Linda Hsu, Managing Director, Global COO, IB Credit, Credit Suisse, won the Trailblazer Award at Markets Media Group’s 2021 Women in Finance (U.S.) Awards.
Honored by this prestigious award, Ms. Hsu was “certainly surprised beyond expectations”. “It demonstrates that what I have been doing has had a real purpose,” she said.
She has been with Credit Suisse for over 10 years and almost 20 years in the industry. “I’m deeply honored and humbled to receive the award and couldn’t be more proud of the work we’ve done,” she said.
While completing her undergraduate work at Cornell University, Ms. Hsu strongly considered a career as a pediatrician. Not until her brother, a medical doctor in Houston, advised her to consider all opportunities beyond medicine did she find her passionate pursuit in the world of finance at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration.
“It was completely different, and not what I expected. What I realized is there’s hospitality in everything. There was a concentration in finance and I was able to still take business classes and learn the fundamental financial underpinnings of business,” she said.
Ms. Hsu said that a lot of hard work, passion, drive and sacrifice has been devoted to her career, but a huge piece of her success has been great sponsorship. “I’ve had amazing mentors, sponsors, friends and family who have helped push me, have helped me think outside the box and who have guided me toward what was the best use of my talents,” she said.
For Ms. Hsu, her greatest inspiration is her mother, who is a single parent that raised four kids on her own. “She sacrificed everything for us so that we could be where we are today. Through her, I saw perseverance, grit and dedication. She inspires me every day to do what I do,” she stressed.
Despite all of her hard work and dedication, Ms. Hsu insists that her daily motivation is her amazing team: “I have an unbelievable team around me, and I try every day to make the Credit department better by setting an example and being a role model, including for my children and extended family.”
Ms. Hsu said that outside of work, her passion is her family and travel. She loves exploring new countries and new cultures. “COVID has put a damper on that, but I really hope to continue to do that with my kids as things keep opening up.”
If Hollywood made a movie about Ms. Hsu’s life, she would like to see Angelina Jolie play the lead role as herself, because she has a very successful career as an actress, but she’s also a humanitarian and promotes various causes. “She is passionate and authentic in what she believes and isn’t scared to speak her mind. She uses her platform in the entertainment industry to influence and be a change leader. I’d be honored if that was the case.”
And if Ms. Hsu could have dinner with anyone from history, she said it would be Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States and the creator of the nation’s financial system. “I would love to sit with him and ask him how it came about and all the details behind the song The Room Where it Happens.”
Ms. Hsu’s future goal is to contribute more of her time and energy to the philanthropic
endeavors that are most meaningful to her. “I want to focus on giving back at this point
through a variety of charities, whether it’s through women’s advancement or child education. These are all things that are important to me, and I’d really like to focus and dedicate more time to this.”
To the next generation of women in finance, Ms. Hsu advised: “You’ll meet mentors and
sponsors along the way who will help open doors, but always remember to try to differentiate yourself and don’t be afraid to forge your own path.”
