Accelerate Action: Advice from SUNRATE’s Female Leaders

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) is “Accelerate Action” — a global call to drive strategies, mobilise resources, and champion initiatives that advance women’s progress, turning intent into impactful action.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), at the current pace, it could take until 2158, roughly five generations from now to achieve full gender parity. This stark reality makes accelerating action not just important, but urgent.

At SUNRATE, Accelerate Action means taking bold, intentional steps to break barriers — as organisations, as teams, and as individuals. To mark this year’s IWD, we spoke with three inspiring female leaders at SUNRATE — Gillian Chen, Head of Sales; Coco He, Head of Global Institutions; and Linh Bui, Country Manager of Vietnam — to hear their advice for women who want to make their mark in fintech.

1. Coco’s advice: Feel the fear and do it anyway.

The truth is, feeling scared or unsure is completely normal. Especially in fintech, where everything moves so fast, and there’s always something new to learn. Every leader you look up to has felt exactly the same at some point, the key is to take action anyway. Confidence doesn’t magically appear. It grows every time you push through those moments of doubt.

And if you’re worried about not having a technical background, don’t let that hold you back. There are countless opportunities for women in non-technical roles. Fintech isn’t just about software engineering or data science, it’s about solving problems, understanding customers, spotting opportunities, driving change.

Skills like strategic thinking, leadership, and creativity are just as valuable, if not more. As the industry evolves, there’s more space than ever for fresh perspectives, and that’s where women can make a real impact.

2. Gillian’s advice: Build your network, no one succeeds alone

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you don’t have to figure everything out alone. There’s a whole world of free workshops, online courses, industry events, and mentorship programmes out there, just waiting for you to dive in.

And here’s the thing, most people are more than happy to help. Don’t be shy about sending that LinkedIn message or asking for advice. We’ve all been there, trying to navigate a new industry or role, and a little guidance can make a huge difference.

Some of the best opportunities I have had, came from a simple conversation. A quick coffee, a message on LinkedIn, or saying hello at an event. So, put yourself out there, join a community, attend that event, or just grab a coffee with someone who inspires you.

3. Linh’s advice: Own your ambition and back yourself

Take ownership of your careers and don’t hold back your ambitions. You’re allowed to want more, whether it’s a bigger role, a challenging project, or stepping into leadership. I’ve seen so many incredible, talented women hold themselves back because they feel like they need to check every single box before going for something.

The worst thing that can happen is someone says no, or not right now, and that’s not a reflection of who you are or what you’re capable of, just a mismatch in timing or fit. And when you unlock that opportunity you never knew existed, that’s when the real growth starts, even if you don’t feel ready. Some of my biggest growth happened because I said yes before I thought I was ready.

In fast-moving industries like fintech, learning never stops. So stay curious and ask questions, and be open to unexpected twists. Your career doesn’t need to follow a perfect, planned-out path. Every experience you collect adds to your unique perspective.

Accelerate Action — Together

At SUNRATE, we believe that when women succeed, we all succeed. By accelerating action, taking that first step, supporting each other, and creating opportunities for future female leaders, we can break down systemic barriers and build a more inclusive, innovative future for fintech.

Breaking into fintech, or growing your career in any fast-paced industry doesn’t require perfection. It starts with action, and you can start today. Explore our latest opportunities here, or connect directly with our featured leaders to hear their stories and advice.

Gillian Chen

Coco He

Linh Bui