New York, NY – September 30, 2021 – HEAF high school students had the experience of a lifetime, visiting Nasdaq as guests of Nasdaq President & CEO Adena Friedman, a HEAF Gala 2021 Honoree. Friedman is being recognized by HEAF at its October 27 virtual gala for being an innovator and disruptor who is helping create the future of opportunity by calling for more accountability among public companies in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.
HEAF students Linus (12th grade), Brian (11th grade), Abigail (10th grade) and Iza (10th grade) spent the afternoon at Nasdaq’s offices in New York City’s Times Square. Their exposure to Nasdaq’s operations and behind-the-scenes look at the stock exchange is an important part of the career exposure opportunities HEAF strives to present to students who participate in the college access program over the course of 11 years from 6th grade through college graduation.
At Nasdaq, the students had an in-depth discussion with Friedman as well as Nasdaq’s Chief Client Officer Joseph Brantuk, and Craig Byll, Nasdaq Investment Intelligence Analyst. The conversation ran the gamut from “day in the life” discussions to career advice for HEAF’s students. The students were particularly interested in learning more about Nasdaq’s Black Employee Network Group and understanding the importance of employee resource groups to drive diversity, equity and inclusion.
“We are so grateful to Adena and the team at Nasdaq for hosting a group of HEAF high school students,” said Lauren Girshon, HEAF’s Director of Development & Communications. “At HEAF, we offer academic enrichment, personal development, college prep and career exposure to students from some of New York City’s underserved communities. Partners like Nasdaq help us expose students to so many possibilities, and build a future of opportunity that is equitable.”
During the visit, the students were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Nasdaq’s studio and even got to swing by the closing bell podium for a photo opp, which was displayed on Nasdaq’s digital billboard on Times Square!
“It was an amazing experience to be able to sit down with Nasdaq President & CEO Adena Friedman and some of her colleagues,” said HEAF 12th Grader Linus. “How many students can say they had an intimate networking and career advice discussion with such industry leaders? HEAF really opens doors for us to help us explore things we are interested in, and things we hadn’t even known about before joining the college access program.”
About HEAF
The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) is a high-impact supplemental education and youth leadership nonprofit that helps motivated New York City public school students from underserved communities become high-achieving college graduates. HEAF makes an 11-year commitment to students beginning in sixth grade – the fully-funded scholarship college access and career exposure program provides academic enrichment, personal development, career exposure, college prep and more. At HEAF, College is the rule. 100% of HEAF students graduate from high school and are accepted into college. For more information about HEAF, including how you can make an impact as a volunteer or donor, visit https://www.heaf.org.