Evolving Leadership in Fintech and Executive Coaching – DisrupTV Episode 314

In a rapidly changing business landscape, leaders must blend disruptive tech insights with human-first leadership to drive value and trust. In Episode 314 of DisrupTV, hosts R “Ray” Wang and Vala Afshar welcomed three trailblazers: Rujul Zaparde, CEO of fintech unicorn Zip, Christine Tao, Co-Founder & CEO of Sounding Board, and Sally Helgesen, best-selling author of Rising Together. Together, they shared strategies on scaling fintech, elevating executive coaching, and building inclusive leadership cultures designed to thrive in an age of disruption.

Key Takeaways

1. Reinventing Procurement in Fintech

Rujul Zaparde discussed how Zip is transforming procurement by streamlining workflows and removing friction from one of the most critical, yet often overlooked, functions in enterprise operations. By making procurement smarter and more user-friendly, fintech leaders can deliver both cost savings and strategic agility.

Takeaway: The future of fintech is about enabling speed and trust—reducing friction to unlock efficiency.

2. Scaling Leadership Through Coaching

Christine Tao emphasized that organizations can’t scale sustainably without scaling leadership capacity. Sounding Board’s platform leverages technology to democratize executive coaching, ensuring leaders at all levels gain the tools to navigate complexity and lead with confidence.

Takeaway: Coaching is no longer just for the C-suite—it’s a strategic necessity for all emerging leaders.

3. Inclusive Leadership and Rising Together

Sally Helgesen shared insights from her book Rising Together, which focuses on creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive. She stressed that inclusive leadership goes beyond policies—it’s about everyday actions, listening deeply, and empowering diverse voices.

Takeaway: The leaders who succeed tomorrow are those who build cultures of belonging today.

Standout Quote

“Leadership isn’t reserved for a few—it’s about empowering people at every level to rise together.” – Sally Helgesen

Final Thoughts

Episode 314 of DisrupTV highlighted the powerful intersection of technology, leadership, and inclusion. From transforming procurement in fintech to scaling leadership through coaching and fostering inclusive cultures, the message was clear: the future of work requires leaders who are as agile as the technologies they adopt and as empathetic as the people they serve.

Related Episodes

If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:

 

Business Research Themes

Future of Work, Innovation and Product-led Growth, New C-Suite

Roles

Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer