The WFE's Women Leaders 2025 - Jin Hennig, Managing Director and Global Head of Metals, CME Group

Name: Jin Hennig

Job title: Managing Director and Global Head of Metals

Organisation: CME Group

1. Brief description of nominee’s role and job. 

Jin Hennig serves as CME Group’s Managing Director and Global Head of Metals Products. ‌She is responsible for leading the strategic development, management and profitability of the company’s global metals business. In this role, she oversees a diverse portfolio of products across precious, base and industrial metals, ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of our global clients and maintain CME Group’s position as the leading marketplace for metals risk management.  

2. Short bio (career highlights, education, interests/hobbies). 

Jin began her career in metals as a ferro alloy trader at the David J. Joseph Company, where she focused on expanding international trading opportunities. In 2011, Jin joined CME Group and has since held roles of increasing responsibility within the metals business. Today, she manages a global team that operates across multiple time zones, working closely with clients to navigate risk and volatility in the metals markets.   

Beyond her core responsibilities, she is deeply committed to fostering diversity, inclusion‌ and professional growth within the organisation. She serves as a founding executive sponsor of CME Group’s Connecting Asia Network (CAN), an employee resource group aimed at fostering community and promoting career development. She is also a member of CME Group’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, where she helped drive initiatives that create an equitable and inclusive workplace. Additionally, she contributes to the broader metals industry as a member of the Board of Directors for The Copper Club and as part of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Energy and Environmental Market Advisory Committee (EEMAC), where she advises on the role of metals in the energy transition. 

She holds an MBA in Economics and Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Finance from Kalamazoo College. Her connection to Kalamazoo remains strong as she serves on the Board of Trustees, where she supports faculty, students‌ and initiatives that drive educational excellence. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling with her family and sharing new cultural experiences with her two young sons. 

3. What were your professional highlights and challenges of 2024? 

Last year brought both challenges and significant accomplishments as geopolitical tensions, supply constraints‌ and uncertainty in global interest rates shaped the metals markets. Navigating this complex environment while maintaining market resilience was a top priority. 

One of the highlights of the year was celebrating the 50th anniversary of CME Group’s Gold futures contract, a cornerstone of global price discovery and risk management. Today, the Gold futures market is more relevant than ever, with approximately $60 billion in gold traded daily and nearly 50 percent of volume originating outside the United States. I am particularly proud of the growth in our Micro Gold futures, which hit record volumes this year. To further meet the surging demand from retail investors, we also announced the launch of our 1-Ounce Gold futures contract, set to debut in 2025. 

In addition to strengthening our core offerings, we expanded our leadership in battery metals risk management. In October, we launched Spodumene futures (SPM) to complement our growing battery metals suite. In  2024, we saw an impressive 377 percent growth in Lithium Hydroxide futures volume, underscoring the increasing demand for hedging solutions in the evolving EV market. 

Creating an inclusive workplace and fostering a culture of self development is also important to me. I was proud to kick off the first Women in Financial Markets (WIFM) EMEA event of the year in London, which CME Group hosted. The discussion centred on leadership development and increasing your influence, and it was so inspiring to gather female leaders within financial services and share valuable lessons we have all learned along the way. Additionally, I hosted a panel for CME Group’s Connecting Asia Network (CAN) during Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, where we explored how culture and identity have shaped our professional journeys. 

4. Tell us about a few of your key achievements throughout your career? 

Over the past decade, I have led the transformation of CME Group’s metals business, evolving it into a diverse, global‌ and innovative marketplace, culminating in a record year in 2024. When I first joined CME Group, the business was concentrated heavily in precious metals, with a limited product portfolio and minimal international presence. By spearheading strategic initiatives and driving product innovation, I have led the product expansion to include 40-plus essential risk management tools across precious, base‌ and industrial metals. 

