Jee-Won Yang, Managing Director, Debt Capital Markets – Structured Solutions, Mizuho Americas, won Excellence in Structured Solutions at Markets Media Group’s 2024 Women in Finance (U.S.) Awards.

What does receiving the Excellence in Structured Solutions award mean to you and your team?

I’m honored to have won, and it was so unexpected! It means a great deal to me simply to have been nominated, because it demonstrates Mizuho’s ongoing support of the efforts of my team, and the firm’s faith in our capabilities. I specifically want to thank our Head of Investment & Corporate Banking, Michal Katz, and the management team for cultivating a platform where we’re encouraged to think outside the box. It motivates us reach our potential, and, in turn, enables us to help our clients reach theirs.

What inspired you to pursue a career in finance?

I’ve always been drawn to finance because I believe it offers some of the most intellectually challenging career paths, and after many years in the business, that’s what still inspires me today. I also love that finance is forward-looking, which means you have to stay on your toes, think creatively, and not get hemmed in by the status quo in order to advance and make an impact.

In a competitive market, how do you differentiate your service offering from others?

My team and I work hard to come up with fresh, impactful ideas for different constituencies, whether that’s issuers, investors, rating agencies, regulators etc. Of course, not every idea makes it to the implementation stage, but we test the market to see what works best. I think that is what really differentiates us – we strive to create original and thoughtful solutions, pushing the industry forward and giving clients options so they are empowered in their decision-making.

What advice do you have for others looking to break into the industry, especially those from diverse backgrounds?

This question means a lot to me, because my career trajectory might seem unexpected, in more ways than one. You don’t see a whole lot of women in structural leadership roles, and early on in my career I was told my personality didn’t match this business as a whole – I guess I lack the bravado typically associated with an investment banker. But I stayed true to myself and let my intellectual curiosity guide me, and the result is a job that I love and many achievements to be proud of. So my advice is: don’t be intimidated by industry stereotypes. Different people bring different strengths, so don’t be afraid to come into this market and test the waters. If I can, you can do it!