Sharon Hou, Vice President at Instinet, won Rising Star at Markets Media Group’s 2025 U.S. Women in Finance Awards.

How did it feel to receive Rising Star recognition, and what does it mean to you personally?

I’m incredibly grateful and honored to receive this recognition! It’s a rewarding validation of my work and my team’s collective efforts. It also serves as a great reminder to continue pushing myself forward.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career so far?

My goal is to make everyone’s life a little easier every day – whether they’re my colleagues or clients. For me, it’s not about a single project, but rather the attitude I’ve consistently shown across my current & previous roles.

In your role, what skills or qualities do you rely on most to succeed?

Being a self-starter and a good communicator are essential qualities to have for my current role at Instinet’s ITS team (Instinet Technology Solutions). When dealing with clients’ queries, we (at least I!) rarely have all the answers immediately; much of my success comes from connecting with the right people to ask and translating technology jargon to a more accessible language for our clients.

How do you define success for yourself and how has that definition evolved over time?

Early in my career, I had a relatively narrow definition of success; I thought being successful meant just one thing – being good at my job. However, working with all the inspiring people along my career who lead by example has definitely broadened my perspective. While personal growth remains important, success to me now is also about contributing to collective growth – supporting and empowering those around me, as well as helping foster an inclusive work environment. I’m deeply grateful to those who have guided and supported me throughout my career journey.

Which trends or changes in financial markets excite you most?

Automation is playing an increasingly crucial role, leading to more discussions about how we can enable clients to automate different parts of the trade lifecycle – allowing them to trade faster, more accurately, and with fewer errors. Aside from that, I’m also looking forward to how AI can help us all work more efficiently!

Outside of work, what inspires or motivates you?

This has somewhat changed for me in recent years. I used to love doing new things—visiting new cities, trying new activities. I still do, but now my personal relationships have become my primary source of motivation for me – being present for those who matter to me most.

What advice would you give to a young woman starting out in finance today?

Initially the fast paced environment can seem intimidating but it wears off over time. Be curious, ask questions, and take your time to learn as much as possible before you specialize in something. Lean on people around you – most people are helpful, but they may not offer if you don’t ask. Good luck!