Joanna Pienkowska-Olczak is a payments leader.
She has worked across the financial services ecosystem, from chargebacks and operations to online banking and acquiring. Now, Joanna leads PayU GPO CEE, managing teams across offices in three countries, merchants from all over the Europe, and multiple product suites.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
It’s been an adventure, and it happened really organically. I joined PayU GPO from a bank to lead the development of an in-house acquiring centre. I’ve been here for 14 years now, and worked my way up to CEO gradually – first taking responsibility for partner and cost management in Poland and then our P&L, which led to me becoming Country Manager. From there I joined the Board, and ultimately became President of the Board and CEO of CEE.
What are the key roles in your field of work, and why did you choose your current expertise?
When I began my professional career in 1997, I was working for a bank in their card function. Payment cards were new in Poland at the time, so it was really exciting! The card centre was essentially a fintech within a bank, and I loved being part of building products from the ground up.
My role at the bank evolved to include responsibility for direct banking products as well as the card products, and my career at PayU GPO took off from there. Many things have changed during my career – I’ve gone from a bank to a much smaller company, and have then been part of growing that into a global business. What remains constant is my passion for taking part in creating value that has a clear impact on consumers and merchants.
What are you most proud of in your career, so far?
I’m in the privileged position where I can’t choose just one! Going from chargeback specialist to managing a card and banking product portfolio in just 14 years was a meaningful milestone for me. On the product side, I’m incredibly proud of the acquiring services solution we built from the ground up at PayU GPO. I also reflect on the management and leadership skills I’ve developed over my career – I have led teams at PayU GPO through constant changes within the business.
I’m also incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to take part in the merger of card products from two separate banks in Poland after one was acquired. That experience before I joined PayU GPO pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I learned a huge amount through the successful integration.
More than anything though, I’m proud of how I am able to balance my personal life with my career. I have two wonderful daughters who are 15 and 12, and I am able to be a mother, wife and CEO. I spend time travelling with my family whenever it’s possible, and we enjoy making the most of evenings and weekends with activities closer to home.
What does an average workday look like for you?
There is no such thing as an average day – that’s one reason why I love my job! Of course there is the standard set of internal reviews and meetings, but I spend a significant amount of time with our key customers and partners. Mostly this is in Warsaw and Poznan, but I also travel to Bucharest and Prague as well as other cities across the region. We meet virtually too, but there’s no substitute for face-to-face relationship building.
Are there any specific skills or traits that you notice companies look for when you’re searching for roles in your field?
Experience leading teams is always attractive to employers, so I’d suggest that women who are early in their careers put their hands up to manage small projects as early as possible. Managing upwards is a skill fintech companies are always looking for too.
It’s also important to have a deep understanding of your market. Read the wider business news as well as the trade media; go to events; make connections. Be curious and soak up everything.
Finally, in a fast-changing industry, you must remain open minded. Consumer behaviours can change as fast as technology can evolve, so to succeed in fintech you have to prioritise constant development as an individual. It’s all too easy to fall out of touch if you don’t.
Has anyone ever tried to stop you from learning and developing in your professional life, or have you found the tech sector supportive?
I’m incredibly lucky to say this, I know – but I have found the fintech sector to be supportive. I have always felt welcome ‘in the room’ and my colleagues have always listened to my contributions and made me feel like my insights were valued.
Have you ever faced insecurities and anxieties during your career, and how did you overcome them?
I think everyone feels insecure and anxious sometimes. I try to mitigate it by planning ahead of time – drawing out all the most likely outcomes of a decision and identifying the best approach for all those scenarios.
But, of course, you can’t plan for everything, so that’s when I need to step back, take a deep breath, and remind myself that I’m doing the best I can, which is all that anyone can do.
I also think it’s important to remember that changing your mind is not a weakness! If you are faced with new information or unforeseen outcomes, it shows strength to change direction.
What advice would you give other women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
Don’t give up! Not everything happens quickly. Not everything should happen quickly – the best things in work, as in life, take time. Believe in yourself, and be brave.
Make sure you take credit for your own achievements. Don’t put things down to luck when they were delivered through your own hard work.
Finally, demand to be treated as you deserve to be treated. Working in the tech industry does not mean that as a woman you should have less power. Always remember your value.
