As CEO of Validis, a company that streamlines data for accounting firms and financial institutions, Michael gets involved with everything from sales and equity financing to risk management and product development. His job is to find solutions when there are no easy answers. In this alumni spotlight, Michael describes the daily complexities of his role, his insights on leadership, and the lessons that have shaped his career.

What does your day-to-day look like as CEO of Validis?

Validis works with accounting firms and financial institutions to connect them to their clients’ accounting packages in real-time. Our platform extracts and standardizes live accounting data, transforming it into analysis-ready formats for audits and corporate lending. So, much like consulting, no day is ever the same, which is part of the appeal. The only guarantee is that I’ll be wrapping my head around complex challenges and making decisions when there's no clear solution. I find myself dealing with a variety of issues, from legal risks and IT upgrades to raising equity and securing client renewals.

Have you carried any skills from consulting into your current role?

Absolutely. It’s incredibly rewarding to apply what I learned at Oliver Wyman to my current role: client-centricity, attention to detail, analysis, and problem-solving. Consulting also taught me how to communicate effectively and take ownership of tasks. This has been empowering for me and taken my career to places I’d never imagined.

What aspects of Oliver Wyman’s culture did you value the most?

I appreciated the entrepreneurial spirit, allowing me to find solutions independently. However, the best parts of the culture were the people and flat hierarchy. It felt great to be part of a team that cared about getting the right answer rather than who came up with it.

How did you find the transition when you were promoted to partner?

Very transparently, I found the transition challenging. I thrived in the early stages of my career, and enjoyed the hands-on execution and managing of projects. The role of a partner, however, is less about executing projects and more about selling and cultivating long-term relationships. It requires the ability to instill confidence in clients as a problem solver and trusted advisor.

What prompted your decision to leave Oliver Wyman?

I realized I needed to shift my approach in order to advance. When an opportunity to run a business unit with Coalition Greenwich came up, it felt like the right move. I loved the role and eventually started my journey moving into fintech, becoming CEO of Validis. This better suited my strengths and passion for problem-solving and innovation.

What has been your biggest challenge as CEO?

In consulting, you can influence the project from top-to-bottom, from reviewing the final Steering Committee deck to examining the model. However, at Validis, I can’t do that. Much of the technical work is beyond me, so understanding how to drive value without being able to input has been a learning experience. This has taught me the importance of building a team that complements my strengths and addresses my weaknesses. My role is really about enabling others and clearing the path so they can do their best work. Adjusting to this collaborative and dynamic environment has been rewarding because the diversity of the team means we can solve even harder problems.

What was your fondest career moment at Oliver Wyman?

Working with Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Badman on a high-stakes project in 2009. It was my first on-site project and we were tasked with assessing a German-based bank’s liquidity amid the chaos of the global financial crisis. The experience was intense, with our reports reaching Angela Merkel's desk daily. There were even police raids and board arrests! Despite the pressure, the camaraderie and teamwork were incredible. Everyone just rolled up their sleeves to tackle the challenges together.

How can Oliver Wyman still be supportive to you in your career?

Oliver Wyman can support me by keeping the networking channels open with partners, as many of my clients overlap with theirs. The Alumni Network events and partner gatherings have always been highlights for me, helping me maintain those valuable connections. I also enjoy seeing updates about former colleagues on LinkedIn and being part of the Alumni LinkedIn Group as it inspires ongoing collaboration.

This page was originally published on January 28, 2025.