Kelly Stanley

Powerlist Category: Senior Leaders

To spotlight the achievements of Open Banking fintechs, I continued to grow the annual Open Banking Awards, now with 120+ entries, 35 judges, and over 250 attendees in 2024. The awards celebrate innovation, driving progress in the sector.

In Canada, I hosted two sold-out events in Toronto (June 2023 & 2024), attracting 600+ attendees and contributing to ongoing dialogue on Open Finance, strengthening collaboration between government, fintechs, and FS.

The UK Expo expanded in 2024 to occupy the Business Design Centre’s mezzanine floor, achieving record attendance and turnover while uniting fintechs and payment professionals.

In the last 12-18 months, I’ve driven diversity and inclusion through the growth of Women in Open Banking (WIOB), an initiative empowering those who identify as women in fintech. Membership has grown to over 750 globally, and the program now boasts 60+ mentor-mentee relationships, offering tangible career support.

In 2024, I organised the first WIOB event in Toronto, Canada, alongside Meetups in London, which featured panel debates, keynote sessions, and networking opportunities. These events have created meaningful connections, amplified diverse voices, and fostered collaboration across the fintech community.

By partnering with organizations like American Express and Yaspa, WIOB continues to champion positive change, opening doors and advancing inclusion for hundreds of women in Open Banking and Open Finance.