Tala, recognized for its innovative approach to financial inclusion, has welcomed Damier Xandrine as its new Chief Legal Officer. Xandrine, whose career spans over two decades, brings a wealth of experience from her previous high-level roles at Wells Fargo, Silicon Valley Bank, Marqeta, and KOHO.

During her tenure at Wells Fargo, which began in 2016 and concluded in 2020, Xandrine ascended to the role of Senior Vice President. Her subsequent positions in the legal departments of Silicon Valley Bank and Marqeta, as well as her most recent role as Chief Legal Officer at KOHO, have cemented her reputation as a formidable figure in the legal realms of financial technology.

Tala operates from Santa Monica, California. The company was founded in 2011 and has since been at the forefront of extending micro-loans to consumers and small businesses in emerging markets. By harnessing mobile technology and data analytics, Tala evaluates creditworthiness beyond conventional financial records, focusing on regions including Kenya, India, and the Philippines.

Tala's recent achievements include securing $350M in funding (over 12 rounds), reaching an $800M valuation, and notably increasing its loan volume to $5B, impacting nine million individuals across three continents—an uptick from $3.4B the previous year.

Xandrine steps into the role previously held by Robert Irwin, who concluded his tenure at the end of last year. Irwin has since joined Immutable, a company specializing in crypto assets for gaming, as a senior legal counsel in Australia.

Xandrine's decision to join Tala comes after a purposeful sabbatical where she contributed to educational efforts in New Orleans. She expressed her dedication to addressing "real world problems" and highlighted her commitment to advancing financial and educational literacy—a personal passion that aligns with Tala's mission.

She acknowledges the challenges ahead, particularly the need for innovative legal strategies in rapidly evolving tech sectors. Xandrine emphasizes the importance of proactive legal analysis and readiness to navigate new regulations and compliance measures in the dynamic landscape of financial technology.

With Xandrine's extensive background and forward-thinking approach, her leadership is expected to bolster Tala's legal and regulatory framework as the company continues to expand its reach and impact in providing essential financial services to traditionally underserved communities around the globe.