Markets Media spoke with Karina Kam, Lead Sales Executive APAC, Nasdaq, who won Excellence in Commodities at the 2024 Women in Finance Asia Awards.
What is your reaction to winning the Award at the 2024 WIFAA Awards?
I was quite speechless when I learnt that I would be awarded the winner of the Rising Star Award. I wasn’t sure I was qualified to be nominated and certainly didn’t expect to win anything. There are so many talented and inspiring women in the field, and I felt honored just to be nominated. Winning the award was a huge surprise and a validation of all the hard work and dedication that I have put into my career.
Briefly describe your background and career to date.
I graduated with an Exercise Science Degree from The University of Hong Kong. I worked briefly at Tesla, knowing that I wanted to be in Sales, but I also learnt early on that the automobile industry wasn’t for me. I subsequently applied for a Sales Analyst job in Nasdaq Hong Kong, starting my Nasdaq business development career in Investor Relations and ESG Services, gaining exposure working with listed companies. After my first year in Nasdaq, I made a lateral move into the Customer Success team in ESG Services, focusing on service delivery and developing skillset in relationship management. After a few years, I have transitioned into Nasdaq’s newly formed Financial Technology, which provides mission-critical capital markets and regulatory technology solutions to the financial services industry. In my current role, I manage Nasdaq’s relationships with Banks and Brokers in APAC, driving sales and retention for Regulation Technology, which includes Surveillance & Regulatory Reporting solutions, and Capital Markets Technology.
What have been the main drivers of your success?
I think my curiosity and willingness to learn new things are the main drivers of my success. I have been exploring different aspects of Nasdaq’s business, from Investor Relations, ESG to Fintech, and acquiring new skills and knowledge along the way. I was very lucky to have remarkable mentors, which have given me a lot of feedback and opportunities to grow professionally and personally.
What keeps you motivated?
Outside of work, I am also an advocate for women in sports! I am a footballer playing for Hong Kong Football Club, and we play at the highest level of Women’s Football in Hong Kong. With girls reportedly dropping out of sports more than boys as they develop into young adults, I want to demonstrate to the aspiring young girls that they can still participate in the highest level of sport while committed to their career. Being a part of a competitive team that shares a common passion and goal is very rewarding and empowering.
What’s your favorite aspect of working at Nasdaq?
Nasdaq’s dynamic environment has allowed me to advance my career. My focus for the last three years has been Regulation Technology, where we constantly need to innovate to keep up with regulatory changes and to prevent the bad actors who are also using new methods to manipulate the market. I also value the opportunity to work with diverse and talented colleagues who have different backgrounds and views, but all have a common drive for innovation.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Probably still around in the Financial Technology space and finding creative methods to solve problems!
©Markets Media Europe 2024
