Adena Friedman is set to become CEO of Nasdaq Inc. (NDAQ), making her the first woman to ever lead a major U.S. stock market, according to a report from Fox Business Network’s Charlie Gasparino.
She would succeed current CEO Bob Greifeld, who reportedly “has told Wall Street executives” that he’s “planning a management overhaul that will … set the stage for his retirement.” The official move reportedly would occur in 2017, when Greifeld’s current contract expires.
Friedman originally began with Nasdaq as an intern, and later served as its chief financial officer until 2011, when she left to take the same role at private equity firm The Carlyle Group (CG). She then rejoined Nasdaq in May 2014 as president of global corporate, information and tech solutions business.
At the time, Friedman was widely seen as Greifeld’s heir apparent. In fact, Fortune‘s story about her rejoining the exchange was headlined: “Did Nasdaq just hire its next CEO?”
In that piece, Friedman would only say the following when asked about a possible promotion to the top job: “I’m coming in to be co-president and I must prove myself in that role.”
Since Friedman was brought aboard, Nasdaq’s stock price has climbed 59.6%.
A Nasdaq spokesman declined comment.