FinTech Female Fridays: Meet Kelsey McMahon, Enterprise Account Executive at Yext

Kelsey's career trajectory is a testament to the power of embracing change and seizing opportunities. She began her professional journey in financial services, holding various roles such as account management, underwriting, RFP writing, relationship management, and strategic relations. Each position, though distinct, served as a building block, leading her to her current role as a leading sales executive at Yext.

Looking back, Kelsey recognizes that every role she undertook was more than just a job; it was an opportunity to learn, grow, and prepare for the next challenge. At the time, she didn't always see the connections, but now she understands that each experience was a stepping stone in her career. This journey underscores the idea that careers aren't linear, they're a series of steps, some planned, others unexpected, but all valuable!

Embracing Innovation

Joining Yext marked a pivotal moment in Kelsey's career. Yext is an innovative organization that thrives on challenges. They partner with businesses to enhance their online presence, ensuring consistent, accurate, and engaging experiences for customers across various digital channels. From SEO and websites to social media, texting, and reputation management, Yext empowers brands to transform their digital presence into a competitive advantage.

What excites Kelsey most is the company's commitment to thinking differently and disrupting the marketplace with forward-thinking solutions. Investing in technology is at the forefront of their strategy, and she finds it inspiring to be part of a team that's consistently one step ahead.

For Kelsey, it's about making a difference. Supporting her customers in ways that are meaningful to them and simplify their lives is incredibly important. By providing automation, data analysis, and process optimization, she helps clients remove obstacles from their workflows, allowing them to focus on what truly matters to their business.

One of the most valuable lessons Kelsey has learned across her various roles is the importance of networking. Financial services encompass a broad spectrum of industries, including asset management, investment banking, and mortgage firms. Connecting clients across these sectors fosters collaborative environments where best practices are shared, and innovative solutions are born. Networking isn't just about building connections; it's about creating communities of support and growth.

Looking ahead, the future of FinTech is incredibly exciting to Kelsey. Yext is also in growth mode, continuously investing in new technologies.

The company is listening to its customers and using their feedback to refine and enhance solutions. Artificial Intelligence is another hot topic to Kelsey as it is poised to drive customer experiences throughout 2025 and beyond. The integration of AI will particularly revolutionize how businesses interact with customers, making experiences more personalized and efficient.

Embracing Career Growth and Change

One of the most empowering realizations Kelsey has had is that careers are not linear. She always assumed she would remain in financial services throughout her career, but diving headfirst into SaaS has been one of the best decisions she's made. The landscape of work is evolving, and future roles may not even exist today. It's essential to keep an open mind, surround oneself with people one admires, and think outside the box.

More on Kelsey

Where you currently live: Hartford, Connecticut

Family at home: Husband and two boys (3 and 4.5 years old)

Hometown: Hartford, Connecticut

Favorite show to binge: Anything on Bravo

What's the best job decision you ever made? 

Moving into the FinTech space! The leap of faith has been extremely rewarding. I have learned so much about cutting-edge technology, while being able to partner closely with the firms I support because I understand what it is like to work for large institutions. There is a whole world of opportunity out there; go grab it.

What keeps you motivated?

Always remember your “why.” Staying grounded and motivated, especially when challenges arise, can feel like an uphill battle. If you remember why you love what you do, you will be successful. My “why” is my family, including my husband and two boys. They are the rock to my roll.

Daily Diary

6:00 AM: Start the chaos! Our mornings are very busy: breakfasts to be made, lunches to be packed, and getting the boys off to preschool. I always say we've worked a full day before 8:00 AM.

8:00 AM: Log on and do a quick scan for priority emails. Answer what is urgent and find time for coffee and breakfast.

8:30 AM: Plan my week and make updates to SFDC. This helps me stay focused and prioritize where my time is best spent. I attach sticky notes with “To Dos” onto my monitor. Nothing feels better than crossing off a task when it's accomplished.

10:00 AM: Typically, my meetings begin around 10:00 AM ET. I partner with my customers and prospects to provide strategic support, along with my incredible Customer Success Managers.

1:00 PM: Lunch! I try my best to step away from my computer and take a 30-minute break. It helps me reset. I try to get outside for some sunshine—hoping for warmer weather in Connecticut soon!

1:30 PM: Finish the day strong. Create presentation decks, join internal and external meetings, etc. Prioritization remains key.

5:00 PM: Pick up my kids from school. Weather permitting, we play outside for as long as we can. Fresh air makes all the difference.

6:00 PM: Make dinner and focus on my boys: puzzles, books, trains, etc. Unless it is absolutely imperative, I do my best not to check emails or Slack during this time. My focus is solely on them.

8:00 PM: Lights out for the little ones! Try to take some “me” time, whether that’s reading, watching a little TV, or unwinding before bed.