Adena Friedman

“I'm hoping that other people can learn from me, both the mistakes I've made or the opportunities I've had, or for the decisions I've made: for instance, not to go and take a lot of different jobs in a lot of different places, but to stay in one place for most of my career.”

“It's hard not to take it personally when being wait-listed, passed over for a promotion, or losing a client to a competitor. But while feeling aggrieved may be an understandable reaction, it's not productive - it's not a good use of the experience.”

“We have the Nasdaq private market. But we also want to make sure that every investor has an opportunity to ultimately join in growth and the success of these great companies that we have that have been formed in the United States.”

“I had children very young. You go through a period of immense guilt about being a working mother.”

“By definition, risk exposes businesses to danger.”

“If someone gives you an opportunity, you better maximize it so that he wants to give you the next one.”

“Some companies have a very well-defined program that they bring young people into to help them figure out what they really like to do to get them exposure to senior management early.”

“I really believe that I've been a better parent from being a working mother.”

“It's important to experience as many parts of an organization as you can - because some day, you may have the chance to lead that organization.”

“I was always first in, last out, but not inefficiently.”

“Regardless of how or where you enter Wall Street, use your inherent skills and strengths to succeed.”

“You need to have a lot of human judgment involved in the financial industry in terms of risk management, in terms of investment decisions, and things that really allow us to blend the best of technology and the human brain.”

“We definitely are a supporter of lowering corporate income tax and managing through the reprehension of cash for companies because we do think that'll give them more ammunition to grow their businesses and expand what they do.”

“The ability to have influence and create change and drive the strategy of an organization is really what excites me.”

“I have been measured on my merit and on my accomplishments.”

“Don't assume that opportunity will come to you. Put yourself forward when there is an opportunity.”

“In 1998, Nasdaq started a project called Next Nasdaq - or what Nasdaq was going to become - and they decided to handpick some of the up-and-comers. I was chosen as one of the people. It was a great opportunity for me and, I guess, a reflection of the fact that I was seen as someone who was developing her career pretty well.”

“We need to make sure we are constantly staying ahead, thinking about what is coming.”

“We tax our companies more than any other country in the world, so we really are not really encouraging businesses to grow and expand, and over time, that's going to make it so that we diminish our role in the global economy.”

“The financial service industry has an image issue.”