MMI Names Team ValuPro Winner of 2026 Executive IQ Capstone Innovation Project
Winning project offers an innovative, practical solution to a growing private-market valuation challenge, demonstrating how MMI’s Executive IQ program turns senior industry insight into action.
The Money Management Institute (MMI) today announces Team ValuPro as the winner of the 2026 Executive IQ Capstone Innovation Project, recognized during the online graduation ceremony for the fifth cohort of the Executive IQ® by Money Management Institute leadership accelerator program.
Developed in collaboration with the University of Virginia’s Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning program, the three-month Capstone Innovation Project is a signature component of Executive IQ. It challenges participants to apply leadership and innovation lessons to real-world industry problems and develop practical, market-relevant solutions.
The winning team — Team ValuPro — included Ken Bossen (MMI), Michael Conti (Bank of America | Merrill Lynch), Brendan Gilroy (Global X ETFs), Mitch Heller (Goldman Sachs Asset Management), Joseph McCarthy (iCapital), and Amanda Ruch (Capital Group).
ValuPro earned top honors for its lightweight valuation validation platform, designed to help close the gap between how often general partners must produce defensible marks and their ability to validate those marks on an ongoing basis. Rather than replacing a firm’s valuation policies, the platform is intended to sit atop existing processes as a continuous confidence layer — checking calculations, reconciling inputs, cross-referencing market data, and flagging deviations from internal valuation policy.
“The Capstone Innovation Project is where Executive IQ participants put leadership, creativity, and industry expertise into action. Team ValuPro identified a challenge that many firms face today and developed a thoughtful, practical solution with real potential to strengthen valuation oversight and confidence. Their work reflects the innovative mindset and collaborative spirit that this program is designed to cultivate.” — Craig Pfeiffer, President and CEO, MMI
Three finalists were selected from a field of nine Capstone Innovation Project teams and presented their concepts during a live judging round. Last year’s winning team participated in the judging process.
“This year’s projects demonstrated an impressive ability to connect emerging industry challenges with actionable solutions. It was especially encouraging to see every team — not just the finalists and winners — bring diverse perspectives, deep expertise, and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking.” — Richard Evans, Senior Associate Dean for Research Services and Support, University of Virginia Darden School of Business
“One of the most rewarding aspects of Executive IQ is watching experienced industry leaders step outside their day-to-day roles to tackle problems in new ways. This cohort embraced that opportunity, and the quality of the Capstone projects was truly exceptional.” — Tim Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, MMI; Executive IQ Program Director
The winning team received complimentary passes to the 2026 MMI Annual Conference and has also been invited back to Darden in February to help teach the next cohort the innovation prototyping approach.
“As our industry continues to evolve, developing leaders who can anticipate change and create solutions is more important than ever. MMI is proud to partner with Darden to help build a community of forward-thinking professionals who will help shape the future.” — Craig Pfeiffer, President and CEO, Money Management Institute
About Executive IQ
Executive IQ is an executive-level professional accelerator for senior investment leaders (with a minimum of 10-15 years of experience) looking to advance their careers and organizations. This 12-month certification program combines a university-backed curriculum with real-world case studies from the industry’s most prestigious consultants and Fortune 500 companies. Designed for tomorrow, Executive IQ helps transform experienced decision-makers into industry innovators, able to turn challenges into opportunities. Participants gain not just the tools they need to lead and grow their organizations, but the chance to build executive-level networks they can count on for life. For more information, visit https://www.mminst.org/executive-iq
About the Money Management Institute (MMI)
Established in 1997, the Money Management Institute (MMI) is the industry association for financial services firms, serving as the leading catalyst and resource for the advancement of investment advice. MMI advances the wealth and asset management industries through connections, knowledge, and professional growth. We are committed to fostering collaboration, supporting diversity of thought, sharing expertise, and driving innovation. By championing best practices and encouraging open dialogue in investment advice, we empower firms and professionals to better serve clients and investors in an ever-evolving world. We offer our members premier professional development programs, specialized curriculums, invaluable thought leadership, and dynamic peer-to-peer networks.
Our membership spans wealth managers, asset managers, and solutions providers of all sizes, with professionals representing every functional area of the financial services ecosystem. Together, we are shaping the future of investment advice. Follow MMI on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Paul Zettl
Chief Marketing Officer
Money Management Institute
646.868.8528 | pzettl@mminst.org
