International Women’s Month GFG Series: Priyanka Madan

Meet the women advancing Grab Financial Group's (GFG) mission of driving financial inclusion across Southeast Asia by empowering small businesses with the capital to grow and enabling individuals to improve their financial well-being. Find out what excites them about the burgeoning FinTech scene, their aims for GFG, leadership styles and advice for aspiring women leaders to #breakthebias and thrive.

Priyanka Madan, Head of GrabPay at GFG Malaysia, leads the GrabPay team in driving cashless adoption among merchants and consumers in Malaysia. As a leader, she thrives on her team's energy and working alongside them to overcome key challenges. She also takes immense joy in celebrating every team member's success, no matter how big or small. Her life adage is to be fully present in each moment - whether it's at a team meeting, 'me' time during her morning walks, or at night when she's putting her daughter to bed.

1.What do you enjoy most about being in FinTech and what FinTech trends excite you?

FinTech is evolving faster than we can imagine. Keeping up with the fast-moving trends and changing user behaviours - and to an extent even defining those behaviours with pioneering product innovations - makes it extremely exciting.

Fintech is powered by the spirit of democratisation. Bringing products like investments and credit to the masses in bite-sized offerings is unlocking a whole new growth stream by providing easy, convenient yet trusted services for all.

2. Name a leader who inspires you and why.

I always look back at one of my ex-bosses for inspiration - his humility, rigour, discipline and empathy for fellow team members were a rare combination. His energy was infectious and everyone wanted to learn from and work with him. When in sticky situations, I often ask myself what would he do if he were in my position.

3. What can be done to #BreakTheBias and bring about greater gender equality?
Gender labelling is still commonplace in our society and certain traits or areas continue to be linked to gender. To #BreakTheBias, a key step would be to get rid of such labels - have more pinks in the boy's clothing section and train more girls to be electricians, for example.

4. What's your ambition for GFG this year - what impact do you hope to achieve and why?

GFG in Malaysia has yet to reach its true potential. My ambition this year is to work towards that by continuing to educate users on our differentiating value propositions to bring even more relevant and exciting financial products to market.

5. What advice do you have for aspiring women leaders to #breakthebias and thrive?

I would encourage every woman to truly believe in themselves - in their strength and resilience. We need to learn not to delve on our insecurities or failures, but to take pride in our abilities and achievements, and to boldly showcase them more often.

Tune in for more in this International Women's Month GFG series!