Unveiling the COOs’ 2026 Agenda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Orlando, FL — March 12, 2026 — Earlier this week, at InvestOps US, TorreBlanc Founder and CEO Mark Aguilera moderated a senior executive panel titled “Unveiling COO’s Priorities: Developing the Target Operating Model,” bringing together global operations leaders to examine how firms are redefining operating models in response to accelerating change across the investment management industry.

The panel convened chief operating officers from leading global asset managers and service providers to discuss the strategic initiatives shaping operational strategy in 2026 and beyond, including operating model design, centralization versus decentralization, workforce transformation, and the role of AI in driving scale and operational resilience.

Panel speakers included:

• Kat Mello — Managing Director and COO, Specialty Solutions Group, Morgan Stanley Investment Management
• Mariam Osman — COO, Global Investment Operations, BlackRock
• Mostapha Tahiri — Global COO, State Street
• Catherine Thrasher — Chief Operations Officer, CIBC Mellon
• Mark Aguilera — Founder and CEO, TorreBlanc (Moderator)

“COOs are being asked to do more than optimize operations — they are being asked to architect the future state of their firms,” said Mark Aguilera, Founder and CEO of TorreBlanc. “This conversation highlighted how leading organizations are aligning operating models with firm-wide strategy, modernizing talent, and balancing scale with client-centricity as the pace of change continues to accelerate.”

Panelists shared perspectives on how firms are prioritizing digital transformation, simplifying low-value operational work, and re-skilling teams to support increasingly complex products, markets, and client expectations. A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the evolving role of operations as a source of competitive advantage — not just efficiency — as firms prepare for 2026 and beyond.

The session concluded with forward-looking insights into how COOs are already planning for the next phase of operating model evolution, including the integration of AI, new talent models, and global operating capabilities designed to support growth at scale.

TorreBlanc thanks the InvestOps US team for hosting another great conference.

About TorreBlanc

TorreBlanc is a management consulting firm focused on helping investment managers, asset owners, and financial services organizations design and execute operating models that support growth, resilience, and long-term strategic advantage. The firm specializes in operating model design, technology transformation, data strategy, and operational readiness across the front, middle, and back office.

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