We recently welcomed Houyam Boudiaf as our new Chief Financial Officer at Phi Wallet. With a rich international background and a sharp eye for financial innovation, Houyam brings a fresh perspective to our mission. We sat down with her for a candid conversation, here’s what she had to say.
Let’s start with the basics. Who is Houyam Boudiaf?
I am Houyam, I am 42, I married and mom to two boys. I am Algerian and lived in several countries including Italy, Tunisia, USA and Canada.
- Wow! Then I guess you speak a few languages too?
Yes, I speak 4 languages fluently: Arabic, Italian, French and English. I can communicate in Spanish and aspiring to become fluent. I studied Mandarin and love to be able to hold a conversation in it, some day.
- With all that travel and movement, what place feels like home to you?
The place I call home is where my husband and children are.
- Is there a taste or a dish that instantly brings you back to your roots?
Warm Kessra and salata mechouia (cold grilled pepper and tomato salad)
- Between work and family, what helps you recharge?
I love jogging outside but I don’t do it much being a working mom of two young children. Or maybe this is just my excuse. I love walking and NYC is a particularly nice place for that. I also enjoy taking my kids to the park and playing with them.
- Now, let’s talk finance. What sparked your passion for it?
I developed a passion for finance when I began working as a trader at Citi. I enjoyed the fast-paced environment and the intensity of the markets. My most memorable moment was the first time I made a million dollars in a single trade.
- You’ve seen the inside of some of the world’s top financial markets. What’s a core belief that’s stuck with you?
Financial markets can and should be made more accessible to understand, invest in, and pursue as a career. Much of their opacity is unnecessary and unwarranted.
- Looking back, what major shifts in finance have shaped your thinking the most?
To name two. The subprime mortgage crisis and its devastating effect on many countries' economies. Negative interest rates and how it completely shifted the concept of liquidity and interest rates and its repercussions on global investors and households.
- As someone who’s led major initiatives across the U.S., Europe, and North Africa, how do you adapt your leadership style to different cultures and teams?
Observe and understand people's values. Lead with flexibility and kindness, these are universal human languages. Simultaneously, set clear boundaries and be intentional about the image you project, adapting to the context. And most importantly, rely on common sense and ethics as my decision-making compass.
- So what drew you to Phi Wallet, specifically at this point in your career?
Eslam Anbar vision’s aligns closely with my own mission: to make the financial system more inclusive and more human.
Phi Wallet offers a viable and relatively safe investment alternative for those who find traditional financial products too complex or simply not aligned with their needs or values.
- In your eyes, what makes Phi Wallet a real game-changer?
Phi Wallet is pioneering not just the sale of physical commodities, but their use as a viable payment method: building the infrastructure, the channels, and, most importantly, the trust. We are already changing the financial landscape for our clients. As our customer base and transaction volumes reach a critical scale, the impact will only deepen - and we expect many other fintech's to follow our footsteps.
- What excites you most about where the company is headed?
Using my experience across financial markets, banking and payments to build something truly unprecedented; while continuously challenging my knowledge in the process. Something new means unlearning, questioning and evolving just as much as it means building.
- In your view, what makes Phi Wallet stand out in the rapidly growing fintech landscape?
Eslam Anbar is a seasoned founder who built Phi Wallet on a strong foundation. Beyond its clear vision and mission, Phi Wallet offers a compelling product with a strong value proposition. Phi Wallet is also built on a scalable, robust technology and backed by sound governance framework and operational processes - these are embedded in its DNA. These are strong differentiators in the tech industry where a lot is built on image and accessible capital. Phi Wallet's other competitive advantage is its C-suite focused on continuous internal improvement and building a disruptive technology as opposed to chasing competition.
- How do you see your role shaping the future direction of Phi Wallet?
This is a difficult question for someone who just joined the team. I will answer this question in a year’s time.
- Fair enough! Before we wrap up, what advice would you give to someone young, maybe just starting out in finance or tech?
Do not only look at successful people and assume they are only their success. Behind every win is hard work, setbacks, doubt, mistakes and a lot of luck. Social media and many of the so-called tech gurus push the myth of the self-made person, but the truth is: no one gets there alone. We all need support, timing and opportunity.
The finance industry, in particular, is built to make even the most capable feel like imposters. But you don’t need to become someone else or abandon your values or self-care to thrive. You define success for yourself, and yes you can succeed on your terms.
Thank you, Houyam. We wish you the very best in your journey with Phi Wallet. Let’s circle back and schedule a follow-up interview in one year, we can’t wait to see what you’ll have to share then.
