Persistence and passion: Amy Wang’s journey and advice for women in finance

"Be persistent and passionate," that’s the advice from Amy Wang, Premium Client Account Manager at CMC Alpha Invest. Amy brings over 10 years of experience in the industry and reflects on her journey, insights, and experiences working in financial services for our International Women’s Day 2025 Profile Story.

Can you walk us through your career journey? How did you get started, and what key transitions have shaped your path? 

I started in proprietary trading after graduating with a Commerce degree majoring in Accounting and Finance. My first role involved trading Australian and US bonds, which was a great entry point into finance. I spent hours in front of the screen learning trading strategies, technical indicators, and how to interpret global news. It suited me. I think I’m a very quiet and calm person, less emotional, which I think made me a good fit for trading. 

I remember that the selection process for my graduate program included a trading trial, where we were given demo accounts to trade with. Out of about ten hires, only two were women, and I was one of them. It was an exciting but rare opportunity because, at the time, trading roles were still almost entirely held by men, making it a challenging space for women to break into. 

At my next company I transitioned to relationship management and moved into a client-facing role. At the time, the team was all men, managing high-net-worth, premium Contracts for Difference (CFD) clients. When I was promoted, it was quite unusual. But my strengths in building strong client relationships, solving issues efficiently, and using my trading experience to guide clients helped me succeed. I understood client needs and could discuss technical charts with them. I think many clients were surprised to work with a female Relationship Manager, but they valued my unique insights and experience. 

I later chose to join CMC, which has been a turning point in my career. I work with share trading clients on the CMC Invest ALPHA desk. This has been a great opportunity to expand my knowledge, given my previous experience in CFD relationship management. 

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the financial services sector, particularly as a stockbroker, and how have you overcome them? 

The finance industry is very male-dominated and most clients are men, especially in the high-net-worth space. One of the main challenges for me has been overcoming any preconceived ideas about women working in this space. Many clients are used to dealing with male relationship managers, particularly in stockbroking, so I have had to break that mould. 

Some clients initially had doubts, but over time, I have pleasantly surprised my clients by exceeding their expectations. For me, I focus on keeping my clients updated quickly, showing genuine care, providing helpful trading strategies, and keeping them informed with news and insights from my experiences. Many of my clients have come to appreciate my support and have even referred their friends and family to me. 

I am fortunate that I have not personally faced any barriers in getting jobs or advancing my career. If you are driven and good at what you do, I believe you always have a strong opportunity to progress. While finance has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, diversity of thought and approach can be an asset. In that sense being a woman has been a positive differentiator for me. 

From what I have observed, men and women can approach decisions differently. In fast-paced trading, men tend to act quickly and directly, while women often bring patience and a detail-oriented perspective. Both styles have value, especially in high-pressure environments, and I think having that balance can be a real asset in a trading or relationship management environment. 

Is there a woman in the world of finance or investing whom you particularly admire or look up to, and what specific qualities or achievements make her an inspiration to you? 

Cathie Wood. I really admire her. She is known for the success of her fund in 2020. While her recent performance has not been great since the markets turned, that is not the main reason I look up to her. What stands out to me is her vision. 

Her ARK portfolio is all about innovation and creativity. She doesn’t follow traditional investment strategies but challenges them. Even after a tough couple of years, she still believes in her approach and is confident her portfolio will bounce back. That kind of belief, persistence, and willingness to go against the grain is something I respect. She has a unique way of thinking, backed by deep research, and she sticks to it. 

Beyond her investing strategy, I love her energy and positivity. I try to bring that same attitude into my own work. She is all about building the future rather than just following things that have been done in the past. That mindset is inspiring, especially as a woman working in finance. We can all take something from her passion and commitment. She truly loves what she does and stays true to her path no matter what others think. I want to do the same. Trust my instincts, push my own potential, and define success in my own way. 

Over your career in finance, what progress have you seen in promoting inclusivity in the sector, and where do you think we still fall short, particularly for women? 

Over the past decade, change in promoting inclusivity has been slow but steady. While there has been some progress in finance, particularly in sales, trading and dealing remain male-dominated, with limited female applications for these roles. That said, I can see real efforts being made. In teams like Premium Client Services, Sales, and Dealing, there is a push to bring in more women, and we are starting to see progress. At CMC, we’ve had females join our Options trading team, which is encouraging. CMC also provide women additional support and education to foster gender diversity. Recently I’ve attended a female leadership development series, where I had the chance to hear from women in senior leadership roles about their challenges and experiences in finance. That has been very inspiring.  

I think more training sessions and inviting successful women within CMC to share their experiences would be incredibly valuable. Additionally, a supportive manager, regardless of gender, makes a big difference. When leaders believe in your potential, provide resources, and create opportunities for you to step outside your comfort zone, it helps women progress. I have been fortunate in that regard. Having someone who recognises my strengths and skills has given me more opportunities to grow. That kind of support is key to helping more women advance in finance. 

I do think companies play a big role in inclusivity. That means addressing biases, supporting career growth, and putting the right structures in place. The other side of the equation is individual agency. You have to follow what you are passionate about and be willing to take the leap. Apply for the job, put yourself forward, and see where it takes you. This balance is important because real progress comes from both sides. 

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in stockbroking or financial services? 

There are many different paths in finance and stockbroking. When you’re just starting out, try different things while you have the chance to explore. More importantly, find where your potential lies. Once you do, everything becomes easier. Be persistent and passionate. You may face difficulties, but if you believe in your success, you can overcome them. When you find something you are truly interested in, the challenges will be worth it, and you will want to keep going.