Team of the Week
Team NYSE
Working Together for the Greater Good: New York Stock Exchange
Wall Street Rides FAR (For Autism Research) is an annual charity cycling and walking event that brings together many of the most prominent firms on Wall Street and beyond to raise money for the Autism Science Foundation (ASF), which funds cutting-edge autism research to help impacted individuals live fulfilling lives with dignity. This year, we spoke to some of the many teams participating in the Ride to highlight why the cause is important to them and the impact that getting involved has had on their respective organizations.
Challenges are more easily solved through teamwork, and the team at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is always up for a challenge—especially when it’s in support of the life-changing work funded by the Autism Science Foundation.
“The chance to connect with colleagues and clients for some friendly competition never fails to bring out the best in all our communities,” said Michael Blaugrund, Chief Operating Officer at NYSE. “And, of course, the opportunity to make a difference by championing the Autism Science Foundation’s progress toward the understanding and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is its own reward.”
A strong supporter of Wall Street Rides FAR for several years, the team at NYSE is proud to be able to lend a helping hand, gathering annually to ride in Saxon Woods Park in addition to sharing its resources to draw attention to this worthy cause both within the industry and beyond.
“Wall Street Rides FAR is set to ring the iconic NYSE bell from our podium for a third straight year, and we couldn’t be more excited,” Blaugrund said with a smile. “The NYSE is one of the world’s greatest stages, and the opportunity to use our participation and platform to bring awareness to autism research is an absolute privilege for us.”
For NYSE, participating in Wall Street Rides FAR and shining a spotlight on autism and autism research aligns perfectly with the exchange’s mission to put people in touch with the information and resources they need to help them build rich, fulfilling lives.
“ICE connects people to opportunities, whether through our marketplaces, data or networks. Supporting a charitable effort like Wall Street Rides FAR is another way to use our capabilities to broaden access to opportunity and build interconnectedness,” said Blaugrund. “All of us likely know someone with ASD, and so our involvement is driven by the broad desire to make a positive contribution to this important cause.”
While NYSE’s trading floors have been reopened for more than a year, ICE has continued to operate in a hybrid capacity throughout the pandemic, meaning the Ride will be the first opportunity for many members of the team to see each other and their colleagues after months of working from home.
“The team is definitely looking forward to spending time together, and I’m also excited to meet up with friends and clients from the other teams,” added Blaugrund. “I’m always impressed by how generous my colleagues are with their time and how everyone is dedicated to truly making a difference in the lives of those living with ASD.”
It is a common perception that the numerous exchanges, trading firms and other companies that participate in Wall Street Rides FAR are fierce rivals, and this event is a rare a chance for the financial community to lay down their arms for a worthy cause. But the way Team NYSE sees it, this community is, in fact, always working together toward an overarching goal.
“At the highest level, I believe that Wall Street’s purpose is to improve quality of life, whether by funding innovation, hedging risks, providing credit or enabling savers to meet their investment goals,” said Blaugrund. “The Ride provides another way we can contribute to the greater good, and we’re excited to be able to participate with others in the industry and ride together to support a great cause.”