Building a Successful Fintech Career while Balancing Your Homelife: A Q&A with Lynda Strutton, COO of Tribe Payments
Deloitte’s 2022 report delivered a stark message about the state of gender diversity in the financial services industry. Statistics showed that women occupied just 21% of board seats, 19% of C-suite roles, and a mere 5% of CEO positions. While progress has been made over the years, these numbers underscore the need for more concerted efforts to support and promote women in the financial sector.
In light of this, we aim to shed light on some of the women leading the way in the financial industry, as well as the challenges they face, to encourage the progress of diversity. We sat down with Lynda Strutton, Chief Operating Officer of Tribe Payments, to discuss her remarkable career in the male-dominated fintech sector, her experiences supporting gender diversity, and her insights into achieving that all-important work-life balance.
Lynda Strutton: A Journey Through Fintech
Lynda began her career in payments over a decade ago, gaining invaluable experience across Europe and the Middle East. She has held senior positions at notable companies such as Barclaycard, Elavon, and Network International. In early 2022, she joined Tribe Payments as VP of Customer Success and quickly ascended to her current role as COO, where she oversees all commercial, marketing, operational, and product output.
One of Lynda’s proudest moments was securing her promotion to the C-suite while pregnant with her fourth child. This experience inspired her to write a blog post titled “Promoted While Pregnant,” aimed at guiding other women who may be concerned about advancing their careers while starting a family. Lynda emphasizes the importance of building and leading high-performance teams to drive company growth, highlighting a significant achievement where her product team achieved 100% revenue growth within two years from existing products.
The Evolution of Diversity in Payments
Reflecting on her time in the industry, Lynda notes that diversity in the payments sector has improved significantly over the past decade. More women are entering the field, and the emergence of female-focused networking and support groups is a positive development. She observes that younger women today are more confident in speaking up about issues they encounter, a skill that took her longer to develop.
However, Lynda acknowledges that there is still much work to be done, particularly in supporting women to reach senior positions. With only 5% of CEO roles in the industry held by women, she emphasizes the need for initiatives that help women balance career progression with family planning. Lynda also points out the predominance of men at networking events, stressing the importance of creating an inclusive environment where women feel comfortable and supported.
Balancing Work, Family, and Self
As a mother of four and a successful C-suite executive, Lynda understands the challenges of balancing work, family, and personal time. She candidly admits that she doesn’t have it all figured out but shares several strategies that help her maintain equilibrium.
First and foremost, she highlights the importance of working for a company that values work-life balance and supports flexible working patterns, which she has found at Tribe. Lynda acknowledges that feelings of guilt are normal for working parents, and she encourages others to accept these feelings rather than fight against them. She emphasizes the importance of being present with her children during the time she does have with them, whether that means attending school events or planning family trips.
Lynda also stresses the importance of asking for help, a lesson she learned over time. She encourages parents to plan with their partners and involve family or friends to make managing responsibilities more manageable. Above all, she advocates for self-kindness, reminding herself and others that it’s okay to not have everything perfectly balanced.
Paying It Forward and Cultural Differences
Throughout her career, Lynda has been committed to paying it forward by coaching, mentoring, and developing others. She has noticed significant cultural differences between Europe and the Middle East and Africa regarding gender diversity. While Europe still has work to do, Lynda observes that the MEA region is even further behind.
To address this, she initiated female support networking groups aimed at empowering women with success stories and practical skills. These groups also provide support for women facing discrimination or harassment in their roles. Recently, Lynda has been contemplating how to better support men whose partners are working, emphasizing the need for flexibility in balancing family life. She believes that both men and women should have the opportunity to share responsibilities at home.
The Challenge of Networking
Networking can be daunting, especially for someone like Lynda, who admits it doesn’t come naturally to her. However, she recognizes its importance in the business world and makes a conscious effort to engage in it. With limited spare time, she is selective about which events to attend, ensuring that her networking efforts add value to her professional journey.
Prioritizing Mental Health
For Lynda, balancing mental health with a busy life involves finding equilibrium. She prioritizes time with her children, partner, and work while also making room for exercise and personal time. Flexibility is key; she avoids stressing over rigid plans and instead adapts to the demands of her life, ensuring that all aspects receive attention.
Lynda’s career and insights serve as an inspiration for women in or entering the fintech sector. Her journey highlights the importance of work-life balance, supporting diversity, and finding an approach that works for you. Her experiences provide valuable guidance for both women and men looking to thrive in their careers while maintaining a fulfilling personal life.