Jason Alden/Bloomberg
Adena Friedman, the CEO of Nasdaq, is known for her competitive edge and her ability to close deals. She has a black belt in taekwondo, and she says that her martial arts training has helped her in business.
“Taekwondo has taught me how to be focused, disciplined, and strategic,” Friedman said in an interview.
“It has also taught me how to deal with adversity and how to persevere.”
Friedman’s deal-making skills have been put to the test in recent years. In 2015, she led Nasdaq through a $11.3 billion acquisition of the Intercontinental Exchange’s equities business. And in 2019, she oversaw the company’s $5.3 billion acquisition of Cboe Global Markets.
These deals have made Nasdaq one of the largest and most diversified financial markets in the world. And they have cemented Friedman’s reputation as a top dealmaker.
Friedman is not afraid to take risks. She is willing to make big bets on new technologies and new markets. And she is not afraid to challenge the status quo.
“I think it’s important to be disruptive,” Friedman said. “You have to be willing to challenge the way things are done.”
Friedman’s willingness to take risks has helped Nasdaq stay ahead of the competition. And it has helped her build a company that is well-positioned for the future.
In a world that is constantly changing, Friedman’s deal-making skills and her willingness to take risks will be essential to Nasdaq’s success. She is a black belt in deal making, and she is not afraid to use her skills to help Nasdaq achieve its goals.thumb_upthumb_downuploadGoogle itmore_vert
