Akita Somani

Akita is an esteemed professional in the retail financial services and payments industry, renowned for her exceptional achievements and unwavering commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her remarkable contributions have been acknowledged with prestigious awards, including the Women in Payments 2021 'Advocate for Women' Award for EMEA and the Women in Payments 2023 'Advocate for Diversity' Award for the US, solidifying her dedication to cultivating an inclusive environment.

With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Akita has held influential roles in renowned companies such as U.S. Bank (Elavon), Mastercard, Visa, Citi, Barclays, and HSBC. Throughout her professional journey, she has consistently excelled in building customer propositions, executing strategic priorities, and driving significant business growth. Akita's extensive international experience, having lived and worked in diverse countries across Asia, Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Africa, has endowed her with a unique perspective and deep understanding of markets characterized by varying macroeconomic environments and cultures.

Akita's outstanding accomplishments and global outlook make her an invaluable asset, embodying the spirit of progress and inclusivity in the financial services and payments sector.

Akita is open to mentoring on:

Geographic moves Leadership development and impact: how do you transition from a middle-senior manager role to a leadership role and mindset Communication and presentation skills Mentoring, sponsorship, and coaching Networking and building relationships Resume writing Interview skills Navigating impostor syndrome Creating and managing high-performing teams Building a diverse workforce, creating equitable opportunities and an inclusive environment for employees to thrive in Exploring the next role, working towards a promotion.