(left to right) Christine Wu, Absa; Vanessa Padiachee, Standard Bank; and Nollie Maoto, FNB. Photo: Karolina Komendera

In financial services, much like the ICT industry, as career levels rise, female representation declines. But there are women who are challenging the status quo and actively making their mark in the space. Women like Christine Wu, Nollie Maoto, Vanessa Padiachee and Judi Smit.

According to Padiachee, Group CIO for Corporate Functions at Standard Bank, the world of finance and technology is changing rapidly; women have a key role to play in shaping the future state of technology in organisations. Having more women in senior roles increases the diversity of teams, which fosters unique thinking, creativity and innovation, she says. Being part of the financial industry for over 25 years, she says big changes have been made, but there’s still much more that can be done.