2025 Investment Conference

Adena Friedman has been the Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq since 1 January 2017, and was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors on 1 January 2023.   She brings more than 20 years of industry leadership and expertise and is credited with significantly shaping Nasdaq’s transformation into a leading global exchange and technology company serving the financial industry.

Since December 2018, Adena has served as a Class B director to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. In January 2024, Adena was elected to the Business Roundtable (BRT) Board of Directors and currently serves as the Chair of the BRT's Technology Committee. In July 2020, Adena began her term as a member of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust.

Adena earned an M.B.A. from Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University and holds a B.A. in political science from Williams College.

Sir Christopher Hohn is the Managing Partner and Portfolio Manager of The Children’s Investment Fund (TCI). Before founding TCI in 2003, he managed investments for other hedge funds for almost a decade. Chris began his career in 1994 at Apax Partners, before joining Perry Capital in 1996. In 2007, he was named hedge fund manager of the year and recognised as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

Sir Chris holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Southampton University. He is known for his philanthropic efforts, including donations to environmental causes and COVID-19 testing machines. He was knighted in 2014 for services to philanthropy and international development.  

Erika H. James became Dean of the Wharton School in July 2020. Trained as an organisational psychologist, she is a leading expert on crisis leadership, workplace diversity and management strategy. Prior to her appointment at Wharton, Erika was the John H. Harland Dean at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School from 2014 to 2020. An award-winning educator, accomplished consultant and innovative researcher, she has paved the way for women in leadership both in education and corporate America.

In addition to her academic responsibilities, Erika sits on the boards of Morgan Stanley, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Kimmel Center and several organisations that align with her passions for education and advancing women in business. She holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in organisational psychology from the University of Michigan, as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pomona College in California.

Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen is President and CEO of Novo Nordisk. He joined Novo Nordisk in 1991 as an economist in Health Care, Economy & Planning and has completed overseas postings in the Netherlands, the US and Japan over the years. He was appointed Senior Vice President for IT & Corporate Development in 2002 and Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer in January 2013, assuming responsibility for IT, Quality & Corporate Development. In November 2014, Lars took over responsibility for Corporate People & Organisation and Business Assurance and became Chief of Staff. He was appointed President and CEO in January 2017.

Lars serves as President of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and as a member of the Board of Directors of Danmarks Nationalbank (the Danish central bank). He holds a master’s degree in finance and business administration from Aarhus School of Business.

Merete Hverven has been the CEO of Visma since March 2020, and the business software group's revenue has more than doubled under her leadership. Previously Deputy CEO and Chief HR Officer, Merete has focused on strengthening Visma’s position through recruiting and retaining the right people, and by working closely with acquisitions and restructurings. 

She is also a passionate advocate for diversity and equality in the workplace. In 2024 she was recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the world’s most inspiring leaders. With her direct leadership style, ability to execute and passion for diversity, Merete is described as a driven, talented and dedicated leader by her colleagues. 

Before joining Visma in 2011, Merete had several leading positions at Ernst & Young (now EY). She holds master’s degrees in international leadership and finance from the University of St Gallen and NHH Norwegian School of Economics. Merete also serves as a board member of Kongsberg Gruppen, and sits in the corporate assembly and election committee in Equinor.