As one of the Top 100 Women in Global FinTech, Anastasia Fokina has built a career at the intersection of technology, leadership, and well-being. From spearheading AI-driven innovations in financial services to launching Jungji, a platform dedicated to emotional intelligence in leadership, she is redefining what it means to succeed in a high-performance world. As the CEO and Founder of Jungji, Anastasia is dedicated to creating a future where leadership and well-being go hand in hand.
On this Women’s Day, she reflects on the challenges, impact, and future of women in leadership, sharing insights on mental well-being, systemic change, and the power of emotional intelligence in shaping the future of work.
Let’s explore Anastasia’s perspective on leadership and well-being in today’s world!
Can you share a little about your journey and what led you to focus on leadership well-being? What motivated you to pursue this path, especially as a woman in a predominantly male industry?
I’ve always been passionate about human behavior and emotional intelligence—understanding how we think, feel, and lead. While working as a C-suite executive in FinTech, I led major AI-driven transformations, introducing virtual credit cards and AI customer service solutions that achieved an unprecedented 92% satisfaction rate.
But amid these technological advances, I witnessed a glaring gap in leadership well-being. High-pressure cultures were taking a toll on mental health, yet organizations often dismissed it as an individual issue rather than a systemic challenge.
As a woman in leadership, I also saw how empathy, emotional intelligence, and well-being were undervalued in corporate environments. This realization fueled my passion for redefining leadership, leading me to create Jungji, where we provide tools for self-awareness, resilience, and emotionally intelligent leadership.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in leadership, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges wasn’t just external barriers—it was the widespread unawareness within companies about the true cost of burnout and stress. Many organizations believe they’re already doing “enough” for well-being, yet their initiatives often remain superficial and reactive rather than integrated into leadership culture.
Early in my career, I often found myself in rooms where data-driven results were prioritized over human connection. I had to prove that emotional intelligence and well-being aren’t “soft” topics—they are core leadership skills that directly impact business success.
I overcame this by building a track record of innovation and measurable impact, demonstrating that well-being-driven leadership isn’t just good for people—it’s good for business.
How do you think women have shaped leadership and well-being over the years? What unique perspectives do women bring to the table?
Women have been at the forefront of reshaping leadership, bringing empathy, resilience, and a long-term perspective into spaces once dominated by short-term gains and rigid hierarchies.
Visionaries like Marion Woodman and Virginia Satir revolutionized our understanding of emotional intelligence, family psychology, and feminine leadership, emphasizing the importance of balance, self-awareness, and deep human connection. Their work laid the foundation for a leadership style that values intuition, collaboration, and sustainable success—qualities that are now proving to be critical in modern leadership.
Women leaders humanize success—we prioritize emotional depth, team well-being, and meaningful impact. In today’s workplace, where burnout and stress are at an all-time high, this perspective is more important than ever.
What are the most urgent well-being challenges women face in leadership today, and what changes need to happen?
The biggest issue is that burnout is still treated as a personal failure rather than a systemic problem. Women in leadership often face double expectations—delivering high performance while also shouldering emotional labor, mentorship, and organizational culture-building.
We need to stop normalizing stress as a badge of honor and instead redefine success. Organizations must shift from reactive wellness programs to proactive well-being strategies, embedding emotional intelligence and mental resilience into leadership development.
Well-being shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be a leadership priority.
Leading at a high level can be demanding. How do you personally balance leadership and well-being, and what advice would you give to other women?
I used to believe that working harder meant achieving more—until I realized that sustainable success requires self-awareness and balance. Leadership isn’t just about pushing forward; it’s about knowing when to pause, reflect, and realign.
My advice? Prioritize self-awareness as much as strategy. Know your energy limits, set boundaries, and practice emotional intelligence in your own life—not just in your leadership. True leadership starts with leading yourself.
How does having more women in leadership impact workplace well-being and culture?
When women step into leadership, we change the metrics of success. We shift the focus from pure performance to sustainable growth, from competition to collaboration, from burnout to well-being.
Having more women in leadership creates workplaces where emotional intelligence is valued, where success includes mental and emotional health, and where leadership is about connection, not just control.
When women lead, we bring humanity into business—and that transforms everything.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles in well-being and transformation?
- Own your unique perspective. Women bring a different kind of intelligence to leadership—one that values connection, resilience, and emotional depth. These are not weaknesses; they are your superpowers.
- Challenge outdated leadership norms. Success doesn’t have to come at the cost of well-being. Redefine leadership in a way that serves you and others.
- Build a strong support network. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and allies who understand and uplift your vision.
- Never stop learning. The world is shifting—the future of leadership belongs to those who integrate emotional intelligence, technology, and human-centered innovation.
A Call to Action: The Future of Leadership is Well-Being
As we celebrate Women’s Day, we must remember: women’s leadership isn’t just about breaking barriers—it’s about redefining success for future generations. It’s time for organizations to prioritize well-being as a leadership necessity, not just a luxury.
“The next generation of leaders won’t be defined by how much they achieve, but by how well they lead—with empathy, resilience, and a deep commitment to human well-being.”
Let’s lead the change—together.
