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Leigh Flounders
Chief Executive Officer- NowNow
Professional Background
Leigh Flounders is a distinguished professional in the financial technology sector, recognized for her impactful contributions to the industry as the CEO of notable companies and as a strategic advisor through a diverse range of advisory roles across the globe. In 2017, she was honored with the title of New Zealand CEO of the Year by UK Finance Monthly Magazine, in recognition of her exceptional leadership at Latipay, which was named one of the KPMG FinTech Top 100 Companies during her tenure. With extensive experience in C-suite roles, Leigh has successfully navigated complex global technology landscapes and driven enterprise-level digital transformation initiatives in the financial services sector.
Leigh’s international journey commenced in California, where she took on the role of crisis management CEO for a FinTech owned by Taiwanese publicly-listed company Smart Displayer. Prior to her position in California, she made significant contributions in Dubai as the Senior Vice President and Head of Group Digital Strategy for Emirates NBD, the largest bank in the Gulf Region. In her leadership role, she was instrumental in spearheading a remarkable 250 million USD digital transformation strategy that paved the way for innovation and streamlined banking processes across the region.
Before moving to Dubai, Leigh enjoyed a fruitful career across the Asia-Pacific region, where she successfully led Latipay, one of the top FinTech payment startups. Under her leadership, Latipay garnered numerous accolades, including Start Up of the Year at the 2016 Australia New Zealand Internet Awards, winning the FinTech and Payments pitch at South By Southwest in 2017, and receiving recognition as Tech Start-Up of the Year at the 2017 New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards. Leigh’s commitment to advancing financial technology has also enabled her to secure strategic partnerships with leading global brands such as TransferWise, World Pay, WhatsApp, and Alipay.
Education and Achievements
Leigh Flounders has cultivated a robust educational foundation that enhances her expertise in financial technology. She studied Data Science for Leaders at UC Berkeley Extension, which equipped her with vital skills to leverage data analytics in making informed strategic decisions within the financial sector. Additionally, Leigh earned her Bachelor of Arts in Management, Architecture, and Arts from The University of Auckland, which has played a pivotal role in shaping her comprehensive understanding of business operations and strategic design relevant to the technology and finance industries.
Throughout her career, Leigh has held numerous significant positions, including but not limited to:
- Chief Executive Officer at NowNow
- Co-Founder at remotexec
- Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Strategy and Portfolio Management at Emirates NBD
- Chief Commercial Officer at NowNow
- Founder at Switch and The Improvement Group Limited
Her excellence in leadership is complemented by her advisory roles with various organizations, showcasing her versatility and collaborative spirit. Some of her notable advisory positions include advising the New Zealand Government in the Middle East through New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, as well as playing an influential role with projects such as Lina Network and Ammbr. Leigh's proactive approach and ability to engage with stakeholders across multiple sectors has solidified her status as a respected figure in the financial technology ecosystem.
Achievements
Leigh Flounders’ achievements underline her exceptional capabilities in leading transformative changes within the financial technology landscape. Among her numerous accolades and recognitions, her accomplishments can be summarized as follows:
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Winning CEO of the Year: In 2017, Leigh was awarded CEO of the Year by UK Finance Monthly for her remarkable leadership qualities and success in steering Latipay.
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Recognitions for Latipay: Under her guidance, Latipay was recognized as one of the KPMG FinTech Top 100 companies. The company also secured several prestigious awards, including:
- The 2016 Startup of the Year at the Australia New Zealand Internet Awards.
- FinTech and Payments pitch winner at South By Southwest in 2017.
- Tech Start-Up of the Year at the 2017 New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards.
- Finalist for Best Emerging Business at the Westpac Business Awards 2017.
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Strategic Partnerships: Over the past decade, Leigh has successfully established strategic partnerships with a series of prominent global technology companies, including Ant Financial (Alipay), Tencent (WeChat), Shopify, Stripe, and Plaid, advancing her innovative measures in FinTech and strategically fostering growth across various sectors.
In summary, Leigh Flounders has consistently exemplified dynamic leadership and commitment to the advancement of the financial technology sector. Her unique combination of strategic foresight, robust academic background, and a myriad of successful partnerships positions her as a stalwart in the industry. With a passion for driving digital transformation and a deep-seated commitment to tech-driven growth, Leigh continues to be a valuable asset in advisory roles and a transformative force in the global FinTech landscape.
