The Making Finance Work for Women Podcast
Women’s World Banking 39 episodes Nov 5, 2026
The Making Finance Work for Women podcast from Women’s World Banking explores the challenges and solutions around women’s financial inclusion. Through expert conversations, it examines how finance can be a transformative force for women and communities. The show is sponsored by EY and focuses on innovative approaches to deepening access to financial services.
Episodes
Ep. 40: The Hidden Barrier: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Digital Finance
As women increasingly rely on mobile phones, digital payments, messaging apps, and online marketplaces to manage their businesses and financial lives, technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is becoming both a safety risk and a barrier to economic participation. Harassment, impersonation, privacy violations, financial coercion, and other digitally enabled harms can undermine women’s
Ep. 39: The Missing Economic Dimension of Peace
Women, peace, and security cannot be achieved without women’s meaningful economic participation.
In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we sit down with the Georgetown Institute of Women, Peace and Security to explore how women’s economic participation enables women to shape recovery and build lasting peace in post-conflict settings. We will also examine why ecosystem actors must trea
Ep. 38: The Business of Better Health
Women's health is essential for both individual wellbeing and economic progress. Poor health can limit women’s ability to work, save, run businesses, and absorb financial shocks. But the relationship also runs the other way: women entrepreneurs and innovators are often closest to the barriers women face in accessing health information, trusted products, quality medicines, and affordable care.
I
Ep. 37: Welcome to Indonesia: What Women Are Teaching Us About Climate Adaptation
As global leaders debate the future of climate adaptation, an important question remains: what does resilience look like for the women experiencing climate shocks in their daily lives?
In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, Dr. Sonja Kelly speakers with Roikhanatun Nafi'ah, founder and CEO of Crustea Indonesia, a climate start-up in Indonesia that uses solar-powered aeration and smart
Ep. 36: From Nano Business to Unicorn: What Women Entrepreneurs Need to Scale
Women entrepreneurs are not short on ambition, ingenuity, or discipline. What too many lack is access to the capital, networks, visibility, and trust needed to start, sustain, and scale businesses on their own terms.
In this special crossover episode of Making Finance Work for Women and Radically Yours, Dr. Sonja Kelly and Radhika Bajoria explore the continuum of women’s entrepreneurship, from na
Ep. 35: From Invisible to Investable: How Fintech Can Unlock Growth for Women Entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs are engines of economic growth, yet millions remain excluded from formal financial systems because their businesses operate informally, their financial histories are invisible, and traditional financial products fail to reflect how they earn, save, and manage risk. In this episode, Dr. Sonja Kelly sits down with Sarah Corley, CEO of the Alliance of Digital Finance and Fintech A
Ep. 34: Finance on the Frontlines: Serving Women Amid Crisis in Northern Nigeria
As insecurity and displacement continue to reshape northern Nigeria, how can financial systems adapt to serve those who need them most—especially women entrepreneurs and households navigating daily uncertainty? In this episode, our host Sonja Kelly has two conversations with a policymaker, Dr. Aisha A. Isa-Olatinwo, Director of the Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion Department at the Cent
Ep. 33: AI Is Evolving Finance. Are Protections Keeping Pace?
In this episode, AI and Deepfake Cartographer Henry Ajder joins us to unpack what rapid advances in AI mean for trust, safety, and financial inclusion. As tools like deepfakes and voice cloning become more sophisticated, synthetic identity fraud and impersonation scams are becoming easier to scale and harder to detect. These risks are especially significant for people entering the financial system
Ep. 32: Instant Money, Real Barriers: Can Tokenized Payments Deliver for Low-Income Women?
Tokenized payments promise instant settlement, near-zero transaction costs, and fewer intermediaries—but can they actually work for low-income women and women-led MSMEs operating on thin margins and informal cash flows?
In this episode, we’re joined by Elisabeth Carpenter, Chief Strategic Engagement Officer at Circle, to unpack the real potential—and real constraints—of stablecoins and tokenized
Ep. 31: Something to Buzz About: When Inclusion Becomes Economic Opportunity
In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we speak with Monika Shukla, Co-Founder & CEO of Humble Bee, on how inclusive business models can unlock economic opportunity for women at the margins.
