Kirsten Wegner
CEO, Index Industry Association
Email: kwegner@indexassoc.org
Under Kirsten’s leadership, the IIA plays an active role in helping shape public policy and perceptions around market issues. She is a vocal advocate for the efficiency and cost savings of fintech technology in democratizing the capital markets, particularly as it relates to retail investors and those saving for retirement or other life milestones through public pension plans, 401(K) plans, 529 college savings accounts and others.
Before joining the IIA in 2025, she served as CEO of Modern Markets Initiative, educating the public on the benefits of automated trading and fintech technology as it relates to investors. Prior to that, she served as Director of Government Relations for the International Securities Exchange where she created bipartisan outreach and advocacy strategy on financial services and tax matters impacting exchanges and retail investors. She was also a Senior Associate at Squire Patton Boggs LLP, providing strategic counsel to technology startups, stock exchanges, Industry trade organizations, and brokerages on financial services, tax, and technology matters.
Kirsten has appeared before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission AI Day, the Milken Institute Global Forum, the American Bar Association Derivatives & Futures Law Committee, the National Conference on Public Employees Retirement Systems, the Princeton University Quant & Fintech Conference, New York University’s College & Career Lab, and other prestigious venues.
She is often sought out for her timely views and insights on public policy and markets issues and has published more than a half dozen op-ed pieces in leading media outlets. She is frequently quoted in such major media outlets as the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, Politico and Business Insider.
Kirsten holds a J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. degree from Columbia University.