Leading with Purpose: How Paysafe Champions Women in Fintech

In a sector as fast-moving and competitive as fintech, innovation doesn’t just come from

technology - it comes from people. At Paysafe, three inspiring women leaders are showing how culture, diversity, and inclusion can power both business growth and personal success. In this conversation, Fani Kondova, Maria Saykova, and Temenuzhka Zlateva share their journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and their vision for the future of female leadership in fintech. They reflect on lessons learned, the importance of balance between personal and professional life, and how diverse perspectives fuel creativity and trust - setting the stage for a new era of leadership.

Fani Kondova — Vice President of Digital Wallets Marketing at Paysafe.

Fani Kondova is the Vice President of Digital Wallets Marketing at Paysafe. Since 2015, Fani has led marketing efforts for Skrill Paysafe’s global wallet solution. She focuses on customer-first strategies that balance compliance with growth, helping Paysafe’s wallet offerings stay competitive and relevant worldwide.

Maria Saykova — Vice President of Product, Process & Experience at Paysafe.

Maria Saykova is the Vice President of Product, Process & Experience at Paysafe. She drives customer-centric innovation at Paysafe by aligning product processes, UX Design, and customer insights. With over 16 years at the company, Maria ensures Paysafe’s products anticipate needs, stand out in the market, and deliver meaningful value.

Temenuzhka Zlateva — Vice President of Merchant Onboarding at Paysafe.

Temenuzhka Zlateva is the Vice President of Merchant Onboarding at Paysafe. With 20+ years

in tech, Temenuzhka leads Paysafe’s merchant onboarding, ensuring smooth, secure, and

scalable integrations. Drawing on her engineering background, she champions efficiency,

innovation, and collaboration across teams.

What motivated you to take on a leadership role in the fintech industry, and what were the biggest challenges along your journey?

Fani: When I joined Paysafe, fintech was a new space for me - and that was exactly what

triggered my curiosity. The pace of innovation, the evolving customer needs, and the

competitive landscape were both exciting and demanding. One of the biggest challenges was

staying agile in the face of constant change - whether driven by customer behavior, regulation, or technology. But those challenges became opportunities: to learn, to adapt, and to shape how we market and grow. Taking on more responsibility happened naturally as I deepened my

understanding of the industry and took a key role in overseeing our marketing campaigns.

Maria: The fintech industry offers diverse career paths, equal opportunities for growth, and

access to a unique mix of people from different backgrounds. It is quite a dynamic environment where customers’ needs, strategy, and technology meet. Being a product leader in this environment means I get to solve real problems and make decisions that drive value for our customers and our business.

The biggest challenge I face, which makes our work in Product even more exciting, is selling an idea. Whether that’s a creative approach to solving a customer pain point or introducing a new internal process, your idea always competes against others, so your business case should be bulletproof, your research thorough, and your story compelling.

Temenuzhka: My motivation comes from my passion for transformation – not just of systems

and processes, but also how people learn and grow. I want to help teams improve, make

businesses run smoothly, and help people and businesses have a better experience with the

products and services.

One of the biggest challenges has been building credibility in a fast-paced, highly technical

environment, often facing the pressure many women feel the need to “over-prove.”

themselves. I’ve learned that real influence comes from relationships - investing time to understand the goals of commercial, product, and tech teams, and positioning my work to support theirs. Being recognized as a partner and consistently demonstrating value is what earns trust and influence.

What lessons have you learned as a female leader at Paysafe that could help young women at

the start of their careers?

Fani: It is always important to be curious, to keep an open mind, and learn from colleagues

internally from all departments. Some of the most valuable insights I’ve gained came from

working across departments and listening to different perspectives. Also, stay on top of the

latest developments in the market – what are customers looking for, how are their needs

changing, how to position your products to be top of mind. Mistakes are part of the learning

process, and you have to adapt, improve, and remain resilient.

Maria: My first lesson is not to fear change — it always brings growth opportunities.

Whether it’s a shift in strategy, a manager moving on, or life changes like becoming a parent,

every transition offers a chance to learn, step up, and see the world with fresh eyes.

Second, take ownership of your career development. See what courses you can take if you want to switch to a new role. Feel free to reach out to a senior leader and ask them to be your

mentor, and volunteer for cross-department projects that broaden your skills and visibility.

Finally, stay on top of your finances. Working in the fintech space has opened my eyes to the

importance of financial well-being. When you’re disciplined with saving, investing, and spending, you will become more confident to pursue your bigger personal and professional goals.

Temenuzhka: The most important lesson is that my voice matters - even when I’m the only

woman in the room. Confidence isn’t about knowing everything; it comes from showing up,

asking questions, and being willing to learn.

Another key lesson is the importance of adaptability. In fintech, change is constant, and growth comes from embracing it, learning new skills, and stepping into unfamiliar territory.

Finally, don’t wait for permission to take initiative. Volunteer for projects, share your ideas, or

ask for development opportunities. The earlier you learn to advocate for yourself, the stronger, more confident, and capable you’ll become.

How does the company support you in balancing professional and personal responsibilities, and how has that impacted your success?

Fani: There has always been an open, genuine communication between me and my manager,

peers, and team. Paysafe encourages openness and collaboration, which creates the space to

ask for flexibility or extra support when it’s needed. Through dedicated support programs

Paysafe always encourages prioritizing self-advocacy and mental well-being, as it is the

foundation of long-term career sustainability and building healthier teams.

Maria: Professional success is possible only when your family supports your work and your

company supports your personal needs. Paysafe has a flexible office attendance policy; we get reduced working hours in the summer, and we have a variety of mentoring and support

programs where we exchange experiences and help each other grow. These are some of the

reasons I’ve been with the company for more than 16 years now.

Temenuzhka: Paysafe fosters a culture of flexibility and trust, and I’ve always felt empowered

to structure my time in a way that supports both performance and wellbeing. As a mother of

two, having the space to prioritize both my family and my career is essential. The ability to be

present for my children allows me to maintain a healthy balance and stay connected to what

truly matters - both at home and at work. This support enables me to excel professionally

without sacrificing my personal life and family.

How do you see the future of female leadership in the fintech sector over the next five years?

Fani: Fintech is still evolving - and so is its leadership landscape. While the fintech sector has

been male-dominated, I see momentum behind mentorship, networking, building communities

and initiatives that elevate women’s voices. I believe that creativity and new industry

improvements will be driven by diverse teams that have a customer-centric mindset, the right

experience, talent and determination to drive the industry forward.

Maria: Fintech is a younger industry without decades of legacy structures, so it has been more open to diverse leadership styles and equality. Our sector values skills, new ideas, consistency and courage to challenge the status quo. Companies with more diverse leadership attract the best talent, build more inclusive products, and gain customer trust faster. And the good news is that we already have great senior leaders, startup founders and CEOs who are role models and inspire the young to choose a career path and pursue their dreams.

Temenuzhka: I believe the future of female leadership in fintech isn’t just about women’s

unique strengths, but also the diversity they bring to the table. When women are part of the

conversation, businesses benefit from fresh ideas, new perspectives, and different ways of

thinking - the mix that keeps companies innovative and competitive.

From my own experience, diverse teams perform better - they understand customers more

deeply, adapt faster, and come up with more creative solutions. As technology reshapes the

way we work, empathy and openness to different viewpoints will be essential.

The more women we see in senior roles, the stronger the industry becomes, because true

success is always about people and inclusion.