Hanoi Morillo, a veteran angel investor, executive, speaker, and author, has transitioned into the role of an entrepreneur. As the CEO and co-founder of Fivvy, a promising fintech startup based in the USA, Hanoi leverages her vast expertise in digital transformation and innovation to revolutionize the industry. Her previous experience as the Chief Digital Officer at Scotiabank has been instrumental in showcasing her exceptional leadership skills and her ability to drive and expedite digital transformation initiatives. That, combined with 15 years in Google and IBM round her profile as leader in tech.
Additionally, she is also making waves as a Shark on the popular TV show “Shark Tank Colombia”.
Below are highlights of the interview:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
Well, if I had to encapsulate myself in a few words, I’d say I’m a person powered by passion, driven by curiosity, and perpetually on a quest for knowledge. I’m like a pilot with an insatiable desire to explore new horizons, whether it’s diving into the ‘shark-infested waters’ of SharkTank Colombia, penning my thoughts into books, or steering the helm of a company in the USA.
These pursuits aren’t just roles I take on; they’re extensions of who I am. I thrive on challenges, and I constantly push myself to venture beyond the familiar. I believe that life is a perpetual learning journey, and I’m always on the lookout for the next opportunity to grow.
In essence, my drive to learn, my appetite for challenges, and my unwavering passion are the threads that stitch together the fabric of my identity. They shape who I am, not just in the boardroom or the office, but in every facet of my life.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company?
I’m originally from Spain, where I studied business administration. My professional journey kicked off at KPMG, and from there, I took a leap into the dynamic world of technology, spending over a decade at Google, where I had the opportunity to work in 30 countries and live in 5 of them. This rich experience paved the way for executive positions at industry leaders IBM and Scotiabank, each role contributing to my deep understanding of the business landscape.
Today, I lead as the CEO and co-founder of Fivvy, a role that I find both challenging and incredibly rewarding. But my professional journey doesn’t end with executive titles.
Beyond leading companies, I also wear multiple hats: as a mentor, an angel investor, a public speaker, and a writer. Each role brings its unique flavor, enriching my professional life and broadening my perspective. So when asked about my background, it’s a rich mosaic of experiences and roles that have shaped me into the professional I am today.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
My success can be attributed to my willingness to take risks and step out of my comfort zone. As evidence of this, I have relocated to different countries six times, transitioned into new roles and companies, made appearances on a TV show, and authored books. Additionally, I am highly self-disciplined when it comes to managing my time and prioritizing my health. Furthermore, I am fortunate to be surrounded by an exceptional group of friends and family who have provided me with unwavering support. These are the values that I cherish and that have contributed to my success.
Which are the major services of the company and how do they the company to get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide?
Fivvy specializes in transforming traditional banks that have lost their competitive edge and are failing to meet their customers’ expectations. We leverage cutting-edge data analytics and machine learning to provide our banks’ customers with a personalized and valuable financial experience that allows them to answer questions like having a personalized budget, payment, or fraud alerts. At the same time, we give real-time customer insights to the FI, enabling them to monetize their own data, make informed decisions about their go-to-market strategies or product development, and build high performing upsell and cross-sell campaigns. In short, we help banks stay ahead of the curve by offering personalized, data-driven solutions that enhance their customers’ banking experiences and increase data-related revenue streams and cost efficiencies. With our platform, any bank can stay competitive, innovative, and customer-focused.
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture? What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture?
In the startup world, we can’t always compete with the big guns on salary packages. But where we can, and do excel, is in cultivating an environment that people genuinely want to be part of. We’ve created a culture where psychological safety, trust, inclusion, and accountability aren’t just buzzwords, they’re the pillars that prop up our every action.
Building such a culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s consciously woven into the fabric of our company, from who we hire to how we operate, from our daily interactions to our team-building activities. It’s about creating a space where everyone feels valued, heard, and part of something bigger than themselves. So, what’s the most important aspect of a company’s culture? In a word, everything
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
Well, it’s akin to asking about the significance of oxygen to life. In the fast-paced, ultra-competitive landscape of today’s business environment, particularly when contending with powerhouses like Mint, Google Pay, and Personetics, innovative ideas aren’t just important, they’re essential.
Within our organization, we view innovation as a compass that guides our journey. We understand that to compete effectively, we must be agile, adaptive, and forever in pursuit of the unique, the novel, the transformative.
We encourage a culture of idea generation, fostering an environment where creativity is nurtured and fresh perspectives are welcomed. Our goal is not to merely keep pace with the industry giants, but to raise the bar, to redefine the norm, and to exceed expectations.
What are your responsibilities as the CEO & Co-founder of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
When it comes to my role as CEO and co-founder, I’m a bit of a chameleon. My day might start with a deep dive into potential investors, then a quick pivot to chat strategy with my amazing team, followed by some detective work to sniff out any roadblocks slowing us down. I might even pop over to the product development side of things – you know, just to keep things spicy.
The highlight of my day? That’s easy. It’s like being a proud parent at a school talent show. Seeing my team shine, seeing them smash their goals, and knowing I’ve had a part in helping them grow—that’s my happy place.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
First off, remember to breathe. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions. Be a sponge. Soak up everything. Listen more than you talk. Be there for your team, not the other way around.
The business world can be a bit of a rollercoaster, so strap in and enjoy the ride. Keep adapting, keep learning, and keep growing. There’s no such thing as the perfect leader, so just focus on being a better one than you were yesterday. That’s the secret sauce.
Website: https://fivvyforbusiness.com/
