Her Story
About Cassandra
Cassandra Wesselman serves as Chief Executive Officer of a finance company in Austin, Texas. She entered the banking world around 2009 or 2010 after working on social impact businesses and running a nonprofit in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. Her main areas of expertise are organizational behavior and group dynamics, complemented by knowledge in data intelligence and artificial intelligence. Wesselman holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from UCLA and an MBA from Pepperdine University, and she has participated in programs at Harvard. She is permaculture certified and was previously a licensed broker-dealer in California. Notable achievements include authoring White House playbooks for pandemics published by Cambridge and leading a work stream on COVID-19 prevalence and data analysis. She is a member of CHIEF Women's Network Group and a founding member of Jahara and the Council of Corporate Leadership for the Rosalind Franklin Society. Wesselman operates the Epicurus Foundation and supports the Robin Thermith charity.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cassandra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to not living in fear, uncertainty and doubt. Fear, uncertainty and doubt really will stand in your way. The movement I've been able to make in my career is because I can be exactly the way I want to be without having any fear.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is don't let perfection stand in the way of progress. Doing your best and being your word is always what should be, but I don't try to perfect the little things, basically, and just get to market, get going, get moving, take that first step. Don't try to please everyone or avoid looking silly or stupid or crazy.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Sharpen your elbows. There's very few women at the top in finance. Hold your space. Don't let anybody convince you you're not supposed to be there or that they know better than you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There's immense opportunity in data intelligence and artificial intelligence. It's a massive opportunity but also a big challenge because rapid expansion doesn't mean it's safer or better. Need to slow down and make sure we're taking the right step.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Unconditional love for everybody I meet, even those that have shamed or hurt me. Sovereignty of attribution and data, giving people the right and entitlement to that attribution and any reciprocity affiliated with that.
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