Fan Huang

As I look back across the various transitions in my life, I am very proud of my transformation from a naïve young girl raised on farmlands in rural China to today’s determined professional in a sophisticated, male dominated finance sector.

I am the third of five children and after leaving China we lived in France for a few years before settling in New York. My father is a self-made man and has had several ventures trying to make ends meet for a family of this size. Growing up, I witnessed my father’s intuitive manner in business, which inspired lots of confidence and respect in me.

The Cultural Revolution in China started in the mid-1960s and prevented my parents from going to college. Because of this, and although they are no “tiger parents”, they value the importance of education and tried their best to send us to schools of our choice. I remember we helped out at our factory after we got off school each day while our friends would go to malls or watch movies. These childhood experiences propelled me to work even harder to become an honest, well-respected and courageous leader just like my father.

So many miracles happened along my academic path. I went to schools in China, Paris and then New York learning three very distinct languages and cultures. My time spent at the University of Michigan, Columbia Business School and London Business School took me to an even higher level. While there, I made lifelong friendships all over the globe, it showed me that community and network play vital roles in our personal and professional development.

The unconventional path I took on Wall Street has allowed me to become the independent, determined, well-rounded, open-minded and enthusiastic person I am today. Over the years, I have developed a passion to travel to see the world and to learn about different cultures and, more especially, to cherish the deep human connections along the way.

I believe the vital skills I’ve learned so far on this journey will all serve me well. And I’ve learned to embrace change – because it’s the only constant.