Ruchika Lal is a visionary fintech executive with over 20 years of experience in driving growth, innovation, and customer-focused strategies across a range of industries. With a proven track record of successfully scaling businesses and managing portfolios exceeding $100 billion, Ruchika has built a reputation as a dynamic leader in fintech, marketing, and customer innovation.
Most recently, Ruchika served as the Founder and CEO of Winked!, a health and wellness video subscription app. In this role, she pivoted the company from a brick-and-mortar retail model to a cutting-edge digital subscription service, curating a robust video content platform to address challenges related to relationships, careers, and mental well-being. Under her leadership, the company achieved remarkable success, securing angel funding, building market fit, and ultimately executing a successful exit. She spearheaded product development and innovative onboarding techniques, including AI-powered recommendations, which contributed to high conversion rates and engagement metrics.
Prior to Winked!, Ruchika held senior leadership roles at American Express, where she demonstrated unparalleled expertise in B2B payments and analytics. As the General Manager of B2B Payments, she oversaw a $150 billion portfolio, leading a team of 50 professionals across strategy, product development, and business operations. She spearheaded numerous product launches and expansion efforts, resulting in over 60% growth in just four years, outpacing non-B2B portfolios by a significant margin. Her leadership in predictive analytics and customer targeting helped unlock substantial new business opportunities and drive market expansion.
Ruchika also excelled as Vice President & Head of Analytics for American Express’s Small Merchant segment, managing a $100 billion P&L and a global team of over 60 people. Leveraging big data and decision science, she consistently drove double-digit growth by improving customer engagement, retention, and satisfaction. She launched multiple innovative products and capabilities that transformed customer experiences, increasing merchant re-engagement and unlocking significant incremental volume.
Earlier in her career, Ruchika held strategic roles in new business development, contributing to the successful launch of non-card revenue initiatives and de-risking portfolios in high-growth industries. At Ogilvy & Mather in India, she gained extensive experience in marketing and strategic planning, re-launching major brands and driving significant growth.
Ruchika holds an MBA with honors from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a postgraduate diploma in marketing communication from Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad. She has been recognized for her strategic acumen, leadership, and ability to foster innovative cultures. Ruchika’s ability to blend fintech expertise with marketing and customer centric innovation, positions her as a sought-after leader in the rapidly evolving digital finance landscape.
In addition to her corporate success, Ruchika is deeply committed to social impact. She chairs the board of the Art of Living Foundation USA and served on the Board of TLEX (Institute transformational Leadership for Excellence). Her leadership in these organizations demonstrates her dedication to transforming lives through mindfulness, wellness, and social initiatives. She has served on multiple boards including advisory boards for start-ups and scale-ups.
Character:
Ruchika Lal is a resilient and adaptable leader known for her mindful, growth-oriented approach to leadership. She empowers others, fosters trust, and excels at building strong teams that thrive under pressure. Her compassionate leadership inspires those around her to reach their full potential, creating resilient teams prepared for an evolving business landscape.
Knowledge:
With 20+ years of experience across fintech, marketing, and digital transformation, Ruchika’s global perspective and deep expertise have driven innovation and growth in both startups and large corporations. Her work spans the USA, UK, and India, enabling her to lead transformative projects that foster customer growth and digital adoption at scale.
Strategic:
Ruchika’s strategic leadership drives measurable growth, as seen in her successful app launch and her impact at American Express. She leverages market trends and emerging technologies to create competitive advantages, aligning company goals with market opportunities for long-term success through thoughtful, data-driven strategies.
Communication:
Ruchika is a skilled communicator who unites diverse teams and stakeholders around shared goals. Her clear, collaborative style fosters engagement and alignment across initiatives, ensuring all voices are heard. She extends these talents beyond business to inspire and drive social impact and non-profit work.
