As a leader within Women in Nasdaq (WIN), Romana Maione is helping create meaningful opportunities for connection, mentorship, and professional growth across the organization. Through her roles supporting global partnerships and Lean In Circles, she brings a collaborative, people-centered approach to fostering inclusive spaces where employees can share experiences, build confidence, and strengthen their sense of belonging at Nasdaq.
1. What leadership position have you taken on in your Employee Network, and what do you do in this role? (Answer is required for this question.)
In the Co-Lead of WIN Global Partnerships role, I help create opportunities for networking, mentorship, and professional development, while fostering meaningful connections and open dialogue among employees across the organization. I collaborate closely with the Purpose team and coordinate events to raise awareness on sensitive issues, upskill colleagues, or boost networking.
2. In your own words, what is the mission of your Employee Network?
The mission of Women in Nasdaq is to create a supportive and inclusive community focused on gender equality that helps employees grow professionally, build meaningful relationships, and learn from one another. It provides opportunities to share experiences, expand perspectives, and empower individuals to reach their full potential.
3. How has being an Employee Network Leader contributed to your professional development at Nasdaq?
Being an Employee Network Leader has strengthened my ability to influence without authority, engage diverse groups of people, and build relationships across functions and geographies. It has also provided opportunities to practice leadership in a different context while contributing to a cause I care deeply about.
4. What skills have you gained or improved since taking on an Employee Network leadership role?
I have further developed skills in communication, facilitation, stakeholder engagement, event planning, and community building. Most importantly, I have learned how to create environments where people feel comfortable sharing ideas, challenges, and experiences.
5. How has being in an Employee Network leadership role contributed to your sense of community at Nasdaq?
It has significantly expanded my network and strengthened my connection to colleagues across the company. Through WIN and Lean In Circles, I have been able to build relationships with employees I may never have met through my day-to-day work, creating a stronger sense of belonging and community.
6. What does “integrity” mean to you as an Employee Network Leader?
Integrity means creating an environment built on trust, respect, and authenticity. It means listening to diverse perspectives, treating everyone fairly, and ensuring that all voices feel heard and valued.
7. What have you learned about leading a team or managing others in your role as an Employee Network Leader?
I have learned that effective leadership is often less about directing people and more about creating an environment where they feel empowered to contribute. Employee Networks rely on influence, collaboration, and shared purpose rather than formal reporting structures, which has reinforced the importance of listening, building consensus, and recognizing the unique strengths that each person brings to the team.
8. How have Employee Networks enabled you to honor your culture, heritage or background at work?
As someone who was born and raised in Italy and has lived and worked in several countries before joining Nasdaq in New York, Employee Networks have provided opportunities to share experiences, perspectives, and insights shaped by a multicultural background. They create spaces where employees can bring their authentic selves to work, celebrate different cultures, and learn from one another, which helps foster a more inclusive and globally connected workplace.
9. What has been the most rewarding moment as an Employee Network leader?
The most rewarding moments are seeing meaningful connections form between colleagues and hearing how participation in a WIN event, mentorship opportunity, or Lean In Circle discussion positively impacted someone's confidence, career development, or sense of belonging at Nasdaq.
10. How do Employee Networks contribute to in-office culture at Nasdaq?
Employee Networks help create a more connected, inclusive, and engaging workplace. They bring people together across teams and backgrounds, encourage collaboration, and provide opportunities for learning and relationship-building that strengthen our culture both in and out of the office.
11. What have you learned about your own or other cultures or communities as an Employee Network leader?
One of the most valuable lessons has been recognizing how much we can learn from hearing different experiences and perspectives. Employee Networks create spaces where people can share their unique backgrounds and stories, which helps build understanding, empathy, and stronger connections across the organization.