WisdomTree Appoints Digital Transformation Expert Rilla Delorier to Board
Luisa Crawford Aug 22, 2023 03:30
WisdomTree adds Rilla Delorier to its Board, leveraging her 30-year expertise in digital transformation as the firm amplifies its strategic growth initiatives.
WisdomTree, Inc. (NYSE: WT), a global financial innovator with a diverse range of exchange-traded products (ETPs) and a current asset management of approximately $94 billion, has officially announced the appointment of Rilla Delorier to its Board of Directors. Delorier, an accomplished leader with over 30 years of executive experience, is recognized for her leadership in digital transformation within the banking sector and her roles in various financial and tech firms. Her achievements have earned her a spot among the "25 Most Powerful Women in Banking" by American Banker.
This appointment comes at a pivotal time for WisdomTree. The firm has been actively pursuing the introduction of a spot bitcoin ETF, reflecting the growing interest and confidence in the potential of cryptocurrency-based financial products. Despite their enthusiasm, WisdomTree faced challenges in the past.
Their applications for a bitcoin ETF in 2021 and 2022 were met with rejections from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The regulatory body cited concerns over investor protection and public interest. However, undeterred by these setbacks, WisdomTree has drawn inspiration from their successful product launches in the more accommodating European markets.
Armed with this experience and new measures in their updated filing, the firm aims to address the SEC's concerns, particularly those related to market manipulation and investor safety.
Win Neuger, the Chair of the WisdomTree Board, commented, "Rilla is a powerhouse of digital transformation in financial services. Her proven ability to foster innovation and optimize operations will be invaluable as we navigate the industry's evolving landscape, especially in the realm of blockchain-enabled finance."
Jonathan Steinberg, the Founder and CEO of WisdomTree, emphasized the timeliness of Delorier's appointment. He noted, "As we witness an unprecedented momentum in ETP flows and lead the shift towards tokenization, Rilla's expertise in digital innovation is a perfect fit for our Board."
Delorier expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "WisdomTree stands out as a pioneer in financial services. Their innovative approach, especially with the launch of WisdomTree Prime™ and their ongoing efforts in the Bitcoin ETF space, positions them to lead the market expansion in the upcoming years."
WisdomTree is also venturing into next-gen digital products, including digital funds, tokenized assets, and their blockchain-native digital wallet, WisdomTree Prime™.
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