CEO MONTHLY / JUNE 2025 8 ens Bader joined Calida Financial as its CEO in September 2024, after rising up the ranks to assume his position. He initially entered the industry as a Junior Marketing Manager at an early payments and tech company – the role that gave Jens what he refers to as the “payments bug.” Ever since, he has worked within the payments industry, gradually moving through various commercial roles before finally entering leadership positions. Throughout the course of his career, Jens has been fortunate to work with payment providers of all sizes – from early-stage startups to large blue-chip companies. “The timing worked in my favour, too,” he reflected. “I entered the industry back in the early 2000s, before payments were even regulated, and I’ve had the chance to witness and be part of the massive evolution that’s taken place since – across regulation, technology, and the globalisation of payments.” “One thing that has been essential throughout is my belief in lifelong learning. It’s not always easy to keep up, especially as the pace of tech cycles continues to accelerate, but in this industry staying up to date isn’t optional.” Leveraging his vast experience, Jens had developed an approach to leadership that entails remaining available, but never intrusive. He opts for being hands-off when managing people directly, instead placing trust in his team and viewing his role more as a resource than a director. Jens believes that his best offering is his experience and knowledge, which he tries to use to empower and support others on his team, striving to treat everyone equally. Ultimately, Jens recognises that having active involvement in the day-to-day operations of Calida Financial is one of the best ways to share what he knows and help the people around him grow. “Earlier in my career, I was more focused on giving direction and telling people what to do,” he explained. “Over time, I’ve learned that people often thrive when they’re given Jens Bader: Driving Innovation and Growth in Fintech Founded in 2022, Calida Financial is an established financial service provider with extensive experience and a wealth of knowledge, renowned for seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with trusted expertise. The company is expertly steered by Jens Bader, its CEO and a prominent payments expert boasting extensive knowledge and experience in the financial technology and payment processing industry. We spoke with Jens to learn more, as he is named in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2025. the space to take ownership, with support when they need it. That shift has made a big difference in how I lead today.” Jens leads a diverse, international team, which he told us brings a great mix of perspectives, ideas, and energy to Calida Financial. One of his biggest prides at the company is the space the team have created for people to take on responsibility, step up, and truly get involved in shaping a company. As a result, the internal culture is a relaxed, open, and fair environment where each member of the team is entrusted and encouraged to do their job and grow. Integrity lies at the very core of Jens’s operational approach, believing it to be the most important element of business. Over the years, Jens has seen firsthand the results of individuals losing their integrity – or those that never possessed it to begin with – and shared that it is always an unfortunate sight. He told us: “Integrity builds trust, and without trust, nothing sustainable can grow. That is a principle I try to live and lead by every day.” “I see culture as something that is lived, not enforced – so I stay close to the team, stay approachable, and try to lead by example. The team really is the foundation of our success, and I believe that when you create the right environment, people naturally thrive.” Recognised as Austria’s Most Influential CEO 2025 in Fintech Solutions, Jens has grown and evolved into an excellent leader since first entering the industry, building a remarkable wealth of knowledge along the way. For budding CEOs, he shared the following advice: “First, stay close to your business – know what is really going on, and care about the details. It’s easy to get pulled into industry noise, but staying focused on what truly matters will serve you better in the long run. “I also recommend keeping a healthy distance from social media and leaving politics at the door; they can be distractions more than anything else. And maybe most importantly, don’t think of leadership as ruling – think of it as enabling. Your job is to help people do their best work, not to control every move. That mindset makes a huge difference.” J Contact: Jens Bader Company: Calida Financial Ltd. Web Address: www.calida.financial
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