Ritu Khanna: A Trailblazer in Tech and Commercial Leadership
Ritu Khanna is a highly regarded senior executive who has made significant contributions to the technology and fintech sectors. With a focus on commercial leadership and a proven ability to drive revenue and market share growth, Ritu has established herself as one of the top leaders in the industry. Known for her strategic acumen and expertise in product and go-to-market (GTM) functions, Ritu’s career has spanned some of the most prominent companies in the world, including Gusto, Shopify, PayPal, and RBC Royal Bank.
Early Life and Education
Ritu Khanna’s journey to becoming a prominent figure in the technology and commercial sectors began with her solid educational background. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Toronto, a foundation that would prove essential as she navigated the complexities of business and technology in her later career. Building on her undergraduate studies, she went on to pursue an Executive MBA (EMBA) from the Ivey Business School at Western University, further enhancing her leadership and management skills.
Career Beginnings
Ritu’s professional journey started in the early 2000s, where she held various roles in the financial sector. Her career began at CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce), where she worked as a Manager in Strategic Initiatives and Product Development. This early experience gave her the tools she would need to work with strategic partnerships, product management, and corporate development — skills that would be crucial in her future roles.
She later moved to RBC Royal Bank, where she served as a Senior Manager in Product Management for Business Credit Cards. At RBC, Ritu refined her expertise in product management, focusing on business credit cards and co-branded products. Her time at these institutions helped build the foundation for her future leadership roles in the tech and fintech sectors.
Rise to Prominence: PayPal and Shopify
Ritu Khanna’s journey to global prominence began when she joined PayPal in 2014, taking on the role of Head of Payment Products and Engineering for Canada and the USA. During her four-year tenure at PayPal, Ritu was instrumental in driving the company’s growth in Canada, one of its top-performing markets. She was responsible for growing PayPal’s financial ecosystem partnerships, developing new products, and reducing transaction costs. Additionally, she played a key role in regulatory initiatives, liaising with government bodies such as the Bank of Canada and Payments Canada.
Ritu Khanna’s leadership at PayPal culminated in her role as Head of Global Core Payments, where she led strategic partnerships and payment solutions, further cementing her reputation as a leader capable of navigating the complexities of global commerce. Her ability to deliver results in both the Canadian and U.S. markets provided her with the experience needed for even larger responsibilities in the tech sector.
In 2018, Ritu joined Shopify, one of the world’s leading e-commerce platforms, as Head of Commercial, Financial Solutions. Her mission was to build and monetize Shopify’s global financial ecosystem, which included digital wallets, payment gateways, and alternative payment providers. In just eight months, Ritu delivered unprecedented profitability for the company, marking her as a force to be reckoned with in the tech world.
Ritu Khanna Shopify
Ritu Khanna’s leadership at Shopify continued to thrive as she took on increasingly larger roles. As Managing Director, North America, she led a team of 1,300 employees and helped scale Shopify’s largest region, driving $3 billion in revenue. Her ability to lead cross-functional teams across sales, account management, marketing, and partnerships contributed significantly to the company’s growth. In this role, Ritu was responsible for Shopify’s expansive product suite, which included payments, capital, and fulfillment services.
As VP of Global Partnerships and Monetization at Shopify, Ritu scaled the company’s partner go-to-market (GTM) channel by 4X. She also helped drive product growth through strategic partnerships with technology firms, private equity firms, and global agencies. Her efforts helped Shopify solidify its position as a leader in the e-commerce space and expand its reach globally.
Current Role at Gusto
In 2025, Ritu Khanna took on the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Gusto, where she is responsible for driving global growth. Gusto, a prominent company offering cloud-based software solutions for small businesses, has benefited from Ritu’s expertise in both product and revenue growth. Her track record in scaling products and optimizing commercial functions made her an ideal fit for this high-impact leadership position.
At Gusto, Ritu Khanna’s primary focus is on leading the company’s commercial strategy, overseeing product monetization, and driving revenue growth through innovative partnerships. Her experience in managing large teams and building scalable solutions has made a significant impact on Gusto’s market expansion.
Leadership Philosophy and Impact
Ritu Khanna’s leadership philosophy revolves around agility, accountability, and a long-term vision for sustainable growth. She has consistently been recognized as a top leader who develops teams that deliver results across multiple vectors, including immediate impact and long-term strategic goals. Ritu’s leadership is characterized by her ability to build strong, diverse teams that can adapt to change while driving consistent growth.
Her ability to lead global teams, navigate complex regulatory environments, and scale products for market growth is a testament to her prowess as a commercial executive. Ritu has made it clear that age and background are no barriers to success — her journey from a young professional to one of the top leaders in the tech industry is proof of that.
Conclusion
Ritu Khanna’s career is a prime example of what can be achieved through hard work, strategic thinking, and relentless dedication. From her early days in finance to her roles at global tech companies like PayPal, Shopify, and now Gusto, Ritu has proven herself to be a visionary leader capable of driving revenue, scaling products, and navigating the complexities of the global market. Her story is an inspiration to aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs, showing that success in the competitive tech industry is achievable with the right mindset, experience, and determination.
