Padmini Gupta

Personal Information

Padmini Gupta is an award-winning banker and a World Economic Forum Global Leadership Fellow, who is now re-imagining financial services for 250 million migrant workers worldwide, and the billion people who depend on them through Rise, and now Xare. Rise is Entrepreneur’s “MENA Fintech startup of the year” and one of the fastest-growing fintechs globally.

Padmini began her career in banking in the 1990s in California, where she was responsible for running a $200 million+ portfolio in commercial banking. She was one of the early pioneers dedicated to bringing financial products to women and minority-led businesses; and, as a result, was twice awarded by the US Small Business Administration. She also sat on the Banker’s Board of Accion and was a part of the San Diego City Redevelopment Task Force.
A passionate advocate for society’s ignored voices, Padmini has always been a strong proponent of the importance of financial independence and co-founded rise in 2016, as a way to combine her financial expertise with her desire to drive important social change.

Padmini continues to be a mentor and advisor to several startups and plays an active role in supporting women entrepreneurs through her involvement with Dubai Business Women Council, Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (SHERAA), to name but a few. As a global citizen who has lived and worked in more than 10 countries, she brings a unique understanding and passion to redefining migrant banking and helping a billion people to build a better, more equitable, and more sustainable future.