Women in FinTech Friday Feature – Leigh Christie
Meet Leigh Christie, Senior Vice President of Global Technology and Innovation at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. We had the pleasure of hearing from Leigh, Tuesday, on LinkedIn Live on her expertise and thought leadership in growing and advocating for innovation and global technology in Austin’s business community. Read more below on Leigh’s day to day and how she became a leading lady in the technology and innovation realms.
Q: How did you end up as a leader in the FinTech Industry?
A: For the last three years, the Global Tech & Innovation team has worked with local, active investors committed to supporting thriving industries that may not be receiving the spotlight they deserve. Arguably, one of these industries is FinTech. Austin has 300+ FinTech companies that call Austin home, and FinTech may be one of our best kept secrets. As a result, my opportunity to lead here is born out of the necessity to do more locally to highlight and better support FinTech founders and companies.
Q: What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?
A: I’m very proud of completing four marathons: San Francisco, New York (x2) and Honolulu. With each marathon, my overriding goal is to enjoy every minute of the training and race. It also serves as a reminder to my daughters that you should always do something you love and that’s just for you.
Q: What are you most excited about with new advances in technology today?
A; The advances with AI are incredibly exciting. There’s no doubt that AI impacts every industry. Austin has been listed as one of the leading hubs for AI technology and advancements and one of the top cities in the world for AI along with Beijing, Hong Kong, London, New York, Seattle and Singapore, to name a few. Founders, companies and universities leading in AI continue to attract capital, which bodes well for the future of AI.
Q: As a female leader, how do you start your day? What are your tips for productivity in the midst of a busy schedule?
A: Coffee, coffee, coffee. After coffee, I often list my top 5-7 deliverables for the day. It’s a must to carve out space and time for the unexpected. I also schedule daily blocks of time to brainstorm and draft deliverables and, most importantly, to take a break and check in with my teenage girls. Taking a walk and listening to a book on tape midway through the day helps clear my head and gives me energy to take on the rest of the day.
Q: Is there one piece of technology you cannot live without?
A: Everyone in our house is currently working or attending school from home. Where in the house any one of us chooses to be on any given day changes frequently so locating one’s laptop, iPhone or headphone charger is a daily game of finding a needle in a haystack. By far, the charging cable is something I cannot live without and it’s always difficult to find in my home.