AllianceBernstein Names Julie Gunts Head of ETFs as Active Demand Surges

AllianceBernstein (AB) has promoted Julie Gunts to senior vice president, global head of ETFs. The move elevates a key internal leader to guide the asset manager’s rapidly growing active ETF franchise. Gunts brings more than 13 years of leadership experience within AllianceBernstein. According to her LinkedIn profile, after spending nearly a decade in fixed income strategy and research roles at AB, she stepped in as global head of ETF Strategy and Partnerships in September 2022. In that role, we believe Gunts was instrumental in expanding AB’s active ETF footprint. Julie Gunts has been named SVP, global head of ETFs at AB after leading strategy and partnership expansion. AllianceBernstein's U.S. active ETF platform now manages $16 billion, backed by $5.5 billion in net year-to-date inflows. The appointment comes as active ETFs have gathered 35% of net inflows in 2026. Gunts replaces Noel Archard in the most senior ETF position, with Archard moving to global head of product solutions & marketing earlier this year. Gunts will work closely with Archard. Casey Hatch will replace Gunts as global head of ETF strategy and partnerships, moving to the ETF team from a broader product strategy and business development role. Gunts takes the helm at a key moment for active management. In 2026, advisor demand for active ETFs climbed rapidly, driven by wealth managers seeking real-time flexibility and tax efficiency over traditional open-end mutual funds. Year to date through August, active ETFs have gathered $520 billion, equal to 35% of assets. AB has emerged as a beneficiary of this shift toward active. The AB ETF suite amassed $16 billion in total assets, supported by $5.5 billion in net year-to-date inflows. Investors are increasingly using AB’s active lineup to build portfolios. Top products include: $3.4 billion thematic ETF AB Disruptors ETF (FWD) Downside-focused vehicles like the $1.8 billion AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW ) and the $1.1 billion AB US Large Cap Buffer ETF (BUFC) Active fixed income engines such as the $1.5 billion AB Short Duration Income ETF (YEAR) and the $1.4 billion AB Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF (TAFI) With Gunts steering global growth, VettaFi is watching to see how AllianceBernstein will package its deep institutional research engine next. The asset manager has a strong legacy of active management through mutual funds and other instruments. AB has brought some of these approaches into the ETF market, but more to come is likely.