Nasdaq has been beating the drum for diversity across corporate America, but the makeup of its executive ranks looks woefully out of step with that high-profile push.
Late last year, the tech-heavy stock exchange startled Wall Street by saying it would de-list companies that didn’t achieve board diversity requirements. That means naming at least two directors who are either female, a minority, or LGBTQ+.
It has since softened its stance, saying it is merely encouraging and not enforcing the guidelines. Now, some insiders want to know, if that’s because Nasdaq is struggling too.
Of Nasdaq’s roughly 40 executives and senior leaders, only senior vice president of marketing Branden Jones is African-American, based on the company leadership section of the website. And now, the longtime executive is departing to run marketing at BlackRock’s risk management division Aladdin, The Post has learned.
Nasdaq didn’t immediately return a request for comment but the move is leading some to ask if Nasdaq Chief Executive Adena Friedman’s pledge to “champion inclusive growth and prosperity to power stronger economies” is just the latest example — albeit a particularly flagrant one — of corporate wokeism that’s all talk and no action.
Nasdaq, the stock exchange
