Michelle Sarpong: Women in Trading, Power, Community and Pay Progression

“If you’re constraining me as a Black woman earning that salary… but if you look at me as a Trading Director with 18 years’ experience, is that still a good salary?”In this episode of The Strategic Salary Series, Lucy Daramola is joined by Michelle “Sarps” Sarong, Head of Activation at The7Stars and founding committee member of the Women in Trading Network.Sarps aka Michelle shares how she broke into media through a bold cold email, why today’s job market feels tougher as AI reshapes entry roles, and how LinkedIn can act as your “proof of credibility” beyond a CV. They go deep on salary strategy, including how Sarps built a fact-based negotiation business case and confidently addressed the realities of gender and race in the room.They also unpack why Women in Trading exists, and Sarps’ key takeaway: seek guidance early, from experienced people (even unexpected ones), and start the salary conversation before review season hits.