Tanya Rowntree Named Board Chair of Women in ETFs
Cboe Canada’s Head of Listings steps into a global leadership role at Women in ETFs, reinforcing the organization’s mission to expand opportunity and representation across the ETF industry.
The appointment marks a significant milestone both for Rowntree and for the broader ETF ecosystem, where Women in ETFs has become one of the industry’s most influential advocacy and networking organizations. With members spanning North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, WE has spent years building a platform focused on education, mentorship, professional development, and community-building for women across the ETF landscape.
Rowntree’s election comes at a time when the ETF industry continues to evolve rapidly, with product innovation, market structure changes, and global investor participation reshaping the competitive landscape. Her background in listings strategy and exchange operations positions her at the intersection of many of those developments.
At Cboe Canada, Rowntree has played a central role in expanding the country’s ETF marketplace, helping issuers navigate listings while contributing to the growth and visibility of Canadian ETFs. Her appointment to the WE Board Chair role reflects both her industry experience and long-standing involvement with the organization.
“I am honoured to step into the role of Board Chair at such an exciting time for our industry,” said Rowntree.
“My focus will be on deepening WE's global reach, creating more meaningful pathways for women at every stage of their careers in ETFs, and ensuring our community remains a place where connections translate into real opportunity. We have an incredible foundation to build on, and I'm energized by what we can accomplish together.”
A Leadership Transition During ETF Industry Growth
Women in ETFs has grown considerably in recent years, mirroring the broader expansion of the ETF market itself. What began as an industry networking initiative has evolved into a global organization with a presence across major ETF hubs worldwide.
The new leadership structure alongside Rowntree includes Elisabeth Kashner of FactSet as Vice Chair, Kara Pagliuca of S&P Dow Jones Indices as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, and Joy Yang of MarketVector Indexes as Chair of the Audit Committee.
The appointments reflect the increasingly interconnected nature of the ETF ecosystem, where exchanges, index providers, analytics firms, issuers, and market participants all play a role in shaping the industry’s future.
For Cboe Canada, the announcement also highlights the growing profile of the exchange within the ETF space.
Since launching operations in 2015, Cboe Canada has continued to position itself as a key venue for ETF listings and innovation in the Canadian market.
“Tanya's election to Board Chair of Women in ETFs is a testament to the calibre of leadership she brings to everything she does,” said Joacim Wiklander, CEO of Cboe Canada. “We are incredibly proud to see her take on this role and know she will continue to be an outstanding advocate for advancing women in our industry.”
Expanding Representation Across the ETF Ecosystem
The ETF industry has historically been dominated by traditional financial market structures, but organizations such as Women in ETFs have helped drive conversations around representation, mentorship, and leadership accessibility.
“Having been involved with WE since its inception and co-leading the WE Canadian Region, Tanya brings a tremendous amount of experience, pride, and proven leadership to the Chair of the Board role,” noted Laura Morrison, Women in ETFs Emeritus Director. “As the former and very first elected Chair of the Board, I am excited to see Tanya take our organization to new heights as we focus on our mission to empower Women in the ETF Industry.”
That mission has become increasingly relevant as ETFs continue to broaden beyond institutional circles and attract new participants globally, from retail investors to fintech platforms and digital wealth channels.
Rowntree’s leadership arrives at a moment when diversity initiatives across financial services are evolving from symbolic commitments toward more measurable industry participation and leadership representation.
Her emphasis on creating “meaningful pathways” within the ETF industry suggests a focus not only on visibility, but also on practical career development and long-term industry engagement.
With ETF adoption continuing to accelerate globally, Women in ETFs is likely to remain an important part of the industry’s professional infrastructure connecting talent, firms, and opportunities across an increasingly competitive and international market.
For ETF Market, the milestone also underscores the importance of leadership voices helping shape the next phase of ETF industry growth, particularly as innovation and accessibility continue to expand worldwide.