Monika unpacks how she is transforming India’s beekeeping sector by integrating women—particularly landless and forest-fringe dwellers—pairing financial access with skills, market linkages,
Ep. 30: A Year-End Special: Our Biggest Reveal, Boldest Lessons, and a 2026 Sneak Peek
Episode 30 is a celebration. Women’s World Banking just crossed our most audacious milestone yet! Take a step back with us to reflect on the stories, ideas, and breakthroughs that shaped our past episodes. Through curated moments from leaders across the globe, we revisit the lessons that have pushed the sector forward—from reshaping consumer protection to unlocking capital for women’s businesses t
Ep. 29: The Hidden Cost of Violence: How Finance Can Protect Women
The price of violence is economic. The solution can be, too. Behind many closed doors, violence is an everyday reality—especially for women in low-income countries. For millions, safety, autonomy, and economic participation are undermined long before they ever reach a bank branch or mobile wallet screen.
In this Vault Release, we revisit a powerful conversation with Dr. Anita Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, F
Ep. 28: As Aid Fades, Can Private Capital Carry the Climate Fight?
As aid retreats and climate impacts increase, can investors step in where governments can’t? The battleground for influence just may be shifting from parliaments to portfolios. In this conversation with the Manager Partner of Women’s World Banking Asset Management Emerging Market Funds, we explore how gender-lens investing is being defined as both a moral and market imperative — and what it really
Ep. 27: Money in Motion: The Future of Financial Systems
What does the rise of instant payments, CBDCs, and buy-now-pay-later innovations mean for global financial systems—and for the women too often left at the edges of them? In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we speak with David Marsh, Chairman and Co-Founder of OMFIF, whose upcoming book Can Europe Survive? examines the economic crossroads facing a fragmented continent and world. We ex
Ep. 26: Tokens, Tech & Trust: What Crypto Means for Inclusive Finance
Crypto is redefining value. But what does this mean for people too often left behind by traditional finance—especially women? In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we sit down with Rebecca Carvatt, Partner at EY Financial Services Consulting. With nearly two decades of experience scaling digital banks and launching financial products globally, Rebecca offers an unflinching look at how
Ep. 25: Inside the Numbers: What the Global Findex Means for Women
The Global Findex 2025 is here—and it’s making headlines. In this special episode, Women’s World Banking President & CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian joins Leora Klapper, Lead Economist at the World Bank and architect of the Findex, for an exclusive first look at what the data reveals about women’s financial inclusion worldwide. From headline-making gains to hidden inequalities, this conversation br
Ep. 24: Not Just a Loan: How Credit Can Power—or Fail—Women’s Economic Potential
Traditional credit products often ignore the lived realities of women entrepreneurs—requiring collateral they don’t own, loan terms they can’t meet, and scoring models that fail to see their value. In this episode, we unpack groundbreaking findings from Innovations for Poverty Action’s latest evidence review on what it truly takes to make credit work for women’s economic activity.
From psychometr
Ep. 23: Mary Had a Little Loan: A Mother’s Day Reflection
In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re taking a closer look at the role of credit access in unlocking economic mobility for women. Women contribute an estimated $8 trillion USD of global GDP through unpaid labor—nearly three times more than men—yet they still face a staggering $1.7 trillion gap in access to credit.
In this episode, we speak with Lucia Villar, SVP of Product Management at PayJoy
Ep. 22: Can a Credit Score Be Compassionate?
