Markets Media spoke with Stella Jang, Quantitative Researcher, International Equities, Citadel, who won Excellence in Hedge Funds at the 2024 Women in Finance Asia Awards.

What was your reaction to winning the award?

I was really excited and grateful. I was grateful for my nomination by the two most senior PMs of our business. Their recognition and support meant a lot to me.

Winning the award humbled me very much, because I know there are so many more talented women at Citadel who are equally deserving of this award, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the amazing people who have supported and mentored me over the years. It was a moment when I was reminded that these things cannot happen without the people around you. Therefore, I am grateful for everyone who has been part of my professional and personal life.

What have been the main drivers of your success?

It may sound counterintuitive when I say that “self-doubt” has played and continues to play a big role in the way I operate. Everyone is different. In my experience, the habit of doubting and questioning my own research, hypotheses, methodologies, processes, etc. helped me to think every possible angle that should be taken into consideration, every potential question could be asked, and every data point could be challenged.  It didn’t make me a person who lacks confidence, to the contrary, it reassured myself that I always did the best I could and I didn’t let any opportunities for improvement and learning get away unnoticed.

Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?

I had a mentor many years ago during my early career, from whom I learned the importance of being yourself and finding your own path to success. By watching her and working with her, I learned three things that have been very valuable to me over the years:

1. You can make your points loud and clear without having to raise your voice, as long as they are logical and thoughtful;
2. Always make plans that are actionable while working towards to a much more ambitious and aspirational goal; and
3. Truly appreciate people who give their time to you in big and small ways. The power of saying “thank you” has always been overlooked.

What’s your favorite aspect of working at Citadel? 

People, the caliber of the people that I get to work with at Citadel is definitely my most favorite aspect of my job. Since I joined Citadel, I have not been disappointed by anyone that I have interacted with. I get to solve the intellectual challenges that I face every day together with them; with their curiosity, passion for problem solving, creativity, and determination to win. I am pushed to learn, to improve and to move forward all the time. I trust the people here to give me direct and immediate feedback out of the respect we have for each other, and I am empowered to do the same for my colleagues.

What’s your advice to the next generation of women in finance?

Surround yourself with people who you respect, can learn from, and fun to be with. We are not going to succeed by being alone. Looking back, I find myself remembering and missing the brilliant people I have worked with more than the actual work I have done. It is the people I interact with make my life rich and fulfilling.  Investing in good friends, mentors, and colleagues is the best kind of investment.