From Corporate Career to Industry Leader: Camilla Bullock on Leadership, Trust, and Building the Payments Ecosystem

Some leaders build companies. Others build rooms where progress happens.

Camilla Bullock is one of those rare connectors.

Born in a small working town in Sweden and now CEO and co-founder of the Emerging Payments Association Asia, Camilla sits at the intersection of banks, fintechs, regulators and global innovators shaping how money moves across the Asia-Pacific region. But her story is not about payments. It is about people.

In this conversation, Camilla shares the unexpected path that took her from corporate life at Thomson Reuters to building one of the region’s most influential industry communities. Along the way she speaks openly about impostor syndrome, redundancy during maternity leave, founding an industry body almost by accident, and the quiet leadership required to bring competitors into the same room.

This is a conversation about trust, resilience, and the courage to step forward before you feel ready.

Key Highlights

From a small town in Sweden to the global payments stage

Camilla’s journey began far from boardrooms and industry conferences. Growing up in a small Swedish town, she developed a curiosity about the world early, travelling abroad, studying financial services, and eventually landing in London where a “banana peel moment” dropped her into the world of financial data and markets.

The unexpected lessons of corporate life

Fourteen years inside Thomson Reuters shaped Camilla’s leadership philosophy. Working in sales taught her that influence does not start with pitching a product. It starts with listening deeply and offering value first. Relationships, curiosity and trust became the foundations of everything she built later.

A moment that changed everything

Redundancy during maternity leave, combined with serious health challenges within her family, forced Camilla to pause and reassess her life. Instead of retreating, she chose to give back. For her 40th birthday she raised close to $50,000 for charity by organising eleven community events. In the process she discovered something powerful - when people gather around a shared purpose, extraordinary things happen.

Building an industry community almost by accident

The Emerging Payments Association Asia was never part of a grand master plan. What started as a side project alongside a boutique consultancy quickly grew into a full-time mission. Today the organisation connects banks, fintechs, policymakers and innovators across one of the most complex payment ecosystems in the world.

Camilla’s role is not to be the smartest voice in the room. Her role is to build the room.

Leadership without ego

One of Camilla’s greatest challenges came when her co-founder stepped away from the organisation. Suddenly she had to claim the title of CEO and lead the industry body on her own. It took time and courage to step fully into that role. Her approach since then has remained simple: surround yourself with brilliant people, stay curious, and keep moving forward.

What makes Camilla Bullock’s story compelling is not the scale of the industry she works in. It is the humanity behind how she leads.

Payments may power economies, but progress happens through relationships. Through listening. Through creating spaces where different perspectives can meet without conflict.

Camilla reminds us that leadership does not always begin with confidence. Sometimes it begins with a small step, a willingness to connect people, and the courage to build something meaningful before you know exactly where it will lead.

And often, the most powerful thing a leader can do is simply bring the right people into the room.

Connect with Camilla Bullock: LinkedIn

Emerging Payments Association Asia: LinkedIn | Website

This episode is brought to you by: Cell Wellness Co

Connect with Kirsty Gee: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website