Markets Media spoke with Shereen Lewejohann, Senior Director, APAC Head of CME FX, who won the Trailblazer award at the 2025 Women in Finance Asia Awards.

What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day work?

What challenged and shaped me as a leader was the shift from individual contributor to team manager. As an individual contributor, my focus was solely on achieving personal excellence and going the extra mile.

However, when I started leading a team, I quickly realized that not everyone operates with the same pace or approach.

This taught me that leadership isn’t just about my own contributions; it’s about inspiring a shared vision, providing clear direction, and empowering individuals while also offering the right support at the right time.

Learning to understand and nurture diverse working styles has been a pivotal growth experience, fundamentally transforming my approach to leadership.

Tell us about a passion you have outside the business

Outside the business, my greatest joy comes from spending quality time with my lovely husband and our two adorable young girls. It’s where I recharge. To de-stress, I also love playing tennis.

Recently, I’ve even picked up Zumba, which has been a fun challenge that pushes me out of my comfort zone, especially since I’m naturally quite rigid when it comes to dancing!

Beyond personal pursuits, I’m passionate about making a tangible difference in people’s lives. This drives my commitment to contributing back to society, whether through engaging in community work or through dedicated mentoring.

What qualities or skills do you think are essential for long-term success in your field?
The finance industry is undeniably a fast-paced and competitive industry, which is why I believe long-term success hinges on approaching it like a marathon, not a sprint. To successfully navigate this marathon, several qualities are paramount.

First, you need a clear vision and strategic planning, just like mapping out your route. However, just as crucial is the flexibility to adapt and change course when market dynamics shift or unexpected challenges arise. This calls for immense resilience and perseverance – the grit to keep going, even when the path gets tough.

But it’s not just about individual effort. Long-term success also requires fuelling your journey with passion, understanding the power of teamwork and collaboration, and finding joy in the process. Crucially, it means learning from others’ experiences and intelligently adapting those insights to your own unique approach. Ultimately, it’s about continuously evolving and staying agile in a perpetually changing landscape.