Meet the youngest female talent at Paysafe

At the age of 22, Andreya Merkova is the youngest female talent at Paysafe. She joined the company in April 2024 as a Finance Intern and has grown into the role of Junior Financial Specialist within the US Acquiring team.

Over the past year and a half, Andreya has gained valuable experience, learning what it means to be part of a supportive team, continuously pushing herself to improve, and realizing that youth is not a limitation when it comes to making a meaningful contribution.

Beyond the office, she finds joy in nature, loves baking, and actively takes part in networking events, all while making time for family and friends.

Andreya Merkova - the youngest female talent at Paysafe

What sparked your interest in finance, and how did you decide to pursue this career path? 

I've always been interested in how money moves around the world, how markets react, how economies shift, and how financial decisions impact everything from businesses to everyday life. Ever since high school, I’ve been pretty good with numbers, and I realized early on that I enjoy working with data and solving problems. Finance just felt like the perfect fit: it’s dynamic, challenging, and constantly evolving. It’s not just about crunching numbers, it’s about understanding the bigger picture and making smart decisions. That’s what really drew me in and made me want to pursue this as a career. 

How does it feel to start your career at Paysafe, working in a team where five different generations collaborate?

It was a bit overwhelming at the beginning. I’d never worked in such a big company before, and suddenly you're meeting tons of new people, trying to remember names, and dealing with that wave of social anxiety. You’re surrounded by people with way more experience, and for a moment you think: wait, do I even belong here? But then your new colleagues start chatting with you, asking about your background, cracking jokes, and making you feel welcome. That’s when the nerves start to calm down, and you realize you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

What do you think are the biggest strengths and fresh perspectives that young people bring to the workplace today? 

I’d say I bring a fresh perspective to the team. Starting out, I was full of ideas and excited to share them – and the best part is, people actually listen and support them. It’s super motivating to be in an environment where your input is valued, even when you’re just starting out. I also like to think I bring a bit of fun to the team too – I’m always cracking jokes, teaching everyone the latest Gen Z slang, and in return, they introduce me to classic movies I’ve somehow never heard of!  It’s a great balance of learning, growing, and just enjoying the people you work with.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned from more experienced colleagues?

That it is okay to make mistakes, as long as you are willing to learn from them. There were times when I made mistakes and of course I would feel a bit down about it. I’d start to panic and feel like my experience wasn’t enough to be a valuable asset to the team, but my colleagues would come up to me and reassure me it is normal to make mistakes, that I’m learning,  and that nobody is born ready. They let me know that what mattered most was that I was trying my best. Then they would sit with me and help me find a solution. Even though I was panicking, as I am sort of a perfectionist, those memories are the ones that I cherish the most to this day.

What has been the biggest challenge and the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far in your role as a Junior Financial Analyst?

The most important thing I learned is to surround myself with good people. My colleagues are a great example of this. I was anxious about the people I’d be meeting and working with on this career journey. To be honest, I never expected that my colleagues would become such an inspiration to me. Every day I come to the office, I get to have a nice warm chat and feel like I am constantly supported. I know I can always come to them when I need help or just emotional support. This made my whole experience so awesome and filled with positive emotions. Being surrounded by people like that makes my job easier. When I first read the question, I didn’t know what to write because I had never really experienced any hardships during my time as a Junior Financial Analyst. However, I realise that’s because I have a team that always has my back. I wish everyone would be so lucky, because I honestly don’t think I would have done it so well without this amazing team.

What advice would you give to other young people — especially young women — who might think they are “too young” for the business world?

You are never “too young” to start working on yourself, you are never “too young” to begin building your future. You can do anything you set your mind to. Young women are no exception – don’t give up just because you think you are not fit for a certain role. It takes courage at first to step out of your comfort zone and try out something new, but as you already know, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”