Hannah Fitzsimons attacks work and life challenges with a fairly simple credo: "A problem shared is a problem halved."
That premise has worked well for Fitzsimons in her 15 years with payments provider Elavon Merchant Services in Europe, as well as the past three years after her rise to the role of president and general manager.
"When I took the role to lead the European revenue organization on an interim basis, many of my peers contacted me," said Fitzsimons, a 2021 Most Influential Women in Payments honoree. "They lent offers of support and future collaboration to help me retain the position permanently. Their efforts reaffirmed my self-belief that I could successfully lead a high-powered team through genuine partnership."
It was her colleague's encouragement and willingness to share the challenges ahead that convinced Fitzsimons to permanently take on the role.
"With this experience, one of my responsibilities as a leader is to give back to help identify the next level of talent and support them on their growth journey," said Fitzsimons, who has spent a career in financial services and payments that included stints at NatWest and Citibank in the U.K. and Belgium.
Fitzsimons has had a few different roles with Elavon since joining the company in 2005 as head of international corporate sales. She took on more responsibility in 2012 as head of sales for Europe and in 2016 as managing director U.K and international corporate.
That role led to her current position, which has her now leading 1,600 employees in Europe, overseeing revenue, product development, distribution and growth strategy.
"Last year was unprecedented," Fitzsimons noted. "We completed one of our largest acquisitions in decades with SagePay (now Opayo) and integrated them into Elavon. We also supported customers throughout COVID-19 and successfully navigated PSD2 and Brexit."
They were all problems shared and halved in Fitzsimons' view. "I am very proud of our team and their commitment, leadership and ingenuity during these times."
Elavon Merchant Services has been busy during the pandemic, in terms of helping clients convert to contactless payments and expanded e-commerce offerings, as well as pay-by-phone, and creation of e-shops and in-app payments.
"COVID-19 has presented an array of social and health challenges, and businesses are trying to navigate the overall uncertainty," Fitzsimons said. "It has also highlighted the need to support the more vulnerable parts of our society, so people can pay for and access the services they need."
More charities are using contactless technology for donations, and banks and payment companies are working with the private sector on innovative solutions for financial inclusion, she added.
With technology and payments challenges developing at rapid speed during the pandemic and creating higher-than-normal stress levels for all involved, Fitzsimons has made sure her colleagues can continue to feel "psychologically safe to share constructive feedback."
"There is a high level of trust on my leadership team, developed informally and formally, and from bonding on challenging assignments," Fitzsimons noted. "We collect different views and data to arrive at the best decisions and achieve desired outcomes."
Equally as important is to have an open door — both physically and virtually. "Anyone from any part of the organizations should feel comfortable to raise issues or have a quick chat," Fitzsimons said.
Through all of the challenges that a job in payments can present, Fitzsimons turns to lessons learned early in life, taking a cue from a father who knew the business.
"Early on, I learned a lot about the value of independence, being self-sufficient and practicing essential life skills, such as managing my finances," Fitzsimons said. "My father also worked in a part of the payments industry — in cash registers and electronic funds transfer at the point of sale — and he helped inspire my career choice."
Now, she'd like to extend that type of direction to other women, having launched Elavon and U.S. Bank's Business Resource Group for Women in Europe in 2019.
"I am passionate about women's equality and removing barriers to help women progress in their careers," she said. "While we are narrowing the equality gap, we must always aim to do better. We need more female leaders across all industries, including financial services, and as political leaders worldwide."
