5 Highest-Paid Women CEOs

4. Adena Friedman

Total Compensation: $28,045,305

Adena T. Friedman is an influential American businesswoman and the President/CEO of Nasdaq, Inc. Formerly managing director and CFO at The Carlyle Group, she rejoined Nasdaq in 1993 and became its CEO in January 2017 and was the first woman to lead a global exchange. 

Forbes consistently recognizes her on the Power Women list. Friedman is also a Class B director at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York since December 2018 and is the sole Exchange CEO to hold this position. Additionally, she contributes to FCLTGlobal, a nonprofit focused on long-term investing, as a board member.