Can a credit score be compassionate? What if lenders could see a climate shock coming—and adjust your repayment plan before it hits? In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we sit down with Puneet Gupta, CEO of Kaleidofin, to talk about a breakthrough in credit scoring that blends cutting-edge machine learning with human-centered design. Through a recent collaboration with Women’s World
Ep. 21: Beyond the Bank: Why Financial Inclusion is a Public Health Issue
What if your ability to open a bank account determined whether you could survive childbirth? Or if a lack of credit meant you couldn’t access life-saving healthcare? Financial systems and public health might seem like separate worlds, but they’re deeply intertwined—especially for women. In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we sit down with Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, President & CEO of
Ep. 20: From Fintech Innovator to Policy Accelerator: A Regulator’s Journey
In our 20th episode of The Making Finance Work for Women Podcast and as we approach Women’s History Month, we sit down with Inés, a powerhouse in digital finance, fintech regulation, and financial inclusion, to explore why women’s leadership is essential in shaping the future of financial systems. As the head of Innovation and Financial Inclusion at the Superintendency of Banks in the Dominican Re
Ep. 19: Can Financial Inclusion Solve Gender-Based Violence?
Behind the closed doors of many homes, violence is a harsh reality—especially for women in low-income countries. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Anita Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), to explore the intersection of finance and gender-based violence. With one in three women worldwide experiencing physical or sexual violence—most often at the ha
Ep. 18: A Moment of Reflection: Insights from the Leaders of Women’s World Banking
As the year comes to a close, join us for a special December episode of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, "A Moment of Reflection: Insights from the Leaders of Women’s World Banking." In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with the CEO, COO, and Executive VP of Regional Client Services to reflect on the year’s achievements, lessons learned, and the remarkable individuals who drive Wo
Ep. 17: Why Does a Warming World Hesitate to Trust Women Leaders?
Research indicates that female leaders are more likely to champion climate action and sustainability, yet perceptions of their leadership have declined in G7 countries, with only 49% comfortable having a woman as CEO and 47% comfortable with women as heads of government. In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we explore why we hesitate to embrace female leaders, especially in the contex
Ep. 16: Climate Change Solutions: How One Fintech is Insuring Women Farmers’ Futures
Did you know that 840 million women in climate-vulnerable countries would find it difficult or impossible to cover the cost of an emergency? In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we sit down with an economist turned fintech founder who returned to her African roots to protect farmers against weather shocks. Together, we’ll dissect their real-life solution and how it is translating to i
Ep. 15: Beyond Survival: Financial Strategies for Women’s Inclusion Amid Climate Change
Did you know that 753 million women in climate-vulnerable countries do not have an active bank account or e-wallet and women who are financially excluded are most likely to live in a climate-vulnerable region? In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we sit down with one of Reuters' "Trailblazing Women in Climate for 2024" to challenge the traditional focus on resilience and survival duri
Ep. 14: Reimagining Finance: Women, AI, and the Future of Fintech
In Episode 14 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we’re exploring the cutting edge of fintech, where innovation meets inclusion. We’ll unpack the gender gap among fintech founders, delve into how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping the industry, and tackle the crucial issues of privacy, trust, and financial health. Our guest, Nicole Casperson, is a visionary leader in fintech, ch
Ep. 13: Making History: The $700M Fund for Women's Financial Inclusion
In Episode 13 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we explore the groundbreaking Global Gender-Smart Fund (GGSF) with Ruurd Brouwer, Board Chair of GGSF and CEO of TCX. Discover Ruurd's journey into gender-lens investing and learn about the innovative fund designed to achieve $700 million in assets by 2026. We'll delve into the critical role of public-private partnerships, the interplay w
Ep. 12: CBDCs Explained: The Rise, Risks and Future in Financial Inclusion
In Episode 12 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we dive into the transformative potential of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and their implications for women worldwide. With over 120 CBDC pilots and projects currently in development, these digital currencies promise to revolutionize financial inclusion. Host Sonja Kelly (EVP, Research & Advocacy, Women's World Banking) and
