Shazia Hammad

Shazia Hammad is a trailblazing leader in the fintech industry, breaking barriers and driving innovation in a traditionally male-dominated field. With a background in Computer Science, her career in banking initially began as an unexpected journey, but she quickly realized the transformative role technology could play in shaping the future of financial services. Her passion for leveraging innovation to enhance banking efficiency and customer experiences led her to fintech, where she has become a key figure in revolutionizing digital banking. Rather than focusing on industry challenges related to gender, Shazia has always prioritized delivering value, leading with passion, and making a lasting impact. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that respect is earned through contributions, not predefined by gender.

Navigating the tech industry as a woman has presented its share of challenges, from limited networking opportunities to the scarcity of female mentors. Recognizing the importance of guidance, she built a strong network of male mentors while also forging her own path through self-driven learning and perseverance. One of her biggest career challenges was stepping away for nearly five years to focus on her family. In an industry that evolves rapidly, she was initially concerned about falling behind, but through determination and unwavering support from her loved ones, she successfully reintegrated into the workforce. Her journey exemplifies the resilience required to balance career growth with personal commitments, inspiring women to navigate their own paths with confidence.

As a leader at Xpert Digital, Shazia is committed to fostering a supportive and empowering workplace for women. She acknowledges the pressures many women face when balancing professional and personal responsibilities and actively ensures they have the right environment to thrive. Beyond mentorship, she emphasizes the importance of performance and accountability, encouraging women to challenge outdated stigmas and prove their capabilities through results. Her efforts have significantly contributed to Xpert Digital’s impressive retention rate for female employees, with women now comprising 30% of the workforce—a remarkable achievement in the region’s tech industry.

Through her leadership, Shazia has learned invaluable lessons that she shares with aspiring women professionals. She believes that women often feel pressured to excel in every aspect of life, but it is essential to set boundaries, prioritize effectively, and make strategic decisions without succumbing to guilt. Leadership is not about perfection but about making an impact and paving the way for more women to step into influential roles. On Women’s Day, her message to ambitious women is to recognize their strengths, embrace constructive feedback, and never allow setbacks to deter them. She firmly believes that persistence and self-belief will lead to greater female representation in leadership, driving meaningful change in industries worldwide.