Morningstar Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Morningstar has 8 executives leading key functions including finance, technology, operations, legal, people, and retirement solutions.

Driven by a commitment to investor empowerment, Morningstar provides independent investment research, data, and technology solutions, shaping financial decisions across global markets.

Leadership Roles at Morningstar

  • Chief Financial Officer - Michael Holt
  • Deputy Chief Financial Officer - Emma Rayburn
  • Chief Operating Officer, Direct Platform - Frannie Besztery
  • President, Retirement Solutions - Brock Johnson
  • Group Chief Technology Officer, Morningstar Indexes & Sustainalytics - Sumair Pervaiz
  • Operations, Morningstar Sustainalytics Chief of Staff - Joan Schaper
  • Chief Legal Officer - Kathleen Peacock
  • Chief People Officer - Marie Lynch
  • Michael Holt - Chief Financial Officer

    Michael Holt, the Chief Financial Officer at Morningstar, directs the company's financial strategy and operations. Overseeing all fiscal activities, Holt ensures robust financial planning, accurate reporting, and effective capital allocation across the organization's global footprint. This leadership role involves managing investor relations, optimizing financial performance, and driving sustainable growth in alignment with Morningstar's mission of empowering investor success. By maintaining stringent financial controls and identifying strategic investment opportunities, Michael Holt directly supports the company's expansion in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The Chief Financial Officer's oversight extends to budgeting, forecasting, and risk management, ensuring the financial integrity of Morningstar's diverse product and service offerings, including investment research, data, and technology solutions.
    Michael Holt

    Emma Rayburn - Deputy Chief Financial Officer

    Emma Rayburn, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Morningstar, supports the Chief Financial Officer in managing the company's financial health and strategic fiscal planning. Rayburn contributes to financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance across all operations. This role involves close collaboration with various departments to monitor financial performance and identify areas for optimization. By assisting in the oversight of financial activities, Emma Rayburn plays a crucial part in supporting Morningstar's global expansion and its provision of independent investment research, data, and technology solutions. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer's focus includes enhancing financial controls and supporting strategic investment decisions that drive long-term value for the company and its stakeholders.

    Frannie Besztery - Chief Operating Officer, Direct Platform

    Frannie Besztery, the Chief Operating Officer, Direct Platform at Morningstar, directs the operational efficiency and strategic execution of the company's direct-to-investor platform. Besztery oversees the day-to-day operations, ensuring the seamless delivery of investment data, research, and technology solutions to individual investors. This leadership role involves optimizing workflows, enhancing user experience, and driving operational excellence across the platform's services. By focusing on process improvement and resource management, Frannie Besztery ensures the Direct Platform effectively serves its growing user base in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The Chief Operating Officer's strategic initiatives aim to enhance service delivery and operational scalability, directly supporting Morningstar's mission to empower investors with independent insights and tools.
    Frannie Besztery

    Brock Johnson - President, Retirement Solutions

    Brock Johnson, the President, Retirement Solutions at Morningstar, directs the strategy and growth of the company's retirement services offerings. Johnson oversees the development and delivery of comprehensive solutions designed to support retirement plan providers and individual investors in achieving financial security. This leadership role involves driving innovation in retirement planning tools, investment data, and managed portfolio solutions across North America and other key markets. By focusing on client needs and market trends, Brock Johnson ensures that Morningstar's retirement solutions are robust, accessible, and effective. The President of Retirement Solutions' strategic vision is instrumental in expanding Morningstar's impact within the retirement industry, reinforcing its commitment to empowering investors.
    Brock Johnson

    Sumair Pervaiz - Group Chief Technology Officer, Morningstar Indexes & Sustainalytics

    Sumair Pervaiz, the Group Chief Technology Officer, Morningstar Indexes & Sustainalytics at Morningstar, architects the technological vision and execution for critical business units. Pervaiz drives innovation in technology platforms supporting Morningstar Indexes and Sustainalytics, ensuring their scalability and reliability. This executive's responsibilities encompass the development and deployment of advanced technological solutions that underpin the company's data and research offerings across global markets. By leading the technology teams, Sumair Pervaiz ensures seamless integration of new features and maintains the high performance standards required for investment data and analytics. The Group Chief Technology Officer's strategic focus includes enhancing the technological infrastructure to support evolving client needs and market dynamics, thereby reinforcing Morningstar's position as a leader in investment research and technology solutions.

    Joan Schaper - Operations, Morningstar Sustainalytics Chief of Staff

    Joan Schaper, the Operations, Morningstar Sustainalytics Chief of Staff at Morningstar, facilitates strategic initiatives and operational alignment within the Morningstar Sustainalytics division. Schaper enhances operational effectiveness by coordinating cross-functional projects and ensuring efficient resource allocation to support Sustainalytics' mission of providing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) research. This executive's role involves bridging communication between leadership and operational teams, driving process improvements, and supporting the strategic objectives of the Sustainalytics business unit. By streamlining operations and fostering collaboration, Joan Schaper directly contributes to the delivery of high-quality ESG data and research to clients globally. The Chief of Staff's efforts ensure that Morningstar Sustainalytics operates with maximum efficiency and strategic focus.
    Kathleen Peacock, the Chief Legal Officer at Morningstar, provides strategic legal counsel and oversees all legal affairs for the global organization. Peacock directs the company's legal framework, ensuring compliance with regulations across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. This leadership position involves managing corporate governance, intellectual property, litigation, and regulatory matters pertinent to investment research, data, and technology solutions. By safeguarding Morningstar's legal interests, Kathleen Peacock supports the company's ethical operations and its commitment to providing independent financial insights. The Chief Legal Officer's expertise is critical in navigating complex legal landscapes and mitigating risks, thereby protecting the company's reputation and assets.

    Marie Lynch - Chief People Officer

    Marie Lynch, the Chief People Officer at Morningstar, leads the human resources strategy and operations, fostering a culture that supports the company's mission and growth. Lynch oversees talent acquisition, development, compensation, and employee engagement initiatives across Morningstar's global workforce. This executive's focus is on attracting, retaining, and developing top talent to drive innovation in investment research, data, and technology solutions. By championing employee well-being and professional growth, Marie Lynch ensures that Morningstar cultivates a high-performing and inclusive work environment. The Chief People Officer's strategic direction is vital for aligning people strategies with business objectives, supporting the company's expansion and its commitment to empowering investors worldwide.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Morningstar Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Morningstar?
    Morningstar is led by Michael Holt (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Emma Rayburn (Deputy Chief Financial Officer) and Frannie Besztery (Chief Operating Officer, Direct Platform).
    Who is part of Morningstar’s executive team?
    The executive team of Morningstar includes leaders such as Michael Holt (Chief Financial Officer), Emma Rayburn (Deputy Chief Financial Officer), Frannie Besztery (Chief Operating Officer, Direct Platform) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Morningstar have?
    Morningstar has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Morningstar’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Morningstar includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Direct Platform, President, Retirement Solutions, Group Chief Technology Officer, Morningstar Indexes & Sustainalytics.