From Babson to Nasdaq: Karen Snow ’93 on Her Journey to the Top of Global Finance
Karen Snow ’93 joined Nasdaq as Global Head of Listings just days before her 50th birthday.
Since then, Snow has secured hundreds of new competitive listings such as Instacart and DoorDash, with more than 2,000 companies joining Nasdaq during her tenure. She was recently named to Forbes’ 50 Women Over 50 in investment as one of the “women shaping the way money flows in the U.S—and beyond.”
Snow—who joined Babson President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD, and Entrepreneurship Professor Joel Shulman P’12 ’14 ’20, founder and CIO of ERShares, to ring the opening bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite last week—shared some of her thoughts about making the Forbes’ list and her role on Babson’s College Advisory and Global Advisory boards.
Congratulations on being named to Forbes 50 Over 50. How does it feel to receive the honor?
It’s so special to have been selected by Forbes this year among such an incredible group of women across industries. My category, Investment, features many of my peers, and it’s amazing to have this kind of recognition focused on career longevity. I’m humbled, honored, and grateful to be included in a cohort that features women I personally admire, such as Melinda Gates; Amy Hood, CFO of Microsoft; and Toni Townes-Whitley, CEO of Nasdaq-Listed SAIC.
Can you reflect on the state of women working in finance in the year 2024?
At Davos this year, the World Economic Forum shared that investing in female-led opportunities could unlock $700 billion in value. This strikes me as conservative, but, clearly, women in finance are and will continue to play an essential role. I’m also thrilled that more women are choosing finance and business careers, but there is certainly work to be done, especially at the board and executive levels.
What is it like starting such a high-profile job at the age of 50? Is there any advice you’d give women who are pivoting and starting a new career later in life?
I joined Nasdaq just before my 50th birthday, and today oversee global listings, where I’ve had a hand in winning hundreds of competitive listings. During my tenure, more than 2,000 companies have joined Nasdaq, elevating and solidifying Nasdaq’s profile as the exchange of choice for brands like Arm, Instacart, DoorDash, and Linde.
While I was ready for a pivot at 50, I would not have naturally thought of joining Nasdaq. However, when I fully understood the opportunity, the network I could create and that it would likely lead to advisory and board work down the line, it became an easy decision.
I have always thought of my career in stages and encourage women of all ages to do the same. It’s also so important to proactively build your network and to be open to new opportunities, but to ultimately listen to your gut. Lastly, if you don’t have confidence in yourself, no one else will.
I’ve definitely hit my stride in my 50s, and I am very excited for what lies ahead.
How did Babson prepare you for your career path leading up to this job?
As a scholarship student, I can honestly say that Babson changed my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the quality of my education and the Babson community at large.
I majored in economics and marketing and minored in international business—but it was the entire Babson experience that set me on the right path. Babson really expanded my horizons—and left me always thinking about the art of the possible.
Lastly, I have stayed engaged with the school since graduating and find that Babson keeps on giving. In addition to attending local networking events and speaking engagements on campus, I became a member of the College Advisory Board in 2020 where I have offered—and found—great support and continued community.
How, in your perspective, has Babson changed since you attended? What do you like or appreciate about the College while serving on the two advisory boards?
Babson is always evolving, while staying true to its core values and competencies. What I now appreciate that I may not have as a student, is the importance and role of the Board of Trustees and the leadership of the school. That’s where the strategic direction is set and where a lot of magic happens.
I think it is wonderful that Babson is engaging alumni via the College Advisory Board. Members are empowered to take on special projects and encouraged to share their ideas and feedback with the Board of Trustees. It helps keep Babson fresh and turning out students who will remain relevant in an ever-changing global economy for years to come.
What advice would you give women who are studying at Babson now who’d like to follow in your footsteps and work at similar jobs?
The following are four tips that I would share with women who aspire to be in leadership positions.
- Have Patience with a Purpose: Be strategic about your career and skill sets. Think of it as a marathon and not a sprint. First and foremost, invest in yourself and know that this journey takes a tremendous amount of planning and patience.
- Build and Nurture Relationships: It’s not just about career performance and output—
- Maintain Work-Life Balance: As a mother of two, I know that work-life balance matters tremendously. Really lean in to your experiences both in and out of the workplace to become a better person and engaged professional.
- Express Your Gratitude: I am constantly reminded of all the mentors and the women who have helped me along the way. And, to those whom I support in turn. It is important to pay it forward and pay it back. This is how we will really create change in perpetuity.
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