Women in Open Banking Meetup

I am a senior-level professional in the financial services industry, known for my deep understanding of open banking and its transformative potential. I have been at the forefront of leveraging technology to enhance customer experiences and streamline banking operations.

Currently, I serve on the Board of the Open Finance Network Canada (OFNC) and hold the position of Chief Marketing Officer at Portfolio+. In my role at Portfolio+, I am involved in advancing digital transformation initiatives, focusing on brand strategy, market positioning, and leveraging innovative technologies to enhance our marketing efforts and regulatory compliance.

Throughout my career, I have successfully led various initiatives that have navigated the complexities of the financial landscape. My commitment to empowering customers through technology and fostering collaboration has established me as a thought-leader in the industry.

Ellie Zolghadr (Zolad) is a Solution Architect for BigTech and FinTech at Mastercard Americas. She passionately believes in the transformative power of technology to unlock opportunities for people, everywhere. With a STEM background and a proven track record in consulting and deploying FinTech solutions, Ellie has dedicated her career to leveraging cutting-edge advancements for positive change. A champion of women’s leadership, she mentors young women in STEM, leads Harvard Women Alumni in Canada, and strives to foster an environment where diverse perspectives drive a better future for all.

Shanti Samaroo is the Chief Financial Officer at Atlantic Edge Credit Union, and is based in Pasadena, located on the west coast of the beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Shanti was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago; since migrating to Canada, has held several roles in her credit union. In her current role, she is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of a risk management framework and comprehensive accounting and financial reporting system, as well as internal audit function for the credit union. Over her 25 years in the banking system, she has actively represented and advocated on strategic and governance issues, been involved in discussions with the regulator, government officials, and strategic system partners.

Atlantic Edge Credit Union is the second largest provincially regulated credit union in Canada’s most easterly province with approximately $484 million in total assets, with just over 23,700 members. A branch on Fogo Island is expected to be added to its network in the Fall of 2024, which will bring the total number of Atlantic Edge Credit Union branches to 16 spanning from South-central Labrador to St Johns located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland; across to Fogo Island, the largest of the offshore islands in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Atlantic Edge Credit Union is the result of a number of amalgamations of relatively smaller credit unions as well as organic growth, with deep roots in the fishing and forestry industries, serving communities dating back to the 1930s.

Atlantic Edge Credit Union is a full service financial institution, and is the only financial institution in some of the communities within which it operates.