Ep. 11: Finance’s Heroine: Consumer Protection
In Episode 11 of the Making Finance Work for Women podcast, we discuss integrating a gendered perspective into financial consumer protection. With nearly one billion women entering the formal financial system, it's crucial to protect their rights. Our guest, Jo Ann Barefoot, CEO and Co-founder of the Alliance for Innovative Regulatio (AIR), joins us to explore strategies for inclusion, balancing i
Ep. 10: Kenya, Climate Change, and Women's Economic Opportunity
In episode 10 of The Making Finance Work for Women Podcast, we delve into the intersection of climate change and digital financial inclusion with a prominent African women’s right advocate, Dr. Jennifer Riria (President and CEO, Echo Network Africa Foundation). Her journey provides unique insights into the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat climate change while fostering financial incl
Ep. 9: Past to Present: Women's Role in Fintech's Evolution
In episode 9 of The Making Finance Work for Women Podcast, we embark on a compelling exploration of the evolution of fintech, recognizing the pivotal yet underrepresented role of women leaders in this burgeoning industry. As fintech matures, it is crucial to acknowledge the responsibility that accompanies its growth. Our guest, a prominent figure in regulatory and policy circles, has been instrume
Ep. 8: Two Sides of the Crypto Coin & the Promise of Financial Inclusion
In episode 8 of Making Finance Work for Women, we embark into the world of cryptocurrency. Ever wondered about he true potential of crypto as a game-changer for financial inclusion? This episode explores the promises and pitfalls, inviting you to grapple with the skepticism surrounding this revolutionary technology. Picture a decentralized financial landscape, but also consider the challenges, fro
Ep. 7: Insider Insights: Financial Inclusion in 2023 and Shaping Forces for 2024
Women’s World Banking’s Sonja Kelly and the World Bank’s Leora Klapper highlight tangible progress achieved by outstanding players, from fintechs to regulators, across the globe. To close out the episode, they deliver an insider's forecast on what the finance ecosystem can anticipate and what's worth keeping an eye on in 2024 regarding financial inclusion.
Ep. 6: Touchpoints for Transformation: The Phygital Revolution
This episode delves into the pivotal role of physical touchpoints in the digital age, exploring their significance in engaging women customers and enhancing their financial inclusion. This topic has particular relevance to financial sector supervisors as technology changes access for vulnerable customers.
Sonja Kelly (Global Vice President, Research & Advocacy, Women's World Banking) and Simon
Ep. 5: Gender Lens Investing: A Gateway to ESG Excellence
This episode explores the potential of a gender-focused investment strategy and its viability as an entry point into ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, specifically through the “S.” We will uncover
strategies for effectively measuring the impact and scope of gender lens investing.
Additionally, Sonja Kelly (Global Vice President, Research & Advocacy, Women's World Banking)
Ep. 4: Beyond Borders: Women's Financial Empowerment in Times of Crises
In this episode, we shed light on the often-overlooked connection between finance and displacement, exploring how women are disproportionately affected by economic crises, global conflicts, and more. Drawing from Women’s World Banking’s groundbreaking research conducted in Ukraine, thanks to the support of MetLife Foundation, we unravel the challenges that women worldwide face in maintaining finan
Ep. 3: The Role of Mobile Network Operators in Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion
We know usage of mobile internet is not keeping pace with connectivity. Host Sonja Kelly (Global Vice President, Research & Advocacy, Women's World Banking) and guest Aniqa Sandhu (CEO, Digital Financial Services, Digicel Group) spotlight the role of mobile network companies in driving women’s usage of mobile internet, and consider how effective digital financial capability building can help d
Ep. 2: Blockchain & Crypto: A Dynamic Duo for Faster Financial Inclusion?
Blockchain and crypto have barely cemented themselves into our global society and there are already hundreds of use cases, testing it as a viable mechanism to lay a fast foundation for financial inclusion, especially for those traditionally limited by patriarchal financial systems. Today, women are often blocked from traditional financial services due to systemic issues like earning income in more
Ep. 1: The Rise of the Ethical Machines in Women’s Financial Inclusion
The promise of artificial intelligence for financial services providers is automated decision-making at scale, but that means AI also automates risk at scale. Take women business owners for example – historically, they have been the victims of unconscious bias in lending decisions. Algorithm- enabled credit decisions have the potential to create a level playing field for female customers worldwide
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