International Women’s Day: Women at NMI Share What It Means To Accelerate Action

What Does Accelerate Action for Gender Equality Mean to You Personally?

Vicky Duehr, Director of Compliance

Every action counts — every day. Accelerating action means leading with integrity, making intentional choices and fostering inclusivity in every space we occupy.

• Share openly and authentically: Be honest about both your successes and struggles. Sharing challenges you’ve faced — and overcome or even those you are still working through — can empower others who may feel alone in their journey
• Create safe spaces: Encourage open, honest communication that goes beyond job titles. Meet people where they are, support their personal and professional growth, and allow them to bring their whole selves to work
• Rethink hiring practices: The best candidate isn’t always the one with the perfect résumé. Consider potential, opportunity gaps and the barriers applicants may have faced to look at the whole person
• Advocate for fair pay: Not just for yourself — speak up for pay equity at every level. Transparency and equitable compensation should be the standard, not the exception
• Challenge biases — starting with your own: Acknowledge them, but don’t accept them. Question assumptions and push for better decision-making
• Be the change: Your actions influence those around you — whether it’s colleagues, leaders, or the next generation. If you lead by example, others will follow

Lisa Lloyd, Senior Product Manager

Accelerate action means supporting and uplifting the women around us, amplifying their voices, and creating spaces for them to thrive.

Sheena Miles, AI Implementation & Operations Manager

Accelerating action for gender equality, to me, means moving beyond conversation and into meaningful change. With my current role being very AI focused, it’s about creating spaces where women are not just adapting to AI and technology but actively shaping its future.

For me, this isn’t just about recognizing the gaps — it’s about actively building solutions to close them. That means equipping women with the knowledge, tools, and influence they need to drive change in their fields, whether in payments, my current field, healthcare, education, etc. Women shouldn’t just be reacting to AI; they should really be defining it.

By doubling down on these efforts, it allows us to challenge biases, promote inclusive AI development, and ensure solutions are developed with women in mind. By taking action now, we contribute to a more equitable and inclusive world — one where technology works for everyone.

Have You Personally Benefited From Support Networks or Mentorship? How Did It Impact Your Journey?

Tiffany Johnson, Chief Product Officer

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the women who paved the way and the mentors who pulled me up.

Mentorship and sponsorship don’t have to come from someone who looks like you. True progress happens when leaders of all backgrounds actively champion. I have had incredible mentors — both women and men — who have helped champion and sponsor my career progression. I’ve also been fortunate to participate in programs like Money 2020 RiseUp, ETA Empow(H)er, and Catalyst programs that provided leadership training, tools and, most importantly, a network of incredible professionals who support and uplift one another. Support networks are game-changers, and we accelerate action when we lift others as we climb.

If you want to make a difference this International Women’s Day, take one small but powerful step: Reach out to a woman in your organization and offer mentorship, guidance, or just encouragement. The ripple effect of a small action can create lasting change.

Jessica Finn, Marketing Operations Manager

Absolutely. Just talking with other women about their experiences in their careers is incredibly helpful. It’s amazing how many of the same challenges we face, and hearing how others navigate them gives me new perspectives and confidence to push forward. Those honest conversations and shared insights can be transformative in shaping your next move or giving you the courage to take a leap.

Serena Hernandez, Product Marketing Manager

Throughout my journey, both positive and negative experiences have played a crucial role in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills, qualities and knowledge necessary for success. While good experiences have provided valuable support, mentorship, and encouragement, it is the bad experiences that have been the most instrumental in my growth.

Rather than being discouraged by setbacks and bad leadership, I have learned from them and used them as catalysts for improvement. Each challenge has been a valuable lesson, pushing me to reassess my strategies and make necessary adjustments, ensuring that I don’t repeat cycles of mistakes.

Meghan Rieke, Engineering Manager

When I was just starting my career as a new developer, seeing women in technical leadership roles made me feel like my career had a future, and I could succeed in this path. Over the years, some of these women became mentors and close friends. They helped me to grow my own skills and gave me a support network for when times were difficult, or if I had questions. Although we are underrepresented in tech jobs, there are changes happening across the field. I like seeing businesses taking concrete steps to “Accelerate Action” for equality, such as removing names from resumes when considering interview candidates. It helps remove personal bias (even accidental bias) and I’ve seen more diversity in candidate pools at places that use this policy.

