Watch: As The First Black Woman Chair Of The NYSE Board, Sharon Bowen Says If You Don’t Pay It Forward, You’ve ‘Wasted The Seat’

Resilience, determination, and a commitment to paving the way for future generations — all qualities that define Sharon Bowen, the first Black woman and person of color to chair the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024, Bowen joined Uber’s Vice President of Operations and General Manager of North American Rides, Camiel Irving, to reflect on her trailblazing career spanning law, finance, and government, highlighting the power of mentorship, networking, and diversity in leadership.

Watch the full session at AFROTECH™ Conference 2024.

Bowen’s beginnings trace back to her childhood as the youngest of five children growing up in segregated Virginia, where she attended the same all-Black elementary school as her siblings.

“And those teachers and my family and community sort of instilled the confidence in me, stress the importance of education to me,” Bowen said. “And it’s that background. I stand where I am today because of that background. So [I] always want to tell people where I came from, which is important.”

Bowen went on to major in economics at the University of Virginia, where reading The Wall Street Journal was part of the curriculum — an experience she called “a great introduction to our financial markets.” After college, she pursued both a law degree and a master’s in business administration, setting the stage for a multifaceted career.

Summer internships at Goldman Sachs and the Chicago Board of Trade sparked her interest in the markets, leading her to Wall Street. She began her career as an M&A lawyer, but when the markets slumped in the 1990s, she adapted — pivoting into restructuring work during her partnership year.

Her career expanded into public service. She served as vice chair of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation and as a commissioner on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under the Obama administration — both Senate-confirmed roles in which she focused on rulemaking and supporting those impacted by the financial crisis.

After leaving government, Bowen was invited to join the board of the NYSE and its parent company, Intercontinental Exchange — where she served for five years.

“And then two years ago, I was asked if I would chair the board of the New York Stock Exchange, the first one, the first person of color in the 235-year history of the exchange,” Bowen recalled.

While Bowen initially declined the NYSE board role for personal reasons, she was encouraged to reconsider and was reminded of her passion for diversity, inclusion, and the economic empowerment of women and girls. She ultimately saw the opportunity as a way to use her platform to champion the causes she deeply cares about.

“And so I’ve come full circle from first time on that floor following a trader from Goldman Sachs back in the summer of 1979, to then walking into that door, there’s chairs,” Bowen said. “My life’s come full circle in a good way.”

Bowen’s career is a powerful reminder of the importance of knowing when to pivot and adapt — especially in times of crisis. In a world of uncertainty, she believes it’s more critical than ever to be vocal, visible, and ready to seize the moment. Taking risks and, above all, building strong networks of genuine connections are essential tools for navigating the unknown.

“I mean, you really do have to chart your own path,” Bowen said. “I tell people it is not as if white people don’t wake up in the morning saying, ‘What can I do to hinder a Black person’s career or be in their way?’ They’re not really thinking about it. So you have to be really proactive.”

Bowen stressed the importance of showing up, introducing yourself, and starting conversations — especially because, whether working in-person or remotely, it’s easy to feel invisible or unheard.

“People will keep your mind when they know that’s what you want,” she said. “If they know your ambitions, which they won’t know if you don’t tell them, they’ll think about you when those opportunities arise. So use that moment to be really proactive in taking charge of your careers.”

At a time when many companies are pulling the plug on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and deprioritizing commitments to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) financial programs, Bowen reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring women and people of color have seats at the table.

On the subject of leadership and how she uses her platform to drive commercial success and meaningful impact, Bowen highlighted three core principles. First, lead by example, even if it means starting small, second, prioritize collaboration by actively seeking outside voices to bring fresh ideas and new perspectives, and third, empower others.

When asked what she hopes her legacy will be, Bowen didn’t hesitate: she wants to be remembered as a connector — someone who opened doors, created opportunities, and made sure others came along with her.

“I’ve always said my role in being a first is to make sure that I bring up the second and the third and the fourth,” Bowen said. “If you don’t do that, you’ve wasted that seat.”

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