First woman chosen to lead New York Stock Exchange in its 226-year history

Stacey Cunningham began her career as a NYSE floor clerk 

Mythili Sampathkumar
New York
Tuesday 22 May 2018 21:34 BST
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New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) names its first female president, Stacey Cunningham, in its 226-year history
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) names its first female president, Stacey Cunningham, in its 226-year history

For the first time in its 226 year history, the New York Stock Exchange will be led by a woman.

Stacey Cunningham is set to become the 67th president of the exchange, where she began her career as a floor clerk in 1996.

"It's exciting to take on the role of running this organization because it's an institution and it has a lot of personal meaning to me, myself, you know so that's really what I've been focused on," she said to the Associated Press as she replaces outgoing president Thomas Farley.

She added: "As a woman, I think it's important to set new boundaries for everyone so that those who follow can continue to have more opportunity than existed before”.

Ms Cunningham joins Adena Friedman who leads Nasdaq, another American stock exchange, meaning that two-thirds of the largest and most well-known exchanges are led by women.

She has served as the CEO of the NYSE Group since June 2015 and officially takes over her new role on 25 May.

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In a tweet celebrating her new job, Ms Cunningham wrote that NYSE "has always held a special place in my heart. I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead this organisation”.

Ms Cunningham told CNBC she “absolutely want[s] to see companies continue to access the public markets” and plans to “pursue new types of financial listings and work to reverse the decline of international public offerings,” USA Today reported.

Jeff Sprecher, chairman and CEO of NYSE’s parent company Intercontinental Exchange, said in a statement that in her role as president Ms Cunningham "represents a new generation of leadership for the NYSE Group,” following in the footsteps of Muriel Siebert who became the first woman to own a seat on the exchange in 1967.

The timing of her appointment coincides with a move for the famous "Fearless Girl" statue that sits now staring down the Wall Street bull statue. She will now be placed in front of the NYSE.

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