Session: Work in Tech from a Non Tech Background
I work in a San Francisco Headquartered Fintech Company with operations across Africa and India. In my role, lead legal, product compliance, risk management, expansion and partnerships across countries.
I am often asked how I got into Tech with my non Tech Background having worked over a decade at a law firm. There is a misconception around (a) the nature of skills needed to work in Tech and (b) the value of transferable business skills especially with mid level career women.
Many women have led and managed projects, product launches and campaigns at "traditional" institutions and would make fantastic Product Managers in Tech. However, many of these women are held back because they have been informed that they need to know how to write software for them to work in Tech. While the technical skills are important, no Tech Company can scale if the right business skills are not on the table.
Skills such as business development, marketing, user research, corporate strategy are fundamental skills for Product Managers, Project Managers, UA/UX designers and Executive Level roles in Tech.
If we can amplify the value of these skills, we can significantly reduce the gender shortage in senior women leadership in the Tech Space. I sit on the Governing Council of the largest body for Fintechs and Verticals in Nigeria and up until last December where a change was made, there were only 3 women out of the 12 member Governing Council.
Bio
Tolulope is a Business Executive and leads legal, product compliance, risk management, expansion and partnerships across countries. With a background in law and finance, Tolulope has driven product, expansion and compliance strategy for companies in the financial services, technology and entertainment space and has advised on the application of new technology to business models and products. Some of the companies she has worked with are Uber, Google, Mastercard, Microsoft, AZA Finance Kiva, Lendable etc.
She is recognised by Chambers and Partners in the Fintech Guide as well as Top 40 under 40 Lawyers by the Nigerian ESQ Awards. She is currently the Secretary General of the Nigeria Fintech Association.
She also writes and speaks on Fintech and Banking related topics.