NEW ROCHELLE, NY –Iona College alumnus and Nasdaq Stock Market CEO Robert Greifeld ’79 will be this year’s keynote speaker at the 72nd annual undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 21, in the Theater at Madison Square Garden.
“As our graduates transition from students to alumni, it is motivating to have successful leaders of business share their wisdom and experiences,” said Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D., president of Iona College. “We are inspired by Mr. Greifeld’s many accomplishments and grateful for his willingness to share his story with his fellow Iona alumni.”
Mr. Greifeld assumed leadership of Nasdaq in 2003, when the company’s primary business was operating one equity market in the US. Today, Nasdaq is a leading participant in the exchange and technology sector, delivering trading, listing, intelligence and public company services across six continents.
During his tenure, Mr. Greifeld has led Nasdaq through a series of complex, innovative acquisitions that have extended the company’s footprint across the world, spanning all asset classes. Nasdaq owns and operates 26 markets, one clearing house and five central securities depositories across the US and Europe. In January 2009, Nasdaq was named “Company of the Year” by Forbes Magazine, one of many such recognitions.
Mr. Greifeld has been a strong advocate for modernizing exchanges and financial regulation to keep America’s capital markets competitive. He has also called for CEOs to embrace sound, modern regulation, as consistent with strong business practices.
Prior to joining Nasdaq, Mr. Greifeld was an executive vice president at SunGard Data Systems, where he was responsible for all of SunGard’s sell-side businesses and its buy-side transaction routing businesses. Mr. Greifeld joined SunGard in 1999 through SunGard’s acquisition of Automated Securities Clearance, Inc. (“ASC”). From 1991-1999, Mr. Greifeld was the president and chief operating officer at ASC.
Chairman of the USA Track and Field Foundation, which supports emerging athletes and inner-city youth athletics, he also is a member of the Business Roundtable and the Partnership for New York City, an organization devoted to enhancing the local economy.
Mr. Greifeld and his wife, Julia, who both graduated from Iona, were honored at the College’s 49th Annual Trustee Award Dinner in May 2010. Mr. and Mrs. Greifeld remain active supporters of the College with Mrs. Greifeld currently serving as a member of Iona’s Board of Trustees.
The announcement of Mr. Greifeld’s address at commencement follows Iona’s recent receipt of the largest gift in College history and a matching challenge from Mr. Robert LaPenta. The gift to the Iona Forever comprehensive fundraising campaign, will be used to nearly triple the size of its business school.
For more information about Iona’s commencement ceremony, visit Iona Commencement 2016. For more about Mr. Greifeld, see the Nasdaq site.