David Abner

Head of Global ETFs and Funds at Northern Trust Asset Management

Speaker

David Abner is a highly accomplished leader in the financial services sector, currently serving as the Head of Global ETFs & Funds overseeing mutual fund and ETF product strategy, research, development, and management of at Northern Trust Asset Management (NTAM). His responsibilities have a sharp focus on innovation and strategy and he is pivotal in shaping NTAM’s investment solutions for a rapidly evolving market.

Before joining NTAM, Abner served as Global Head of Business Development at Gemini, where he played a transformative role in the cryptocurrency space. He led the creating on Gemini Fund Solutions, a comprehensive platform for ETP issuers seeking to integrate cryptocurrencies into their offerings, driving over $10 billion in asses under management into crypto investment products outside the US markets. Additionally, he spearheaded Gemini Investment Solutions, enabling Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) to incorporate cryptocurrencies alongside traditional asset portfolios. His leadership and forward-thinking approach positioned him as a recognized strategist and speaker in the crypto industry.

Abner’s career is deeply rooted in the ETF market. As the former CEO of WisdomTree Europe Ltd, he was instrumental in helping to grow WisdomTree from less than $1 billion to over $60 billion in assets under management. During his 12-year tenure, he contributed significantly to the company’s expansion and served as a member of WisdomTree’s Global Executive Committee. His earlier experience includes developing several trading businesses at Bear Stearns culminating in the creation of their ETF trading business and managing global ETF trading at BNP Paribas, where he worked with some of the largest investors globally.

A thought leader in the ETF space, Abner is author of “The ETF Handbook” and “The Visual Guide to ETFs”, and is credited with creating the widely-used ETF Implied Liquidity function that revolutionized daily portfolio management for ETFs. Abner holds an MS in Management and Policy Analysis and a BA in Economics from Stony Brook University in New York. His innovative strategies, leadership acumen, and extensive experience make him a prominent figure in both traditional finance and cryptocurrency markets.