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Juggling Startup Leadership and Parenthood: How This Fintech CEO Found Balance

Sarah Johnson

Sophie Condie stands at the crossroads of ambition and responsibility. As CEO of fintech firm Shieldpay and a mother of three including her eldest son, Reuben, who has a rare genetic condition she’s learned that executive power and mom guilt can coexist. Her journey offers insight into resilience, partnership, and the evolution of modern leadership.

👩‍💼 Pursuing Purpose Beyond Home

Sophie always cherished motherhood, yet she didn’t envision staying home permanently. After Reuben’s birth in 2013, she briefly stepped away from banking to care for him and other family members grappling with the emotional and physical demands of homelife.
But after her second child arrived, Sophie realized that her mental and professional energy thrived in a work environment. Returning first as Operations Director at fintech startup Form3 in 2017 reignited her drive.

🏡 Redefining Responsibilities and Support

When Sophie joined Shieldpay in 2022 as COO then CEO in 2024 she and her husband made a bold decision: he would become a full-time stay-at-home dad. They also arranged full-time care to support Reuben’s needs alongside their other two children.
Open communication became their anchor. Sophie shares candidly with her kids about her leadership role, ensuring they feel prioritized even as she shoulders major responsibilities.

⏱️ Tailored Time Management

Busy weekdays include late office hours, but Sophie structures boundaries: Mondays and Fridays are early evenings at home, and weekends are work-free unless urgent. She makes every effort to attend all school events from sports days to plays keeping her presence felt .

💬 Leading with Empathy and Emotional Insight

Parenting Reuben, who is non-verbal and non-mobile due to Joubert syndrome, deepened Sophie’s emotional awareness. She became adept at reading subtle cues skills she now uses as CEO to connect with team members, understand unspoken needs, and navigate crises calmly.

🌟 Lessons for Professionals and Parents

  • Embrace non-linear career paths: A pause in your career can enrich your leadership, not diminish it.

  • Redefine team roles at home: Sharing caregiving with a partner and external support network creates stability.

  • Set clear boundaries: Intentional scheduling keeps work from overshadowing family life.

  • Turn parenting into leadership: Emotional intelligence honed at home strengthens your ability to lead at work.

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