Female Executive in Fintech Talks: Equiti's Rula Abu Sharaf Shares Secrets to Work-life Balance

The fintech industry, with rapid growth in recent years, has driven the continuous innovation of global financial services. In such an emerging industry full of challenges and difficulties, leaders should be courageous to challenge and tenaciously strive to succeed. Strikingly, many outstanding female leaders have emerged in fintech, and they are leading the industry to rapidly develop by making use of women's unique advantages. Rula Abu Sharaf is among them.

Rula is currently a Vice President for Sales at Equiti Group, a pioneering fintech firm and world-class provider of online trading technology and multi-asset financial products, where she initially worked as Senior Account Manager for two years before being promoted at the beginning of 2021.

Rula started her career in 2011 as a Credit Officer at Arab Bank. Through almost six years' hard work, she became the SME Relationship Manager at Societe Generale, one of the leading European financial services groups. 

Today, Fazzaco got an opportunity to interview Rula to find out more about female leadership in the fintech sector.

Fazzaco: Hi Rula! Thanks for joining us! Could you please tell us more about you and your job at Equiti Group?

Rula: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to your recognized publication, I am a very energetic person and really enjoy working at Equiti Group as a VP Sales, based in Amman, Jordan, I have several hobbies but my favourite is horseback riding.

Fazzaco: You had a post on LinkedIn celebrating International Women's Day last year. What's your plan for this year?

Rula: This is a remarkable day as we get to celebrate and recognize women's achievements across the world.  

This year, I want to share my experience and lessons learned by giving a session on "How to improve your personal life and your career in parallel".

Fazzaco: Is there a female role model that inspired you greatly? How?

Rula: Good question. While I have learned from so many people I have worked and interacted with who have changed and improved my skills ... My real role model is my parents. They have instilled the right principle in me at a young age and mainly taught me to stand up for myself and to always do the right thing. 

Fazzaco: What do you want to say to women working in the fintech industry?

Rula: The fintech sector is the vein of the economy and women have proven time and time agai​n that they are a key part of the sector. 

Fazzaco: Statistics showed that more women lost their job than men during Covid lockdown. What is your opinion on this?

Rula: While a large number of women lost their jobs due to the pandemic, it created so many opportunities and have made women rethink on what and how, they want to do it in the future. 

Fazzaco: Tell us your secrets to balancing work and life.

Rula: The secret is to have the right energy and positivity in carrying out your daily tasks ......... My secret is going to the gym every morning!

Fazzaco: Tell us about the story that led you to your current position.

Rula: I do a review on myself and accomplishments every year, and plan for the year ahead based on the results and targets that I set for myself.

Fazzaco: If you could only choose one word, which word do you believe that describes you the best?

Rula: Balanced.