About Us
Founded in 2018, Defiance ETFs is an exchange-traded funds (ETFs) sponsor and registered investment advisor focused on thematic investing. These themes cut across traditional sectors. They include technologies or practices that are set to transform existing paradigms of how we live, work, receive healthcare and pursue leisure; and could become a $500 billion category over the next five years.1
From quantum computing to sustainable energy solutions; from blockchain to artificial intelligence and smart cars.
Funds invested in thematic ETFs now exceed those in any other industry-defined sector. Indeed at $183 billion, thematic ETFs hold more than double the value of any other single sector. And while they hold less than 2% of industry assets, they account for about 6% of revenue.2 Thematic ETFs have taken in more flows over the past three years than all other sector ETFs combined.3
Thematic investing is by definition a long-term investment strategy, providing exposure to disruptive emerging trends that will mold the categories of tomorrow.
Defiance’s first-mover thematic ETFs seek to capture the most dynamic and disruptive of these trends.
Sylvia Jablonski
Chief Executive Officer & CIO, Defiance ETFs
Sylvia Jablonski is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Defiance ETFs. Sylvia is a pioneer in the ETF industry and a top expert recognized for her market expertise on television and radio, including CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox, WSJ, Barron’s, Yahoo and Forbes to name a few. Sylvia manages Defiance‘s investment outlook, capital markets, and product development. Prior to joining Defiance Sylvia was Managing Director at Direxion.
Matthew Bielski
Chairman of Defiance
Matthew is the Chairman and founder of Defiance Holdings. Matthew is responsible for driving Defiance’s overall company strategy. Before founding Defiance, Matthew was a Senior Vice President at Direxion ETFs. Prior to that, Matthew served as an Investment Management Associate at BlackRock and as a Portfolio Analyst at ProShares.
Paul Dellaquila
President, Defiance ETFs
Paul is responsible for overseeing Defiance’s operations, ETF product development and distribution. Prior to joining Defiance, Paul was a leader of U.S. Wealth Advisory ETF distribution for BlackRock and was formally head of iShares Private Group sales desk. Paul currently holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations.
David Hanono
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer, Defiance ETFs
David is responsible for managing Defiance’s compliance program and capital markets operations. Previous to acting as CCO David held multiple roles at Defiance including Director of Operations and as an ETF specialist covering RIAs. Prior to joining Defiance, David was a Senior Financial Analyst at Sony Music. David currently holds the Series 7, 24, and 63 licenses.
Jesse Bornstein
Head of Institutional Strategy
Jesse oversees institutional strategy. Previously, he served as VP and head of institutional sales for Stakehound, a company focused on DeFi. Prior to Stakehound, Jesse launched the trade finance desk within Nomura Securities’ Global Markets franchise. At Nomura, Jesse drove the firm’s adoption and implementation of financial technology as well as deal origination, underwriting, and execution. Before Nomura, Jesse was a co-founder of LiquidX, a fintech company that he helped grow to over $25B in traded volume.
Gabriella Zahn-Bielski
General Counsel
Gabriella Zahn-Bielski serves as Defiance’s General Counsel. Prior to joining Defiance, Gabriella was a corporate attorney at Covington and Burling LLP with a practice including restructuring, finance and M&A transactions. Gabriella advised both corporate and institutional clients, representing some of the largest financial institutions. Prior to practicing at a law firm, Gabriella served as law clerk to the Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals.
