everyone feels heard and valued, companies can unlock the full potential of their workforce and drive meaningful innovation.
Education and awareness, Ceren notes, are key to promoting diversity. Initiatives such as mentorship programs, community events, and collaborative projects provide opportunities for learning and engagement. Through her work with EWPN, she exemplifies how collective action can lead to impactful change, inspiring others to champion diversity and inclusion. She encourages organisations to invest in these efforts, emphasising that the returns extend far beyond the bottom line.
This commitment to inclusivity is vital for recruitment, as it directly impacts the talent pool and workplace culture. For clients, fostering diverse and inclusive environments not only attracts top talent but also drives innovation and business success. For candidates, organisations that prioritise inclusivity offer opportunities for growth, belonging, and meaningful contributions. At Harrington Starr, we help our clients and candidates connect with companies that value these principles, ensuring that the right talent finds the right environment to thrive, benefiting individuals and the wider FinTech sector.
Conclusion: Walking the Talk for Inclusive Change
This episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions highlights the transformative power of authentic leadership and innovative thinking. Through her work at Unique Payments and her advocacy with EWPN, Ceren Danis demonstrates what it means to truly walk the talk for inclusion and innovation in FinTech.
Ceren’s insights provide valuable lessons on resilience, authenticity, and the importance of fostering inclusive environments. As Harrington Starr continues to lead the charge for diversity and innovation in the FinTech sector, we invite you to join us in building a future where inclusion truly includes everyone. By working together and championing meaningful change, we can create a FinTech industry that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and equity.
This episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions aligns seamlessly with Harrington Starr’s mission to champion diversity, innovation, and inclusion within the FinTech sector. By featuring thought leaders like Ceren Danis, who actively drive transformative change, the podcast underscores the importance of creating workplaces where authenticity thrives and individuals from all backgrounds can contribute to innovation. As a FinTech recruitment business, Harrington Starr understands that fostering inclusion is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage, enabling companies to attract top-tier talent, unlock creativity, and fuel growth in this competitive industry. This episode is a reflection of our commitment to advancing these vital conversations.