What do weightlifting and treasury leadership have in common? If you ask Stef Layne—VP of Treasury, Payroll, and GTM Compensation at Klaviyo—it’s more than you think. As a certified personal trainer and co-owner of The 5th Element Fitness, Stef doesn’t just manage millions in global cash flow—she also coaches people through squats, stress, and strategy.
In a recent Fintech Corner podcast episode, “Cash is Queen: Klaviyo’s Stef Layne Shares Lessons on Leading 3 IPOs,” Stef sat down with Trovata’s VP of Marketing, Rida Khan, to discuss how her fitness mindset influences her leadership style within her global money team.
This post distils that conversation into three key takeaways, grounded in her lived experience. If you’re a treasury or finance leader managing high-pressure teams or IPO prep, these lessons offer a fresh perspective.
Let’s lift.
1. Progress Over Perfection
“We try to fail fast in our business and avoid being slow because we’re trying to be perfect.”—Stef Layne
In fitness, aiming for perfection is often a trap. You skip workouts because you didn’t get a good night’s sleep. You hold off starting a routine until you “have more time.”
Stef sees the same tendency in corporate teams, especially in high-stakes treasury environments where teams are handling complex cash operations or preparing for IPOs. But she’s flipped the script.
Just like in the gym, she encourages her team to build consistency over time. It’s okay to miss a rep. It’s not okay to avoid showing up altogether.
By coaching progress as the goal, not perfection, Stef creates a culture where momentum builds confidence. Small wins lead to bigger ones. As someone who starts most mornings in the gym, I felt this one.
It also unlocks better decision-making. When teams feel safe to test and improve—say, trialing a new cash forecasting workflow or experimenting with transaction tagging logic—they move faster. And for treasury leaders preparing for IPOs, managing liquidity, or weathering volatility—that speed matters.
2. Form Matters More Than Force
“I can give you a 3-pound weight and it’ll be the hardest bicep curl if you’re doing it right.”—Stef Layne
No one ever bench-pressed their way through SOX compliance… but form still matters.
Stef draws a clear line between doing more and doing better. In the gym, good form prevents injury. In treasury, it prevents risk.
That’s why she prioritizes precision over hustle. From setting up internal controls to prepping equity plans, Stef’s mantra is: slow it down, do it right, and protect the team from missteps later.
When Klaviyo began prepping for IPO, Stef knew the workload would increase, but she didn’t want corners cut. Her team implemented SOX controls well in advance, reviewed equity implications in detail, and ran cross-functional simulations.
“Take the time to do things the right way—even if you have to pause for a minute and reset,” she explains.
Good form in treasury might look like this:
- Building error-free reporting flows through automation
- Creating review loops across departments to double-check forecasts
- Using tools like Trovata to replace manual spreadsheets with audit-ready data
These small lifts reduce risk and pain down the line.
3. Don’t Skip the Rest Days
“Sometimes you need to stop, take a breath from the screen, and just recover.” – Stef Layne
Fitness isn’t just about lifting. It’s about recovery. Stef brings this principle into her leadership, too.
Treasury teams run lean. And when you’re acquiring a new company or managing crisis-mode cash flows, burnout isn’t far behind. That’s why Stef encourages rest, not just physically, but mentally.
She creates space for her team to decompress, recover, and reset before the next big push. Like a smart training cycle, Stef’s leadership accounts for the full human behind the job.
Here’s how treasury leaders can build in “rest” without slowing down:
- Automate time-consuming reporting tasks
- Block heads-down time after closings or audits
- Create project cadences that include recovery cycles
- Celebrate breathing room—not just busy work
It’s a refreshing approach in finance, where grind culture can still dominate. But it pays off. A rested team is sharper, more creative, and more resilient in tough moments.
Stef Layne’s leadership style proves that strength, precision, and recovery aren’t just for athletes. They’re for every treasury and finance leader trying to build a team that endures—and excels—under pressure.
From prioritising progress to nailing form and encouraging recovery, these fitness-inspired lessons are a powerful framework for treasury teams navigating complexity.
“Take it day by day, keep your network tight, and go get it.” – Stef Layne
Like Stef, your team can get stronger with the right tools. Learn how Trovata empowers treasury teams to automate, forecast, and lead with confidence. Book a demo today.
