When you work in finance, it doesn’t take long before friends start asking for advice—how to invest, where to save, what to do with their money. Linda Du knows the drill. After years spent working in microfinance and retail banking across the globe, she became the go-to resource for even the most well-educated people in her circle—proof that financial literacy gaps exist everywhere, regardless of background.
Motivated by those conversations—and her wide-ranging global experience—Linda set out to create financial solutions that are both practical and future-focused. She’s since launched two ventures: Okta Investment GmbH, which channels capital into the industries shaping tomorrow (think: emerging markets, renewables, and late-stage tech), and Moola Money, a platform offering millennials personalized, jargon-free financial guidance. Together, these businesses reflect her core belief that finance should be accessible, transparent, and a force for good.
In this conversation, Linda opens up about what drives her, the values that shape her work, and the spirit of adventure that keeps her always looking ahead.
What is the underlying mission of your business? How does your work make a difference in people’s lives?
The mission behind Okta Investment and Moola Money is financial empowerment—whether through investing in high-impact industries or helping individuals gain control over their finances.
Moola Money helps millennials and Gen Zers overcome self-limiting financial beliefs and take action. Many don’t realize how small shifts—like choosing a better savings account—can significantly impact their future wealth. Okta follows a similar philosophy, backing conviction-driven investments in sectors like emerging markets and renewables that shape a future I believe in. Both focus on making finance clear, actionable, and aligned with long-term value creation.
“Many don’t realize how small shifts—like choosing a better savings account—can significantly impact their future wealth.”
How do you personally define success? In what ways does this definition guide both your business and personal life?
For me, success is about freedom, impact, and intellectual engagement. It’s not just about financial returns, but also the ability to invest in meaningful projects while leaving space for adventure and personal growth.
This mindset drives my business and investment approach. In my investments with Okta Investment, success means making high-conviction, long-term bets. Personally, it’s about continuously challenging myself, whether through cycling across continents, freediving, or exploring new skills. My definition of success ensures I build businesses that support both financial growth and personal fulfillment.
How do you balance the demands of entrepreneurship with your physical and emotional health? What specific tools or practices have you integrated into your daily routine to maintain mental well-being?
Physical challenges are my way of building resilience. Over the past decade, I’ve taken on endurance sports and adventure travel, from cycling across Madagascar, Europe, and Central America to freediving and scuba diving. These experiences keep me present, adaptable, and comfortable with discomfort—skills that translate directly to entrepreneurship.
I also structure my work for flexibility, allowing me to spend extended periods abroad while staying productive. Whether I’m on the road for weeks or working remotely, I have systems in place to keep operations running smoothly. In fact, I’m writing this now from a hut in Norway on a polar expedition training course! Balancing work and personal well-being is about deliberate choices, ensuring I can push hard when needed while making space to recharge.
Which personal relationships or life experiences have had the greatest influence on your leadership style? How do these connections inform the way you run your business?
Some of my greatest leadership lessons have come from the adventure community. Spending time with Ruth Storm and Hannah McKeand—who have extensive experience in polar expeditions, sailing, and art—has shaped how I think about leadership.
Ruth had a career in private equity and is now an executive coach. She speaks about leading oneself before leading others, a philosophy that applies equally to business and life. Hannah is an accomplished polar explorer and runs the polar expedition training camp that I’m currently attending. Her work shows how you can shape a life and career around passion and build networks in niche interest areas. Ruth and Hannah’s mentorship has shown me how to balance risk, resilience, and intuition—and how to build a life around what I believe in.
Can you share a significant life event that profoundly changed your perspective on leadership? How has it inspired the way you lead?
At 24, I had never been athletic and had always avoided sports. I was struggling with depression, and my therapist suggested exercise as a way to help. I decided to train for the Boston Half Marathon, creating a twelve-week plan and sticking to it.
I finished the race in two hours—and it was the first time I had achieved something I once thought impossible. The process of planning, training, and executing a goal completely shifted my mindset. It sparked a decade of new challenges that have taken me around the world. I learned that leadership starts with self-discipline and that the ability to set a vision and execute it step by step is key in business and personal growth alike.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your entrepreneurial journey so far?
Don’t wait for permission. If you have an idea or a vision, start now—even if it’s not perfect, even if you don’t have the ideal building blocks in place. Too many people hesitate or wait for validation, but momentum matters more than perfection.
At the same time, while the right team is important, there’s a lot you can push forward alone before assembling the perfect group. Taking action creates opportunities, and clarity comes through execution, not over-planning. The best way to succeed is to build, iterate, and refine as you go.
Linda is a member of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders by securing PR, forging authentic connections, and curating high-impact resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and get involved here.