With a wealth of experience and expertise in the corporate finance domain, Nadia AbuSarah, an accomplished Group Chief Financial Officer at TPAY MOBILE has played an instrumental role in shaping the financial landscape of her organization. As the Group Chief Financial Officer, Nadia AbuSarah continues to drive financial strategies that support TPAY MOBILE's ambitious growth plans. Her responsibilities encompass optimizing the company's capital structure, conceptualizing innovative financing solutions, and overseeing crucial merger and acquisition activities. Let’s hear more from her in this interaction.

Could you highlight significant aspects of your life and career journey for the article?

Nadia - Emphasizing the influence of my family, I hail from a progressive household that upheld gender parity in education, professions, and personal choices. Raised openly, my sisters and I enjoyed the freedom to express and debate ideas without fear of judgment. Our decisions, even flawed ones, were subject to thorough discussions until consensus was reached. This upbringing profoundly shaped my character, greatly attributed to my father who consistently encouraged my best efforts, embodying exceptional fatherhood.

Professionally, I was privileged to begin in an international setting. Initially at a renowned 'big four' auditing firm and later at the vast logistics giant Aramex,  I advanced from a junior role to becoming the Group CFO of the publicly listed Aramex at DFM. Noteworthy is the unwavering support of Aramex's founder, Fadi Ghandour, whose belief in nurturing youthful talents allowed my growth. He remains an inspiration to the entire Aramex team, including myself, and his ongoing backing has been pivotal in my career journey.

Could you outline your educational background and what led you to the corporate finance field?

Nadia - While I admired women's involvement in politics and finance, my penchant for numbers directed me towards studying Economics and Business Administration. Despite my formal education, I continually enriched myself through executive programs in Business and Leadership, including those at Oxford Business School. I firmly believe in ongoing education, recognizing its importance beyond degrees, especially in staying updated with the swiftly evolving technological landscape.

I joined TPAY as CFO in 2021 with over 25 years of corporate finance experience, began my journey as an Auditor at KPMG. My ascent at Aramex included pivotal roles in global expansion, NASDAQ listing, extensive M&A undertakings, and a groundbreaking IPO in 2005. My exceptional commercial acumen persisted throughout.

In my current role at TPAY MOBILE, I orchestrate financial strategies supporting ambitious growth, optimizing capital structure, devising innovative financing solutions, and overseeing M&A. Notably, I now manages People and Culture, Legal, and Finance functions. My academic foundation includes a bachelor's degree in 'Economics and Business Administration' from the University of Jordan.

“Have faith in your abilities and self-worth; embrace your errors as lessons and do not shy away from them”

Provide an introduction to TPAY Mobile. What are your responsibilities as the Group Chief Financial Officer at TPAY Mobile?

TPAY holds a pioneering position in Middle East, Africa, and Turkey (META) for payment solutions. Our comprehensive end-to-end service empowers merchants to seamlessly access and accept payments across more than 100 payment channels, catering to over 700 million potential consumers spanning 30+ countries in the region. In the organization, my responsibilities encompass the execution of the board and CEO's mid and long-term strategies. Additionally, I oversee the growth levers and maintain a sustainable financial environment while actively driving the company's growth towards its goal of becoming a leading payment provider.

In your perspective, what are the key challenges you face as a leader in corporate finance? How do you navigate these obstacles?

Nadia- Recognizing the relatively limited female presence, particularly within the finance sector in the Middle East, it's evident that shattering the glass ceiling is most pronounced in banking, while other sectors, including stock markets, show fewer women at C-level positions. Numerous studies and articles address female inclusion, echoing issues such as unconscious bias, wage disparity, restricted career growth, and the absence of sponsors and mentors.

Drawing from personal experience, achieving work-life equilibrium has proven arduous. Establishing a solid support system at home is pivotal for progression on the corporate ladder. Encircled by support, I've shouldered the responsibility to validate their trust through my achievements, leaving no room for shortcuts – hard work remains irreplaceable.

Share your three most significant professional accomplishments to date. What principles have guided your success as a leader?

Nadia - Firstly, contributing significantly to Aramex's Initial Public Offering. Secondly, becoming the Female CFO of Aramex PJSJ listed on DFM (Dubai Financial Stock Market). And thirdly, orchestrating a career transition from the logistics sector to the dynamically evolving Fintech industry. Additionally, I also played a key role in bringing digital transformation across all legal and finance processes and introducing Robotic Process Automation (RPA).

My guiding principles as a leader include fostering teamwork, valuing diverse perspectives, embracing continuous learning, and persistently pursuing excellence. These principles have underscored my journey, contributing to achievements and ongoing growth.

How do you anticipate the future transformation of the global corporate finance arena? Which trends within industries will wield the greatest influence?

Nadia - Recent statistics suggest that the fintech sector, presently constituting just 2percent of global financial services revenue, is projected to amass $1.5 trillion in annual revenue by 2030, encompassing nearly a quarter of worldwide banking valuations. Notably, the convergence of technology, machine learning, and AI is poised to redefine various industries, not solely the financial landscape. This convergence is set to be a dominant force in shaping the future.

Advice for emerging women entrepreneurs/ business leaders:

Have faith in your abilities and self-worth; embrace your errors as lessons and do not shy away from them. Failure merely signifies a stumble on the path to your professional zenith. Enlist the support of valuable mentors and ensure their positive influence surrounds you.

Nadia Abusarah, Group Chief Financial Officer, Tpay Mobile

Nadia's journey stands as a testament to her resilience, strategic thinking, and leadership acumen. Her contributions to the world of corporate finance and her pivotal role in shaping the financial landscape of TPAY Mobile underscore her as an inspiring figure in the realm of business leadership.