Conversations with Visionary Leaders on Modern Leadership

Welcome, Adena Friedman

Adena Friedman is the Chair and CEO of Nasdaq, a leading global exchange and technology solutions company. With over 20 years of industry leadership and expertise, Adena has significantly shaped Nasdaq’s transformation into a top player in the global market. She rejoined Nasdaq in 2014 after serving as Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of The Carlyle Group. Adena has also held several key roles in Nasdaq's management team for over a decade, including head of the company's data products business, head of corporate strategy, and Chief Financial Officer.

She has played an instrumental role in Nasdaq's acquisition strategy, overseeing the acquisitions of INET, OMX, and the Philadelphia and Boston Exchanges. Adena has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Williams College and a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

Interview Transcript

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Every single day, I go home and ask myself, “Did I contribute to the success of Nasdaq today?”

Did I actually further the business purpose? Did I improve a part of the business? Did I improve one of our employees’ capabilities?

If you think that way about every hour that you spend, it will help you manage how you coalesce around time.

— Adena Friedman