Ayaki Okubo, Americas Equity Financing Trader, Barclays, won Rising Star at Markets Media Group’s 2025 U.S. Women in Finance Awards.

What experiences or decisions played a role in your success so far?

I started my career in Tokyo, fresh out of university, at a desk in operations at Barclays. It wasn’t the most visible seat, but it taught me how every role matters, and that excellence opens doors. I made a conscious decision early on to treat every interaction as a chance to learn. I sought out people across sales, trading, risk, and technology, curious about how all the pieces of the business connected. Those conversations became the foundation of my career. After a year, I moved from operations to the trading desk. In 2017, with the support of mentors and senior leaders in both Tokyo and New York, I moved to the firm’s US office, which changed the entire trajectory of my life and career. I attribute my success to the courage to take unfamiliar steps, and the generosity of people who lifted me along the way. I carry that with me every day, and it’s why I commit myself to doing the same for others.

As a rising leader in finance, how do you approach continuous learning and staying sharp?

Every year, I set intentional goals that stretch me professionally and personally. I challenge myself to learn new tools, explore emerging technologies like AI, and strive to be the subject matter expert in the field I am in so I can share with others. My greatest source of learning comes from my peers and mentors. I carve out time each week to connect with colleagues outside my team. Those conversations, whether it is over coffee or in the hallways, expand my thinking and give me insight into parts of the business I don’t touch every day. I also seek out coaching from leaders across the firm. Their experiences help shape my annual goals and guide me on actionable steps. I make an effort to share my progress with management through regular updates, which helps to keep myself disciplined on documenting my work. Reflecting on what I’ve learned, achieved, and struggled with keeps me grounded in my goals and accountable to my growth.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities for women in finance today, and how can they be leveraged?

We stand on the shoulders of courageous and ambitious women before us and I am truly grateful for the mentorship and coaching they have provided. One of the biggest opportunities is to further strengthen the community and facilitate inviting spaces where support systems can be fostered. For younger women especially, these communities become a guide through increasingly difficult promotion paths and rapidly evolving expectations. When women leaders share their stories and provide mentorship, it empowers future generations to lead fulfilling careers.

What’s your advice to the next generation of women in finance?

Don’t be afraid to take risks. When you take a series of tiny decisions to step outside your comfort zone, you will experience real growth over the long run. For me, it started with speaking up in meetings even when I wasn’t sure if my question was a good one. Over time, those moments built confidence, visibility, and a willingness to take on challenges I once thought were out of reach. Do something that scares you just a little every week. Raise your hand for a project. Ask the question you were unsure to ask. Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know in an unrelated team. These small actions compound and you’ll find yourself in a place you wouldn’t have imagined at the start.