One of my most impactful achievements was the development of Copper options, which addressed a clear market demand for improved price transparency and broader participation through electronic trading. Today, metals options are among the fastest-growing products at CME Group, underscoring our success in delivering client-centric solutions.  

I am also focused on enhancing market accessibility for global clients. By increasing liquidity during non-US hours, we have grown global participation significantly. As a result, 45 percent of CME Group’s metals trading volume now originates from outside the United States, establishing metals as one of the company’s most globally integrated businesses. 

These achievements reflect my commitment to driving innovation, fostering global engagement‌ and delivering results that position CME Group as an industry leader in the metals marketplace.  

5. What and who inspires, and has inspired, you to achieve your professional success? 

My family is my greatest source of inspiration. They provide balance, encouragement‌ and perspective, enabling me to excel professionally while staying grounded. Spending time with my husband and two sons recharges me and reinforces the importance of resilience and support in both my personal and professional life. 

Over the years, I have built a strong peer network both inside and outside CME Group. These relationships include friends from diverse industries and geographies, offering me unique perspectives and shared insights. ‌While their experiences differ from mine, I often find parallels that enrich my approach to leadership. Reflecting on my career, the guidance and camaraderie of these peers have not only made my work more enjoyable but have also been instrumental to my growth.  

I also draw immense motivation from my team. Helping them reach their full potential and excel in their roles gives me a deeper sense of purpose as a leader. Together, we have achieved significant milestones that would not have been possible without their dedication and talent. Their success inspires me to continue pushing boundaries and driving innovation in our work.  

These influences - my family, peers‌ and team - shape my leadership journey and remind me of the power of collaboration, support and shared purpose in achieving success.  

6. How have you overcome setbacks, and what advice would you give to others dealing with setbacks? 

Setbacks have always been a pivotal part of my personal and professional growth. I view them not as failures, but as valuable learning opportunities that help define the kind of leader I strive to be. Self-reflection and resilience are critical when navigating setbacks, as they allow us to turn challenges into stepping stones for success.  

One of the defining experiences of my life was moving from Korea to the United States by myself at the age of 16. It was an overwhelming adjustment – learning a new language, adapting to a different culture‌ and finding my place in an unfamiliar environment. I spent long nights studying, memorising biology terms in English, which I didn’t understand, and immersing myself in every opportunity to grow. Joining the tennis team was a turning point; it pushed me outside my comfort zone and taught me the value of perseverance while showing me what I was truly capable of. Through this experience I developed the grit and adaptability that continue to shape my leadership today. 

Setbacks have also taught me that success is not a sprint but a marathon. As a leader, I emphasise viewing challenges as part of the journey, not roadblocks to success. Each setback presents an opportunity to reflect, grow and build the strength necessary to overcome future obstacles.  

To those facing setbacks, I would encourage you to embrace these moments as opportunities for growth. They are not the end of the road but a chance to build resilience, adaptability ‌and courage, qualities that are essential for long-term success in any endeavour.  

7. What advice do you have for other women who aspire to be in leadership positions? What is the biggest takeaway you want to leave with the reader? 

The most important lesson I have learned is the power of resilience and self-belief. Leadership comes with unique challenges, and overcoming them requires perseverance, trust in your abilities‌ and the willingness to grow from each experience.  

For women aspiring to leadership, I encourage you to embrace opportunities for continuous learning and growth. Stay informed about industry trends, advocate for professional development programmes and seek out mentors and peers. A strong network can provide guidance, fresh perspectives and invaluable support.  

Effective leadership is about balancing strength with empathy. It’s not just about making decisions — it’s about fostering collaboration, embracing different ways of thinking and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. I also encourage women to raise their hands for leadership opportunities, whether through board positions, special projects or employee-resource groups. These opportunities can open doors for professional growth and impact.  

Above all, by leading with confidence, embracing change‌ and cultivating supportive environments, we can empower not only ourselves but also those around us. Leadership is about lifting others as you rise and helping them achieve their potential while achieving your own.