ETFs, Advisors, and the Next Trillion: Inside the Minds of Two Industry Leaders

Canada invented ETFs — but how did they grow into a trillion-dollar force, and where are they headed next? Pierre Daillie sits down with BMO ETF leaders Alain Desbiens and Tammy Cash to reveal the untold stories, the lessons learned, and what the future holds for advisors and investors. Episode Summary In this in-depth conversation, Pierre Daillie is joined by Alain Desbiens, Vice Chair at BMO ETFs, and Tammy Cash, Director of Distribution Strategy at BMO ETFs and Global Co-President of Women in ETFs. Together, they trace the remarkable journey of exchange-traded funds in Canada—from their early days as a disruptive upstart, to their current role as an essential building block in portfolio construction. Alain shares candid reflections on being one of BMO’s first ETF wholesalers and the skepticism he faced when ETFs were dismissed as a “trend.” Tammy recalls her path into the industry, her passion for democratization of investing, and her leadership in Women in ETFs, a global movement empowering women across financial services. The discussion covers the resilience it took to build the industry, the role of education and advisor partnerships, and how tools and technology are reshaping the advisor-client experience. Both leaders also look ahead to 2030, envisioning an ETF marketplace that is larger, more competitive, and increasingly shaped by innovation in active strategies, alternatives, and digital distribution. This is more than a story about the ETF industry — it’s about people, purpose, and the power of advice.