Breaking New Ground: Visionary Women Advancing Financial Health for All

We previously sat down with Zeynep Ton (Professor of Practice, MIT Sloan School of Management, and Co-Founder and President, Good Jobs Institute) on the EMERGE Everywhere podcast to discuss how we all might rethink what makes a good job. We’re excited to feature her once again as we celebrate Women’s History Month. 

As a Professor of Practice at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, Ton is redefining how businesses think about employee financial health – not as a cost center, but as a strategic investment. What began as research into retail operations efficiency unexpectedly led her to a groundbreaking discovery, companies that invested in workers’ financial health through better wages and stable schedules were outperforming their competitors.

Through her influential book “The Good Jobs Strategy” and the nonprofit Good Jobs Institute she co-founded, Ton has demonstrated that employee financial security and business success are deeply interconnected. Ton’s research reveals that low wages don’t just harm workers – they cost companies through high turnover, reduced productivity, and operational inefficiencies. Perhaps most striking is her finding that financial stress is equivalent to a 13-point IQ drop, affecting everything from job performance to decision-making.

Ton’s work challenges the traditional “market pay” mindset that has kept many frontline workers from becoming financially healthy. She advocates for living wages that allow for disposable income beyond basic needs, stable schedules that enable reliable income, and meaningful work that drives both employee satisfaction and business productivity. By showing companies how to create sustainable good jobs that benefit both workers and bottom lines, Ton is helping build a future where financial health isn’t just an aspiration – it’s a fundamental part of business strategy. 

Her innovative approach to workplace transformation makes her an inspiring leader to watch well beyond Women’s History Month. 

Tahira Dosani, a leader in strategy, investment, and fintech innovation, has made significant contributions toward creating financial health for all. Previously, she led early-stage investments at Accion Venture Lab and held key roles at LeapFrog Investments and IPS Asia, driving growth in emerging markets.

In her current role as Co-Founder and Managing Partner of ResilienceVC, Dosani is transforming the landscape of financial health through technology that serves historically overlooked communities. In addition to her investment work, Tahira is an Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins and Georgetown University, sharing her expertise in global finance and economic development.

Dosani’s vision goes beyond traditional venture capital –she’s pioneering a new approach that leverages AI to make financial health more accessible for everyday Americans. She sees financial exclusion as both a social issue and a business challenge, leveraging AI and emerging technologies to serve traditionally “unprofitable” segments. Through ResilienceVC, Dosani backs startups that use technology to cut costs, boost engagement, and expand financial access.

In 2023, ResilienceVC became the early-stage investment manager for the $36 million Discover Financial Health Improvement Fund, where the Financial Health Network serve as a partner, providing evaluation support and bolstering low- to moderate-income communities. Under Dosani’s leadership, ResilienceVC evaluates potential investments not only for their profit potential, but also for their ability to create meaningful social impact. 

In addition, she advocates for the careful testing and refinement of AI applications, ensuring they serve underrepresented populations fairly and effectively. Through this approach, ResilienceVC ensures that financial technology not only responsibly drives business success but does so while prioritizing financial health.

Through her work, Dosani exemplifies how women leaders in financial health are creating systemic change. Her approach demonstrates that profitability and social impact aren’t mutually exclusive – they’re mutually reinforcing when innovators deploy technology thoughtfully and responsibly.

Rochelle Nawrocki Gorey is revolutionizing the financial services landscape with her visionary leadership as the CEO and Founder of SpringFour, a social impact fintech that is making financial health accessible to all. 

Prior to SpringFour, Gorey worked in community development and financial services, where she established herself as a leading innovator in asset development, community reinvestment, and foreclosure intervention. Her insights are regularly featured in publications like American Banker and Fintech Nexus, and she’s achieved widespread recognition, receiving accolades like American Banker’s Most Influential Women in Fintech and Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 250.

Today, through her work at SpringFour, Gorey has pioneered a platform connecting consumers to more than 25,000 vetted local financial resources. This service enables financial institutions to offer an ecosystem of practical assistance, rather than just payment demands when customers face economic difficulties. 

Recently, the company was featured in 2025’s The State of Fintech report, praised for its tangible impact on increasing repayments and improving customer relationships. In 2024 alone, SpringFour delivered more than 8.5 million financial health resources – a 54% increase over the previous year—demonstrating the immense demand for such services.

Gorey’s contributions continue to prove that financial health is not just an industry trend. It’s essential for fostering long-term consumer well-being. Her unwavering commitment to innovation and inclusion continues to shape the future of financial health, bridging critical resource gaps.