Morningstar Executive and Leadership Team

Michael Holt, the Chief Financial Officer at Morningstar, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the entire organization. Holt oversees financial planning, reporting, and investor relations, ensuring transparency across all global markets. By analyzing revenue streams from software and data services, the Chief Financial Officer supports long-term growth initiatives. Michael Holt directs the budgeting process, aligning resource distribution with the company's mission of providing independent investment research. This leadership role involves collaborating with the Board to evaluate acquisition opportunities and market expansion efforts. Through disciplined financial oversight, the Chief Financial Officer maintains the stability required to sustain high-quality research output. Holt monitors economic trends, adjusting fiscal policies to mitigate risks in volatile financial environments. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the financial infrastructure remains robust, enabling the firm to continue delivering essential analytics to individual investors and institutional clients worldwide.

Frannie Besztery, the Chief Operating Officer, Direct Platform at Morningstar, manages the day-to-day execution of the firm's digital business operations. Besztery oversees the delivery of software and data services, ensuring that the platform meets the needs of individual investors and financial advisors. By driving operational excellence, the Chief Operating Officer optimizes the user experience across all digital channels. Frannie Besztery coordinates cross-functional teams to streamline product updates and service enhancements. This leadership role involves managing the operational infrastructure that supports the Direct Platform's growth in global markets. Through the implementation of efficient business processes, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the organization remains responsive to changing market conditions. Besztery monitors service performance, maintaining the high standards of reliability expected by the firm's clients. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer supports the strategic expansion of the platform, ensuring that users receive consistent, high-quality access to independent investment research.

Brock Johnson, the President, Retirement Solutions at Morningstar, leads the strategic development and delivery of investment management services tailored for retirement planning. Johnson oversees the design of software and advisory solutions that help individuals and institutions manage long-term financial goals. By driving innovation in retirement products, the President ensures that the firm provides actionable, data-backed strategies for a secure future. Brock Johnson manages the business unit's growth, expanding the reach of retirement services across diverse client segments. This leadership role involves collaborating with financial advisors to integrate research-driven insights into retirement portfolios. Through the application of proprietary analytics, the President enhances the effectiveness of investment management solutions. Johnson monitors market trends in the retirement sector, adjusting service offerings to meet evolving regulatory and economic requirements. Ultimately, the President supports the firm's mission by providing the tools and expertise necessary for individuals to achieve financial independence during retirement.

Michael Elder, the Chief Information Officer at Morningstar, directs the global technology infrastructure supporting complex financial data delivery. Elder manages the enterprise-wide information systems, ensuring high availability for digital platforms and API services. By architecting scalable cloud environments, the Chief Information Officer enables seamless access to investment research for institutional clients. Michael Elder oversees cybersecurity protocols, protecting sensitive financial data across all international operations. This leadership role involves aligning technical roadmaps with the broader corporate strategy to maintain competitive advantages in the investment research sector. Through rigorous oversight of data integrity and system performance, the Chief Information Officer drives operational efficiency. Elder optimizes internal workflows, allowing the organization to process vast datasets with precision. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer secures the technological foundation necessary for delivering reliable, independent financial analytics to a diverse global user base.

Adam Wheat, the Chief Technology Officer, Direct Platform at Morningstar, architects the digital ecosystem serving individual investors and financial advisors. Wheat leads the development of software tools that integrate proprietary research into actionable investment workflows. By driving innovation within the Direct Platform, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that users receive intuitive, data-rich experiences. Adam Wheat oversees the engineering teams responsible for platform scalability and feature deployment across North American and international markets. This leadership role involves bridging the gap between complex financial data and user-friendly digital interfaces. Through continuous refinement of software architecture, the Chief Technology Officer enhances the value proposition of the firm's digital offerings. Wheat coordinates with product managers to prioritize technical enhancements that meet evolving market demands. Ultimately, the Chief Technology Officer maintains the competitive edge of the platform, ensuring that investors possess the necessary tools to make informed, data-backed financial decisions.

Sumair Pervaiz, the Group Chief Technology Officer, Morningstar Indexes & Sustainalytics at Morningstar, directs the technical strategy for index construction and ESG research. Pervaiz manages the integration of advanced analytics into the Sustainalytics framework, providing clients with precise sustainability metrics. By overseeing the technological infrastructure for index services, the Group Chief Technology Officer ensures the accuracy and reliability of financial benchmarks. Sumair Pervaiz leads cross-functional teams in developing automated data processing systems that handle massive volumes of ESG information. This leadership role involves aligning technical capabilities with the growing demand for transparent, independent investment research. Through the implementation of sophisticated data models, the Group Chief Technology Officer supports the firm's commitment to responsible investing. Pervaiz drives innovation in index methodology, enabling the organization to maintain its position as a leader in global financial research. Ultimately, the Group Chief Technology Officer delivers the technical precision required for high-stakes institutional investment decisions.

Kristen Kanka, the Chief Marketing Officer, Marketing & Head of Direct Platform Business Unit at Morningstar, drives the brand strategy and commercial growth for the firm's digital offerings. Kanka oversees global marketing campaigns that communicate the value of independent research to financial advisors and individual investors. By leading the Direct Platform Business Unit, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that product development aligns with market needs and user feedback. Kristen Kanka manages the customer acquisition funnel, optimizing digital engagement to expand the firm's reach. This leadership role involves coordinating with sales and product teams to deliver cohesive messaging across all platforms. Through strategic market positioning, the Chief Marketing Officer enhances the visibility of the company's software and data services. Kanka analyzes consumer behavior to refine service offerings, ensuring the platform remains a primary resource for financial professionals. Ultimately, the Chief Marketing Officer fosters strong client relationships, driving sustained growth for the Direct Platform.

Joan Schaper, the Operations, Morningstar Sustainalytics Chief of Staff at Morningstar, coordinates the internal processes and strategic initiatives within the ESG research division. Schaper manages the operational workflow, ensuring that research teams maintain high standards of data quality and efficiency. By overseeing the execution of key projects, the Chief of Staff enables the organization to scale its sustainability research capabilities. Joan Schaper facilitates communication between departments, aligning operational goals with the broader mission of providing independent investment insights. This leadership role involves streamlining administrative functions to support the rapid growth of the Sustainalytics business unit. Through rigorous process management, the Chief of Staff optimizes resource allocation and team productivity. Schaper monitors operational performance metrics, identifying opportunities for improvement in research delivery. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff ensures that the ESG division operates with the agility and precision necessary to serve institutional clients in a complex global market.

Kathleen Peacock, the Chief Legal Officer at Morningstar, directs the legal and regulatory strategy for the global financial research firm. Peacock oversees compliance with international financial regulations, ensuring that all data services and investment management solutions adhere to legal standards. By managing intellectual property and corporate governance, the Chief Legal Officer protects the firm's independent research integrity. Kathleen Peacock leads the legal team in navigating complex contractual agreements with institutional clients and data providers. This leadership role involves advising the executive team on risk management and regulatory developments that impact the financial services industry. Through proactive legal oversight, the Chief Legal Officer safeguards the company's reputation and operational continuity. Peacock coordinates with external counsel to address litigation and regulatory inquiries across various jurisdictions. Ultimately, the Chief Legal Officer provides the essential legal framework that allows the organization to deliver trusted, independent financial information to a global audience.