Peng Zhao On Learning, Leverage, and Empowering Junior Talent

During a recent visit to Harvard, our CEO Peng Zhao hosted a fireside chat to connect with students exploring careers in quant finance. Watch the highlights of the talk here:

Key takeaways from his discussion focused on career development, the importance of talent empowerment, and the culture of Citadel Securities:

1. Ambition and Opportunity: Peng emphasized the firm’s ambition to be the leading financial services firm of this generation – which starts with the team. “If you take your career seriously, we’ll take you seriously,” he said, highlighting the firm’s commitment to providing unparalleled opportunities from day one.
2. Real Responsibility: He stressed the importance of learning through real-world experience, noting, “The best and only way to truly learn and grow is to be part of the real workflow.” Employees are encouraged to take ownership of significant projects and priorities, fostering a sense of responsibility and ownership.
3. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Peng pointed out the importance of staying ahead in a rapidly changing industry: “Whatever you’re doing now is going to be antiquated tomorrow.” He urged students to become experts in their craft and improve daily to maintain a competitive edge.
4. Leverage and Value Creation: The concept of leverage was central to Peng’s message. He explained, “The leverage we create takes ideas and scales them,” whether through building tools and models that others use, becoming the go-to expert on a specific topic, or excelling in recruiting or talent management.
5. Empowerment and Resources: Peng described his focus on environment—and what colleagues can expect at Citadel Securities—explaining, “People feel empowered, they have the best tools, the best access to resources, and they’re going work with the most talented colleagues.” It’s a place where ambition meets possibility—and where the next generation of leaders in financial services takes shape.

At Citadel Securities, success multiplies. Each accomplishment propels you forward—unlocking new challenges, greater ownership, and more impact.