European Women in Payments Network (EWPN) Event Recap

‍Inspiring Change in Fintech: Highlights from EWPN's Annual Event

This October, representatives from PaymentGenes, including Arlette Broex, Head of the PaymentGenes Academy, and Oriane Zandvliet, Senior Recruitment Consultant, had the privilege of attending the European Women in Payments Network (EWPN) Annual Event. Arlette played a key role, moderating a panel and contributing valuable insights on the rapidly evolving landscape of payments and fintech.

EWPN, a not-for-profit dedicated to supporting women across Europe in finance, fintech, and payments, fosters a unique community committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. As the first community of its kind, EWPN drives industry-wide change by promoting sustainable diversity practices and connecting professionals across the sector.

The EWPN conference provided a valuable platform for discussing key fintech and payments issues:

• Multi-Location Approach: This year, events were hosted across four locations in Europe and the UK, fostering region-specific discussions on fintech trends.

• VC Funding for Women: A panel highlighted the persistent gender gap in funding, with financial inclusion seen as a responsibility for the entire industry, not just a goal.

• Podcast on Innovation: Rabobank's live podcast emphasized the role of diversity in driving innovation, especially within inclusive teams.

• Bridging the AI Gap: The final panel explored AI’s role in fintech, with Dutch Central Bank representatives stressing the need to balance innovation with the new AI Act’s guidelines.

Event Highlights: Career, Funding, and Emerging Technologies

The event featured dynamic discussions on balancing career ambitions with personal life challenges and supporting female entrepreneurs in securing venture capital funding. Attendees gained insights from VC experts who shared practical tips for female founders navigating the competitive funding landscape. The day also included a live podcast recording from the "Women in Tech" series, offering perspectives on innovation and inclusion.

One of the event's highlights was the panel on artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in payments, moderated by Arlette Broex. Panelists included industry leaders like Charlotte Al Usta (Flagship Advisory Partnership), Frans van Bruggen (Dutch Central Bank), Thea van Oosterhout (Mariposa), Denelise L’Ecluse (BSI), Ryan Chaves (Mollie), and Sharon Ehigiene (SilverFlow), who explored the transformative potential of AI in business and payments.

Panelists: Charlotte Al Usta (Flagship Advisory Partnership), Frans van Bruggen (Dutch Central Bank), Thea van Oosterhout (Mariposa), Denelise L’Ecluse (BSI), Ryan Chaves (Mollie), Sharon Ehigiene (SilverFlow).

The panel kicked off with an exploration of AI’s extensive scope, covering everything from cutting-edge innovations to long-standing machine learning techniques. The consensus? Identifying the specific problem is essential before selecting a technology solution, as AI, while powerful, may not always suit scenarios requiring complete accuracy.

Key Takeaways: Strategy, Scale, and the Human Element

The key advice for companies considering AI adoption? Start small, learn, and iterate to align technology with organizational needs. Panelists emphasized that regulatory guidance could be an asset, helping the industry navigate AI applications with transparency and fairness—mitigating biases and ensuring data privacy. And though AI has immense potential, the panelists agreed that human intuition and judgment are irreplaceable in driving impactful outcomes.

Concluding Thoughts

As fintech continues to evolve, events like EWPN’s Annual Gathering are vital for fostering dialogue, encouraging diversity, and driving technological innovation. From career development and venture funding to regulatory frameworks and AI, the event set a new benchmark for knowledge-sharing and industry leadership in European fintech.