Growing up in Ghana, Linda was deeply immersed in the world of commerce, often helping her mother sell commodities in the local market. Her father’s remittances from the United States introduced her to the mechanics of cross-border payments, marking her first indirect exposure to the world of fintech and payments—an industry she would later dedicate her career to.
Her academic pursuits in political science, gender studies, and economics were driven by her passion for women’s economic empowerment. During the summers, Linda worked internationally on research projects that explored the culture and identities of Africans in the diaspora and investigated how entrepreneurs in developing economies access financial services to tap into global markets. After graduation, she took on various roles in education, publishing, and consulting, always seeking opportunities to leverage technology to support women-led businesses.
A pivotal moment in her journey came in 2019, during her Fulbright Fellowship in Uganda. As the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the livelihoods of many women entrepreneurs, she partnered with telecom companies to enable contactless payments. This experience solidified her commitment to the fintech and payments industries and led to her current role as Vice President on J.P. Morgan Payments’ Cross-Border Payments team, where she oversees commercialization and go-to-market strategies. Her early exposure to remittances in Ghana has come full circle, shaping her career and purpose within the fintech and payments space.
J.P. Morgan Payments combines treasury services, trade and working capital, card and merchant services capabilities to help clients pay customers or employees, in different currencies, around the world. It processes nearly $10 trillion payments daily, operating in over 160 countries and over 120 currencies. In 2023, J.P. Morgan Payments reported $18.3 billion in revenue across the firm, up from approximately $14 billion in 2022, representing a 31 percent increase, excluding the impact of equity investments. Their Partner Network brings together J.P. Morgan Payments’ extensive suite of payment solutions and third-party relationships to help clients build, implement, expand and optimize payments strategies based on their business needs.
As someone who has worked across diverse industries and held various roles, Linda has always brought an entrepreneurial and self-starter mindset to everything she does. In her current role, she challenges herself by taking full ownership of projects and initiatives, seeing them through from ideation to execution. She proactively identifies the right partners and stakeholders to support her vision and strategically gains buy-in where necessary. A key differentiator for her is the focus on building meaningful relationships. She believes that success is deeply rooted in people and partnerships, so she actively invests her time in genuinely connecting with her collaborators and understanding their needs and motivations.
One trend that particularly excites Linda this year is embedded finance. She is fascinated by how the integration of financial services into non-financial platforms is transforming the way businesses and consumers interact with money. This evolving relationship between banks and fintech/tech companies is reshaping global financial systems. Collaboration is no longer just about competition; it's about partnerships that drive innovation and meet the evolving needs of both businesses and consumers. In her specialization of cross-border payments, there is a strong focus on real-time payments and interoperability. Companies are demanding faster, more transparent payment options, especially as businesses become increasingly global. The convergence of fintech and blockchain technologies is creating solutions that speed up settlement times and reduce the costs of cross-border transactions. Linda believes this area will be particularly exciting to watch, as she feels we are only scratching the surface of what can be achieved with real-time, global payments.
More on Linda
Where you currently live: Brooklyn, NY
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Favorite hobby: Traveling, boxing, exploring different cuisines
What are you currently reading: Automate Your Busywork: Do Less, Achieve More, and Save Your Brain for the Big Stuff by Aytekin Tank; Stubborn Attachments by Tyler Cowen
How do you celebrate your favorite holiday: I love spending time with friends and family, both in Ghana and the U.S., preparing our favorite dishes that blend both cultures—traditional Ghanaian meals alongside classic American holiday fare. There’s nothing like gathering around the kitchen, sharing stories, laughing, and reconnecting over good food and drinks. We catch up on life events, reminisce about old memories, and, of course, enjoy lots of red wine.
What’s one surprising fact about you that most people might not know?
I spent my 9th-grade year in boarding school. And no, not the polished type you’d find here in America, but the kind that forced you to quickly develop street-smarts just to navigate daily life. It was a place where you had to master coursework well above your grade level while also honing survival skills to avoid bullies. You quickly learned the art of bargaining; sometimes, your peace of mind came at a price of a can of Sardines, a box of Kingsbite chocolate, or a calculated assertion of your rights. As a freshman, every choice shaped your future there and believe me, I made my fair share of questionable ones along the way!
What interesting projects are you working on outside of work: These days, I’ve been actively engaged in after-school programs that support the career growth and development of students from underserved communities.
What is one piece of advice someone told you that resonated with you that you can give to other women in FinTech?
One piece of advice that has deeply resonated with me and continues to shape my approach in the fintech/payments space is: “Don’t take "no" as an answer from someone who is not in the position to give you a "yes" in the first place.”
This advice is a powerful reminder to stay focused on your goals and not be discouraged by rejection from those who don’t have the authority or influence to truly impact your career or decisions. In any industry, but especially in fintech—a fast-paced, male-dominated environment—it's easy to internalize a “no” as a final answer, but often it comes from people who aren’t the key decision-makers.
