Women's World Banking 272d ago

What does the rise of instant payments, CBDCs, and buy-now-pay-later innovations mean for global financial systems—and for the women too often left at the edges of them? In this episode of Making Finance Work for Women, we speak with David Marsh, Chairman and Co-Founder of OMFIF, whose upcoming book Can Europe Survive? examines the economic crossroads facing a fragmented continent and world. We explore how monetary innovation is reshaping policy, power, and participation, and ask what it will take to ensure the new financial infrastructure works for everyone—not just the privileged few. From central banks to street vendors, the ripple effects of change are real—and they’re just getting started. Guest: David Marsh, Chairman & Co-Founder, OMFIF David Marsh is Chairman and Co-Founder of OMFIF, the independent think tank on central banking, economic policy, and public investment. A former Financial Times journalist and European Editor, he has advised financial institutions and governments worldwide on monetary and political developments. Marsh is the author of seven books on Germany, European integration, and the global economy, including The Euro: The Politics of the New Global Currency and Six Days in September, and now Can Europe Survive?. He is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London and the University of Sheffield, and frequently contributes to leading international media. He was awarded a CBE for services to UK-German relations and Germany’s Order of Merit for his contributions to European understanding. Host: Sonja Kelly, Global Head, Women’s World Banking Institute Sonja is the global lead for Women’s World Banking research and learning. Through research on the financial sector, policy trends, financial services providers, and end users, Sonja and her team advocate for women’s financial inclusion. Before joining Women’s World Banking, she advised the U.S. Department of State on strategy for U.S. Embassy engagement in digital finance around the world. She has served as the director of research at the Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion, has held consulting roles at the World Bank and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), and has worked in microfinance at Opportunity International. Sonja holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from American University where she researched financial inclusion policy and regulation. Download OMFIF’s latest Gender Balance Index: https://www.omfif.org/gbi2024/ Order David Marsh’s Book, “Can Europe Survive?”: https://www.omfif.org/2025/09/can-europe-survive-lessons-from-a-fractured-continent/ Download “The Daughters Of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts, and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War” by Catherine Grace Katz: https://www.amazon.com/Daughters-Yalta-Churchills-Roosevelts-Harrimans/dp/0358117852