Journey To Lead’s Post

“Curiosity is my compass,” says Alexis Zhu, and it’s led her to the cutting edge of fintech. As Stripe’s global head of strategic payment partnerships, she’s rethinking how businesses scale—and how people, especially the underserved, access the digital economy. Her journey didn’t start in Silicon Valley. Born in China to a mechanical engineer father and an acupuncturist mother, she moved to Wales, and then the U.S. at age five, speaking limited English but filled with questions. She dreamed of being a scientist, lawyer, or writer. Instead, she landed in finance, cutting her teeth in banking and private equity before jumping into startups. Now, she leads a team at Stripe building non-card payment solutions through partnerships for millions worldwide who lack access to traditional credit. “Five years ago, I didn’t fully grasp how fragmented the global financial system is,” she admits. “This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about access.” Her work tackles real barriers, particularly for small business owners, who immediately benefit from turnkey financial tools. By adding local payment options, she’s ensuring inclusion isn’t just an afterthought. "Anyone, anywhere should have the ability to access and pay for the same goods and services the rest of the world has access to,” she says. Beyond Stripe, Alexis is an angel investor. “Over 50% of my investments go to female founders,” she says. “It’s not just about leveling the playing field, it’s about the returns; I invest in those who I think will outperform.” She’s also demystifying investing and advising. “You can pool small checks, invest $1000, $2000—or just your time and expertise. You can change someone’s trajectory.” Four years in at Stripe, Alexis isn’t just building financial infrastructure—she’s opening doors for those locked out for too long. Fellow headshot captured by: Heather Crowder