For women navigating this space, it’s essential to recognize whose voice truly matters. Seek out those with influence, who understand your vision and can champion your ideas. This advice encourages you to be strategic about where you seek validation and opportunities. If the first response is a ‘no,’ that’s not the end. Don’t let it stop you from pushing forward or exploring other avenues. Oftentimes, persistence and finding the right advocates can turn a “no” into a “yes.”
What's the best job decision you ever made?
The best job decision I ever made was taking a bold leap and leaving my full-time role to embark on a Fulbright fellowship in Uganda, just a few months after undergoing open-heart surgery in 2019. At the time, I was in a role where I felt underappreciated despite the significant time and effort I put into my work. I was surrounded by senior colleagues who seemed more interested in defending their egos than fostering collaboration. It was an environment where accountability was rare, and I felt invisible—a place where I constantly had to prove my worth, whether for a promotion or a salary increase.
I was ready to take back control of my career and find work that truly aligned with my purpose. So I jumped into the unknown, and it was the best decision I ever made.
That decision challenged me in ways I could never have imagined. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked with local communities in Uganda to facilitate contactless payments, helping women entrepreneurs rebuild their businesses in the face of market shutdowns. This experience not only tested my resilience but also reaffirmed my passion for fintech and payments. It put me on a global stage and allowed me to align my career with my life’s purpose—being an agent of change by supporting underrepresented communities through the banking and financial sector.
Can you tell us about a time someone encouraged you to try a task or take on a project you didn’t think that you would know how to do or be good at?
About a year ago, I was approached by one of the most trusted publications in the world to serve as the Master of Ceremony for their inaugural fintech event in Austin, Texas. They were a prominent British publisher with an events division, looking to break into the U.S. market. At first, I was thrilled by the opportunity, but that excitement quickly turned into anxiety when I received the lineup of speakers. It included a roster of seasoned fintech and payments executives, many of whom had decades of experience. I began to doubt whether I could hold my own and keep such an accomplished audience engaged throughout the event.
Despite my initial hesitation, I was encouraged by my close circle of supporters to take on the challenge. They reminded me of my experience in the industry and my ability to lead with confidence. With their reassurance, I accepted the role and dedicated weeks to preparation—fine-tuning my opening speech, studying the event flow, and ensuring I was well-prepared to handle any surprises.
When the day arrived, I delivered a performance that exceeded my own expectations. My opening speech was even highlighted in my company’s marketing as one of the best “hot start” speeches. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the encouragement from my community, as it pushed me beyond my comfort zone and allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from a mistake you’ve made in the past?
One of the most important lessons I've learned from a past mistake is the value of learning how to work with "difficult" people. Early in my career, I often became frustrated when I had to collaborate with people I couldn’t get along with or who treated me poorly. My initial reaction was to internalize their behavior, thinking it was about me, which only added to my frustration. Over time, I realized that this approach wasn’t helpful and only deepened the divide.
Instead, I began to shift my perspective and look at these interactions through a lens of empathy. I stopped taking their actions personally and started asking myself, Why are they behaving this way? What external pressures might they be facing? Whether it’s stress at home, caring for children or elderly parents, or other personal challenges, understanding that everyone has their own struggles helped me see things more clearly.
By talking to these individuals more, getting to know them on a personal level, and finding common ground, I noticed a transformation in our working relationship. Sometimes, I even became friends with people I initially couldn’t stand! This shift in mindset taught me not to repel “difficult” people, but to lean in, get curious, and find ways to collaborate effectively. Working in groups or teams became much easier once I learned this valuable lesson. It’s about understanding that behind every tough exterior is a person with their own story, and when you take the time to learn it, you can find a way to work together.
Do you have any productivity hacks? What keeps you motivated? How do you maintain a work/life balance?
As a VP, Product Solutions Specialist, my schedule is quite hectic, filled with senior meetings, strategy sessions, mentoring, and other commitments outside of work. To stay productive, one of the most valuable hacks I’ve adopted is meticulously calendaring my day. Every hour or minute is accounted for, whether it’s meetings, deep work, or even breaks. By doing this, you become more aware of how much needs to be done and how much time we often waste without realizing it. Scheduling your day keeps you focused and prevents distractions from derailing your productivity. One technique I’ve found particularly helpful is the Pomodoro method, which involves working in short, intense bursts with breaks in between. It helps me stay sharp, especially during long workdays.
Another tip is Cal Newport's concept of “deep work”—I carve out specific blocks of time to focus without distractions. During these periods, I turn off my phone and shut down email notifications to give my undivided attention to important tasks. These focused sessions help me tackle complex challenges efficiently.
When it comes to maintaining work/life balance, I’ve learned that it’s not always about achieving perfect equilibrium. Life moves in seasons, and there will be times when work demands more of my attention and times when personal life takes priority. What’s key is understanding your values and accepting that balance shifts based on what’s happening in your life at any given time.
For me, balance means being present where it matters most, whether it’s at work or at home. Some months, I might be fully immersed in a project, while other months, I might prioritize family and relationships. What keeps me grounded is the understanding and support from the people around me, both at work and in my personal life. Balance is fluid, and accepting that makes it easier to adapt without feeling overwhelmed.
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