Balancing Leadership and Motherhood: The Journey of a CEO With a Special Needs Child

Managing a career as demanding as a CEO while being a mother of three—including caring for a child with special needs—comes with its unique challenges.

Sophie Condie, who leads the UK fintech company Shieldpay, is mother to eleven-year-old Reuben, eight-year-old and four-year-old, and knows this balance all too well. In 2024, she rose to the position of CEO, a significant milestone that originally brought with it concerns about how her family might adapt, given that her eldest son, Reuben, has Joubert syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting his development.

Early Career and Family Choices

Determined to have both a thriving career and a family, Sophie met her husband at 25, clearly expressing her desire to pursue her profession. By 2013, after nearly a decade in the banking sector, she was a mother to Reuben who required constant care due to his condition. Sophie and her husband initially juggled responsibilities with professional help, but eventually, she took nearly a year off to focus on family needs, including caring for relatives battling cancer.

Despite the trials of caregiving, she found that for her own well-being, returning to work was imperative. The support of a full-time caregiver allowed her to re-enter the workforce, joining the fintech company Form3 in 2017, where she thrived in the high-speed environment.

The Complex Role of a CEO and Parent

Sophie's ascent to CEO was swift and came with its set of trials, particularly after the birth of her third child in 2021. Having made significant progress at Shieldpay, including her promotion to Chief Operating Officer, Sophie was soon asked to handle the broader strategic challenges as CEO, amid organizational changes in 2024.

While leadership offered professional rewards, it introduced complexities at home. Conversations with her young daughter revealed how the new role affected family dynamics, prompting crucial discussions about balancing work with personal life.

A Vision for Business and Family Harmony

With her new responsibilities, Sophie aimed high for Shieldpay, attending to strategic planning while still nurturing her team. Recognizing that her company, unlike her family, was not her kin, she worked doubly to be mentally present with her children, intentionally detaching from her phone during family time.

Her husband’s decision to become a full-time caregiver was pivotal. Opting against additional help at home, he manages the day-to-day needs of Reuben as well as his two other siblings, further supporting Sophie’s career.

Active conversations with her kids assure them that her career doesn't overshadow their importance. Although her schedule often keeps her at work until late, she makes an effort to be home earlier at the start and end of the work week, disconnecting during weekends unless work emergencies arise. Her children are familiar with her absences at daily school events, but she prioritizes attending their significant activities.

Parenting a Child With Disabilities: An Unexpected Leadership Training

The complexities of parenting a child with special needs have offered Sophie invaluable insights into leadership. Reuben requires a calm demeanor, avoiding loud or unexpected responses, a skill transferred to managing high-tension situations at work.

While being a CEO is intense and taxing, the demands of motherhood, particularly with a child requiring extra attention, are significantly more challenging. To fellow parents balancing career ambitions, Sophie suggests kindness toward oneself in the pursuit of professional growth.