Women leaders continue to shape industries across science, technology, and business. Many are building solutions that aim to address long‑standing social and economic gaps while creating opportunities for more people to participate in the global economy.
One of them is Shivani Siroya, CEO and founder of global financial infrastructure company Tala. Her work centers on expanding access to financial services for communities that have historically had limited access to traditional banking systems.
Siroya recently joined the Forbes list of 250 Greatest Innovators, while Tala also marked its 10th consecutive year on the Forbes Fintech 50 list—recognitions that highlight the company’s continued presence in the global financial technology space.
Her Brand of Leadership
Siroya founded Tala in 2014 while working a full‑time job, building the company with a small team driven by the goal of widening access to financial services. Today, Tala has grown into a global organization with hundreds of employees working across multiple regions.
Her leadership approach focuses on long‑term impact—both for customers who rely on accessible financial services and for employees helping develop the technology behind the platform. She also emphasizes learning, collaboration, and listening to customer experiences in order to better understand how financial tools can support everyday needs.
Outside work, Siroya balances her responsibilities as a technology executive and a mother of two. She sets aside time for family, journaling, reading, and quiet reflection, practices she says help her stay grounded while leading a global company.
Driving Innovation in Financial Access
Before founding Tala, Siroya worked as an analyst and microcredit researcher with the United Nations Population Fund. During this time, she observed the challenges faced by small business owners and individuals in parts of Africa and Asia who lacked access to formal financial systems.
Many of these individuals did not have credit scores or traditional financial histories, which limited their ability to save or borrow through conventional institutions.
Tala was created to help address some of these barriers. The company uses alternative data and machine learning to support its credit assessment process, allowing individuals to apply for credit through a digital platform.
Through the Tala mobile app, users can apply for loans through a digital process designed to be more accessible and convenient for customers who may not have access to traditional banking services.
Over the years, Tala has expanded its presence internationally. The company currently operates in six markets: Kenya, Mexico, the Philippines, India, Panama, and Guatemala.
According to company data, Tala has delivered more than 7 billion USD in credit to over 13 million customers across these markets. A 2025 study conducted by impact measurement firm 60 Decibels reported that many Tala customers experienced improvements in areas such as financial management and reduced financial stress after using the service.
These milestones reflect Tala’s broader mission: to build financial services designed to reach people who have historically been underserved by traditional systems.
For Siroya, the goal remains clear—continue developing technology that can help expand access to financial tools while supporting individuals working to improve their economic opportunities.
ADVT.
This article is brought to you by TALA.