For women who are looking to break barriers in their careers, especially looking to excel in a male-dominated field, I recommend pushing through your personal discomfort and going for it. There will be people and companies that will look down on you for your differences; stay true to yourself, work hard and leave them behind. There will also be incredible mentors and friends along your journey. Lean on these people when things are hard, and support them in turn when they need you. It’s not the easiest path out there, but it is worth it.

What’s One Action Individuals or Businesses Can Take Today To Help Speed Up Gender Equality?

Laura Durston, Senior Account Manager

An impactful action you can make today to help speed up gender equality is to actively challenge and correct biases. The easiest way to do this is to educate yourself and your business on recognizing types of biases. Online workshops, books and simply having open conversations within the workplace are all easy ways to broaden your perspective. Acknowledge unconscious bias by holding yourself accountable. Remember that small, consistent actions lead to larger cultural shifts.

Leah Bodenhamer, Content Manager

Empower the women in your company by providing the tools and resources they need to grow their skills and advance their careers. Whether it’s funding professional development, promoting mentorship opportunities, bringing in a specialist to host training sessions, or dedicating time for networking and learning events — there are countless ways you can uplift the women you employ, no matter your size or budget. 

Stephanie Davis, VP of Innovation & Delivery Enablement

Listen.  Be inclusive of all voices and truly listen to one another.

Sarah Mackernan, Social Media & PR

Speaking from personal experience: mentor. Mentoring is such a powerful tool to bridge knowledge gaps, identify opportunities to develop, provide feedback, empower decision-making, boost confidence and build connections. The most rewarding part? Watching your mentee grow and succeed.

What Advice Would You Give to Young Women Aspiring To Break Barriers in Their Careers?

Haley Barnes, Senior Product Manager

Breaking barriers starts with curiosity — the courage to ask questions, explore possibilities and challenge conventional thinking. To accelerate action in your career, stay open to learning new things and trying different approaches. Seek out new perspectives, see challenges as opportunities to grow, and embrace the unknown with confidence. Surround yourself with mentors and allies who inspire you, and pay it forward as you progress. When we lead with curiosity and determination, we break barriers and redefine what’s possible for ourselves and others.

Kristal Knoll, Product Owner

My advice is to own your space and never second-guess your seat at the table. Early in my career, not having preconceived notions about office politics helped me focus on doing great work rather than worrying about invisible barriers. Confidence — believing you belong in every room you step into — opens doors.

Surround yourself with strong mentors and sponsors who will advocate for you, offer guidance and challenge you to grow. And don’t be afraid to highlight your own achievements — advancing in your career isn’t just about doing the work; it’s about making sure the right people see the impact you’re making. Advocate for yourself the way you would for a close friend or colleague.

Barbora Spacilova, Product Data & Insights Manager

Push the pedal as hard and as soon as you can. When we talk about compounding, we often think of investing and money — but careers, know-how and personal growth compounds too. That means some of your earliest experiences and learnings might have an outsized effect on your career.

Serena Hernandez, Product Marketing Manager

As a woman in her mid-20’s (I started my career as a teenager running a nonprofit), I recognize the significance of breaking stereotypes and challenging norms. Staying true to who you are and being unapologetic about your uniqueness WILL open many progressive doors and cut out the ones who don’t believe in those ideals. Take the risk and be yourself (with limits, of course) — it will take you SO far!

Sheena Miles, AI Implementation & Operations Manager

One of the most important pieces of advice I can offer to young women looking to break barriers is to be discerning about whose opinions and guidance you heed. It’s easy to let the wrong words chip away at your confidence — often in ways that are difficult to mend. Since confidence is essential for challenging the status quo, protect it fiercely.

However, don’t dismiss all feedback as “bad” simply because it’s critical; constructive insights can be incredibly valuable. The key is to weigh who’s sharing the feedback and in what context. Are they someone who genuinely wants to see you grow or someone who might not have your best interests at heart?

In the end, it’s vital to remember that no one knows your true capabilities better than you. If you believe you can do something, trust that instinct. Embrace feedback that helps you grow and filter out the rest. Your conviction in your own potential is what will ultimately help you break through the barriers in your path.