At FrankieOne, we believe in celebrating the diverse voices and talents that make our company strong. In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re launching our Women of Frankie series, where we’ll shine a spotlight on the incredible women driving change within our team. First up, we’re excited to feature Vanessa Fierens, our KYC Product Lead - Data.
Let's dive in..
What do you do at FrankieOne?
I’m the KYC Product Lead at FrankieOne with a strong focus on data. I’ve been with FrankieOne for over five years and during that time I’ve worked across several roles spanning operations and product.Today I lead initiatives focused on identity verification, Know Your Customer (KYC), helping businesses onboard customers safely while using data to drive better risk decisions and insights.
What inspired you to pursue your career path?
I’ve always loved applied problem solving, it’s actually why I studied engineering. About ten years ago I moved away from big corporate to help build a neobank, and that journey eventually led me to FrankieOne. Start-up life can definitely be a rollercoaster, but what I love most is the impact the team and I can have. When I look at our roadmap and release notes, it’s pretty amazing how much we’re able to build and deliver together.
What’s a challenge you’ve overcome in your journey?
One of the biggest challenges for me personally has been backing myself. I can be my own toughest critic and sometimes let self-doubt creep in. Over time I’ve become more self-aware of that tendency and try to check in with myself during those ‘doomsday’ moments to step back and look at things more pragmatically and positively.
What advice would you give to other women in fintech/tech?
Reach out when you need help or perspective. Recently, I attended a CDAO event with Cindi Howson, a thought leader I’ve followed for years. Afterward, I reached out to her about a challenge I was facing. She gave me great advice on how to take on more responsibility without burning out and how to communicate effectively with executives instead of my initial instinct to push back with a simple ‘no’. That conversation shifted my perspective and reminded me how valuable it is to lean on your network during tough times.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It’s actually always close to my birthday, so it’s a bit of a double celebration! But on a more serious note, it’s a reminder that women have a voice and that diverse perspectives and ways of working make teams stronger.
Thank you, Vanessa, for all the incredible work you do! We’re proud to have you as part of the FrankieOne family.
#WomenOfFrankie #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInTech #FrankieOne