Following on from our recent employee spotlight series, it is an absolute pleasure to continue sharing the stories and insights of our talented team members. Today, we sit down with Yasmine Holliday, Business Development Director at Nucleus, to learn about her journey, leadership philosophy, and how she manages such a dynamic role with her personal life.
Our previous spotlights gave exciting insights into the diverse set of perspectives and experiences that make Nucleus unique. Continuing this tradition, Yasmine shares her take on the changing world of Fintech and how she understands the practice of leadership.
“The past year has indeed been transformative in my professional development,” reflects Yasmine. “I had to particularly strengthen my negotiation and relationship skills. It’s interesting how these skills are interrelated: one can’t do well without the other.”
She elaborates on emotional intelligence’s role in business development: “I learned that empathy and active listening are not just soft skills—they actually form some of the basics of making partnerships that really work for all parties involved. To me, that is the revelation which totally changed my approach toward negotiation.”
She has also embraced the more technical areas of business development. “Data analytics have become part of our strategy. We make wiser decisions with data-driven insights and can foresee market trends and client needs with greater efficiency.”
Yasmine speaks about her journey as a leader: “My leadership style has changed a lot. I was more directive at the beginning because I felt that’s where the clarity of direction lay. The more experience I got, it really taught me the power of working together and the benefits of inclusive leadership.”
This was not merely a theoretical shift but came from real feedback and observations. “My team’s input was integral to this evolution. They helped me understand that when people feel truly involved in decision-making, they bring their whole selves to the table. The results have been remarkable—we’re seeing more innovation, better problem-solving, and stronger team cohesion.”
“This is very close to my heart,” says Yasmine. “Since I am a mum and, at the same time, Business Development Director, it made me really sensitive as to how I allocate my time and energy.”
She shares with us her very practical solution: “It’s about boundaries and being present in whatever one is doing. When I’m working, I’m fully interested in what we’re trying to achieve and the needs of the people that I work with. When I go home, I make sure I’m there for my family, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.”
She says the key has been creating systems that work for both spheres of her life. “Time management isn’t just about scheduling – it’s about understanding your priorities and making conscious choices about where you invest your energy.”
As Yasmine says, “What we’re seeing happening to financial services is amazing. It’s not just about making our jobs more efficient; the whole way customers experience things is changing out of all recognition.”
She then explains the Fintech phenomenon in detail: “What I most love is that technology has made financial services way more inclusive and really user-friendly. At Nucleus, we are at the forefront of this movement; seeing how our solutions make a tangible difference to people’s lives is really rewarding.”
She sees even more ahead: “The finance industry has shown remarkable adaptability. As we continue to integrate new technologies and innovative solutions, we’re not just improving efficiency – we’re creating new possibilities for our clients and partners.”
Her journey at Nucleus exemplifies dynamic business leadership in modern times. Getting adapted to things, being able to learn continuously, growing in a role, and managing a good work-life balance—features of Yasmine’s journey—will inspire professionals through all career stages.
Her story adds another valuable perspective to our growing collection of employee narratives, showcasing the diverse talents and experiences that make Nucleus a leader in the fintech space. We will continue to shine a light on our team members, bringing more stories of this nature that finally put a face to the human behind the scenes at the financial technology end.