Shirley Babelpour, Senior Vice President, Account Manager, PIMCO, won a Rising Star Award at Markets Media’s 2025 European Women in Finance Awards. We caught up with Shirley to learn more.

Shirley, congratulations on your Rising Star award. How does it feel to receive this recognition?
I’m honored to receive the Rising Star award. It reflects the support and guidance I’ve received from my teammates and mentors at PIMCO, as well as the opportunities I’ve had to grow. It reinforces my commitment to continuous learning, delivering strong client outcomes, and helping others advance in their careers.

What key experiences or opportunities have shaped your success at PIMCO?
A wide mandate and substantial autonomy, along with encouragement to act entrepreneurially, have been key to my growth. The firm’s strong team-oriented environment and collaboration with talented colleagues—together with senior sponsors who pushed me to raise my thinking and execution—have driven my development

What advice would you give to young women starting their careers in asset management?
Develop a broad skill set—strong foundation in finance and analytics, plus clear communication and storytelling to convey insights. Network across teams and participate in firm initiatives that promote your visibility. Ask for feedback, and turn that feedback into tangible progress. Lastly, find mentors and peers who support you and aren’t afraid to challenge you. Be ready to work hard, but also to take care of yourself.

Who would you like to thank for helping you reach this point?
First, my family—especially my husband—for their unwavering support, which has enabled me to do my work and achieve success. I’m also grateful to my managers over the years, at PIMCO and in prior roles, who believed in me and supported me. I’ve been fortunate to work with smart colleagues who challenged me and taught me a great deal.

What personal attributes or work habits do you feel have made the greatest difference?
Curiosity paired with intellectual rigor; disciplined time management and prioritization; resilience in fast-moving markets; strong communication and collaboration skills; a willingness to seek and act on feedback; and a bias toward action—turning insights into concrete, executable steps. Finally, having clear boundaries to make sure you have a sustainable work-life balance.