From street journalism to community strategy: Saumil’s journey to Chime
When Saumil Joshi moved from India to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in media and communications, he didn’t expect that documenting local stories and building digital communities would eventually lead him to one of the most people-centric roles at Chime.
Today, Saumil is a Community Operations Specialist, helping tens of thousands of Chime members feel seen, supported, and celebrated every day. Read on to hear the story of his journey to Chime and how his unique approach lends itself to providing top-notch support.
Finding community before it had a name
While Saumil finished his undergraduate degree in computer science, it didn’t take long for him to realize coding wasn’t for him. "It didn’t excite me to wake up and write code," he says. Instead, he took to the streets of Vadodara, India with a camera, capturing moments and stories and sharing them online. That passion evolved into Our Vadodara, a hyperlocal media outlet that eventually grew to more than 1.5 million followers.
"I was reporting problems, but I wanted to create solutions too," he explains. So he launched a Facebook group that grew to over 100,000 members. The group caught the attention of Facebook itself, which offered Saumil formal training in community management. That’s when it clicked: community-building wasn’t just a passion. It could be a career.
Over the years, Saumil has brought his community-building experience to a wide range of industries: politics, healthcare, rideshare, fintech, and startups. He loves that no two communities are alike: "Every community is different," he says. "You can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach." It’s his tailored approach and unique perspective that made him a great fit for Chime.
"Every community is different. You can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach."
From member to builder
Saumil first discovered Chime while studying in the U.S. as a graduate student. With no credit history, he turned to Chime to start building his financial foundation, starting with his credit. "I saw how useful it was,” he says. “I now know what it feels like to need that kind of support—and to have benefited from it."
When a community role opened at Chime, Saumil jumped right in and applied.
When he joined, Saumil was one of the first hires on the Community team. Our Reddit and Facebook groups existed, but they weren’t moderated or actively managed. "We built the community from the ground up," he says. "Now it’s a safe, welcoming space."
Saumil is especially proud of the shift from transactional content to meaningful conversations: "Now members are sharing tips, celebrating wins, and supporting each other.” As Chime’s member community has grown, Saumil stays connected to his work by understanding their experiences. “Reading our members’ stories—people needing just five dollars for gas or groceries—makes me proudly wear the armor of being member-obsessed,” he says.
More than just moderation
Saumil’s work is broad. Each day starts with a scan of Chime’s Facebook and Reddit groups—flagging trends, responding to questions, and surfacing insights. Beyond daily monitoring, he supports the Social Care team, helps prep for product launches, and works on projects like AI-powered response tools to improve member engagement.
One part of his work that brings him extra delight is Chime’s "Bespoke Moments" program, where Chime surprises members celebrating major milestones with personalized gifts. For example, if someone improves their credit score enough to secure a new apartment, Chime might send them a unique housewarming gift.
For Saumil, the joy from this program is about more than what members get in the mail, though: "It’s not about the swag. It’s about showing members we’re paying attention."
A culture of care
What stands out to Saumil most about working at Chime is how intentional the culture is—both in how it treats members and employees. "They care about what I bring to the table, not how I speak," he says, reflecting on his experience as a non-native English speaker. "I’ve always felt heard at Chime."
And as a co-lead of Chimmigrants, Chime’s Chimer resource group (CRG) for immigrants, Saumil feels that support goes beyond words. "Chime’s leaders are curious about every Chimer’s story. They want to hear it, and that means a lot."
Looking ahead
Now that Chime is a public company, Saumil believes the community we cultivate is more important than ever. "We’re in a new chapter,” he explains. “There’s more visibility, more opportunity. And still, our job is to make sure our members feel heard—no matter what stage our company is at."
He hints that new community initiatives are on the way. "We’re just getting started, and I’m excited to help shape what’s next."