Sarah Youngwood’s induction into Nasdaq’s leadership team is poised to strengthen the company’s strategic direction and reinforce its commitment to innovation and transformation in the financial services landscape.
Nasdaq, Inc. has made a significant leadership announcement: the appointment of Sarah Youngwood as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective from December 1, 2023.
The provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information, and public company services tapped Youngwood in the follow-up of current CFO Ann Dennison’s decision to step down from the role at the end of the year.
Ann Dennison will remain with the company during this transition period to ensure a smooth handover.
Sarah Youngwood joins Nasdaq from UBS
Sarah Youngwood is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in the financial services industry. Notably, she previously held the prestigious positions of Chief Financial Officer and Group Executive Board member at UBS Group since 2021.
During her tenure at UBS, Youngwood played a pivotal role in the bank’s transformation by spearheading infrastructure modernization efforts and overseeing the strategic acquisition of Credit Suisse. Her strategic acumen and leadership skills have been widely recognized in the industry.
Before her time at UBS, Youngwood accumulated over two decades of experience at JPMorgan Chase, where she held multiple executive roles. Among these roles were Chief Financial Officer, Consumer and Community Banking, and Global Technology.
Her diverse portfolio at JPMorgan Chase also included serving as Head of Investor Relations for the firm and playing a significant role as a senior investment banker specializing in financial institutions.
Adena Friedman, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq, expressed her gratitude to Ann Dennison for her eight years of dedicated service to the company. Dennison’s contributions have been instrumental in transforming Nasdaq’s global Finance function and facilitating the landmark acquisition of Adenza, a transformative milestone for the company.
Friedman further emphasized the anticipation surrounding the new appointment, stating, “As we look forward to closing the Adenza transaction and embarking on the next phase of Nasdaq’s transformation, I look forward to welcoming Sarah Youngwood to the team.” Friedman highlighted Youngwood’s extensive experience in leadership roles at UBS and JPMorgan Chase, which included expertise in technology transformation, an in-depth understanding of global financial institutions, and a profound grasp of investor relations.
Sarah Youngwood’s induction into Nasdaq’s leadership team is poised to strengthen the company’s strategic direction and reinforce its commitment to innovation and transformation in the financial services landscape.
As the transition unfolds, Nasdaq anticipates that Youngwood’s unique blend of experience and skills will enable the company to navigate new challenges and opportunities, fostering a seamless shift into the next chapter of its evolution.
