My Seat at The Table: Nadia Lemard on Speaking up and Challenging Expectations.
Welcome to another chapter of “My Seat at the Table,” a blog series created to highlight just a few of the incredible women helping shape success at Enfuce during International Women’s Month.
At Enfuce, we believe in creating real opportunities, not just representation. Having a seat at the table isn’t just about being in the room, but about making sure voices are heard, ideas are valued, and leadership is built on talent.
This time, we’re speaking with Nadia Lemard, Financial Crime Manager, who talks about what having a seat at the table truly means to her, the women who inspire her, and why speaking up matters more than ever.
Follow along as we continue to illustrate why we shouldn’t just be empowering women in March, but all year round.
Why do you think International Women’s Month is important?
For me, it’s about recognising the women who don’t always get the spotlight. From midwives delivering babies in unthinkable conditions to young girls fighting for their right to an education, there are countless women whose contributions go unseen.International Women’s Month is a reminder that progress has been made, but also that the fight for equality is far from over. In the words of Michelle Obama: “Women and girls can do whatever they want. There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.”
What does having a seat at the table mean to you?
It means being met with mutual respect and being part of decisions that matter.
Early in my career, I was tasked with leading my bank’s participation in London Pride—bringing together different teams, vendors, and ideas, all within a tight budget. It was a defining moment where I saw my vision come to life and knew that my voice carried weight, no matter my gender.
If you could invite three women to your table, who would they be and why?
- Nanny of the Maroons: a leader of escaped slaves in 18th-century Jamaica who fought against all odds for freedom. Meeting a woman from the 18th century who challenged the impossible every single day, adapted to an unfamiliar world, and defied her predetermined fate would be incredible. Not only did she maintain her own strength and resilience, but she also inspired and empowered others to do the same. To me, that is a very inspirational woman who would possess many wise words on how to navigate the world at the most hostile times.
- Mary Magdalene: as a disciple of Jesus, she is the embodiment of divine femininity. She is a healer—deeply compassionate, intuitive, and strong. We all carry both feminine and masculine energy, but truly embracing divine feminine energy without it being seen as a weakness is a rare gift. It takes self-awareness, confidence, and a whole lot of self-love to own that power unapologetically. Being able to meet Mary Magdalene and understand how she stays in her dharma despite all the negativity she receives, would be a life gift that would never stop giving.
- Dolly Parton: a superstar and musical icon who holds strong values, trusts her instincts and does not accept anything less. She is naturally talented but also did not allow the music industry to overturn her principles and what she believes in. As a fair but firm businesswoman, she leaves a lustrous legacy and a lot can be learnt from her insights and how she sees the world.
How would you encourage other women to speak up in professional settings?
Trust your instincts and speak up. Regret will eat you up more than fear ever will. The truth is, no one will ever judge you as harshly as you judge yourself—so what’s the worst that could happen?
What progress have you seen in gender equality in Fintech? What still needs to change?
The shift in leadership from previous generations has made a real difference. It’s no longer just boomers and Gen X at the top—new perspectives are driving change, and we’re seeing more women in influential positions leading the conversation.
But real progress isn’t just about putting women in leadership positions—it’s about changing mindsets. Gender alone doesn’t define how someone leads. A woman in power won’t automatically run a business differently from a man, just like a man isn’t necessarily going to reinforce outdated norms. True equality means recognising that everyone has different strengths and needs, and leadership should be about bringing out the best in people—not limiting them based on assumptions or their chromosomes.
A seat for everyone.
Nadia’s story is a reminder that having a seat at the table is about more than just being present—it’s about being heard, supported, and taken seriously.
At Enfuce, supporting women in leadership isn’t a campaign—it’s a commitment. Because strong leadership drives strong businesses.
Thank you, Nadia, for sharing your story!
