Linda Dao, Head of Execution Trading at Walleye Capital, won Excellence in Trading at Markets Media Group’s 2025 U.S. Women in Finance Awards.

We caught up with Linda to learn more about her career background and current role and responsibilities.

How has electronic trading evolved since you first entered the industry, and what changes have had the biggest impact on your day-to-day work?

Electronic trading has evolved from largely manual, voice‑driven workflows into a highly automated, deeply data‑centric market structure, and that shift has fundamentally changed how I operate day to day. Advances in analytics, market transparency, and infrastructure now allow traders to use real‑time insights to fine‑tune execution quality and manage risk with much greater precision. For me, the biggest impact has been evolving from hands‑on problem‑solving on individual trades to a more strategic role, being part of designing, calibrating, and overseeing execution frameworks at scale. There is still a misconception that automation reduces the need for human input, but in practice it increases the premium on judgment, governance, and continuous refinement. With AI now accelerating this trajectory, it’s a particularly exciting moment to help shape what the next generation of electronic trading will look like.

What does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

This recognition means a great deal to me because it reflects not just one achievement, but years of hard work, resilience, and growth in a demanding yet rewarding industry. It reminds me of the mentors, sponsors, and colleagues who opened doors, advocated for me, and encouraged me through the inevitable setbacks, and in many ways, I feel I am accepting this on their behalf as well. Professionally, being honored reinforces the way I strive to show up every day, combining strong execution, thoughtful collaboration, and a focus on developing others truly matters. It also comes with a sense of responsibility: to keep raising the bar on what good looks like in trading and to be even more intentional as a mentor and sponsor.

You’re actively involved in recruitment, training, and development initiatives. What do you look for when identifying and developing talent on your team?

When identifying talent, the first thing I look for is genuine curiosity.  People who want to understand how things work, ask thoughtful questions, and are willing to challenge assumptions respectfully. I also place a high value on resilience, ownership, and the ability to think and act quickly, especially in a fast‑moving environment where conditions change rapidly and accountability really matters. Because execution sits at the intersection of so many teams, strong communication skills are essential to ensure alignment, sound judgment, and effective collaboration. When it comes to development, my focus is on helping people move beyond simply following a process to building real intuition, creative problem‑solving skills, and confidence in their decision‑making. Ultimately, I want team members to grow into trusted partners.  It’s important to have individuals who can think independently, respond thoughtfully under pressure, and elevate the people around them.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women entering finance?

My advice is to trust that you belong in every room you walk into and to recognize the value of your perspective. Focus on building both competence and confidence: invest in your technical skills, but also practice speaking up, asking questions, and sharing your views in a way that feels true to who you are. Surround yourself with a strong support system of mentors, peers, and sponsors who will challenge you, advocate for you, and help you see possibilities you might not see in yourself. Most importantly, stay curious, resilient, and authentic.  Your career is a marathon, and your unique voice will only grow stronger as you keep showing up as yourself.

What skills or qualities do you think are becoming increasingly important for execution and trading leaders today?

Execution and trading leaders today need a rare blend of technical fluency, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence to be effective. It is increasingly important to interpret complex data, translate it into clear decisions, and partner closely with technology, risk, and investment teams to design robust and scalable workflows. The best leaders are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity, willing to challenge legacy processes and thoughtfully embrace innovation, including automation and AI. Just as importantly, they are committed to developing others, creating environments where diverse talent is heard, stretched, and empowered to do their best work.