Julie Winkler

Julie Winkler is the Chief Commercial Officer and Senior Managing Director at CME Group, a position she has held since 2016. In this significant role, she oversees the company's global sales, product marketing, research and product development, retail business, data services and analytics, and the innovation lab. Her extensive responsibilities also include leading the international businesses, with heads of Europe, Asia, and Latin America reporting directly to her, and integrating international strategy into client development and sales.

Winkler's journey in financial markets began over two decades ago when she joined the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) in 1996 as a Staff Investigator in the Office of Investigations and Audits. She quickly moved into Business Development, becoming an Economist in 1998, and was promoted to Managing Director, Business Development in 2004. She also served as Vice President of Business Development, managing the growth of financial product research and development, market data products, training, education, and corporate strategy.

Following CME Group's acquisition of CBOT in 2007, Winkler transitioned to CME Group as Managing Director of Research and Product Development. She became Senior Managing Director of Research, Product Development and Index Services in 2014, a role she held until her promotion to Chief Commercial Officer. A notable achievement includes her instrumental role in developing CME Group's innovative Bitcoin futures contract, launched in December 2017, and subsequently options on Bitcoin futures and Ethereum futures. She also played a key role in the launch of Micro E-mini Equity Index futures in 2019.

Beyond her core responsibilities, Winkler is passionate about championing women in leadership. She served as the first adviser and is the current executive sponsor for CME Group's Women's Initiative Network (WIN) and serves on the company's Diversity & Inclusion Executive Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance from Valparaiso University and an MBA in Finance and Derivatives Markets with Highest Honors from Loyola University. She also serves on the Board of Directors for S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and Valparaiso University.