As the financial services industry undergoes rapid digital transformation, the demand for tech-savvy talent has never been greater. Fintech companies, particularly in wealth and asset management, are prioritizing AI fluency, data-driven decision-making, and digital expertise to stay competitive.
In this interview, Magdalena Pandiloska, Chief Marketing Officer and Managing Director at iCapital, shares insights on how the sector is evolving, the growing role of technology across all business functions, and what it takes to attract and retain top tech talent.
With a rich background that includes close to a decade at Microsoft, where she held various leadership positions in marketing and communications, Magdalena brings a wealth of experience in driving digital transformation. From AI-powered platforms to fostering a culture of continuous learning, she highlights the key trends shaping the future of financial services and fintech hiring.
How is the fintech industry, including sectors like wealth and asset management, approaching talent acquisition in terms of digital expertise, AI fluency, and data-driven decision-making skills?
MP: Fintech is known for its innovation and its role in transforming traditional financial services by making them more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly. So naturally fintech companies are increasingly seeking professionals with a blend of technical and soft skills. Particularly the private markets and wealth management sector is undergoing a profound transformation, and at iCapital, we see ourselves first and foremost as a technology company powering that change. The demand for tech talent in our industry is growing because firms recognize that digital innovation isn’t optional – it’s essential.
Our platform leverages cutting-edge technology, integrating machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and data-driven insights. This not only streamlines access to alternative investments for advisors and their clients but also supports the entire investment lifecycle, from pre-investment to post-investment. We have invested in hiring software engineers, AI specialists, data scientists, and UX designers. Beyond these critical roles, it is also important that leaders across the organization – whether that’s Marketing, Finance and HR – have technology acumen.
One of the reasons I was brought onto the team at iCapital is because of my deep technology background and expertise. Yes, I have a strong marketing and communications track record, but it was clear during the hiring process that my technology skills and business acumen were also critically important to the organization.
Emerging technologies are rapidly reshaping financial services. Can you share some examples of how your digital platforms and automation are enhancing advisor and client experiences?
MP: The financial services and wealth management industry is undergoing a major transformation, and technology is at the heart of it. At iCapital, we’re focused on replacing outdated, manual processes with seamless, digital experiences that help advisors, asset managers, and wealth managers work smarter and more efficiently. Our platform simplifies the entire investment and fund lifecycle – reducing paperwork, streamlining compliance, and optimizing data management – so advisors can spend less time on administrative tasks and more time serving their clients.
By leveraging secure, transparent digital infrastructure, we help advisors identify opportunities, gain deeper portfolio insights, and make informed decisions with confidence. These advancements enhance trust, improve efficiency, and make alternative investments more accessible than ever before.
The role of leaders is evolving. What new skills do marketing, product, and business leaders need to stay ahead in today’s increasingly digital landscape?
MP: In addition to having subject matter expertise and strong leadership skills, leaders today must also have a strong grasp of technology. In our digital-first world, every role is a technology role. For example, as a member of the executive management committee and team, my role as CMO and Managing Director extends beyond driving impactful marketing and communications campaigns. I also serve as a strategic advisor to my peers in the C-suite, providing insights and guidance on key business decisions.
Both of these roles require me to have a deep understanding of technology, understand how our platform and solutions work, how data informs our product strategy, and how digital experiences drive advisor engagement. Business leaders across all functions must be comfortable working with data, agile in adopting new technologies, and strategic in leveraging AI-driven insights to create value for clients. Having technology acumen is definitely critical.
For professionals considering a career move into financial services, private markets or wealth management, what kinds of tech-focused roles and opportunities are emerging in these industries?
MP: There’s a misconception that financial services and fintech, only needs financial experts, but in reality, we need tech innovators. At iCapital, we have 500+ engineers and technologists in our RnD centre, product development team, as well as a Chief Data Scientist and Chief Product Officer.
Tech talent that can build scalable financial infrastructure, AI specialists to enhance a platform’s intelligence, and cybersecurity experts to protect sensitive financial data are also in high demand. As wealth management becomes increasingly digital, the opportunities for tech talent in this space are expanding rapidly.
Data and AI are driving strategic decision-making more than ever before. How should leaders across functions—beyond IT—develop a strong understanding of these technologies to remain competitive?
MP: Every leader today—whether in marketing, product, or operations—needs to understand how AI and data shape decision-making. At iCapital, AI isn’t just something our engineering team works on; it informs everything from how we personalize advisor experiences to how we optimize our go-to-market strategy.
Leaders should prioritize continuous learning, whether it’s through courses (many of which are free!), hands-on experimentation with new tools, or collaborating with technology and data teams. The ability to ask the right questions about AI-driven insights is just as critical as the ability to execute on them.
As technology adoption accelerates, company cultures must adapt. How can organizations create an environment that attracts and retains top tech talent, even in traditionally non-tech sectors?
MP: All employees, including tech talent, want to work on meaningful, innovative projects, want opportunities to develop and grow their careers and they want to work in an inclusive environment. To attract and retain top tech talent, companies need to foster a culture of innovation, encourage cross-functional collaboration, and provide opportunities for continuous learning. We’ve built an environment where technologists are not just supporting the business—they’re driving it forward.
iCapital offers a robust internal Learning Management System and programs for all our employees, under the internal name ‘iLearn’ . It truly is a best-in-class digital platform that hosts, manages, and deploys diverse educational content and tools. In addition to custom learning solutions, through strategic partnerships with leading external vendors (including LinkedIn Learning’s library of over 10,000 courses!), we provide specialized resources and expertise to all our internal employees that enrich our training programs. We offer different pathways towards certifications as well.
We also adopted M365 Copilot to boost our own productivity, automate tasks, and improve collaboration across our departments.
With AI advancing at such a rapid pace, how can leaders balance innovation with regulatory requirements and responsible technology use in financial services?
MP: In financial services, trust is everything. At iCapital, we take a responsible approach to technology overall, by ensuring transparency, compliance, and rigorous risk management. Our platform is designed to enhance – not replace – the expertise of financial advisors, and we work closely with regulatory bodies to ensure our solutions align with industry standards. Innovation must go hand in hand with governance, and that means building solutions that are explainable, and aligned with client needs.
Looking ahead, what major shifts do you foresee in how companies approach hiring and upskilling tech talent in the next 3-5 years?
MP: The competition for top tech talent will only intensify, and companies will need to take a proactive approach to both hiring and upskilling. At iCapital, we see the future of tech talent strategy as a mix of attracting the best engineers and technologists while also upskilling existing talent in functions across the organization to ensure they have relevant technology skills and acumen.
Retention is equally important; by fostering a culture of continuous learning and providing opportunities for employees to experiment with emerging technologies, we can keep our top talent engaged and motivated. Organizations that invest in continuous learning and provide opportunities for employees to experiment with emerging technologies will have a competitive edge. We’re already seeing the shift from hiring for specific technical skills to hiring for adaptability and a growth mindset, because the technologies we use today will evolve, and so must our teams.