Markets Media spoke with Karen Leung, Relationship Manager at Liquidnet, who won Rising Star at the 2024 Women in Finance Asia Awards.

What is your reaction to winning the Award at the 2024 WIFAA Awards?
Very honored to be nominated at all and a little overwhelmed to have won the Rising Star award. I feel lucky to be among so many talented ladies who have all contributed so much. So very grateful to have worked alongside all the people who supported me in my career – thank you to my team and Liquidnet for giving me the opportunity to excel! It definitely gives me the motivation to keep pushing forward.

Briefly describe your background and career to date. 
I started my career at BMAL in the operations department, then moved to JPM as a trader assistant before I became a sales trader there specializing in HK/ China market. It was this role where I started to build relationships with buyside and banks. I then wanted to move to electronic trading and joined Liquidnet. I’ve carried out different roles at Liquidnet such as algo trading and now head the trade coverage team in Hong Kong.

What keeps you motivated?
It’s certainly has been a very rewarding journey and full of opportunities. There are challenges along the way but I like to embrace them with ‘Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you better.’  Over the years I have made many friends in the industry and I received guidance and support throughout my career. This industry acknowledgement gives me the drive to contribute back to the industry and help others whenever I can.

Who have been the main influences in your career?
When I first started in finance, I never thought I could become a trader. There are many people who taught me a lot of things and gave me the opportunities that I never thought I would have. To name a few I’d like to thank my current manager, Tristan Baldwin, who has always been inspiring and guiding me for the past five years. Additionally, my managers at JPM, who trusted me and gave me the sales trading role that has proved such a real life changing move.

What do you like most about the world of finance/trading?
The finance world is always on the move, I like how dynamic it is. I remember when I started my role in trading, it was predominantly still very manual with minimal automation or use of big data. Only a decade or so later, the shift is so apparent on how we now rely on Algo and technology in trading. Being a part of this change has been fascinating.

What’s your favorite aspect of working at Liquidnet?

Liquidnet is family to me after spending 10 years here. Apart from the people and culture, Liquidnet is always innovating and that’s what keeps me motivated – sharing this innovation with our clients. I never feel bored working here as we constantly look for ways to add quality liquidity and create better user experience for the community.