Innovating at the Intersection of Technology and User Experience in FinTech

Shruti Khandelwal, a trailblazer in the fintech and payments space, blends deep technical expertise with a sharp product vision to drive transformative digital experiences. With over seven years of experience in building and scaling payment solutions, she is recognised for her ability to lead complex, high-impact product initiatives that improve how millions interact with money.

“Fintech represents a powerful intersection of human need and technical innovation,” says Shruti. “It gives us the chance to solve meaningful problems while driving scalable business growth.”

Shruti’s academic foundation is as solid as her product acumen—holding a Master’s in Product Management from Carnegie Mellon University, an MBA from IIM Kozhikode, and a Bachelor’s in Engineering from BITS Pilani. This rare blend enables her to operate seamlessly at both strategic and executional levels. From enabling digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay to architecting AI/ML-based multi-acquirer routing platforms, Shruti has led innovations across the entire payments value chain.

Her product leadership stands out not only in technical proficiency but in user empathy. “At the heart of every product decision is the user,” she notes. Shruti applies robust frameworks like ICE (Impact, Confidence, Ease) to prioritise roadmaps, while constantly incorporating user research and data insights. She is also adept at aligning business and technical teams, translating needs across functions to foster clarity and momentum.

In one standout initiative, Shruti led the launch of a supply chain lending platform for a leading Indian bank. “The challenge was to make complex financial processes intuitive for small business users while meeting stringent regulatory and security standards,” she recalls. Her strategic mindset enabled her to strike the right balance between compliance and convenience.

Shruti's leadership thrives on innovation and collaboration. “Creating an environment where every team member feels empowered to contribute ideas is essential,” she explains. Her teams regularly engage in brainstorming sessions, and she celebrates creativity to fuel a culture of experimentation. AI/ML capabilities implemented under her leadership have driven significant advancements in authorisation optimisation and fraud prevention.

A skilled communicator, Shruti maintains engagement through metrics dashboards, stakeholder demos, and transparent updates. Her ability to resolve conflicts with proactive dialogue and unify cross-functional perspectives has become a cornerstone of her leadership style.

As the fintech space rapidly evolves, Shruti remains keenly focused on future trends such as blockchain, stablecoins, real-time payments, and AI-powered commerce. Her vision is both expansive and grounded: “We’re not just building products—we’re shaping experiences that redefine trust, convenience, and financial empowerment.”

Recognised with accolades like the Citi Women Leader National Award and the SGGSC National Award by Societe Generale, Shruti Khandelwal continues to chart a bold path in technology leadership, inspiring the next generation of product innovators.